Pro Installer December 2017 - Issue 57 | Page 3

DECEMBER 2017 | 3 News Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk FIRST CHOICE FOR HOUSEBUILDERS WarmCore, the warm aluminium system from Synseal Group, has become a first-choice product for housebuilders nationwide. Synseal Group has secured contracts with a number of housebuilders who choose WarmCore as their first choice for aluminium, including Avant Homes, Bellway Homes, Davidson Homes and Lin- den homes. The most recent house- builder to specify Warm- Core windows and doors is Warwick-based Heathco Country Homes Ltd, which recently completed a small five plot development of four and five-bed homes at Burrard Park in Lighthorne, Warwickshire. The homes include WarmCore flush sash win- dows and folding sliding doors finished in white internal/external, with the largest houses boasting four WarmCore bi-folds in- cluding one on the balcony of the master bedroom, all manufactured by WarmCore fabricator Total Glass. Stephen Kelly, Director at Heathco Country Homes Ltd, said: “This is the first time we have specified the Warm- Core system after it was recommended to us. We were very impressed with the double-glazed U-values WarmCore can achieve of just 1.3 W/m²K for win- dows and 1.4 W/m²K for the folding sliding doors and it fit our requirements for a modern new build development perfectly with the sleek aesthetics of a flush aluminium finish. “Seeing the products installed now we are very pleased with the choice of products and will be look- ing to use WarmCore again in future developments. It makes such a difference to use affordable, high perfor- mance aluminium prod- ucts that offers the same thermal benefits of PVCu but with a much cleaner finish.” Bruce Manning, New Build Business Develop- ment Manager at Synseal Group, added: “It’s great to see Warm- Core appearing in so many new build homes up and down the country as housebuilders and devel- opers recognise the added value of thermally efficient aluminium products. Many more housebuilders are now adding aluminium bi-folds to their devel- opments which is great news for our WarmCore fabricators, who can reap the rewards of housebuild- ers offering a significant upgrade to the home purchaser.” EMBRACING CHANGE Lorraine Snell, managing director of Hallmark Panels, reflects on a year of hard work and outlines the bright future for Hallmark Panels in 2018 and beyond. SHOWROOM ADVANTAGE REAL Aluminium is investing once again for its growing net- work of customers with the open- ing of a new showroom. The new 88m2 showroom in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, is the first of its kind to be totally dedicated to the entire REAL Aluminium range of products – the widest collection in the industry. The latest in a string of re- sources that REAL Aluminium has invested in for customers, the showroom displays the complete range of products from REAL – aluminium windows, sliding patio doors, residential doors, bi-folding doors, French doors, roof lanterns and Flat Rooflights. The showroom also features the new Virtu-AL aluminium effect composite door, which will be added to the REAL range in 2018. The new showroom is availa- ble exclusively to REAL Alumin- ium customers to demonstrate the REAL range of products to homeowners. This is an enormous advantage for those installers who do not have their own showroom to display products in. www.real-aluminium.co.uk What is your personal philosophy for working in such a demanding industry? Treat each day as it comes. With all the planning and best inten- tions in the world, challenges arise that require patience and perspec- tive. I am not one to shy away from these challenges. Instead, I embrace the diversity and look back at the end of the month with a huge sense of achievement. How do you think you and the business have evolved over the past year? On a personal level, my new role as managing director has taught me ‘it’s not all about me’. Managing change within the business has focused me on how important it is to invest your time in getting to know your team and by doing so, learn what they need to succeed. With customers, it’s about exceeding their expectations by making what you do an act of service. It’s not about my success – it’s about everyone and everything I serve. This ethos filters throughout the company and underpins our fun- damental core business values. When you reflect on the past year, how do you think Hallmark Panels will be defined in 2017? Hallmark Group Product’s 2017 will be defined by embrac- ing a culture of change. We have worked hard to put the founda- tions in place to achieve our long- term aims. R&D will always be a priority that enables us to remain a leader in product innovation, staying cur- rent in the ever-changing industry landscape. We will continue to invest in people, systems and tech- nologies that improve our services, productivity and efficiency. Achieving our long-term goals will help us further establish our- selves as a respected British man u- facturing brand. The business’s success ripples out and contrib- utes to a successful local economy, providing stability for current and future employees. What do you enjoy most about your job? I want every member of the team to buy into our company vision and have no doubt that they play an integral role in its success.