Pro Installer February 2018 - Issue 59 | Page 18

18 | FEBRUARY 2018 News Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk HOUSE BUILDERS SWITCH TO VERTICAL INTEGRATION Three more of the UK’s leading house builders have signalled their support for vertically integrated materials sourcing, by switching away from multiple roofline supply partners to GAP’s Power of One model. In September, Taylor Wimpey committed ex- clusively to GAP for three more years and the fol- lowing month Persimmon moved its entire roofline supply contract to GAP in a ground-breaking new two-year solus agreement. In early November, Redrow handed the GAP Nationals team joint responsibility for its PVCu fascia, soffit and ancillaries supply. As well as the three major players, GAP’s end-to-end manufacturing, logistics and 112-Depot distribution sys- tem is already the building materials source of choice for Lovell Homes, Miller Homes and Keepmoat. Following the cash acquisition of the SIG Building Plastics and SIG Windows businesses in August 2017, Black- burn-based GAP became the UK’s largest distributor of PVCu roofline, cladding and trim products to the UK’s new home building sector. The 24-year-old GAP group’s ‘National Deal – No Sub Stockists’ mantra is underpinned by its vast manufacturing centres in Blackburn and South Wales, by its 190-vehicle logistics fleet, and by its truly national network of depots that provide cover- age from Inverness to the Isle of Wight. Eastern expedition brings interest Warm edge experts Edgetech have returned from China’s biggest glazing expo with over a hundred promising leads. Held at Shanghai’s New Eurocell brings joy to kids over Christmas past Hospital stays are hard for children at the best of times, let alone at Christmas. So, hoping to bring some additional yuletide cheer to little ones on wards, Euro- cell Technical Products Manager Bill Devitt organised a presents donation and drop to two hospitals local to the business – the Royal Derby and the King’s Mill Hospital in Mansfield. The presents came from colleagues and customers alike, and Bill was able to present dozens of gifts to the respective children’s wards in the run-up to the holidays. www.eurocell.co.uk China International Exhibi- tion Centre in early Novem- ber, FENESTRATION BAU China drew 100,000 visitors from across mainland China, East Asia and the world to see 635 firms showcase their wares. The Chinese construction sector has seen phenomenal growth over the past decade - and while new-build is begin- ning to slow, domestic and commercial refurbishment is still in huge demand. What’s more, both home- owners and the Chinese business community are becoming increasingly inter- ested in thermally efficient products - and, by exten- sion, warm edge spacer technology. Edgetech, which trades under the name of parent company Quanex in China, attracted attention from new prospects and existing customers alike with its impressive warm edge offer- ings, including its TruPlas, Duralite, and flagship Super Spacer products. www.edgetechig.co.uk Congratulations on 25th anniversary Tradesmith Ltd is a trade fabricator of quality windows, doors and conservatories. This year it celebrates 25 years of man- ufacturing – and being with VBH from day one. Mark Hutchinson, Managing Director of Tradesmith, our customers ‘ appreciate the quality ’ explains: “VBH has the same ethos as Tradesmith - quality products, reliable service and delivery and close attention to the needs of the customer. As soon as it came out we took on VBH’s own greenteQ range as it’s the perfect fit. It’s now our standard furniture op- tion. Our fabricators find it easy to work with and our customers appreciate the quality.” Tradesmith is based in Hailsh- am, not far from the Sussex coast. Mark comments: “Our customers require hardware which per- forms well in harsh conditions, so we turned to VBH for help. In r