Alex Tremlett, Insight Data’s commercial director, discusses the challenges for fenestration firms in 2025 which include reacting to the Labour Party’s first budget and Trump back in power and shares six strategies for success that can turn even gloomy prospects into roaring success for those willing to dive in and make marketing work for them. To Read More - Click The Pic
Cover Story - Time to step up
We made a simple promise on thermal performance: that all our products would meet the tightened part L regulations introduced in the 2022 revision to building regulations. We achieved this by developing our own thermal break technology, Thermlock. Wider, multichambered and less conductive than legacy polyamide systems, writes Roger Hartshorn as he issues a challenge to the aluminium fenestration sector to be honest about true U-values.
Editor’s Comment
Editor John Roper references other contributors to this edition such as David Thornton who is calling for experienced window fitters to teach the next generation and Sam Nuckey who thinks talking to young people about what they expect from a career is also an important if we are to end the skills crisis. Roper also warns that grandfather rights to a CSCS card (required to work on any construction site) are coming to an end. To Read More - Click The Pic
We have seen calls made by industry leaders to bring increased clarity to published performance claims. The calculation method can be subjective and as a result, variations in resulting U-values for the same system are possible. There is no right or wrong at this time as no-one is acting to review which parameters must be followed, writes Nigel Headford. To Read More - Click The Pic
Aluminium Systems - Colour Iberia
Extrugasa, one of Spain’s foremost extruders of aluminium products, is celebrating a 40-year partnership with AkzoNobel in which it has benefited from the complete range of Interpon powder coatings to give manufacturers and designers the greatest choice of colours and durability for architectural and industrial applications. Ed Humphreys, The Fabricator’s special correspondent reports. To Read More - Click The Pic
Skills Training Feature - Talking to the future
The skills gap in the glazing industry is a persistent challenge and won't be solved overnight, writes Sam Nuckey of WindowWare. However, by taking a more targeted, Generation-Z-focused approach, we can start building the foundations for a stronger, more sustainable future for our industry. To Read More - Click The Pic
Skills Training Feature - Passing on the skill
From Building Our Skills to GGF apprenticeships, we have a degree of success, writes David Thornton of The Window Company (Contracts). Yet we are still in a situation where we are losing skills as more fitters leave the industry What else can we do about it? To Read More - Click The Pic