“We have had a great two years since partnering with Deeplas – thanks to the quality of its products, backed up with the personal service you get from a family business”, said Terry Luscombe, who co-owns the business with Dave Beckwith.  “It’s all about offering quality products and great value for money and we are really grateful to all our customers who have supported us and made the changeover to Deeplas such as resounding success.”

This family business is owned by two fathers, Terry Luscombe and Dave Beckwith. The other members of staff are the owners’ sons, Scott Luscombe, David Beckwith and Peter Beckwith.

The families have been in business for over nine years and whilst they have sourced from other manufacturers, it was only when they changed to Deeplas products that they achieved the huge increase in sales.

Dave Beckwith adds: “Reliable professional service with top quality products from Deeplas has been our recipe for success and 2010 is proving no different in terms of growth. We are winning new business every week from customers who have heard about the quality of the Deeplas products and the unique service you get from a family business.”

The Deeplas range of PVC-U roofline products is well known for its quality and is manufactured from a denser PVC-U extrusion, which is heavier and more robust than many other boards available. This allows contractors and installers to create a neat, straight-edged roofline that will retain its shape and appearance for life. .

Partnering with Deeplas has also given DT Plastics’ customers access to other innovative products from the company, such as Twinson Decking and Belface Cladding.

The branch has now become an essential outlet for contractors and installers across the city and beyond – even making deliveries as far away as Dartmoor. Its service commitment extends outside the trade counter, with a window installation team.

Hazel Verschuere, Deeplas Building Products Director, said: “DT Plastics has achieved extremely strong growth and we are delighted that our products have helped with this. We are looking forward to helping the business continue its growth by letting as many contractors and installers as possible in the company’s agreed area know where they can source Deeplas products.”

Visit the DT Plastics branch at: Unit 1, Willow Court, St. Modwen Road, Plymouth PL6 8LQ. Alternatively, call: 01752 664 179 or visit:  HYPERLINK “http://www.dtplastics.co.uk”

“Fabricators have always expected hassle-free supply and consistently high quality products from their suppliers. However, for the partnership to be truly successful in today’s competitive market, many fabricators are now looking for a distinctly different offer – and that means suppliers adding value both to their product and service.

Working in partnership

A systems supplier that has an essential understanding of the industry, such as new legislation and customer trends, is vitally important to keep you ahead of the market. For example, check that they have sufficient BFRC (British Fenestration Ratings Council) assessors in-house as these are crucial in helping you develop energy rated products, which will ultimately mean you can win more business in these environmentally-aware times.  This was a major influencing factor when A&B Glass recently decided to partner with Eurocell, as it recognized the fact that with our team of five BFRC assessors, we had enough resource to give it the level of service it required for its product development plans.

A systems supplier also needs to be able to demonstrate an understanding of current issues across all market sectors, including new build and replacement. Take, for example, the work we have been doing with leading organisations such as the BRE (Building Research Establishment) on its ‘Rethinking Housing Refurbishment’ programme. This aims to highlight the contribution that existing houses have to play in reducing UK carbon emissions. The BRE has specified windows fabricated using Eurocell profile systems on three of the Rethinking Refurbishment exemplar projects at BRE Watford, Newcastle and Huntingdon, to demonstrate how important refurbishments will soon become in creating sustainable homes and the role PVC-U has to play in creating sustainable windows.

Products with an edge

In terms of product, the breadth of range is an important consideration. Indeed, access to a wide range of products is key to helping you win more business – because more choice provides you with more strategic options to run your business. For example, our new Eurologik Ovolo Irish Oak and White Ash finishes will enable A&B Glass to offer its customers something that is distinctly different because of its natural appearance and unique complimentary profile colour – giving the best aesthetics at all times. Again, this is important in both new build, where developers look to add extra curb appeal to their properties, and replacements, where homeowners strive to add extra value to their homes.

A potential supplier should be able to offer profile systems that demonstrate high levels of energy efficiency and sustainability, too. Our response to this need has been to develop a low carbon 0.8 U-value window specifically for new build. Alongside this, we have developed the Eurologik A14 window, which is currently the highest BFRC (British Fenestration Ratings Council) rating for a double-glazed PVC-U window in the UK – offering both new build and replacement sectors maximum thermal performance.

It is also important to consider the environmental credentials of your supplier.  With global concerns about sustainability, they should have systems in place to make use of recycled PVC-U.  Your systems supplier should therefore be able to demonstrate that they are actively developing energy efficient and sustainable products made from recycled material. For example, developing value for money energy rated products with our fabricators would not have been possible without our 100 per cent recycled PVC-U Thermal Inserts.

Let’s also not overlook the obvious – continuity of supply and therefore financial stability, which is vital choosing a supply partner. Hard evidence of resources and an ability to deliver is required to give you peace of mind.  Evidence of the backing Eurocell has from our parent company Tessenderlo was enough to give the management team at A&B Glass this confidence.

Choosing a profile partner that recognises opportunities going forward and has the capability to maximise on them, means that fabricators can indeed look forward to a bright future as the economy begins to recover.”

To find out more about the benefits of becoming a Eurocell fabricator, call the customer services team on 0800 988 3049, or visit www.eurocell.co.uk.

The brochure is the latest addition to our customer literature range, which includes Dales Collection composite doors, Lifestyle doors, Conservatories and now Eurologik windows. The range will soon be extended again, when Vertical Sliding Sash Windows is added before the year end.

To request your copies of Eurocell consumer brochures, contact your Customer Care Co-ordinator on 01773 842222

Customers in Glasgow previously had to travel many miles for their building plastics, which goes to show that Eurocell reaches the parts of Scotland that others can’t.

The new branch offers Eurocell’s full range of products, which extends to over 3,800 lines, the majority of which are held at the branch.  Essential products stocked at the branch include roofline, window finishing trims and conservatory roofs, as well as a range of tools and accessories.

Derek Gachagan, Eurocell Building Plastics Divisional Manager – Scotland, explains: “This is our first branch opening in the city and demonstrates our commitment to the region. With the large amount of public and private building work in the city, the new branch will be a huge help to customers looking for easy access to a wide range of quality building plastics.”

Previously customers in the city had to travel to Eurocell Building Plastics’ branches in Coatbridge or Irvine – a journey that could take up to an hour. Eurocell’s decision to open the new branch in Glasgow will therefore give customers in the city much quicker access to the full range of products.

Eurocell has a well-deserved reputation for quality, value and service, which has been built around the fact it manufacturers many of the products offered in the branches. This ensures extremely competitive prices, industry leading service levels and much shorter leadtimes.

Manufacturing the majority its own products gives customers consistent product quality and full traceability from the factory to the site. Offering local availability of a full range of building plastic products also helps customer improve their carbon footprint. This is because journeys are made from the nearest local Eurocell branch to the site, which significantly reduces the carbon dioxide produced by vehicles.

The new branch covers an area of over 2,000 sq ft and offers a trade counter, collection point as well as free next day delivery on all orders over £50 (ex vat).

Opening times are: 8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 12noon on Saturdays.

Customers who wish to take advantage of the extensive range of products available can visit the new branch at: 44 Kelvin Avenue, Hillington Park, Glasgow G52 4LT.

The company’s 100mm -150mm cavity closers achieved greater than 60 minute integrity in a timber frame construction and over 90 minutes in masonry.

The tests were commissioned by Cavalok in response to the need for greater fire assessment of cavity closers.

Further tests are being carried out on Cavalok’s new cavity closer ranges to achieve even higher fire ratings.

“This comprehensive testing will enhance specifier confidence in the Cavalok range even further,” said Robert Cridford, Technical and Design Manager at Cavalok. “The testing recreates the ‘flashover’ point in a building fire, subjecting our products to an intense 1000°C furnace until the product fails. We found that our product outlasted the timber frame construction it was mounted in, a great result which ensures there are no doubts about Cavalok closers.”

“We were delighted with how our post-consumer recycled PVC-U performed in the furnace. As predicted, it performed as well as virgin material, giving further evidence of the viability of production from post-consumer material.”

The latest series of tests will allow customers to easily satisfy Part B (Fire safety) Building Regulations.

Preparations for the next series of tests are taking place, which include a number of products within Cavalok’s new ranges. These will be available once the testing process is completed.

Cavalok is the only manufacturer of BBA-accredited cavity closure systems made from 100% post-consumer recycled PVC-U. The Cavalok product range is widely used for brick/block, steel and timber frame buildings in the new build residential and commercial sectors. The BigBlok, Economy and Cavalok products speed up installation of windows on site, as well as improving the energy efficiency of buildings in line with Part L (Conservation of fuel and power) Building Regulations.

For more information on the Cavalok range of fire-rated PVC-U cavity closers, call 0870 120 3003 or visit: www.cavalok.com

“Relaxation of planning rules in 2008, combined with more homeowners deciding to improve rather than move are some of the reasons for continued optimism in the market. Product improvements and marketing initiatives are other key reasons.

Planning for the future

Since October, planning permission for a conservatory has been relaxed, which means it may not be required on smaller installations – of up to three of four metres in size, depending on the property. The outcome of this has been a dramatic increase in enquiries to our conservatory roof fabrication business, particularly for smaller conservatories. In effect, there has been a shift away from more traditional Victorian styles to space efficient Edwardian, Gable-ended and Lean-to designs.

As well as the changes to planning rules, many homeowners are choosing to stay-put rather than move, because of the uncertainty in the economy. However, because most growing families still need extra space, they are creating this additional square footage by adding a conservatory. In effect, there has been a subtle change in buying behaviour from homeowners choosing a conservatory because it adds value, and here larger was better, to buyers looking for cost-effective extensions, which incidentally are still highly attractive to potential buyers when they do eventually decide to move.

Set against this background of quiet optimism in the sector, more retailers are choosing a conservatory roof supply partner for the long-term. That means identifying those suppliers that have a proven track record in the conservatory roof category and as such, have developed a product that is right for the fabricator, retailer and installer as well as the homeowner.

In simple terms, suppliers that offer a one-stop-solution of window and door profiles, alongside conservatory roofs and accessories, provide much better long term prospects. For starters, it avoids duplication of procurement and distribution resources, which in itself saves a huge amount of time and money. It also ensures consistent quality assurance between different components. As the proportion of smaller conservatories increases, being able to achieve this efficiency is vital to winning new business.

An additional advantage of sourcing from a single supplier is that it creates a perfect colour match throughout the home and here at Eurocell we are one of the few to even offer this on roofline components. As homeowners and clients become more discerning, they are looking more critically at these aspects, which is another reason why customers should link-up with a one-stop-shop conservatory roof partner.

Finally, for a truly long term successful partnership, we always advise customers to look for a conservatory roof supplier that is prepared to invest in the business, as that demonstrates real commitment – crucial if you’re offering 10-year guarantees to your customers.

Complete retail solution

At Eurocell, we view conservatory roofs as a core part of our offer. This has been reflected by the investment we have recently made in response to the changes in the market. For example, the development of conservatory roof glass and the competitiveness of the glass market have increasingly encouraged buyers to choose glass over polycarbonate glazing. This effect has been particularly significant on small conservatories where the incremental impact of the uplift in price for roof glass is less.

With the move to smaller conservatories, along with this preference for glass, we recognised that it would be much easier and again more efficient for our customers to buy the complete conservatory roof solution from us. Working in partnership with our glass suppliers we therefore took the decision to offer our roof kit and glass as a complete package, making it much easier for the retailer or trade buyer to order. This one-stop shop approach offers a huge benefit to our customers and takes away any worry about glass size or angle confusion, and we have already had a very positive response from customers to this new offer.

Helping retailers win business is crucial to a successful long term partnership, which is why we have also invested in new conservatory and door brochures. The new brochures include ‘The Lifestyle Collection’ of bi-fold, French and patio doors, along with a new Conservatory Collection brochure. Our aim is to inspire homeowners, whether they are looking for a large or small conservatory and so the emphasis is very much on appealing to their lifestyle.

As more homeowners decide to upgrade their homes rather than move and with conservatories still high on their ‘most wanted’ list, retailers are being presented with many new sales opportunities. Our role is to help them grow their sales by constantly improving our product and service offer.  Eurocell is one of the few companies to continue investing in this area as we remain focused on providing customers with a ‘complete solution’ for the long-term.”

For more information on Eurocell’s conservatory roof system or for a copy of ‘The Lifestyle Collection’ and ‘The Conservatory Collection’ brochures, visit the website: www.eurocell.co.uk or contact the customer services team on 0800 988 3049. Alternatively, email press@eurocell.co.uk

Eurocell donated its ‘Chatsworth’ style from The Dales Collection of composite entrance doors, through Travis Perkins’ local branch.

Cheltenham Borough Homes had asked key suppliers to donate products for the refurbishment of the old doctor’s surgery on Peter Pennel Close as it had a limited budget and wanted to create an energy efficient design that would act as a benchmark for its other properties.

The specification includes extra wall and floor insulation, high performance heating systems as well as solar panels on the roof. Travis Perkins delivered the Eurocell composite doorset to Lovell Partnership, which was the main contractor on site. All three companies donated their products and services free-of-charge.

Cheltenham Borough Homes is an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO), with responsibility for the management and maintenance of approximately 5,000 council-owned and leasehold properties in Cheltenham.

The organisation will be monitoring the completed property against its own thermal performance targets. This will be helped by The Dales Collection providing thermal performance up to six times better than timber entrance doors. This is achieved by a GRP outer skin, rigid foam insulation core and triple-seal frame, which means the door is virtually draught and sound proof.

John Colebrook, Surveyor at Cheltenham Borough homes, explains: “We only approached a limited number of suppliers for donations on this project as we were looking to create a flagship development. We have been impressed with the performance and low maintenance of The Dales Collection from Eurocell. As soon as the new resident moved in, she commented on how much warmer and more secure it made their new home feel and that is really important to us.”

The Dales Collection is supplied with a low aluminium threshold as standard, meeting Part M of the Building Regulations and ensuring easy access for the wheelchair user that is now occupying the property.

The Dales Collection is designed to prevent ‘bumping’, a practice burglars use on cylinder locks to gain entry in seconds and Eurocell is so confident of its security that it is offering a £1,000 money back guarantee if the lock fails during a break in*. The Dales Collection has Secured by Design and PAS23/24 accreditation as standard.

Mike Reynolds, Lovell Partnership site manager, explains: “Eurocell’s entrance door system offered everything the client was looking for, including high security, low maintenance and great looks. The fact that we could source it from the local Travis Perkins branch on a 10-day leadtime made it a very convenient for our fitters on site.”

Offered in 10 stunning styles and seven colour options, The Dales Collection from Eurocell is designed to provide aesthetic appeal with unbeatable performance.

For more information on The Dales Collection visit the Eurocell website: www.thedalescollection.co.uk, contact customer services on 0800 988 3049, or email press@eurocell.co.uk

Travis Perkins Machynlleth, Powys, on the West Coast of Wales, becomes the latest branch to stock the range.

The stock profile has been carefully selected by Travis Perkins and Eurocell to provide customers with all the essential products needed on site.

Eurocell manufacturers all of the items offered in the Travis Perkins range, which ensures that customers receive consistent quality assurance and excellent value for money.

Travis Perkins has been particularly impressed with the service offered by Eurocell which, because it already had an efficient national distribution network, allows it to offer direct to branch deliveries on short leadtimes, with low minimum order quantities. This is a huge benefit to its customers as they can be confident that the product will always be in stock.

Gary Driscoll, Business Development Manager – New Build/Public Sector at Eurocell Building Plastics, explains: “Having a range available in 50 Travis Perkins’ branches means that they are much more accessible to customers. That means less time travelling to pick up products and more time getting the job done on site.”

Eurocell’s Building Plastics’ products are becoming an essential part of contractors and installers daily requirements on both new build and refurbishment projects. Widening access to the range through Travis Perkins branches creates a much more convenient sourcing route for them.

A spokesperson from Travis Perkins adds: “We have been delighted with the response from customers to our new range of roofline, cladding and windows trim products from Eurocell. The service we receive is excellent and means our customers can always find the product they need.”

Since taking stock of the new range, the Machynlleth branch has already grown its sales within the category, including several new business wins.

Each of the 50 branches stocks the product in the warehouse, making it easy and convenient for customer to find when they are picking up their other supplies.

To find your nearest branch stocking the Eurocell range, visit: http://www.travisperkins.co.uk

For more information on Eurocell Building Plastics, call 0800 988 3049 or email: press@eurocell.co.uk