Ongoing Strength to Strength

Tags: | Added: 09 October 2014

ONE YEAR ON – FRAMES CONSERVATORIES AND PTF GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH WITH GLAZERITE AND NETWORK VEKA

To say it’s been a great year for Frames Conservatories Direct and its trade wing Plastic Trade Frames would be more than understatement.

One year on from making the change to VEKA system frames from Glazerite –plus being accepted as a member of Network VEKA – things have never looked better for this Bury St Edmonds group.
With retail and trade sales still growing month on month, the company is focussing on a number of initiatives to raise the local profile of both divisions. And now it is spreading its retail message wider in every sense by taking to the road with the launch of its Home Security and Energy Advice Mobile Unit.

Managing Director Adrian Lewis said: “This unit not only enables us to reach out to a much wider geographical area around but is also seen as a response to very real local fears after a spate of burglaries in the area. Now, we can have a very high profile presence is nearby large communities such as Cambridge at the same time as appealing to those people with concerns about security and energy bills. Effectively, it gives us a showroom in every town for as far around as we choose to go.”

FCD is also strengthening its trade presence with the strategic move of passing its established sponsorship of Bury Town Football Club over to Plastic Trade Frames, while retaining the FCD link by adding its name to the club ground, Ram Meadow. It will now be known as the Frames Conservatories Direct Ram Meadow Stadium. Plastic Trade frames has gained further support from an image facelift with a striking new yellow and grey logo and fascia.
Just a year ago, after over a decade of trading, the group changed over to VEKA frames from trade-only fabricator Glazerite Windows Ltd. Soon after, it was accepted as a member of Network VEKA and celebrated opening its bigger, refitted showroom with a special launch event featuring the organisation’s brand ambassador, snooker legend Steve Davis.

“We have seen steady year on year growth since the very beginning,” Adrian concluded, “But the last year has been exceptional and we are very grateful for the quality of the VEKA system, the consumer reassurance of Network VEKA and the untiring support of Glazerite as major factors in that growth.”

Recent News

We are now manufacturing Deceuninck 2800 at our North Division

STOP PRESS: We are now manufacturing Deceuninck 2800 at our North Division From our announcement at the end of last year, we've managed to bring this in within Q1 of 2024. Setting up a site for manufacture is no easy task, but for a brand new site and for a system that is new to the business, this is quite an achievement. The power of our expert teams have come together across operations, procurement, IT, sales and marketing to make this happen - what a team! This 30,000 sq. ft space has been completely transformed in just a few months to manufacture the 2800 system with a view to start manufacture of 2500 very soon. The 2500 is available through our East Division, which started production in summer last year. Adding to our already extensive portfolio, installers can now access both Deceuninck systems 2500 and 2800 in casement and tilt & turn windows, and residential and French doors. These are available in the full range of colours for each system. Reach out to learn more about how the Glazerite Deceuninck range can transform your projects.

Keeping ahead of changing trends and designs

In today's market accessing a wide range of quality products is essential for installers in winning new business. Whether a domestic installation or commercial installation the same challenges of accommodating the various aesthetics for property style to the more emotive considerations such as security, energy efficiency and the environment. As a business we continually review and adapt our product offering in alignment with changing trends and demands to ensure our installers stay relevant. In the summer last year we introduced the 2500 bevelled system to our range to open up more opportunity to our commercial installers. This was a much welcomed addition to our range and at the end of the year we opened our Barnsley site, for the manufacture of Deceuninck 2500 and 2800 initially. Already in 2024 we have strengthened our aluminium offering with the addition of AluK casement and tilt and turn windows, the EdgeGLIDE+® sliding door and UniFOLD+® bifold doors. Striking the balance of clean and modern living our partnership with Morley Glass was an obvious one to offer the high end range of Uni-Blinds® , to complete installations to a really high standard. Working with partners that at the leading edge of product development is an integral part of our product portfolio. This week VEKA have announced they will soon be unveiling a revolutionary new system. We can't wait to share this one with our installers, it's some fantastic work demonstrating not only their innovative thinking, but they are listening and responding to market and customer needs. By constantly evolving evolving and adapting our already extensive portfolio, our installers have access to an impressive range of systems, products and brands which open up the choice of colours, styles, and price points to a new level. We always have the core considerations at the heart of our product offering with U-Values, Secured by Design, and guarantees and warranties that will satisfy all installations. Glazerite installers partners now have access to VEKA UK, Halo, The Residence Collection and Deceuninck UK products.

Our apprentices take centre stage

Apprenticeships are back in the spotlight for National Apprenticeship Week 2024, with our chance to celebrate our past and current apprentice hard work, dedication and success. Our Group Managing Director, Rob Brearley, believes apprenticeships are the perfect solution for businesses looking to welcome new talent and fill skills gaps, and an ideal route into rewarding careers for individuals at every age. Rob says: "Apprenticeships help employers build a workforce with future ready skills. We have apprentices working in range of positions across the group, from purchasing and IT to marketing. A number of our employees have also undertaken apprenticeships themselves and found them extremely valuable. Every one of our current and past apprentices are making their mark and contributing to the success of our business." Jack Rutter is a Purchasing Administrator Apprentice at our North West Division. Jack explains: "I chose to do an apprenticeship because it offers practical, hands-on experience in the workplace in addition to qualifcations, with the added bonus of getting paid. I have developed my time management, communication and software skills and boosted my confidence in a supportive and friendly environment." Meanwhile Lucy Neville is working in our Head Office customer service team as a Business Administrator Apprentice. She says "I like the balance of gaining experience and a qualification. My role has helped me develop so many skills, including customer service and IT, as well as listening and patience. It's been really rewarding." George Willdig, 22, who joined us as an Apprentice IT Systems Administrator in 2022, is set to complete his apprenticeship shortly. George says: "I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship. It's been the perfect way to start my career and a really good opportunity to learn useful skills and grow as an individual. I've become skilled in problem solving as I'm often challenged and encouraged to operate autonomously and handle my own tasks." Mathews Joshy is working as a Procurement Apprentice and studying for his Business Admin NVQ, which he is due to complete next month. He says: "I chose to do an apprenticeship with Glazerite because I felt it would be the best way to get some practical, real-world experience and learn skills that I wouldn't be able to in a classroom. I hope to move into a permanent purchasing role with Glazerite and work my way up into a management role." Oli Knaggs is a Digital Marketing Apprentice, studying for his Level 3 in Digital Marketing. He says: "After I finished college, I needed to make the choice between university or finding a job in something I enjoy.The apprenticeship with Glazerite really appealed to me as it was the perfect opportunity to learn and develop my practical skills. Since I've been here, I've improved my marketing skills, and have worked on everything from design software and social media templates to email marketing." Oli's Manager, Lauren Edwards adds: "Apprenticeships are the perfect place to start our in careers like marketing, with the opportunity to build and develop skills and gain confidence in a range of areas. It's been fantastic to see Oli excel in his role and bring a fresh perspective to marketing projects." Rob concludes: "Apprenticeships are a valuable way for people of any age to get a foot on the employment ladder, or to switch to another career. We're delighted to have been able to attract some real talent to Glazerite via this route and we hope we can continue to help all our apprentices reach their full potential."

	sales@glazerite.net
	(01933) 443222
	The Glazerite UK Group Ltd. 39-43 Rixon Court, Finedon Rd, Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, NN8 4BA