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Posts Tagged ‘Double Glazing Industry’

Double Glazing Industry 5 a side football competition

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

I was chatting with some industry colleagues today and they suggested a double glazing industry 5 a side football competition might be a good idea.

What do you think?

The idea would to have, maybe, four regional mini competitions in the North West, North East, South East and South West with some sort of knockout competition at each.  Then, the top two teams from each region go forward to a National Finals somewhere in the middle of the UK (Wakefield, for example).  Then we could have quarter finals, semi finals and a final.

I’m thinking aloud a bit here, but the main requirements would be:

  • At least 8 times in each region
  • Each team to represent a company associated with the double glazing industry
  • Each team to have 5 players, plus a couple of subs
  • There’ll be an entry fee to cover hire of indoor football pitches, and ideally a contribution to charity
  • We’ll do a bit of PR about the competition, with considerable bragging rights for the winning team
  • Good networking opportunity
  • Good reason for people to get fit
  • A good laugh in general

I’d be happy to pull it all together if there is interest from people in the industry to take part.

So, if you’re either interested in getting a team together, or interested in helping organise such an event, then please leave your comments below.

So, who’s going to GlassTalk?

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

I don’t like putting people under pressure with fake ‘hard sell’ tactics but:

…..this really is your last chance to book your place at GlassTalk!!!

We’ve got to agree room numbers with the hotel in the next few days so if you intend coming along, but haven’t actually told us yet.  Or you’ve told us you’re coming, but not actually paid up yet…. then this is your last chance.

So, who’s coming?

The following people are paid up and attending GlassTalk (and in no particular order):

  • Kevin Harvey – Avocet Hardware
  • Ed Bloom – RPS (Roofwright) Software
  • Dave Blakeman – RPS (Roofwright) Software
  • Jon Twigge – RPS (Roofwright) Software
  • Eric Cheshire – Hightech Windows
  • John Green – Hightech Windows
  • Richard Gyde – Mila Hardware
  • Mark Frain – Mila Hardware
  • Vicki Sanders – Mila Hardware
  • Fiona Turner – Zurich Titanium Home Enhancements
  • Drew Wright – Distinction Doors
  • Simon Scholes – Veka Recycling
  • Beckie Browne – Quotatis
  • Teresa Brice – Quotatis
  • Wayne Rogerson – CEN Solutions
  • John Irwin – Ultraframe
  • Michael Madigan – The Appeal Group
  • John Wood – The Appeal Group
  • Alan Fielder – Edgetech
  • Andy Jones – Edgetech
  • Nick Dutton – Door Stop International
  • Chris Hall – GAP
  • Simon Bird – GAP
  • Charles Greensmith – GAP
  • Mark Simms – Rock Door
  • Andy Ball – Synseal
  • David Leng – Synseal
  • Hugh Eadie – CR Smith
  • Fiona Lund – Brouha Marketing
  • Helen Savage – Brouha Marketing
  • Lucy Hodges – Brouha Marketing
  • John Gold – Jotika Software
  • Philip Parry – Eurocell
  • Mike Adderley – The Window Centre (Solihull)
  • Edwin De Silva – Duraflex
  • Andy Miller – Duraflex
  • Gary Morton – Central CRC
  • Gary Richards – Central CRC
  • Mike Derham – Mighton Products
  • Neil Robinson – Proskills
  • Mark Barsby – Deceuninck
  • Jon Skinner – Deceuninck
  • Paul Tooley – Hollowseal Ltd
  • Robert Foy – Centuryseal
  • Leon Foy – Centuryseal
  • Wayne Craig – Centuryseal
  • Keith Rawlinson – Centuryseal
  • Andy Royle – Leads 2 Trade
  • Andy Coley – Leads 2 Trade
  • Neal Hovey – SCI Products Ltd
  • Mark Hickox – Thermoseal Group Ltd
  • Gwain Paterson – Thermoseal Group Ltd
  • Samantha Hill – Thermoseal Group Ltd
  • Daniel Williams – Pioneer Trading
  • Jo-Ann Bowles – West Yorkshire Windows
  • Andrew Glover – West Yorkshire Windows
  • Mark Greenwood – Origin Frames
  • Martin Hall – The Window Consultant
  • Iain McInnes – McInnes Communications
  • Matthew Kirby – Solaglas
  • Giles Hayhurst – Windowlink Ltd
  • Alan Grimmett – Windowlink Ltd
  • Jeff Hoosen – Custom Glass
  • Jason Bamford – Frametrade UK Ltd
  • Kevin Ahern – Osprey Windows
  • Rebecca Mayhew – Veka PLC
  • Shaun McAllister – Anglian Windows Ltd
  • Tony Beale – Hazlemere Windows Ltd
  • Roy Vassie – Ab Initio Software
  • Mike Rigby – MRA
  • Lucia Di Stazio – MRA
  • Andy Wallace – Consumer Credit Solutions
  • Will Evans – Consumer Credit Solutions
  • Rod Pyne – Appeal Conservatory Blinds Ltd
  • Ian Finch – IFCon Ltd
  • Andrew Green – Greenway Home Improvements Ltd
  • Kathryn Dalgleish – Swiss Spacer
  • John Warren – Epwin
  • David Hurst – Epwin
  • David Wrigley – Epwin
  • Winston Duguid – Epwin
  • Brian McDonald – Hegla
  • Steve Goble – Hegla
  • Malcolm Searle – Clear Thinking Software
  • John Ogilvie – Network Veka
  • Steve Ormand – Motionlab
  • Simon Iredale – Motionlan
  • Bob Scott – RSA
  • Matthew Glover – Conservatory Outlet Ltd
  • Robin Wythes – HMRC
  • Matt Boddington – Accountax
  • Stuart Baxter – Orion Windows Ltd
  • Paul Hurworth – Orion Windows Ltd

Judging by the last two events we have a mad rush at the end with people wanting to take part in the industry’s only ’speed networking’ event.  But we have to turn people away as they’ve tried to book too late, so don’t delay.

I’m sure you can see from the above list, we have a broad range of companies represented and with topics such as the Window Energy Ratings Scheme, the CIS scheme for window installers, and the role of systems companies in the industry being discussed at our unique ‘on the couch’ sessions, then there should be some very good conversations taking place.

Crucially, GlassTalk is a great way to make good business contacts, and selfishly I would love to see more installers taking part.

To book you need to sign up at www.glasstalk.co.uk or you can contact our kid at andrew@westyorkshirewindows.com.

See you on May 27th in Warwickshire!

8 Reasons to attend GlassTalk

Monday, October 12th, 2009

If you’ve been thinking about attending Glasstalk, but haven’t quite made your mind up yet then I’ve made it easier for you to make a decision.

Here’s 8 reasons you should consider taking the time out to attend this networking event:

1. Make new business connections
The speed dating format of the networking sessions of the first GlassTalk were a resounding success. I was a bit unsure about how people would feel about this as the random way people would be sat next to others could be awkward. But, in reality, it worked very well. I actually made some very good connections, including finding a new dealer who is likely to spend over £250,000 with me this year.

2. Serious debate
We’ve got some very interesting ‘on the couch’ sessions lined up. I was keen that we brought up the emotive subject of the recent glass price increases, so we’ve got Steve Sutherland of Dortech lined up. He was the guy who started the Number 10 petition and has very strong views on this subject. We have invited representatives from the glass companies, and are hopeful that at least one of them will attend and put across their opinion. With Dave Ruzicka of Sash UK and Chris Ball from MBA Associates both taking part, we should get some very forthright opinions. And, we’re very close to securing an industry giant for the final ‘on the couch’ session – details to follow.

3. Look who’s already coming
Decision makers from the following companies are already signed up:
3D Aluminium plas, Ab Initio, Absolute Training Solutions, Anglian Windows, BBA, Brett Martin, Business Micros, Consumer Credit Solutions, Classic Design Conservatories, Clayton Glass, Clear Thinking Software, Clearview Home Improvements, Connaught Conservatories, Conservatory Outlet, Consumer Credit Solutions, CRC Conservatory Roofs, Custom Glass, Deceuninck, Distinction Doors, Edgetech, Empire Tape, Fab & Fix, Fairview Windows, Fenestration News, Franklin joinery, GAP, GED Integrated Solutions, Haffner, Hazlemere Windows, Hegla UK, Holloseal Glass, Hornschuch, IFCon Ltd, Insight Data, John A Wallace Associates, K2, Lister Trade Frames, Macrolux, Masterframe, MBA Associates, McInnes Communications, Midas Code, Mila Hardware, My Quote 4, Network Veka, Oakland Glass, Origin Frames, Orion Windows, Paramount Windows, Promac, Quantal, Quickslide, Quotatis Ltd, Promac, Rapier Star, Rigby Associates, RockDoor, RoofWright, Sash UK, Select Products, SIG, SIG – Window Fitters Mate, Stuga, Synseal Extrusions, Team 4 Marketing, The Appeal Group, The Real Window Quoter, Ultraframe, Vast PR, Veka, Weatherseal Holdings, West Yorkshire Windows, White Extrusion Machinery, Windowbase, Windowmaker.

4. Free beer
I’m ashamed to say that last time, despite the best efforts of 150 people from the double glazing industry were unable to drink all the free beer on offer. Again, we’re looking for around 10 companies to each sponsor the bar at £250 a time, and then we can try harder this time.

5. A day away from the office
I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s just good to get away from proper work. The thing is, though, by attending GlassTalk there will be some serious business taking place. And, if you’re not there you’ll miss out.

6. Good food
There’ll be a buffet lunch and evening meal served all included within the very reasonable fee. Being a vegetarian I’m not expecting the food to be great, but I’m sure all meat eaters will be very satisfied.

7. Entertainment
The entertainment is yet to be finalised, but I can assure you that it will be absolutely brilliant. I’ve been arguing for as many dancing girls as we can get hold of, but finances may restrict us to a comedian or similar.

8. Compare moustaches
Further to my previous post, it appears that there will be a number of Mo Bros joining me and growing moustaches. Unfortunately, with GlassTalk happening on November 3rd we’re unlikely to be displaying handlebar or horseshoe designs by then.

So, what have you got to lose?

To sign up you need to visit the GlassTalk website and visit the Booking Page. Tickets are from £85 per person (if you just want to attend the day part) or if you fancy being a reveller like me then £150 also gets you a room for the night, evening meal and all that free beer. Or just email my brother at andrew@westyorkshirewindows.com and he’ll put you down on the list and show you how to book.

See you there!

Why it’s better to have a panel of judges decide the Window Industries Top 30

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

It seems the post I added about the Top 30 Most Influential has created a bit of a stir this week, and hopefully kept a few people entertained! It was always supposed to be a bit of fun and not taken too seriously in the same way as the official Window Industries Top 30.

I’ve now removed the post, but can announce that the top 3 at the end were as follows:

Top30

I don’t think anyone can argue that Gary Dutton is one of the most successful people in our industry, and in my opinion is probably the most influential person over the last 10 years. Both Gary and Nick Dutton have been very influential in my business career, not purely because they continue to supply my company, but the advice and inspiration I have received from them has been vital.

However, it is clear that the voting has been to say the very least ’suspicious’.

It seems to have become the battle of the IT departments and checking through my website stats I have been amused to see a variety of unusual tactics from users in different parts of the world. I was aware before I started that a person could manually click and then clear their cookies to vote again. Here it is in action:

voting1

This tactic has had a remarkable effect on the number of page views my site has been getting over the last few days, as the following bar chart shows:

voting2

I must stress that it appears to me that multiple users from at least 5 or 6 different companies have been trying to manipulate the voting. I believe this vote rigging has been undertaken more out of a sense of fun than any real malicious intent.

But, I think this exercise has demonstrated that in future John Hatcher and his small group of well informed panelists are in the best position to decide on who should be on the list in the future, and in what order.

Thank you everyone for voting and hope everyone has enjoyed watching the voting as much as I have…

5% VAT for Energy Efficient Windows deal moves a step closer

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

I understand from a very close friend, that the campaign to set a rate of 5% VAT on energy rated windows is a step closer today, after the concerted efforts of an unlikely champion.

Dave Blakeman, the MD of RPS (Roofwright Conservatory Software) has allegedly been deep in negotiation with Gordon Brown (the Prime Minister) to thrash out a deal to save the double glazing industry, whilst at the same time help the Government achieve it’s carbon emmissions targets.

The following picture of Dave was taken before the meeting on Monday 22nd June:

DaveAtNo10

Better known for his involvement with the conservatory business through the leading conservatory design software Roofwright, Dave is keen to move into the window market with an association with Eden window manufacturing software.

Personally, I think this is a very positive initiative and will keep you informed if anything comes of the meeting.

While at Number 10, Dave did discuss some other less interesting stuff with Mr Brown. I wouldn’t bother, but if you’re interested in reading about it then visit:

http://www.roofwright.com/News/uk_index.htm

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