Pro Installer March 2014 - Issue 12 | Page 18

18 MARCH 2014 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS www.proinstaller.co.uk FENSA SAYS 2013 ENDS ON A HIGH FOR INSTALLATIONS 2013 saw the first year on year growth in notifications of installation of replacement windows and doors in domestic properties since 2007 - up 4.5% on 2012, says FENSA. December ended the year on a high with notifications up 25% on ‘Last quarter of the year was up 5.7%’ December 2012. The last quarter of the year was up 5.7% on the same period last year after a flat October (+0.5%) and decline in November (-3.3%). This was the third consecutive quarter of growth - the first time this has been achieved since FENSA began collating installation numbers. However, the total number of installations for 2013 was 702,495 - still down 27% on GGF Conservatory Association Elects New Chairman The GGF Conservatory Association Members has elected Mark Hanson of Ultraframe as Chairman of the GGF Conservatory Association. In his 18 years at Ultraframe, Mark has been instrumental in the development of the company’s brand to its market leading status today. ‘From 20% to 5%’ His appointment comes as the Association continues to lobby on two major campaigns: the “Cut the VAT” campaign aimed at reducing the VAT on home improvements, maintenance and energy efficient glazing from 20% to 5% is gathering real momentum while the other is the removal of the burden imposed on conservatory installation companies by water companies asking for ‘build over’ agreements when homeowners are building over or within 3m of sewage pipes, sewers and lateral drains, following their transfer of ownership to water companies. Mark commented, “The sector faces increasing scrutiny on many issues from the thermal (and in-service) performance of roofing systems to the way retailers sell to the general public. The group’s work is highly collaborative and I look forward to working on initiatives that will bring about improvements for the entire sector.” http://www.ggf.org.uk/ group/conservatory-association the figure for 2007. Eight months saw increased installations in 2013 over the same month in the previous year compared to just four in 2012. FENSA is reporting on the total number of notifications of installations of replacement windows and doors in domestic properties “We worked closely with Howard Atkin of Product Evolution to fine tune our Jablite Dynamic Insulation,” explains Richard Lee, Managing Director, Jablite. “The synergy between his expertise and our own innovation team has proved very productive and creative - we wanted that to continue. “Howard is brimming with ideas and he will be giving us first refusal on his insulation projects from now on. Our innovations team will also take ideas and projects to him for engineering design input.” “I am delighted to be part of a team pushing new ideas and innovation”, says Howard Atkin www.fensa.org.uk MI Products ‘upbeat’ for rest of 2014 Recent positive economic data and rising orders have led hardware specialist MI Products to issue an upbeat business forecast for the rest of 2014. The Coventry-based firm is optimistic for the year ahead following increased demand across its product portfolio, including its Low Threshold systems for residential and sliding patio doors whose ergonomic designs satisfy the diverse needs of installers, fabricators and end-users alike. Low thresholds are increasingly specified for residential and commercial ap- plications, providing a major benefit for those needing easy access to dwellings or public buildings. With performance to match, they can deliver the practical and aesthetic benefits preferred by so many homeowners and specifiers. Jablite Signs Deal with Innovation Agency Jablite, a leading manufacturer of innovative insulation products and Product Evolution, an engineering design consultancy with expertise in product innovation have signed a contract to continue their fruitful relationship for the foreseeable future. in 2013. FENSA will continue to publish quarterly figures during 2014. 92.5% of all window installations are covered by