Pro Installer November 2013 - Issue 08 | Page 3

3 PRO INSTALLER NOVEMBER 2013 PRO NEWS @proinstaller1 Luck of the Irish The Irish construction industry is experiencing an upturn according to one of the sector’s most closely watched and authoritative indicators - and leading Residence 9 (R9) fabricator Dekko Window Systems are capitalising on the upsurge in demand. According to the Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index, September saw the first pick-up in the Irish construction industry in six years as the housing sector gathers steam and builders report near record levels of optimism. The seasonally adjusted index, which is designed to track changes in total construction activity, posted a reading of 55.7 in September compared to 49.7 in August. Panelists reported that higher levels of new orders and signs of improvements in economic conditions had contributed to growth. Industry report shows real signs of optimism amongst installers A report released by the leading installer support body the Consumer Protection Association (CPA) has revealed an optimistic outlook amongst installers, regarding the glass and glazing industry and the economy generally. The CPA commissioned Insight Data to carry out the extensive report, which asked over 12,000 installers a series of questions related to business performance and expectations for the years ahead. Jeremy Brett, who is Director at the CPA comments: “Overall the figures are very positive and reflect a general feeling that the UK economy is turning a corner, and the glass and glazing industry as well. Jeremy went further by saying that it was great news that over sixty per cent of respondents believed that sales would increase in 2014, a figure that correlated with the performance of CPA’s members. When asked how they currently attract new customers, 93.2 per cent of installers said that that they did so through recommendation; with 88.37 per cent saying the majority of new business came from their website and 51.16 per cent said that advertising was a key way for them to attract new business. For more information call The Consumer Protection Association on: 01462 850062 This resurgence has proved good news for Chesire based trade fabricator Dekko. Dekko recently targeted Irish window companies with a high impact direct marketing campaign promoting its new luxury Residence 9 window and door system – and the company won a number of new customers as a result. Dekko’s sales director, Kurt Greatrex, commented: “We’re delighted to be working with some of Ireland’s leading installers on some major projects.” Call 01614060055 or visit www.dekkowindows.com Validated conductivity values for warm edge spacers There have been a number of articles and letters in the glazing trade media claiming that the responsibility for testing warm edge spacers now lies with the European Warm Edge Working Party. This is incorrect at present. The European Warm Edge Working Party is run by Bundesverband Flachglas (BF) a trade organisation made up of flat glass manufacturers, spacer bar manufacturers and others. It is the leading authority in this field and receives technical input from organisations such as IFT Rosenheim and the Multi-Pane Insulating Glass Quality Association. Working with the European Warm Edge Working Party is a proposal from BFRC, which was to have become effective January 2014, but might now be delayed because BF has changed the criteria it uses to undertake these tests. This proposal has always needed to be agreed and accepted by the majority of warm edge spacer bar manufacturers. Discussions are continuing, in fact most manufacturers attended a meeting about exactly this subject, hosted by the GGF, on 27th September. ‘long-term agreement ... will save the manufacturers both time and money’ The reasons BFRC proposed this route are that the European Warm Edge Working Party uses the most currently relevant tests and has the support of the majority of manufacturers. All European spacer bar manufacturers, and some from outside Europe, are voluntarily members of this Working Party. Until this proposal becomes effective, BFRC is only asking manufacturers to use BF Datasheets “where possible” and will accept data from other accredited sources, providing they are fully compliant with BS EN 10077-2:2012. “BFRC is striving to establish a level playing field and a fair and accepted method to calculate conductivity values,” commented Chris Mayne, BFRC, Managing Director. “This is a highly complicated subject within an extremely competitive and commercially sensitive market. If the BFRC can lead the sector to consensus and long-term agreement it will save the manufacturers both time and money.” Once agreement has been finalised, then BFRC will make an announcement. For further information, please contact: Lis Clarke, BFRC, tel: 0207 939 9120, email: [email protected]