Glazerite create a new lease of life for college

Tags: Products, Glazerite | Added: 23 February 2016

The Bellerive FCJ Catholic College in Sefton, Liverpool, has been given a new lease of life thanks to the addition of 94 bespoke PVC-U vertical sliders, manufactured by Glazerite's dedicated Specials Production Facility in Wellingborough and expertly installed by Network VEKA member, K2 Aluminum, in Birkenhead.

The substantial project, which was managed by Cunliffes Construction Consultants, posed a number of demanding challenges, not least of which was the fact that the 170-year old school is situated in a conservation area. As such, a key part of the extensive renovation was to convince the local planning authorities that it would be possible to produce a modern, energy efficient PVC-U window that could successfully mimic the appearance and style of the school’s existing timber items – many of which had become so dilapidated, that they could no longer be opened.

After an initial technical consultation to provide feasibility, specification and wind load calculations for the proposed frames with system supplier, VEKA, Glazerite Window’s North West Division, based in Bolton, submitted a sample window featuring knifed corner joints, a deep bottom rail and run through horns that was duly approved by the planning department overseeing the scheme.

The installation at Bellerive was made all the more complicated due to the sheer size of some of the windows, which also included a variety of twin sash, triple sash and arch designs, as well as the time constraints put in place in order to minimise disruption for staff and pupils at the school itself.

According to K2 Aluminium’s Liam Bird, the installation at Bellerive might have presented a number of unique hurdles, but the end result was well worth the effort: “The planning officer not only wanted the replacement windows to replicate the original timber appearance they had to reproduce the period features as well. The support we had from Glazerite was fantastic though. They always produce a great window and always on time, which is why we have such a great working relationship with them.

“It was a difficult project for a number of reasons, such as ensuring that we protected all the original internal timber works, but the end result has not only helped to improve the appearance of such an established school, but provided a much better environment for its pupils to learn in as well.”

Glazerite is an established Network VEKA member and is the system company’s largest trade fabricator in the UK. Offering a fully nationwide service, Glazerite has manufacturing hubs in Northants and Greater Manchester, as well as a South West distribution centre in Bristol that serves South Wales and The West of England.

Recent News

New showroom boosts sales for Glazerite installer

Herefordshire-based installer Shane Howells Ltd has unveiled a new showroom in the picturesque town of Ledbury. Supported with a range of samples supplied by fabricator, The Glazerite UK Group Ltd, the business, run by namesake Shane Howells and his wife Clare, has relocated to larger premises next door to their original site, which meant they were able to create a showroom six times the size of the original. The new showroom has given Shane and his 11-strong team the opportunity to showcase a huge range of products to his customers, including windows and doors from the likes of VEKA, DoorCo, The Residence Collection, Solidor and Guardian Warm Roof. “We’ve been able to put together a fantastic space to show off the range of products we can install. Thanks to Glazerite, who supplied the samples, the showroom includes composite doors, R9 windows and our range of VEKA products. We’ve worked with Glazerite for a number of years and they’ve always been supportive of us as a business, helping us with a range of services such as marketing and social media support.” Shane adds: “Having a much larger showroom makes a huge difference as it gives prospective customers the opportunity to see and feel the products, rather than rely on brochures or the limited range samples I could take on sales visits. It also makes us come across as more professional and generates trust amongst our customer base, as they can actually see the product they’re about to buy. “I can honestly say the vast majority of customers don’t leave the showroom without leaving a deposit for an installation, it’s that effective!” Giovanni Sangiovanni, Sales Manager for Glazerite, adds: “Supporting our installers is very important to Glazerite, and we’re delighted to have been able to help Shane with his showroom. The finished result is very impressive and will give customers the chance to see everything Shane and his team can offer.” Shane Howells Ltd has been in business for over 20 years and carries out installations for customers across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. They are holding an open day at the showroom, on Bye Street, Ledbury, on Saturday 11th May 2019, in conjunction with a coffee morning fundraising event for MacMillan Cancer Support.

Glazerite's attendance scheme pays off

An employee attendance scheme run by The Glazerite UK Group Ltd is paying dividends for both staff and the business. Launched in 2016, the scheme is open to every Glazerite employee, including new starters, as part of the group’s wider package of employee benefits. Aimed at improving attendance by giving staff the opportunity to earn rewards, the scheme has been well received by workers across the fabricator’s four sites. It has already made its mark on attendance figures, with an overall improvement of 52 per cent for the period 2016-2018. Sue Wellings, Group HR Manager, explains: “We’ve structured it so it’s a realistic and achievable scheme for everyone. It works by awarding a bonus to those with full attendance over a four-month period. Employees who manage a full year’s attendance are given a Silver certificate and, as an extra incentive, an additional day’s holiday for the following holiday year. For two years’ full attendance, a Gold award is given and for three years’ full attendance, employees are recognised with a Platinum award certificate and a further gift from the company, in the form of a Red Letter Day experience. “Managing staff attendance and absenteeism is a key objective for every HR department as it has such an impact on staff morale and company success. For Glazerite, having an engaged team also impacts our wide installer base, as it means we can continue to fabricate quality products, make on time deliveries, and ensure consistent and excellent customer service.” In 2018, 85 employees - around one third of the total Glazerite workforce - achieved full attendance for the year. Of those, 33 had had full attendance for three years in a row; over half of whom were employees working in roles across the shop floor and the vehicle fleet. Rich Day, Transport Manager at Glazerite’s Wellingborough site, was recently awarded a Platinum certificate in recognition of three years’ full attendance. He says: “It’s a great feeling to be rewarded with a bonus every few months and it was a real surprise to receive the Red Letter Day voucher. I’m hoping to use mine on a trip to London so I can take my daughter to see a show.” He adds: “I’ve not had a day off sick in my 10 years here but this scheme is a great motivator for me and my colleagues.” Jason Thompson, Glazerite’s Group Managing Director says: “The scheme has boosted morale, and our attendance figures have improved significantly as a result. Recruiting in the industry has its difficulties, so we’re always looking at ways to enhance the package we offer our employees and to attract the right calibre of staff.”

Leading fabricator Glazerite highlights importance of apprenticeships

In recognition of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 4th to 8th March 2019, The Glazerite UK Group Ltd has turned the spotlight on two of its own team; an up and coming apprentice, and an employee who was a trainee when the original scheme was launched 25 years ago. National Apprenticeship Week is designed to show what a positive impact apprenticeships can have on those individuals undertaking it, as well as their employers and the wider economy. Jason Thompson, Group Managing Director of Glazerite, says: “By sharing the stories of our own apprentices, we hope we can raise awareness of the importance of the scheme, especially among those young adults who may be about to leave education and are looking for a route into work.” Laura Rorke is one such Glazerite apprentice who is using the scheme as a springboard for her career. Having completed a Sociology degree, Laura joined the fabricator in 2017 as a Human Resources apprentice carrying out the customer services NVQ Level 2. Two years on, she’s studying for a professional HR qualification through the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD). Laura says: “Being taken on as an apprentice by Glazerite meant I was able to gain valuable insight from working in an office environment. I found it a brilliant way to get me settled into my career, continuing my studies while being supported and guided by my manager. I’ve been lucky enough to work within the HR department which I love as I enjoy helping people and get real job satisfaction from my work. “The great thing about the current apprenticeship scheme is that I’m able to study for a Level 5 professional qualification - the equivalent of a degree - and work on the job at the same time, something I wouldn’t be able to do if I’d done a masters in HR at University. “Working for an SME means the range of work I am involved in is also far broader than it may be at a larger corporate, where they tend to specialise on specific areas. Though it’s early days with my CIPD and it will take a great deal of commitment, the support from my manager has already been invaluable. I am really excited about building my knowledge and being able to apply it here at Glazerite, dealing with more sensitive situations and providing others with support.” In addition to Laura, Glazerite has a number of current and former apprentices among its 270-strong workforce, including Group Marketing Manager, Michelle Wright. Michelle was part of the first intake of the original apprenticeship scheme in 1994 and says that though the way the current scheme is delivered is a world away from her own apprenticeship, the fundamentals are still the same. She explains: “When I was leaving school, modern apprenticeships were just being introduced. I knew I didn’t want to go to university and the appeal of earning and learning while gaining some real and relevant experience was a real draw. “My first apprentice role was in an electrical components company in a team of only 20 people, which gave me the perfect foundation on which to build my subsequent career. As part of my apprenticeship, I completed NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Business Administration and Level 4 in Customer Services, alongside typing qualifications – we used typewriters in those days! “One of the most important things my apprenticeship gave me was an appetite for lifelong learning. I’ve since gone on to complete qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and an HND in Graphic Design, and have worked in B2B marketing communications roles in both global corporates and SMEs. I can truly say that it was my apprenticeship which gave me the foundation for the career I’m in today.” Michelle admits the current crop of apprentices makes her feel ‘really old’, especially the way their course learning is delivered. She explains: “When I started out in the world of work we were using floppy discs and were heavily reliant on faxes. The only mobile phones you saw were the bricks carried around by the sales team and I was sent on weekly day-release to the local college. “The internet and business emails were in their infancy, and yet today’s apprentices like Laura makes use of an online portal to study, with a few face-to-face workshops throughout the year. It’s definitely light years ahead and makes the delivery of assignments much easier. The fact you can complete a professional qualification from a recognised body like the CIPD as part of an apprenticeship really takes the scheme to another level. The core values, on-the-job learning and what you get out of an apprenticeship are still the same however; it’s a valuable and effective way to start your working life.” Jason adds: “Seeing our apprentices develop is really rewarding. People like Laura and Michelle are real assets for us and for our installers, as they are able to not only provide us with marketing and HR advice and services, but extend those to our installer base who need the help too. We are always on the lookout for hardworking, proactive and diligent people who are passionate about what they do and we’re delighted to be able to offer apprenticeships across our sites in a variety of functions.” For more information on careers with Glazerite, visit www.glazeritewindows.co.uk/trade/company/job-opportunities