5 January 2024

Glazpart is delighted to announce that FIT Show has joined the Glazpartners initiative to further strengthen the relationship between the two companies.

The Glazpartners initiative is designed to promote the value of customer relationships in the fenestration industry and this latest partnership will bring greater collaboration and joint promotion for both FIT Show and Glazpart with multiple branding, PR and social media opportunities.

FIT Show is the UK’s number one exhibition, dedicated to showcasing the window, door, hardware and flat glass industry. The latest UPVC, timber, aluminium windows, doors, glazing components, hardware, flat glass processing equipment and machinery are all exhibited at FIT Show which takes place in Birmingham NEC on 29 April to 1 May 2025.

Nickie West, Managing Director of FIT Show commented, “Glazpart has been supportive of FIT Show since the outset and we are delighted to be Glazpartners, championing the campaign in its ambitions to promote the value of customer relationships in the industry. One of the key principals FIT Show is built on is connecting people and products, which aligns perfectly with the Glazpartners initiative.”

At this year’s FIT Show, Glazpart launched the Glazpartners initiative with an unrivalled bespoke window and door display from 35 of the UK’s best window and door fabricators, systems houses and installers. Some of the highest profile brands from all parts of the industry were promoted as Glazpartners on the Glazpart stand.

Dean Bradley, Sales Director of Glazpart added, “Glazpart has been an exhibitor at FIT Show since it started in 2013 and it was the platform where we launched our award-winning Link Vent range, so we are delighted that FIT Show is now a Glazpartner. FIT Show is a key event in the glass and glazing industry and we have already booked up for the next show in 2025 when we plan to have some special activities as it will be the start of our 40^th anniversary celebrations. With FIT Show being Glazpartners, both the show and our brands will enjoy mutual promotional benefits.”

15 December 2023

Glazpart is delighted to announce that Tradelink Direct is the latest company to join the Glazpartners initiative – the marketing partnership set up by Glazpart to develop closer collaboration with customers for mutual promotional benefit.

Tradelink Direct is a world class manufacturer with over 30 years of experience in supplying a wide range of high-quality windows, doors, sealed units and conservatories to installers throughout the UK.

A shining example of manufacturing excellence, Tradelink continuously looks to improve the overall product quality and excellent customer service. When the building regulations (Approved Document F – ventilation) changed in June 2022, Tradelink made sure their team was ahead of the game by ordering the best solution for trickle ventilation, namely the Link Vent from Glazpart.

The ‘Link Vent’ range sizes include 5000, 4000 and 2500 EQA. Equivalent Area (EQA) is the measure of the vents’ airflow performance.

The vents are designed to fully comply with building regulations, Approved document F1 (means of ventilation).

The Link Vent follows a clever design that is simple and user-friendly for both opening and closing – the innovative closing action allows the closure plate to be positioned so that it reduces draughts by directing air away from occupants.

The Link Vent 4000 and 5000 closure plate is split to allow for partial (50%) opening and greater ease of opening of the ventilator.

The Link Vent also has rounded ends of the vent to allow for installation on timber windows and it is available in either screw or clip in fixing types – the design eliminates the need for end caps whilst the clip fix design (Pawl’s) allows for a fast, easy vent installation.

With smart design, easy fitting, and functionality as well as a huge choice of 1000s of colours and decorative finishes, it is easy to see why Tradelink decided to use the Link Vent for the range of PVC-U and Aluminium windows and doors.

On becoming a Glazpartner, Kelly Buttriss, Head of Operational Delivery at Tradelink commented, “We are pleased to be Glazpartners and also delighted we chose Glazpart’s Link Vent range, not only to comply with the regulations but also because of its smart design and wide range of colours and finishes. It’s also an easy product to install; it works for all our window and door profiles across our extensive range.”

Dean Bradley, Sales Director, Glazpart added, “We are delighted that a high-quality manufacturer such as Tradelink are now Glazpartners and continue to use our Link Vent range. The award-winning Link Vent is proving ever popular with manufacturers and fabricators across the UK. I look forward to further collaboration with Tradelink on product solutions and of course ensuring they get the full promotional benefits from being a Glazpartner.”

8 December 2023

Glazpart is pleased to confirm the appointment of Tamás Bareith as Company Accountant taking responsibility for the financial management of the Glazpart Group.

Tamás has 10 years’ experience in the food production equipment and transport sectors, where he has applied his financial management expertise for SME companies.

On confirmation of his appointment, Tamás commented “It’s an exciting time of growth for Glazpart and I am delighted to be part of the management team.”

Dean Bradley, Glazpart Sales Director added, “With Tamás experience, knowledge and skills, I have no doubt he will be a great asset to the Glazpart Group.”

Glazpart is delighted to announce that General All-purpose Plastics (GAP) have become Glazpartners – the marketing partnership set up by Glazpart to develop closer collaboration with customers for mutual benefit.

GAP are low maintenance PVC-U building product specialists, who have been successfully supplying the trade for 30 years for both the residential and commercial building markets.

With their headquarters in Blackburn, Lancashire, GAP has four manufacturing hubs spread across the UK and have been manufacturing, distributing and stocking PVC-U systems for over 25 years, including their Rockdoor composite doors and HomeFrame PVC-U windows and door brands.

The low maintenance specialists supply (the GAP brands) across England, Scotland and Wales across an expansive network of over 85+ depots covering the UK from Inverness all the way to Southampton.

GAP has extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to fenestration and are a proud to be a Glazpartner as they have been using the Glazpart vents within their designs for over a year, upgrading to the Link Vent after the Building Regulations (Part F ventilation) changed in July 2022.

The ‘Link Vent’ range sizes include 5000, 4000 and 2500 EQA. Equivalent Area (EQA) is the measure of the vents’ airflow performance.

The vents are designed to fully comply with building regulations, Approved document F1 (means of ventilation).

With a clever design that is simple and user-friendly for both opening and closing – the Link Vent’s innovative closing action allows the closure plate to be positioned so that it reduces draughts by directing air away from occupants.

The Link Vent 4000 and 5000 closure plate is split to allow for partial (50%) opening and greater ease of opening of the ventilator.

The Link Vent also has rounded ends of the vent and is available in either screw or clip in fixing types – the design eliminates the need for end caps whilst the clip fix design (Pawl’s) allows for a fast, easy vent installation.

With smart design, easy fitting, and functionality as well as a huge choice of 1000s of colours and decorative finishes, it’s easy to see why GAP chose the Link Vent for its extensive range of windows and doors.

Simon Bird, Joint MD, GAP commented, “It is an honour to develop our partnership with Glazpart, who have provided an incredible solution to what has been an issue for the fenestration sector in recent years. This newly formed partnership will allow us to continue providing our customers with the best quality units for installation whilst meeting the updated regulations with ease.”

Dean Bradley, Sales Director, Glazpart added, “We are delighted that GAP are Glazpartners and happy to supply our award-winning Link Vent range for GAP windows and doors. The Link Vent offers a superb solution for ventilating the home and blends in with the overall design of the window. Its proving increasingly popular with fabricators, manufacturers, installers and homeowners across the UK.”

17 November 2023

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) has announced that Glazpart’s Link Vent 4000 has been nominated for three Product Innovation awards in the following categories: Wellbeing, Air Quality and Thermal Comfort.

On hearing the news Dean Bradley, Sales Director of Glazpart commented:

“We are delighted to be shortlisted for such prestigious awards. The Link Vent 4000 has proved to be an essential addition to our trickle vent range since it was launched in 2022 in time for the Building Regulations changes to Approved Document F (ventilation). To have our product recognised for its contribution to improving homeowners’ wellbeing, air quality and thermal comfort is a great testament not only to the product’s performance but also to our production, sales and marketing teams that have brought the Link Vent 4000 to the marketplace with such great success. We are now looking forward to attending the awards in February.”

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) is the professional body that exists to advance and promote the art, science and practice of building services engineering and to support the community of built environment professionals in their pursuit of excellence.

The CIBSE Building Performance Awards always attracts high quality entries and a diverse selection of projects, companies, people and products from across the building industry.

The annual event showcases the achievements of companies and individuals who develop strategies for refurbishment and energy-efficient operation of existing buildings, design new buildings that operate more effectively and develop the products and systems that support them. Those shortlisted included detailed evidence which demonstrated actual measured performance and not just design intent or performance specifications.

Winners from the shortlisted entries will be announced at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards on Thursday 29 February 2024, at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London. For more information on the Awards, please visit the awards website.

27 October 2023

Glazpart is pleased to announce that the company will be exhibiting at Manufacturing and Engineering North East (MENE), to showcase the Glazpart range of products and to increase brand awareness in the broader manufacturing and engineering sectors.

Manufacturing and Engineering Northeast (MENE) returns on Thursday 30^th November at Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle. This vibrant trade exhibition highlights manufacturing innovation and engineering expertise across the North of the UK and attracts market-leading suppliers and leading industry experts.

The one-day show is packed with seminars and opportunities for manufacturing and engineering professionals in the north of the UK to meet, learn and grow.

On Glazpart’s participation Dean Bradley, Glazpart Sales Director commented:

“Though Glazpart exhibits, sponsors and attends many national and international events, it is vitally important that we also participate at focused regional exhibitions to continue to raise our profile and to show companies from new sectors our products and manufacturing capacity. The MENE Show is the perfect platform for Glazpart to display its array of products to a broad range of industrial sectors in the North East from construction to automotive, and furniture sectors and many more.”

Visitors to MENE can expect to gain valuable insights from industry visionaries during informative keynote sessions and develop hands-on skills and expertise through engaging practical workshops. Glazpart’s team of experts will also be on hand to demonstrate Glazpart’s full range of services from sharing market insights and research to design and development through to the manufacturing of plastic moulded product solutions.

Fay Bibi, Glazpart Specialist and Custom Product Manager added, “Glazpart has been leading the way on bespoke products across many different sectors. I am looking forward to attending the MENE Show and to sharing information on Glazpart’s manufacturing facilities and product knowledge, with potential customers and other industry leading experts. It promises to be an exciting show.”

Dean Bradley, summarised, “We are looking forward to exhibiting and presenting our broad range of products and solutions to buyers and key influencers in multiple sectors in the North East. At the present time, we are witnessing a lot of change in the plastics industry with key issues at the forefront around regulations, recycling, materials cost, product availability and timely delivery. It may be challenging for many and that’s we are attending the MENE show, to help others by sharing our market intelligence, innovation, solutions and demonstrating our technology.”

10 November 2023

Glazpart once again sponsored and participated in the Glazing Summit at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham on 12 October and yet again it proved to be an ideal platform for Glazpart to share views and concerns on the changing regulations currently impacting and set to impact the glass and glazing industry.

The Future Homes Standard is a set of rules that will come into effect from 2025 to ensure new homes produce over 30% less carbon emissions than the new homes being built to current Building Regulations.

Following the June 2022 interim changes to Building Regulations, which impacted replacement and renovation (existing buildings), the legislative measures from the Future Homes Standard will see further changes in the regulations, particularly in the legislation around energy efficiency, security, ventilation and overheating for new build property.

As a leading designer and manufacturer of plastic glazing accessories including trickle vents, it was only fitting that Glazpart was invited to be a key contributor to the Glazing Summit’s first panel debate on the “Regulatory Minefield”.

Dean Bradley, Glazpart Sales Director was part of a panel of four experts on the “Regulatory Minefield” and commented, “It was great to take part in the panel discussion on the challenges the industry faces on existing and incoming regulations. I was pleased to share my concerns about the regulatory changes at this crucial time in the evolution of building regulations and environmental policy. In 18 months, the Future Homes Standard will be implemented and with the interim changes made to Building Regulations in June 2022 likely to continue, the industry needs to be thinking well in advance of any further changes to regulations.”

The Regulatory Minefield topics covered the probable changes to window u values (the heat transfer measurement used for assessing a window’s energy efficiency; the lower the U-Value, the better the insulation and energy efficiency.

The panel held the consensus that the U-Value for windows will in all likelihood shift from 1.6 w/m² to 1.2 w/m²  for the replacement market and 0.8 w/m²  for new build which will in all probability stipulate that triple glazing has to be installed (depending on the semantics of the final document).

Aligned to U-Values changing, window and door companies will also likely need to comply to meet the incoming regulations for security under Approved Document Q, which for new build will mean that for all accessible windows to comply they will have to have laminated (security) glass on the outer pane and potentially steel reinforcement in frames and sashes. This will present major challenges due to the weight of the windows. Companies will have to use upgraded hardware and adjust for the protection, transportation, storage, lifting and installation of the units.

As well as the obvious issues that many in the industry may have with the regulations, Dean Bradley raised the following concerns about companies complying in time.

“The industry needs to be ready for any changes and the challenges they will present. Companies should be gearing up to comply from day one of the implementation. In June 2022, when Approved Document F was enacted as an interim change to Building Regulations, very few companies in the industry were in position to comply with the new legislation. Within a few months, most of the more responsible companies were complying but it was fortunate Glazpart had stocks (about one million vents) of our Link Vent range pre-prepared to cope with the demand. Even now only about 70% of the industry are compliant with the Approved Document F regulations. For Future Homes, the industry needs to be ready to embrace, engage and comply with any changes that will impact them and not wait until the last minute.”

Following the Glazing Summit, Dean Bradley, summarised, “Once again it was a fantastic event and great to hear the attendance figures were the highest ever. We were pleased to share our views, concerns and knowledge in the panel debate and enjoyed the multiple opportunities to network with key players in the industry. Overall, it proved to be an enjoyable and productive day for the Glazpart team.”

For over 40 years, Emplas has grown to become one of the UK’s largest and best fabricators of energy efficient and low maintenance windows & doors.

A leading player in the UK, Emplas remains a family run business and works with some of the industry’s leading suppliers including Profile 22, Saint-Gobain and ALUK to bring cutting edge innovation to energy efficient door & window fabrication that meets the highest industry standards.

For over four years, Glazpart has supplied the Link Vent range to Emplas. Given their strong working relationship, it is no surprise that Emplas has joined the Glazpartners programme which promotes companies working in collaboration to meet industry standards. There are few better examples of this partnership in action than June 2022, when Emplas windows and doors with Link Vents installed easily and seamlessly, complied from day one of the changes to Building Regulations – Approved Document F – means of ventilation.

The “Link Vent” range sizes include 5000, 4000 and 2500 EQA. Equivalent Area (EQA) is the measure of the vents air flow performance.

The vents are designed to fully comply with building regulations, Approved document F1 (means of ventilation).

The Link Vent follows a clever design that is simple and user friendly for both opening and closing – the innovative closing action allows the closure plate to be positioned so that it reduces draughts by directing air away from occupants.

The Link Vent 4000 and 5000 closure plate is split to allow for partial (50%) opening and greater ease of opening of the ventilator.

The flexibility of the Link Vent design eliminates the need for end caps whilst the clip fix design (Pawl’s) allows for a fast, easy vent installation. The Link Vent is available in either screw or clip in fixing types.

With smart design, easy fitting, and functionality as well as a huge choice of thousands of colours and decorative finishes, it is easy to see why Emplas decided to use the Link Vent for their range of PVC-U and Aluminium windows and doors.

Kush Patel, Managing Director of Emplas commented, “Our relationship with Glazpart is going from strength to strength and we are pleased to be Glazpartners. We use the Link Vent range not only to ensure compliance with the new regulations but also because of its smart design, colour choice and easy installation which makes it perfect for our windows and doors.”

Dean Bradley, Sales Director of Glazpart added, “Emplas’ products are renowned for their high quality and we are delighted they are Glazpartners. Our Link Vents in a vast array of colours complement their range of windows and doors. The Link Vent is the award-winning product that is proving ever popular with manufacturers, fabricators and consumers across the UK.”

Glazpart is pleased to confirm the appointment of Andy Denness as Finance Director, taking responsibility for the senior financial management of the Glazpart Group.

A qualified chartered accountant, Andy has over 25 years post qualification experience in several industries including logistics, food production equipment and communications. His experience stretches from management accountancy to financial controller and finance directorships for SMEs and Blue-Chip companies.

On his appointment, Andy commented “I am delighted to be part of Glazpart’s senior management team during this time of strong growth and with great potential ahead.”

Dean Bradley, Sales Director added, “I have no doubt that Andy with his acumen and strategic planning skills will be a great asset to the Glazpart Group management team and going forward instrumental to our continued success.”

Glazpart – the plastic injection moulding specialists, exhibited at the Interplas in Birmingham in September and found it to be the perfect platform to showcase their award-winning products to hundreds of companies in the plastic components market.

Following the three-day show, Dean Bradley, Glazpart Sales Director commented, “Interplas proved a great success as we had so much to show visitors to our stand and also had a lot to share with potential customers in terms of our facilities, capabilities and flexibility across multiple markets.”

Glazpart’s impact in the plastics industry has been significant for over 35 years but with so much activity in 2023, the company’s initiatives and products are being widely recognised.

Recently, the company’s Link Vent 4000 was nominated as a finalist in the “Product of the Year” category at The Plastic Industry Awards. In addition, British Plastics Federation included the Link Vent 4000 in its review of most innovative plastic products in 2023.

Aligned to the general recognition, Glazpart is also in the running for three National Fenestration Awards (NFAs) including “Product of the Year” for the Link Vent and also in the “Window Component Supplier of the Year“ category.

Glazpart’s outstanding success in the last 18 months can be attributed to several factors including substantial investment in high tech machinery, staying ahead of government policies and changing regulations, development of product ranges and improving its customer relations with the launch of the Glazpartners’ programme in May this year which has already seen over 40 companies sign up to be part of the initiative.

As the success continues, Dean Bradley summarised, “It’s been a great year so far for Glazpart and exhibitions have more than played their part. Interplas has been an excellent stage and we were delighted to be part of such a high-profile international exhibition. It allowed us to reach new customers in multiple sectors and also proved a great networking opportunity for our sales team to engage with existing customers and listen to their needs whilst also providing the latest news on our own activities.”