Are you looking for the new normal? Some want to blame Government for the lack of progress in getting there. Yet in the real world how would Government know any more than you or me? Their so-called experts are also just guessing there is no solid proof to support anything they come up with - just a maybe if this, then maybe that. The conundrum facing us all is how to return to a sense of productive reality.
Sure mistakes have been made, we have all been there. Let’s be honest, no one knows where this virus is leading us. No one knows if or what it may morph into next. So when you are staring at a challenge against a complete unknown, not being wrong some of the time simply means you are not trying hard enough. You are expected to push at many closed doors to find an opening that lets you through.
Any Salesman will tell you mistakes are the norm, as is rejection - just try cold calling. If you don’t knock every single door in a methodical way you will miss the one that hands out the reward. Are the doors that don’t yield a result a mistake or part of the process?
The way forward is methodical, baby steps if you like. Start with ensuring you keep those around you and rely on safe and then offer the same respect to your customer then you are already making progress. There is guidance available from the major system houses, along with the mainstream trade associations Certas and Corgi Fenestration. They have all worked hard to disseminate what is the best information to hand.
Our way forward comes from the not so common ‘Common Sense’.
Is it time to change the Pre-Pack Rules?
As house arrest in the UK begins to loosen and at least in England people tentatively try and start up their damaged businesses we are going to see a very harsh landscape for our sector and there are many who went into this unprecedented event ill prepared for any sort of ‘rainy day’. But this is more than a rainy day it’s a tsunami of liquidity and shortly solvency as well because a market where capacity already exceeded demand will see that factor magnified hugely as that demand falls.
We will see business failures that are not anyone’s fault, they will be caused by the complete shutdown of the UK economy and to be fair there is not one business owner Director or Manager you could have expected to plan for that. On the flip side we will see some take advantage of this to yet again exploit the Companies Act and indulge in the Pre-Pack, not something that is unique to the window industry but it does seem to be something that suppliers and customers have taken for granted and even ignored after a bit of salacious gossip on social media. For those unsure how it works (and good for you if you don’t!) a company is covertly lined up for a process that involves declaring it insolvent and immediately assets are bought back (usually with only one bidder who is cited as ‘the best offer immediately available or likely’) and here is the problem, often these assets are bought back by previous owners or beneficial owners of the business or their wife or kids (or some proxy company). ..…»
Is it time to change the Pre-Pack Rules?
© Chris Ball May 2020
Letter to the Editor - DOORCO back to business
Dear Ian
Having recently informed customers and suppliers, I’m writing to you to update you on DOORCO’s return to work strategy. My hope is that you will share this with the wider market in the spirit of industry-wide collaboration. Providing a safe working environment for the DOORCO team is our main focus at this time and we’ve been implementing changes that will be in place for the foreseeable future.
From this Monday (4th May), DOORCO opened for business, running with a skeleton team that provides cover across all areas of the business while actioning the necessary “Safe Working Practices” which enables us to function in a way that is safe for our team and our customers and suppliers. …»
Regards
Dan Sullivan, MD DOORCO
Conservatory Outlet -
'Conservatory Outlet Network hits £4m sales in lockdown sales comp'
UK-wide fabricator Conservatory Outlet has this week announced retail sales figures topping £4m across its Network for the seven-week lockdown period beginning Monday 30th March. It is believed the dramatic results are largely owed to the launch of a proactive ‘lockdown sales competition ’ by the fabricator for its network of salespeople ...more
profine Group -
'profine acquires assets from Aperture'
profine Group, has acquired essential assets from Aperture Group, formerly Synseal, one of the leading manufacturers of window and door systems in the UK. The Aperture Group, based in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, was known for its brands such as Legend, Synerjy, Evolve, Calibre Doors, Norvik New Build and WarmCore. The deal was for the pu ...more
Insight Data -
'Industry faces bad debt crisis'
Insight Data ’s latest analysis of the fenestration industry highlights thousands of companies posing a high credit risk. Insight analysed the credit rating of 9,075 fabricators and installers and found that 353 fabricators and 685 installers had a high or very high credit risk. Jade Greenhow, Operations Director of Insight Da ...more
Certass Limited -
'Certass Trade Association Launches COVID Secure Procedures for Installers'
Certass Trade Association has launched the COVID Secure Procedures Pack for installers. Endorsed by the Trade Association Forum (TAF), which is supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the pack has been developed with Government to give installers the confidence to install safely in occupied homes as lockd ...more
Deceuninck -
'Deceuninck provides practical Covid-19 advice and PPE kits for a safe return to work'
Deceuninck has produced a Covid-19 leaflet with practical advice for fabricators and installers, a series of eleven Health & Safety posters and PPE kits to help fabricators return to work safely. The leaflet gives advice on keeping employees safe and reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission in the workplace. It also offers practical g ...more
Colin Torley -
'Retirement - Colin Torley'
Dear Ian After 35 hectic, busy and extremely successful years in the Window Industry, I felt that it was time to retire. After 9 great years in the building trade, I started in the Window Industry when I joined Everest in 1985 and then moved onto Solaglas CDW, Edinburgh, in 1986 and after two enjoyable years I joined pvcu systems ...more
CORGI Fenestration -
'CORGI Fenestration launches its covid-19 operating code'
CORGI Fenestration has produced a Covid-19 Operating Code for Installers of replacement windows and doors in domestic properties and a corresponding Consumer Guide for homeowners. They are free and available to all as downloadable documents on the CORGI Fenestration website – a href="https://www.corgifenestration.co.uk/trade/installer-service- ...more
'Conservatory Outlet Network hits £4m sales in lockdown sales comp'
UK-wide fabricator Conservatory Outlet has this week announced retail sales figures topping £4m across its Network for the seven-week lockdown period beginning Monday 30th March. It is believed the dramatic results are largely owed to the launch of a proactive ‘lockdown sales competition ’ by the fabricator for its network of salespeople ...more
profine Group -
'profine acquires assets from Aperture'
profine Group, has acquired essential assets from Aperture Group, formerly Synseal, one of the leading manufacturers of window and door systems in the UK. The Aperture Group, based in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, was known for its brands such as Legend, Synerjy, Evolve, Calibre Doors, Norvik New Build and WarmCore. The deal was for the pu ...more
Insight Data -
'Industry faces bad debt crisis'
Insight Data ’s latest analysis of the fenestration industry highlights thousands of companies posing a high credit risk. Insight analysed the credit rating of 9,075 fabricators and installers and found that 353 fabricators and 685 installers had a high or very high credit risk. Jade Greenhow, Operations Director of Insight Da ...more
Certass Limited -
'Certass Trade Association Launches COVID Secure Procedures for Installers'
Certass Trade Association has launched the COVID Secure Procedures Pack for installers. Endorsed by the Trade Association Forum (TAF), which is supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the pack has been developed with Government to give installers the confidence to install safely in occupied homes as lockd ...more
Deceuninck -
'Deceuninck provides practical Covid-19 advice and PPE kits for a safe return to work'
Deceuninck has produced a Covid-19 leaflet with practical advice for fabricators and installers, a series of eleven Health & Safety posters and PPE kits to help fabricators return to work safely. The leaflet gives advice on keeping employees safe and reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission in the workplace. It also offers practical g ...more
Colin Torley -
'Retirement - Colin Torley'
Dear Ian After 35 hectic, busy and extremely successful years in the Window Industry, I felt that it was time to retire. After 9 great years in the building trade, I started in the Window Industry when I joined Everest in 1985 and then moved onto Solaglas CDW, Edinburgh, in 1986 and after two enjoyable years I joined pvcu systems ...more
CORGI Fenestration -
'CORGI Fenestration launches its covid-19 operating code'
CORGI Fenestration has produced a Covid-19 Operating Code for Installers of replacement windows and doors in domestic properties and a corresponding Consumer Guide for homeowners. They are free and available to all as downloadable documents on the CORGI Fenestration website – a href="https://www.corgifenestration.co.uk/trade/installer-service- ...more
Hegla & Bystronic - advertisement
Bohle Group - advertisement
Deceuninck
Dekko colour sales skyrocket with Deceuninck
Leading trade fabricator Dekko says demand for colour has skyrocketed, growing from 20% of sales ...»
MBA Associates Limited
Is it time to change the Pre-Pack Rules?
As house arrest in the UK begins to loosen and at least in England people tentatively try and sta...»
Haffner Murat Ltd
Haffner Murat begins a phased reopening
Haffner Murat will begin a phased and controlled reopening of their business from Monday 18th May...»
Regalead
Glass hearts and rainbows raise £3,045 in just 2 w
While their double glazing manufacturing business, based in Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead...»
UK Government
UK Government Recovery Strategy
UK Government Recovery Strategy "Our plan to rebuild", 51-page dossier sets out a three-phase str...»
Customade Group
Customade Group begins phased return to work
Customade Group has announced a phased re-opening of the business following the temporary closure...»
Haffner Murat Ltd
Haffner Murat commences manufacturing of surgical
The manufacturing team at Haffner Murat have begun manufacturing surgical face masks in response ...»
DOORCO
DOORCO back to business
Dear Ian, Having recently informed customers and suppliers, I’m writing to you to update ...»
Dekko colour sales skyrocket with Deceuninck
Leading trade fabricator Dekko says demand for colour has skyrocketed, growing from 20% of sales ...»
MBA Associates Limited
Is it time to change the Pre-Pack Rules?
As house arrest in the UK begins to loosen and at least in England people tentatively try and sta...»
Haffner Murat Ltd
Haffner Murat begins a phased reopening
Haffner Murat will begin a phased and controlled reopening of their business from Monday 18th May...»
Regalead
Glass hearts and rainbows raise £3,045 in just 2 w
While their double glazing manufacturing business, based in Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead...»
UK Government
UK Government Recovery Strategy
UK Government Recovery Strategy "Our plan to rebuild", 51-page dossier sets out a three-phase str...»
Customade Group
Customade Group begins phased return to work
Customade Group has announced a phased re-opening of the business following the temporary closure...»
Haffner Murat Ltd
Haffner Murat commences manufacturing of surgical
The manufacturing team at Haffner Murat have begun manufacturing surgical face masks in response ...»
DOORCO
DOORCO back to business
Dear Ian, Having recently informed customers and suppliers, I’m writing to you to update ...»
framxpress - advertisement
Haffner Murat Ltd
Haffner Murat begins a phased reopening
Haffner Murat will begin a phased and controlled reopening of their business from Monday 18th May...»
Customade Group
Customade Group begins phased return to work
Customade Group has announced a phased re-opening of the business following the temporary closure...»
Archibald Kenrick
Kenrick supports customers during coronavirus
With many fabricators planning to re-open for business on 11 May, hardware supplier Kenrick is ge...»
Haffner Murat begins a phased reopening
Haffner Murat will begin a phased and controlled reopening of their business from Monday 18th May...»
Customade Group
Customade Group begins phased return to work
Customade Group has announced a phased re-opening of the business following the temporary closure...»
Archibald Kenrick
Kenrick supports customers during coronavirus
With many fabricators planning to re-open for business on 11 May, hardware supplier Kenrick is ge...»
Hegla - advertisement
FrameXpress
5K Security Guarantee on Doors from CLUB Framexpre
New standards of security and extra peace of mind have been added to the Framexpress range of PVC...»
Saint-Gobain Glass UK
Saint-Gobain Glass extends solar control range
Saint-Gobain Glass has announced the launch of its most recent product innovation for the commerc...»
Steel Window Association
Triplex window handle by Steel Window Fittings
Steel Window Association member, Steel Window Fittings, is pleased to announce the availability o...»
Senior Architectural Systems
New Slimline Aluminium Sliding Door from Senior
Senior Architectural Systems is set to open up new opportunities for customers working in the res...»
5K Security Guarantee on Doors from CLUB Framexpre
New standards of security and extra peace of mind have been added to the Framexpress range of PVC...»
Saint-Gobain Glass UK
Saint-Gobain Glass extends solar control range
Saint-Gobain Glass has announced the launch of its most recent product innovation for the commerc...»
Steel Window Association
Triplex window handle by Steel Window Fittings
Steel Window Association member, Steel Window Fittings, is pleased to announce the availability o...»
Senior Architectural Systems
New Slimline Aluminium Sliding Door from Senior
Senior Architectural Systems is set to open up new opportunities for customers working in the res...»
MBA Associates - advertisement
Edgetech - advertisement
framxpress - advertisement
CDW Systems Ltd
CDW Systems supports Hazlemere Commercial with maj
CDW Systems, the respected trade and commercial fabricator, has partnered with one of the country...»
Promat UK
SYSTEMGLAS® maximises fire safety and natural ligh
SYSTEMGLAS® Advenerat from Promat UK has proven to be the perfect solution to meet the brief of p...»
Steel Window Association
SWA member shines as Financial Times returns to Br
One of the world’s most famous newspapers has returned to a building close by London’s St Paul’s ...»
CDW Systems supports Hazlemere Commercial with maj
CDW Systems, the respected trade and commercial fabricator, has partnered with one of the country...»
Promat UK
SYSTEMGLAS® maximises fire safety and natural ligh
SYSTEMGLAS® Advenerat from Promat UK has proven to be the perfect solution to meet the brief of p...»
Steel Window Association
SWA member shines as Financial Times returns to Br
One of the world’s most famous newspapers has returned to a building close by London’s St Paul’s ...»
MBA Associates - advertisement