News
Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk
JANUARY 2024 | 7
News
What are your thoughts on SLINOVA and ARTEVO ’ s entry into the windows market in 2023 , and how do you think the systems will perform in 2024 ?
Our new patio door , SLINOVA has been met with great excitement by the market . It ’ s always good to see this sort of reaction – the first fabricators are now already producing the new sliding door and are benefitting from the multiple improvements it has over its predecessor , AGILA . This includes a more modern design , localised supply chain and continued sustainability improvements , all of which can be passed on to the customer and help them win new business .
We have high expectations for 2024 and feedback from fabricators tells us the door is much easier to fabricate and install leading to companies who have not previously bought patio doors from REHAU to express an interest . Hopefully we can keep making great strides in the door market , as the signs have been good so far .
ARTEVO is also appealing in a similar way across our customer base . Architects are appreciating its modern design aesthetic and achievable large spans , which has traditionally only been possible with aluminium . Fabricators are also enjoying the simplification of the program range and interchangeability of the components .
Finally , the new pre-inserted ‘ low-e foil ’ included in ARTEVO Max helps properties achieve the Passivhaus standard without the conventional foam thermal inserts traditionally required . Because of this , we are seeing great enthusiasm from installers looking to win new business , especially with sustainability having long moved from a preference to a priority on all projects .
How has the REHAU UK team grown in 2023 , and what are the company ’ s workforce plans for 2024 ?
We have strengthened our sales force over 2023 by focusing our teams on specific market groups . For example , particular emphasis has been placed on pre-sales to architects and specifiers , helping to pull through project requirements to our fabricator customers . Similarly , we now have a dedicated Trade sales team who work with our installer and trade counter networks , again pulling demands into our core fabricator base .
I feel that one of REHAU ’ s great strengths is that we ’ re always keen to bring new talent into the industry as well as promote from within . We are really happy for Hannah Smith and Trisha Naik , two of our Area Sales Managers , who both picked up industry awards for their work the last 12 months . As a CEO , seeing your teams grow and succeed is one of the nicest parts of the job , so to see Hannah and Trisha honoured for their efforts was a highlight of the year .
Looking forward to 2024 , our teams are receiving modular internal training to remain updated on legislative requirements around key issues including sustainability and digitisation . With the recent launch of our accessories Webshop , online exhibition tour and Window . ID software , our teams are also becoming more and more involved in digital topics and further familiarising themselves with modern online sales techniques .
Simply put , standing still isn ’ t an option – especially at the moment . However , I ’ m confident that these efforts will keep us on the front foot in 2024 , and we can use that knowledge to help our customers at an interesting time for the windows market .
In what sectors and markets do you anticipate REHAU UK will see growth in 2024 ?
The retrofit and social housing sectors are becoming increasingly important for us as councils look for energy saving solutions capable of meeting current and future building regulations . By launching some new ontrend colours in the spring including ‘ Pebble Grey ’, ‘ Sage ’ and ‘ Alux ’ gunmetal , we also hope to give fabricators focused on refurbishment residential properties more options to differentiate themselves . Changes and portfolio expansions such as these will be vital to companies looking to thrive in an increasingly challenging market .
www . rehau . com
Looking at 2024 from the outside in
Extensions will go beyond the house boundaries and make more use of the garden this year , according to Ryan Hulme of Connaught Conservatories . And for informed installers , this means extending their businesses into ‘ building ’ but with minimal involvement from builders – as long as you choose the right product …
“ Conservatory and solid roof customers looking to maximise opportunity from the shift in martket we ’ ve seen can easily branch out into extensions and garden living ,” says Ryan . “ And , if they choose the right product ,
RECYCLING INITIATIVE CROWNED WINNER IN G23 AWARDS
The post-consumer glass recycling scheme developed by leading integral blinds manufacturer Morley Glass in conjunction with Saint-Gobain Glass has been named the winner of the G23 Award for ‘ sustainability initiative of the year ’.
Under the scheme , Morley Glass collects post-consumer IGUs using its fleet of delivery vans . Drivers pick up the old sealed units from installers free of charge when they deliver new orders of Uni-Blinds ®, and these are transported back to the Morley Glass HQ near Leeds where they are crushed into cullet . This high quality raw material is then supplied to Saint-Gobain Glass who have invested in the facilities and processes to use it in place of virgin raw materials for the production of new float glass .
So far , Morley Glass has generated nearly 2,500 bags of cullet , which has saved the need
with the right technical support , they won ’ t need to rely on builders at all , aside from some initial help with groundwork .
“ Products such as hup !, which we now supply from Ultraframe , mean that installers can offer an alternative to the traditional
Mike Butterick ( Marketing Director of Saint-Gobain Glass ) and Ian Short ( MD of Morley Glass )
for more than 1,850 tonnes of sand and reduced CO2 emissions in the glass manufacturing process by over 1,000 tonnes . This is because the use of cullet in place of virgin raw materials means less energy is needed to operate the furnace .
The initiative is not only improving the sustainability of
conservatory without taking on a ‘ building job ’. Many installers already have the skills they need to take on this service , and with full support on hand from both the manufacturer – Ultraframe – and the supplier , the team here at Connaught Conservatories , installers can be hup ! and running in no time at all .
“ For any installer that has seen their order books become a little quieter , or have had to turn down extension work ( or taken it on and been let down by builders ), this is the opportunity to add real value to their business and set themselves apart from other installers . We think that 2024 will be the year of the extension and we want installers to be ready to say yes !”
connaughtconservatories . co . uk
Morley Glass G23 Award win
glass manufacturing also helps installers to save thousands of pounds every year on waste disposal costs . All revenue raised through the production of cullet is made available to eligible charities , groups and individuals .
www . morleyglass . co . uk