18 | MAY 2022
News
Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk
SUSTAINABILITY REQUIRES MORE DETAIL ON WINDOW MATERIAL HISTORY
With sustainability growing in prominence among consumers , REHAU is investing in technology to show fabricators , installers and consumers the material history of their windows .
Shifts towards eco-friendly practices have been demonstrated in recent surveys , including a recent NatWest and IHS Markit poll where 63 % of homeowners stated they were planning to make green home improvements in the next decade . With this in mind , REHAU has launched its new Window . ID digital identification tag for its windows , doors and accessories . Russell Hand , Head of Technical and Product Management at REHAU Windows , is heading the technology ’ s launch , which will allow the entire windows supply chain to retrieve information about the window including its
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP LOCKED IN
Leading UPVC window manufacturer REHAU has announced a strategic partnership with world-leading hardware brand , Yale .
Russell Hand , Head of Technical and Product Management at REHAU Windows , comments : “ In joining forces with them , we are aiming to add reassurance throughout the supply chain . Specifically , we will be able to match our premium profiles with equally premium ancillary products .”
Both companies are proud to manufacture in constituent parts and recyclability .
“ The pandemic has supercharged attitudes to sustainability in all areas of modern life , of which the home is a key part ,” Russell explains . “ Householders increasingly want to know how eco-friendly their property is , and windows , as an inextricable and prominent aspect of most structures , are a key part of this .
“ It is with this need for these green priorities in mind that we have launched the Window . ID solution , which through use of an RFID tag fitted to the window will assist the traceability of polymer and other components used in our frames . This creates greater transparency of information for the fabricator and installer , which can then be passed onto eco-conscious homeowners .”
The sustainability of polymer continues as
the UK , which can facilitate shorter lead times amid high market demand . The range will include locks , cylinders , shoot bolts , hinges , handles and letter plates – and exclusive to REHAU , Lockmaster 21 will a talking point for the windows industry , with constant innovation and investment in initiatives including REHAU ’ s Runcorn-based PVCR recycling facility further enhancing the recyclability of frames using the material . With PVC windows now enjoying an average lifespan of over 30 years and more energy-efficient than wood and aluminium due to their thermoplastic nature , the material is growing in prominence as an eco-friendly option .
Combined with the fact PVC can be recycled multiple times without loss of performance , Russell believes the addition of Window . ID tracking will further underline polymer ’ s status as a highly sustainable window material choice . He said : “ Being able to return resources into the wider circular economy is a key objective for material suppliers , and
give the ability to cover a wide range of door sizes .
Ultimately the profile manufacturer aims to create economies of scale for customers through one sourcing partnership . This is evident via REHAU having quick access to material data will greatly assist in this .
“ Crucially , alongside returning polymer to the recycling loop in the future , Window . ID will also be able to show consumers compatible window components and accessories . Consequently , installers and fabricators can better present homeowners with upselling opportunities , while minimising time-consuming inspection or measurement appointments for replacement work due to the easily available data it offers .”
www . rehau . com
and Yale ’ s inclusive PAS24 testing , which can save fabricators up to £ 1,000 by cascading the test results to themselves , as well as a combined comprehensive guarantee meaning less replacement over the product ’ s lifetime .
The partnership is formed on the basis that the two companies have shared values and extensive technical expertise across their businesses , with over 200 combined years ’ experience .
www . rehau . com www . yalehome . co . uk
UK Manufacturing Capacity Bolstered
Polymer supplier REHAU has bolstered its UK manufacturing capacity with an investment in a new lamination line at its Blaenau Ffestiniog factory .
The new line , which was fully activated in early 2022 , is the fourth at the North Wales-based facility , and was added in response to growing consumer demand for laminated window frames . It is the latest in production machinery additions at the Blaenau Ffestiniog plant , as REHAU continues to boost supply chain resilience to better service post-COVID sector demand .
Martin Hitchin , CEO of REHAU UK commented : “ Our fourth lamination line is a great example of this resilience in action , featuring state-of-the-art double-sided technology that will allow for quick manufacturing of non-standard parts . With it now turned on , we have improved our capacity in this area by a third from previous levels while cutting lead times and allowing faster and more flexible reactions to bespoke , smaller product batch requests . These are benefits we are able to pass down to installers and fabricators .”
This latest line is part of REHAU ’ s ongoing commitment to improving manufacturing capacity at the Blaenau Ffestiniog plant , to which a fifth co-extrusion line was added in 2021 . A sixth line is planned for September 2022 , increasing the quantity of REHAU window products made of co-extruded polymer to up to 45 % in total .
Alongside boosting production levels via new machinery , REHAU is also continuing to grow its factory workforce to meet continuing fabricator and installer polymer demand . Specifically , full-time staff levels at Blaenau Ffestiniog have grown from 165 to 192 between March 2020 and March 2022 , with 15 apprentices drawn from the local area also employed at the factory .
“ We have always had a strong culture of advancement at REHAU , with many staff now in management roles having started as apprentices at the company ,” concludes Martin . “ Through a combination of investing in people , machinery and smart factory Industry 4.0 practices , we have been able to expand production while improving overall efficiency . The industry ’ s future depends on reliable material provision , so we deem these steps strengthening our UK supply chains as necessary to the sector ’ s continued success .”