Pro Installer May 2020 - Issue 86 | Page 10

10 | MAY 2020 News Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk Widgets and Glazerite provide NHS product support When Jason Thomp- son, group managing direc- tor of Glazerite UK Group, asked for some product assistance to support a family member operating on the frontline at St Helier Hospital, London, Window Widgets was quick off the mark to provide the much-needed support for the NHS. The straps used by the London hospital had prov- en to be uncomfortable over long periods of time and so the request was made to design and man- ufacture a better solution that would help relieve pressure on the face and ears. Despite the current lock- down at Window Widgets, directors Mike Hart and Sa- rah Hitchings have worked in shifts, including the East- er weekend, to produce the new straps using their 3D printer and there are now daily deliveries going out to St Helier Hospital and Southmead Hospital, Bris- tol. While the 3D printing is a relative slow process, over the course of days and weeks the produc- tion volumes have slowly increased. Sarah commented: “The request from Jason was cer- tainly something we were very keen to do, despite the lockdown circumstanc- es. Let’s face it, we all have a duty amidst this crisis to help others and it’s a time for this country to unite and support where we can. “Thanks to the original design from Thingiverse and subsequent validation Ultraframe Factory Reopening 11 th May Following the closure of the Ultraframe factory at the end of March, we have strictly followed government advice while at the same time responding to customer queries and requests via a small number of staff working from home. As a result of listening to our customers as well as broad consultation with industry stakeholders, we now plan to re-open the Ultraframe factory week commencing the 11th May. of product and process from Mike, we were able to start producing and dis- tributing within 48 hours. We’ve also heard many other stories of businesses and even schools using 3D printers to manufacture components for frontline NHS staff.” www.windowwidgets.co.uk CUSTOMADE GROUP SIGNS WIDEST RANGING SBD AGREEMENT Customade Group has further underlined its commitment to supply an unequaled range of products and services with news that it has signed the widest ranging Secured by Design agreement ever. The group has an- nounced that 31 of its aluminium and PVCu windows and door systems have recently achieved an SBD licence in a move that will help Customade Group installers to realise the full potential of the UK’s most prominent crime preven- tion initiative. It is also a major advance for British homeowners, giving them total reassur- ance that their doors and windows are fully accred- ited and guaranteed to provide the very highest levels of protection. Customade Group is the only fabricator in the in- dustry to offer such a com- prehensive package, which spans 17 aluminium and PVCu window profile suites – including vertical sliders, reversible, tilt and turn and casement windows – and 14 aluminium and PVCu door profile suites – includ- ing bi-folding doors and patio doors. Gareth Thomas, sales and marketing director at Cus- tomade Group, explains: “We’re very excited to unveil yet another industry first. This development is all about delivering in- creased sales opportunities across a complete range of products. “The Secured by Design Police Preferred Specifi- cation is the only police accreditation for security related products in the. In an era where security plays a greater part in the decision-making process, installers can stand out from their competitors by offering a wide range of independently accredit- ed products that give the homeowner total peace of mind.” www.customade.co.uk As we re-open we will bring back our team in line with customer requirements with staff continuing to work from home where possible and implementing strict hygiene, safety and social distancing measures across the Ultraframe site. We recognise that volumes may take time to recover and during the first few weeks will be operating with a limited workforce so do expect some changes to normal delivery schedules as we try to respond to unpredictable levels of de- mand. We encourage our customers to talk to us as early as possible in the order process to give us the best possible chance of meeting requests as we scale up. We have a team available to process orders, quotations and answer any technical que- ries on the following emails addresses: Quotations: [email protected] Roof Sales: [email protected] Component Sales: [email protected] Customer Service: [email protected] Technical support: [email protected] IS Support: [email protected] Marketing: [email protected] Credit Control: [email protected]