Posts

Supply chain partnerships and innovation key aspects of building refurbs

Managing Director of Mila Window and Door Maintenance Tristan Cooke tells us that as service providers to the Social, Educational, and Commercial sectors for nearly 30 years now they are always taken by what seems to be a never ending drive from the product supply chain to innovate new ideas and launch new products.

“In my view the sector supply chains are to be congratulated for understanding that things can never stay the same, that even the best and most reliable products can and indeed need to be enhanced to deliver better results when being used as a part of a building refurbishment”.

“Nothing stands still – there is always something more that can be done, and as a service provider into the same sectors I firmly believe that this applies to us equally”.
“Key in amongst this is that we are constantly talking to suppliers – looking at developing our existing supply chains and discovering news ones”.

“It is important as a specialist contractor for large scale window and door remodelling or regeneration projects that we are able to offer our potential clients not only the best service, but the best information and knowledge on the products available to them for their schemes”.

“It is one part of an innovative culture in our business and as a direct consequence we have developed formal partnership programmes with our supply chains in which we don’t just buy products, but where we share information and technical knowledge, we undertake on-going programmes of technical training for our staff, and we share best practice borne out of our experiences on site”.
“Anything which enables us to offer the clients we work with more innovative solutions for the buildings they are going to is a good thing as far as I am concerned”.

Case study – Aragon Tower London

Mila Window and Door Maintenance worked in partnership with German hardware producer WSS on the re-modelling of the windows in one of the most iconic structures in London.

The 26 storey Aragon Tower was bought from social housing ownership in 2006 and was later converted into luxury apartments including the addition of 3 new stories of penthouses to take it to 29 stories – at the time the highest privately owned residential block in the city.

When after a period of time there was a requirement to re-model the windows and to fit a new range of hardware to upgrade them from both an aesthetic and performance point WSS hardware was chosen.

Mila Windows and Doors worked with WSS from a technical point of view to understand their products and how they were to be fitted to ensure that the installation of all items was correct. Working on Aragon Tower was the start of what is now an on-going partnership between the two companies which is delivering benefits for other clients.

“Working with WSS on Aragon Tower is just one of the many success stories we can point to” says Tristan “WSS is renowned world-wide for its innovative range of products, its extensive testing, and the quality of its workmanship. For us to be in partnership with such a dynamic company enables us to install the latest and most comprehensive range of innovative products for our clients supported by our own high service levels”.

Tristan Cooke is Managing Director of Mila Window and Door Maintenance. For more information please visit www.milamaintenance.co.uk 0808 100 8881. For more information on WSS www.wss.de.
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Windows and doors: time to review your suppliers?

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Residential windows and doors have an impact on a building that is completely disproportionate to their cost and the overall value of the project. Of course they are essential to the function and performance of the building but the aesthetic and even emotional impact they have on a residential property, for tenents and owners, should never be underestimated.

The process of opening every project out to the market is not practical which means that a hardcore of window suppliers and brands will supply most specifiers’ needs. But there is also a great deal to be said for shaking the tree now and again to see what else is out there. After all, that is probably how you met your present suppliers…all those years ago.

Still the most effective way of identifying new potential suppliers are exhibitions. However, the failure of Interbuild and decline of other events means there is quite simply no comprehensive ‘one-stop-shop’ exhibition for professional specifiers currently.

However windows, doors, glass and other elements of residential glazing such as conservatories and porches particularly for the private and public sector housing markets, have commanded their own exhibitions and forums for almost 40 years.

Following the demise of a specialist show alongside Interbuild, a new event with the unlikely title of ‘The FIT Show’ – it is an acronym of ‘Fabricator Installer Trade’ – now provides the most comprehensive buyers guide to windows, door, roofs and anything to do with (mostly) residential glazing there has been for perhaps 10 years or more. Although its core visitor base are the companies and individuals that manufacture and fit the stuff, it is thorough and the most comprehensive and useful event around through which an effective review of glazing products and suppliers may be carried out.

With its maiden outing almost three years ago The FIT Show, which takes place this April at The International Centre, Telford, has now grown into a substantial event that will feature around 180 exhibitors in four halls representing most of the major brands of windows and doors – including composite, sliding and bi-folding – available in the UK. Add in legions of hardware, manufacturing machinery, widgets and support services and it is pretty much everything a window ‘professional’ could possibly need.

After a break of almost two years since the last FIT Show the majority of exhibitors will have something new on their stands that is being shown for the first time anywhere, so planning is recommended rather than a simple stroll around the aisles; there is much to detain the unprepared visitor.

Despite the propensity of exhibitors to keep their new wares under wraps until the event some details have leaked out. We know, for example at least four brand new window systems will be revealed at The FIT Show although one of these, a product called Lumi, has been seen at public shows over the past year. Called ‘a product that truly reinvents the window’ by the judges of a recent awards programme, Lumi offers virtually seamless, edge-to-edge glazing through windows, and residential, sliding and bi-folding doors. In fact doors, especially those of the composite and bi-folding persuasions are at The FIT Show in droves.

A spectacular must-see is the electronically tintable glass being show for the first time anywhere in the UK. Tintable in stages using amongst other things a smartphone app, it is the product of US manufacturer SageGlass, a Saint-Gobain company. And here’s the rub: the firm has replaced the whole of one curtain-walled end of an exhibition hall – no less than 314 metres2 – with its product, in what is the ultimate exhibition demo. Clayton Glass, with a stand in that very same exhibition hall, is the UK agent for the product.

If you are serious about windows, doors and glass and glazing then The Fabricator Installer Trade (FIT) Show really should not be missed. 12th, 13th 14th April 2016, at The International Centre Telford. www.fitshow.co.uk.
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GEZE UK is ‘The Automatic Choice’

GEZE UK has published a new technical guide to provide contractors, fabricators and architects with the information they need to specify the most appropriate and effective automatic operator.

Easy-to-use, ‘The Automatic Choice’ brochure encompasses GEZE’s extensive range of sliding, swing, revolving and folding doors including the latest Powerturn swing door drive and the Slimdrive range. This is supported by information and advice about how to specify the right products when taking in to account accessibility requirements, sustainability and industry regulations.

Available to download from the company’s website or in hard copy, the guide features double page spreads dedicated to each product with technical drawings and photography showcasing the products in situ across a range of different buildings. The detailed product data pages make comparisons between products quick and easy.

As well as GEZE’s complete range of automatic operators, it includes information about supporting products such as activation devices and safety systems, as well as advice about supply and installation, and repair and maintenance contracts.

Andy Howland, sales director of GEZE UK said: “We have worked hard to ensure that ‘The Automatic Choice’ technical guide is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to specify an automatic operator. It provides a comprehensive overview of all our automatic door systems allowing comparison between the benefits and functionality of different products to be carried out with ease.”

“This technical guide provides contactors, fabricators and architects with a good introduction to our range of products so they can make informed choices and select the best product for the job.”

‘The Automatic Choice’ brochure is available to download from GEZE’s website. Alternatively call 01543 443015 or email info.uk@geze.com for a printed brochure.

For more information www.geze.co.uk.

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GEZE UK supports BD Architect of the Year Awards

Leading door and window control system manufacturer, GEZE UK has reinforced its commitment to architects and specifiers by sponsoring an award at the BD Architect of the Year Awards.

The Office Architect of the Year Award is open to architects working on the design of offices whether new built or refurbishments of existing structures. Eight leading architects have been shortlisted, and the winner will be announced at the London Excel Platinum Suite on Wednesday 9th March. Hosted by Stephen Fry the prestigious event will be celebrating the 12th edition of the awards and will be held on the evening of Ecobuild’s Architecture day.

Speaking about the awards, Kaz Spiewakowski, managing director of GEZE said: “We work closely with architects on a daily basis to help make their vision become a reality and are delighted to be sponsoring the Office Architect of the Year Award.

“The quality of all the practices shortlisted demonstrates just how much talent there is in the UK and reinforces the country’s position as a centre of innovative architectural design.”

Founded in Germany in 1863, GEZE is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of door and window control systems. Investing millions in research, development and manufacture of innovative solutions, GEZE sets the global standard for advanced door and window technology.

For more information about GEZE’s comprehensive range of automatic and manual door closers call 01543 443000 or visit www.geze.co.uk.

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