Clearview National January 2016 - Issue 170 | Page 26

INDUSTRYNEWS

“One million cycles” test
»»Winkhaus’ popular AV2
autolock has recently been successfully tested
to one million cycles under the BM TRADA
Q-Mark, “Enhanced Lifetime Performance of
Doors” certification scheme, helping Falcon’s
high-quality fire door, Strebord, achieve a class
8 performance under the coveted standard.
The autolock was installed on a standard
44mm Strebord core, and has performed
excellently throughout the tests, leaving no
doubt as to its longevity, and its ability to
retain all of its inherent qualities even after
being operated one million times.
Justin Harris, commercial director of
Winkhaus, commented: “The recent test
conducted by BM TRADA is yet another
validation of our AV2 autolocks’ long lasting
performance, as well as Falcon’s high-quality
Strebord door cores. Capable of achieving the
Secured by Design standard, our AV2 range is
a valuable addition to any PVCu, aluminium,
timber and composite door, enhancing
security levels and offering a strong USP to
capitalise on.

‘take advantage of profitable
new opportunities’
“The AV2 range provides an automatic
multi-point locking solution for every
market, helping both manufacturers and
retailers to ‘tackle’ any sector, from domestic,
to commercial and new build, and take
advantage of profitable new opportunities,”
said Justin. He added: “Falcon’s initiative
to test their product extensively, and to so
many high standards, proves their trust in the
solutions they supply, and is benefitting their
customers down the line.”
The BM TRADA Q-Mark Enhanced
Lifetime Performance of Doors certification
scheme is based on the Classification for Service
Life Test Programme CDTM01, and allows
manufacturers to “demonstrate to specifiers that
their products have passed this stringent testing
regime, and that through regular audits of the
manufacturing process they can be assured of
consistency as well as quality.”

AluFoldDirect Celebrates First Anniversary
»»AluFoldDirect, the
Lancashire-based trade
manufacturer of aluminium bifold doors, is enjoying significant
growth just over a year after it
was founded. The company
is supplying in excess of 1,000
frames across the UK per week.
Based in Haslingden,
AluFoldDirect was set up by
Craig Miller a glazing industry
veteran whose achievements
include winning Entrepreneur
of the Year in 2008 from the
Institute of Directors.
AluFoldDirect Ltd began
trading on 1st November 2014 to
cater to the growing market for
aluminium bi-fold doors.
Craig said: “Aluminium bifold doors are a great product
but prone to wide variations
in the quality, speed and ease
of manufacture and, most
importantly, installation.

That uncertainty can lead to
significant delays on site. The
aim of AluFoldDirect has been to
simplify the process.”
Backed by major investment
in aluminium stock-holding,
the company guarantees delivery
within one week for unglazed or
a fortnight for glazed. All the

26 » JAN 2016 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M

installer needs to do is measure
the exact gap for the door and
AluFoldDirect will manufacture
to exactly those specifications,
ensuring that installation is a fast,
simple process.
Weekly output is now regularly
in excess of 1,000 frames,
around 63% of which are being

manufactured for bi-fold door
installations. As a result, the
AluFoldDirect team has grown
from 15 when the company was
founded to 48 members today.
“We have a deliberate strategy
of recruiting local, unskilled
people who just need the right
opportunity to showcase their
talents,” Craig explains.
“We provide trainees with
valuable vocational sk [