16
JUNE 2014 PRO INSTALLER
PRO NEWS
www.proinstaller.co.uk
FOUR INTO ONE
FOR UK WINDOW
SYSTEMS
REHAU fabricator UK Window Systems
is set to establish a One Stop Shop in
Stoke to meet all of its trade customers’ window and door buying requirements, by investing in a new 30,000 sq
ft factory in the town - with capacity
for producing up to 800 frames per
week, as well as providing a trade
counter and remodelled showroom.
The company has expanded so rapidly in
recent years that it currently occupies four
separate units in Stoke. With the purchase
of the new factory in a prominent location,
however, it will be able to consolidate all of
these into one dedicated space, improving
overall efficiency and making it easier for
trade customers to get everything they need
in just one visit.
Director Richard Barlow says: “Our Plastic
Depot trade counter will now be housed
at our factory alongside a new showroom.
Trade customers can bring their retail clients
to show them where their windows and doors
are being produced.”
The move is planned to take place after the
FIT show where the company will be exhibiting on Stand 382.
‘Trade customers can
bring their retail clients
to show them where
their windows and doors
are being produced’
www.rehau.co.uk
Consumer Minister at launch
of new TrustMark core criteria
Crystal Sees Business
Soar Since Choosing Liniar
Romford’s Crystal Windows is one of the South
East’s largest manufacturers and installers
of PVCu windows and doors, trading since
1995 with a strong reputation for great value
and exceptional service in the M25 area.
At a recent event in Westminster
Jenny Willott MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Consumer
Affairs, launched the new TrustMark
core criteria – the Government-endorsed standards at the heart of the
scheme which provide unique protections for homeowners undertaking
repair, maintenance or improvement
work in and around their homes.
This event was an important event to celebrate the next milestone in the development
of TrustMark, the Government endorsed
quality mark for reputable tradesmen.
A number of our member firms also attended the event including: Emily English,
English, Barrett & Gray; Graham Stone,
Stone House Property Care; Barrie Thompson, Thompson Decorating Services.
The following statements were made
during the event ,which highlight how
important TrustMark and its member firms
are in providing added protection to the
consumer and to the future of the construction industry in the UK.
Consumer Minister, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business said:
“TrustMark is an easy way for consumers
to identify tradesmen who have agreed to
abide by industry standards of competence
and fair trading.”
Government Chief Construction Adviser Peter Hansford, added:
“The message from Government is
simple. TrustMark is the scheme we are
backing. If you’re wavering, unsure about
whether to join, you should look again.
TrustMark is central to improving the
image of the industry. You should get
involved.”
How it Works
But since changing over
to Liniar systems for
its profile, the Crystal
team has seen business soar.
Tony Morris, Crystal’s
Operations Manager, knows
why:
“We’ve already a built a
successful business – sales
have increased to £30m in
the last year in spite of the
recession – but since getting
on board with the Liniar
system at the end of 201 3
we’ve seen a significant
uplift in our revenue, and
look to be heading towards
a record year,” he explains.
“The Liniar system has so
many advantages – as the
newest system around it’s
been designed with a whole
range of fabrication and
installation benefits. The
finished product gives the
homeowner better thermal
efficiency, a wide range of
colour options and a choice
of matching products such
as the innovative ModLok™
patio and bi-fold doors and
the Liniar Zoom conservatory roof. Crystal’s customers
have responded well to the
new range as our current
sales – and profit – prove.”
The Government provides a Master Licence to TrustMark to operate the scheme
and manage its Core Criteria - the Government-endorsed standards.
New promotional video: ‘The
Great Tradesman Hunt’
The Board
The execuTive Team
The Forum
The Chief Executive leads a small team
of 4 full-time staff:
All are non-executive roles.
All Members of TrustMark (2005) Ltd
– trade and non-trade experts, industry
and consumer groups –meet quarterly to
Head of Quality Assurance
& Regulatory Affairs
3x
Trade
Directors
3x
Non-Trade
Directors
Head of PR & Marketing
1x
Independent
Chairman
Compliance & Quality
Assurance Manager
Office Manager
discuss relevant issues and to vote on
decisions affecting the future of TrustMark.
Government officials often join as observers.
The Forum elects the Directors.
TrustMark checks and approves a wide range of Scheme Operators which are required to comply with the Core Criteria.
Scheme Operators can be trade associations, local authorities, retailers, certification and inspection bodies,
organisations with panels of approved contractors etc. They are audited regularly by TrustMark.
ASSOCIA
TE MEMBER
and growing
steadily…
Scheme Operators carry out the initial vetting, onsite inspections, checking and ongoing monitoring of TrustMark Registered Firms.
They have to manage any complaints about those firms, in compliance with the Core Criteria. Tradesmen can choose which
Scheme Operator they wish to use in order to become a TrustMark Registered Firm.
Builders
Plumbers
electricians
Kitchen &
Bathrooms
www.liniar.co.uk
home
adaptations
roofers
handymen
Painters &
decorators
Plasterers
heating
engineer
Garden
Landscapers
Flooring
Glaziers
and many more…
A series of videos have been filmed
over the last month and are planned to
be released and promoted to consumers
over the forthcoming months. This activity
forms part of TrustMark’s on-going communications and video programme with
the theme ‘tools to talk’.
The first one to be made available provides advice on how people can easily
find good local tradesmen to do work
inside and outside your home and can be
viewed on the link: https://vimeo.com/
trustmark
(This link may be uploaded onto your
own websites)