Latest News

We have announced the addition of the Deceuninck 2500 range to our portfolio to meet the needs of our growing customer base. From August this year, we will be manufacturing the Deceuninck bevelled profile, including casement and tilt & turn windows, and residential and French doors. Fabricated at Glazerite's East Division, the new addition will offer commercial installers a high-quality and competitive option alongside the fabricator's existing VEKA, Halo and Residence Collection portfolio.  The 2500 range offers excellent insulation levels combined with high-security benefits and stylish aesthetics. Deceuninck is renowned for its reliability, long-lasting performance, and innovation in design, underpinned by strong sustainability credentials. Jeff Dunn, Group Sales & Commercial Director says: "We are delighted to be working with Deceuninck. The company is well respected and reflects our values of exceptional quality and service. The introduction of this new system offers our commercial installers an alternatice price point to help them bid competitively for larger projects. We are committed to reviewing and evolving our offering to support our customers with access to a wide product range, ultimately enabling them to perform in their markets." Rob McGlennon, Managing Director, Deceuninck, said: "We're delighed to be working with Glazerite. It's a nationally recognised brand, a great company and like Deceuninck, enjoys a supberb reputation for service and quality. Like us, they also recognise the vital part colour, and new product development are playing in the marketplace today and their increasing importance as we move forward into 2024. We very much look forward to building on what is already proving to be a strong partnership and supporting Glazerite in delivering an exceptional service to its customers."  

We have recently appointed a new Area Sales Manager to further strengthen our sales team. Matt Dove, who has more than 10 years of experience in fenestration, will cover the North of England and Scotland as part of his role. He says: "I'm really excited to be joining Glazerite. I am looking forward to meeting our customers and working hard to support our installers with a fantastic range of products and added value services." Matt's experience in construction and fabrication includes roles supporting installers operating in commercial, domestic and new build sectors. He has also just completed a Business Management and Leadership degree while working full-time. He adds: "I love building and developing relationships with customers. I can't wait to out and about to meet our installers and help them grow in their markets." Sales & Commercial Director Jeff Dunn adds: "Matt has a wealth of product knowledge and commercial experience in fenestration, including VEKA products. Some of our team has had the pleasure of workign with Matt previously so we know Glazerite's customers will be in safe hands. We're delighted he's joining us at a pivotal time for Glazerite following recent investment into our operations."

As one of the UK's leading window and door fabricators offering our customers one of the most comprehensive product ranges on the market, 2023 is set to be an important year. We are taking our offering back to basics, putting our installer customer case at the heart of everything we do. This includes a refresh on our composite door offering for the year ahead, coinciding with celebrating a decade of partnership with DoorCo. "We're a decade on and the working partnership between Glazerite and DoorCo could not be better; we're perfectly aligned in terms of our business values and drive to grow in our markets. DoorCo have a commitment to innovation on new door designs and responding to market trends by consistently introducing new colour and glazing options." Explains our Group Managing Director, Robert Brearley. "Later this year, we'll be bringing DoorCo's latest product innovation GRiPCORE, the new solid core composite door, into our range. It's important that we enable our installer partners to stand out from the crowd in their own markets, so it's essential we partner with suppliers who allow us to do the same.  Working with and developing strong relationships with suppliers who are one step ahead is important to us. The key is being flexible in your approach and understanding each other as ultimately, we all want the same thing - that is to enable our installers to be best in class. The partnership we cultivated with DoorCo is a great example of this. They also support our installers with a comprehensive and relevant range of marketing materials and brochures.  Ensuring our installers can satisfy the needs of the most demanding customers is what drives us as a fabricator, and meeting their needs with leading brand doors in a wide range of options is important to our business. Working with suppliers we can rely on and trust, like DoorCo, is at the centre of everything we do. We're looking forward to showcasing DoorCo and the great brands that compliment it such as Ultion and Kubu at our stand at the FIT Show." Do you want to register for the FIT Show? Sign up for a ticket using the link below. https://fitshow-2023.reg.buzz/?exhibitor-inviter=96688e2e-6a72-11ed-8d32-000000000000

With rising energy costs, economic uncertainty, and the likely impact on demand, installer-fabricators, like many in the industry, are feeling the pinch. We spoke to Rob Brearley, our Managing Director, to ask whether now is the time to shift the fabricator-installer business model to installer-only.  As market conditions go, the last couple of years have been amongst the toughest we've ever seen. The initial pent up demand post-pandemic has been marred by supply chain issues and raw material shortages. Throe in this year's difficult ecomomic conditions and rising energy costs, and it's clear to see why so many businesses are taking stock of their futures.  According to the Insight Data market report (2021), more than 9,000 installers were fabricating their own windows and doors in the UK. With rising costs and a recession looming, everyone is looking to tighten their belts. For companies who both fabricate and install their own products, this might mean making the decision to outsource fabrication rather than continuing to do so in-house. It's a huge decision and one we've worked on with a number of businesses who have reviewed their set up, explored the potential, then seized the opportunity to move to install only. Heavers of Bridport is just one example. The Dorset business, which was established in 1960, is a family-run business headed up by Ross Heaver. He switched the fabricator-installer business to an installer-only model in 2018. Ross explains: "We had always fabricated our own uPVC windows and doors in-house. We had thought about changing our business model for years but legacy, pride, and commitment to our staff made it a challenging decision. We took great pride in making great quality frames ourselves, but the reality was it was hurting our business. As a relatively small firm manufacturing 50-100 frames per week, the issues around Brexit combined with spiralling costs and machinery investment, meant we had to take stock. The answer was to close the fabrication element of our buisness and switch to focus solely to installation." The decision wasn't made lightly and before Ross took the plunge, the logical step was to find a quality VEKA fabricator who could deliver what the firm's end customers wanted in terms of quality uPVC windows, supported by excellent customer service. Ross says: “As part of the process, we visited four VEKA fabricators to listen to their proposals and find a business partner who would fit with our needs and values. We chose Glazerite because, like us, they have ambitions for growth. They also continually invest in their operations and their people, and we knew we could work well together. Once we’d had the meeting with them and they walked us through what they could do for our business going forward, the decision was made.” From the outset, Glazerite worked with Ross and his team to support the business in areas such as HR & I.T and help make the transition as smooth as possible. Working with Glazerite also gave Heavers access to an extensive portfolio of products. This has opened doors and allowed Heavers to be able to provide installs for non-standard and bigger jobs, with access to products they’d never have been able to fabricate themselves. Following the move to installer-only, Heavers has gone from strength to strength. Ross & his team has also made use of the factory space previously used for fabrication, turning the 3,500 sq. ft space into one of the biggest showrooms in the area. If you’re looking to transition to installer-only, it’s worth talking to fabricators like Glazerite to better understand how we can support you and help you strengthen your business by concentrating your efforts on installations. Look for a fabricator who can help you meet the needs of your own market, whether that’s a choice of styles and colours, or premium products designed especially for conservation areas like our Residence 9 flush sash system. Ask how the fabricator can add value too, with business support in areas that can be pricy or difficult to resource like IT, HR and marketing. We tailor our services to meet your needs, rather than expecting you to flex around us. We’re also on hand to support you with everything from technical support to flexible deliveries and we’re continually investing in our facilities and machinery so you can focus on delivering high-quality installations. We also work closely with a range of suppliers to help you meet the latest consumer trends, from smart technology to heritage-style products. By ceasing fabrication and moving to installer-only, you can grow your business while we do the leg work behind the scenes, helping you to navigate this difficult climate and putting your business in great stead for the future.

After 6 years, we have unveiled plans to exhibit at this year's FIT Show, after a six-year hiatus. We have chosen the events 10th year to return and will also be sponsoring the VIP Lounge. The show, which has evolved to become the industry's biggest event, takes place at NEC Birmingham from 23rd-25th May 2023, and attracts thousands of visitors annually. Michelle Wright, Head of Group Marketing, says:  "We're delighted to be back with a bang at this year's FIT Show. We will be showcasing our heritage range, whilst carrying out live practical marketing audits with installers. We're also excited to be sponsoring this year's VIP Lounge, which is adjacent to our stand, U36. The show is the perfect forum for us to catch up with our customers, suppliers and other industry stakeholders and a chance for us to demonstrate what installers can expect when choosing to work with Glazerite, from products through to technical and marketing support." It's been a pivotal time for Glazerite of late, with a change of management and a recently announced £1 million investment into its operations and fleet. We will be showcasing our product portfolio from the likes of VEKA, Halo, Residence Collection, DoorCo, Ultion and Kubu, demonstrating the breadth of products it can offer its customers, from windows and doors to hardware and smart technology. "Our team will be on hand to discuss our product range and the added value solutions we have that can help to differentiate our customers from their competition. The partnerships we've built with trusted brands in the industry are key to our offering, alongside our in-house marketing expertise that can help boost brand awareness and new business for our installers." FIT Show Event Director, Nickie West adds: "We'd like to say a very big welcome back to Glazerite, who have played a big role in the FIT Show story over the last ten years. I'm delighted that they will not only be exhibiting as part of the decade anniversary event this May, but will also be sponsoring our VIP Lounge. Glazerite is a really well respected brand amongst our community. We're excited to see what they have planned for their May showcase and look forward to our visitors being able to connect products and people at the Show, making the most of networking opportunities in the Glazerite VIP area."

Our Group Sales and Commercial Director, Jeff Dunn, shares how Glazerite ticks the box for every installer   Our UK-wide customer base faces many of the same challenges; remaining competitive in a busy market, meeting customer demands for trends, accessing the right products at the right time to complete a high-quality finish, and securing new custom through brand awareness and reputation. It's key to us as a fabricator that we need all of these needs - and more besides - whatever the size, end market, or goals of our installers. For Birmingham-based Howard Yarnold Windows and Doors, which carries out both largescale commercial projects and smaller residential installs, a trusted supplier in the wings is essential. Run by Ashley Yarnold, Howard Yarnold Windows was founded in 1967 and has been a customer of Glazerite for four years. Much of Howard Yarnold's work isn in commercial renovations, with the firm having extensive experience in completely transforming schools and hospitals across the Midlands. The installer uses VEKA uPVC products from Glazerite as well as aluminium windows and doors fabricated at its own factory. Ashley is proud of the firms reputation and explains part of that is down to sourcing a reliable uPVC fabricator. "As a business, we are committed to giving our customers the best possible service and to achieve that, we need high quality products and great service from our own suppliers. We use VEKA and Glazerite because we know the end product will help us achieve high standards, whether that's a domestic install using a heritage style like the Imagine Vertical Slider, or largescale commercial projects, which can involve hundreds of windows." Commercial projects can take a lot of planning, and months to complete, and it's crucial timescales are met and regulations on site are adhered to. Building sites are also busy with other trades, so scheduled deliveries which arrive on time are essential. Some projects require Howard Yarnold's team to work around students and school hours for example, while others demand technical knowledge and support, and the ability to fabricate non-standard jobs for bespoke projects; all areas Ashley praises Glazerite for. A fabricator worth its salt will be able to flex its offering and service to meet the needs of every type of installer. For domestic installers, that is likely to be a broad offering of products in a range of colours and styles and added value offerng such as smart technology or stylish hardware. For those installers who don't have the resource of budget to pursue their own marketing strategy, our in-house team is also on hand to provide as much support as they need, whether that's content for social media or a brochure, or the design and launch of an installer-branded website. For mainly domestic-focused installers like Herts and Essex Windows and Doors, owner Clive Travers believes the key to success is finding a fabricator who is flexible and supportive and adds value in the process. He explains: "We have a good relationship with Glazerite, having worked with them for the last four years. We initially chose them because of their VEKA and Halo range, and the value they can add for our customers in finishing touches such as distinctive hardware. As a fabricator they go above and beyond to meet deadlines to help us out, whether that's on bespoke jobs or giving us access to brochures for example. Thier service makes a real difference for us." Our installers face competition from other firms in their local areas, so being able to offer them a broad choice of products in different styles and colours, backed up with short lead times and a personalised marketing strategy, can make a real difference. Whatever their end market or individual challenges, it's our aim to provide a best-in-class service for every installer, and we'll tailor our approach to meet the needs of our customers to achieve that. We will also continue to invest in our operations and product range, such as the recent addition of aluminium profile for example, so we can continue to help them prosper today, and in the future.

Leveraging your supplier relationships for added value can help your business prosper. Our Managing Director, Rob Brearley, shares what to look for in a fabricator partner. The UK economy is in for a tough year and the recession will impact us all. If business is slowing however, it shouldn't have to mean putting the brakes on promoting or futureproofing your business.  If anything, it's the perfect opportunity to take stock and look for ways to take your company to the next level. Trimming waste, increasing your marketing for brand visibility, and improving efficiencies can make all the difference. One major area you can really leverage is to look at your own suppliers and determine what else they can offer you in support of your business. As an installer, here are the four key areas you should be getting from your fabricator. Products Does the product range you have access to meet the needs and expectations of your customers? Many installers tell us that being able to offer a range of systems really opens doors to new business, particularly with the growth of heritage styles and colour. You should never be in a position where you cannot offer a customer their required specification, be that aesthetics, profile, or style. Quality is also key; find a fabricator who gives you the highest quality products so you can complete your installations, reduce call-backs - and get paid. Investment A fabricator with growth ambitions will continually invest in and improve its operations, its capabilites and its people for the benefit of its installers. How is your fabricator responding to market trends with product or application innovation? Are their investment plans ultimately going to benefit you? Do they invest in their fleet? How do they work with their own suppliers? A fabricator with its house in order, rock-solid relationships with its own suppliers and clear growth ambitions of its own will help protect your supply and business stability. Service Do you get what you want as and when you need it? A good fabricator will go the extra mile to help where they can, even if that means flexing their schedule of deliveries to suit you. Service is more than delivery too; do you feel you are getting a responsive service from your account team? Do you have access to technical guidance and advicce on the latest legislation? If your fabricator is starting to cost you time, money and your reputation, find one who tailors their service to meet your needs, rather than the other way around. "A good fabricator will go the extra mile to help where they can, even if that means flexing their schedule or deliveries to suit you." Value Will your fabricator support you with your marketing and most importantly adjust that support in the right way for your business? Sourcing new customers is expensive, and many installers don't have the budget or resource to carry our effective marketing themselves. Fabricators that add value through marketing support really help to take the pressure off. They'll get to know your business, understand your audience, and deliver a tailored marketing strategy designed to attract new prospects whether that's that providing you with your branded brochures or by helping to launch or finetune a fully-fledged digital marketing presence.  What you need now and in the future, may be different to what you needed when you first joined forces with your current fabricator. By taking the time to review what's important to your business now and in the longer team, you'll be able to weigh up what you need from them and how they can add value.  Determining how you can leverage your partnership - or source a new fabricator that is a better fit - can really make the difference for your business, whatever the economic outlook.

We are celebrating our role our largest cohort of apprentices are playing in our success as part of National Apprenticeships Week 2023. The national awareness week, which runs from 6th-12th February 2023, highlights the positive impact apprenticeships can make on individuals and businesses across the UK. We currently employ seven apprentices in a range of roles across the Group, including technical operations, purchasing, marketing and HR. All are making their mark as we continue to grow our product portfolio and customer base. Technical Operations Apprentice Mathews Joshy, 18, says of his role: "I chose to do an apprenticeship because it gives me the chance to learn academically but also apply the theory in my day-to-day role. I was drawn to Glazerite because they are stable and ambitious. Working here has really helped me to improve my communication and organisation skills." For Apprentice Category Buyer Sophie Sammon, 32, choosing to take on an apprenticeship role with Glazerite has improved her skills base and her confidence. She says: "My role has really helped build my self-belief. I'm enjoying working at Glazerite and I'm surrounded by a good team of people who are helping me to better myself." 24-year-old Robert Suttle is an Apprentice Purchase Assistant and is currently working towards his Level 3 in Business Administration. He says: "I have gained so many different skills during my apprenticeship. This includes my ability to think critically and to analyse data, which will really help me succeed in my career. Glazerite has been a fantastic employer and really supportive."     HR & Marketing Apprentice, Sophie Toseland was keen to gain experience in a range of areas and says the balance of working across HR and Marketing has been ideal. She says: "My role has allowed me to explore different operations and gain knowledge of several processes within the business setting. It's really helped me to develop my interpersonal skills as I am working with colleagues at all levels." George Willdig, 22, joined Glazerite as an Apprentice IT Administrator last year. He says: "I chose to do an apprenticeship as i believe that the IT industry is more focused on experience than diplomas and degrees. I'm really enjoying it and have learned a lot already." Lucy Neville, 16, recently joined us as an Apprentice Business Administrator. She says: "My apprenticeship with Glazerite gives me access to a number of opportunities within the business. Being able to get qualifications while also earning is perfect for me, and I've already improved my telephone, time management, and organisational skills. I love working for Glazerite; my team is very friendly and has made me feel really welcome." Lewis Montgomery, 19, is an Apprentice Purchasing Administrator and is currently working towards his Level 3 NVQ in Business Admin. "I chose an apprenticeship as a way to earn while I learn and build my confidence," says Lewis. "I love working for Glazerite; it's a growing company with lots of opportunities to progress and is a great place to learn all aspects of purchasing alongside other business areas." 22-year-old Joshua Mann is close to completing his apprenticeship in Digital Marketing. He says: "Doing an apprenticeship has significantly helped to jumpstart my professional working career. I joined Glazerite as I knew I would be able to gain lots of hands-on experience an grow my understanding of marketing through the expertise of my colleagues. I would love to continue to develop my skillset after my apprenticeship and would highly recommend this route to others. It's a great opportunity to gain work experience alongside education."

We opened the doors of our first trade showroom at our North West Division a little over a year ago, and now we are opening it up to the general public. The Bolton site plays host to the full range of VEKA, Halo and Residence products we manufacture. This includes the three flush sash options from Halo, R7, and R9 side by side to help make the most informed decision. On show are a number of door styles from the traditional and contemporary range from Doorco and the hardware choices from Fab and Fix, Sweet and the renowned Ultion cylinder for the ultimate in secure entrances. For the tech savvy our doors demonstrate the ease of the Kubu upgrade from the Avantis lock that is fitted as standard. Nick Dutton, CEO of Brisant Secure joined us for the launch in November 2001 and said: "I was really impressed with what Glazerite has done with the showroom. It's certainly the best I've seen from a trade fabricator." Showrooms have made a massive resurgence in the industry over the last few years which were historically symbolic of the 80's double glazing era. Now finding their place again in the newly shaped fenestration industry, as gone are the days when we were just showing customers the glass options and a choice in the profile aesthetics, there are now so many options it's hard to understand the options without actually seeing, using and touching them.  The last decade has brought some of the more complex door options including bi-folds and sliding patio doors, all of which need a bit of practical demonstration to show the homeowner what it is they are buying and the simplicity of using it within their home. The Glazerite range has over 7000 items so between product styles, profile, colour options, joint finishes and hardware colours the sheer volume makes it almost impossible to demonstrate those options purely on a visit to the home. Homeowners are committing to a high value purchase and often the assurance of seeing the product in a showroom and knowing exactly what they are getting is what will help close the sale. Our showroom showcases our full range perfectly and is open for anyone to take a look at how much is available.

Michelle Wright, our Group Marketing Manager talks about the year ahead and our plans to help installers win new business. This year, the cost-of-living crisis will change the pace and volume of what we've come to expect of late. To combat this, we need to up the ante in marketing. At Glazerite, we're getting back to basics with a combination of traditional and digital marketing tactics that will help our installers win new business. When it comes to marketing support, we've always worked with our installers on a one-to-one basis, tailoring marketing strategies that will meet their individual needs. Our team is currently working with a number of installers on exciting initiatives that will take them through 2023 and beyond, including brand refreshes, updated social media content and dynamic website builds. We're also supporting installers who have space for showrooms with design and fit out so they can showcase products at their very best to prospective customers. Alongside our digital tactics, we recognise the importance of traditional marketing and support our installers with a range of printed collateral including brochures, direct marketing and point of sales materials, which they can brand as their own. With access to one of the broadest product ranges in the industry with the VEKA and Halo profile from VEKA UK, R7 and R9 from The Residence Collection and our newly introduced aluminium range product specification is never an issue for our customers. Coupled with the great service our installers pride themselves on the marketing support gives them the profile they'll need in their local markets for the tougher year that we're facing. Contact our marketing team at marketing@glazerite.net or me directly at michelle.wright@glazerite.net if you'd like to see how we can support your business.

We have appointed Andy Hill as our new Group Technical Manager. It follows the recent promotion of former incumbent, Mitch Gooch, to the newly created role of Operations Manager at Glazerite's Specials Division.  Andy, who joined the trade fabricator on 3rd January 2023, will oversee technical capability across the fabricator's five divisions, reporting into Managing Director - North West Division, Darren Rhodes. He says: "I've watched Glazerite's growth closely over recent years, so I was delighted when the opportunity to join them came up. I have a wealth of industry knowledge and experience in technical, production, and quality and assurance, and I'm looking forward to being able to play a role in further strengthening technical capability across the Group." Meanwhile, Mitch has moved into his new role at the Wellingborough-based Specials Division, where he will lead operations and quality while maximising efficiences at the site. The unit is dedicated to the manufacture of the Residence Collection and VEKA Imagine Vertical Slider portfolio, all of which continue to grow in popularity with homeowners. Glazerite Group MD, Robert Brearley says:  "These are two great appointments for our business. The products manufactured at our Specials Division are a key part of our growth strategy, and Mitch is an experienced leader who can help us grow capacity and improve processes at the site to better support our installers. The technical support we offer our installer partners also remains a key part of our offering. Andy's broad experience in production, installation, quality and the technical aspects of uPVC products makes him a great appointment for the Group Technical Manager role at Glazerite."

Mitch Gooch has been promoted to Operations Manager of our Specials Division, with Andy Hill joining us as Group Technical Manager starting in the New Year. Since re-joining Glazerite 15 months ago Mitch has helped to realign and strengthen our technical capability across the group. With his drive to grow into a more operational role, there was a great opportunity for him to head up our niche products and manufacturing at our Specials Division. As part of this newly created role Mitch will bring great focus to quality and process improvements with control checks to maximise efficiencies and capacity at this division. Andy Hill joins us on 3rd January 2023 to take on the Group Technical Manager role, with a thorough handover from Mitch to help Andy transition into the business and the group wide role. Managing Director Rob Brearley says: "These are two great appointments for our business, Mitch is exactly the right person to lead the operational process and performance of our Specials Division. The products manufactured are a key part of our growth strategy, they help our installers differentiate in their markets from the commodity windows and doors which are so widely available. The technical support we offer our installer partners remains a key part of our offering and Andy's broad experience in both production and installation, combined with his vast knowledge of quality and technical aspects of uPVC products makes him a great appointment for this role across the Glazerite group. We look forward to welcoming Andy into the business in the new year and enabling Mitch to grow in his new role."