FAB RICATO R & INS TAL L ER WORLD
May www.ggpmag.com
RAPIERSTAR HEALTH CHECK STAY WARM
WITH PREFIX
Prefix Systems has launched
a #€€%WARM campaign,
to help communicate the
fact that its Warmroof has
been engineered throughout
to be a true ‘warm roof.’
According to Prefix, while
there are a number of solid,
insulated warm roofs in the
marketplace, not all of these
products are of a €€%
warm construction and so
the risk is that roofs
manufactured using a cold
roof construction can suffer
from cold spots and
condensation. This is
particularly apparent the
late autumn, throughout
winter and in the early
spring. With these roofs
being sold as a long-term
investment, the worry is that
an increasing number of
these roofs may fail to
varying degrees, says Prefix.
With Warmroof, the
insulation sits above the roof
deck and so all aspects of
the roof, including the
glazing bars, are fully
insulated. With some
competitor systems, adds
Prefix, the insulation sits in
between the glazing bars
and so this forms part of a
cold roof construction.
Prefix says that Warmroof
has been proven with
installations right across the
UK, including Scotland and
Wales.
Warmroof has a fully
insulated eaves and offers
options for valleys, a full
choice of roofing tile and can
accommodate pitches from
‘€ - ’‘€, among other
unique product features.
www.prefixsystems.co.uk
A comprehensive audit of fastener
usage by Rapierstar has reportedly
delivered production, quality,
stockholding and installation benefits
for Hull-based window, door and
conservatory manufacturer and
installer, Vulcan Windows.
These benefits have been realised
following a ‘fastener health check’
conducted by Rapierstar earlier this
year, which looks at a window and
door manufacturer’s fastener use, how
they are being applied, what the
intended applications typically are and
the stockholding approach. This
assessment is said to be able to
identify instances where switching to a
different size or type of fastener could
enable rationalisation of supply –
saving time and money through
simplified ordering and stockholding –
and deliver improvements in safety
and finished product quality.
Vulcan Windows, who are one of
the largest Eurocell fabricators, have
been serving customers across East
Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire for
more than ƒ„ years. The company is a
major manufacturer and installer of
PVC-U windows and doors for the
new build sector, as well as social
housing, domestic and trade
customers, with additional operations
providing aluminium solutions and
solar panels. The company says that
its success is built on continuous
improvement and aligning the
business with the best supply chain
partners, which now includes
Rapierstar.
Paul Walker, Vulcan Windows’
operations director, said: “We
approached Rapierstar because we
wanted to make sure that the right
fasteners were being used across our
PVC-U factory and ensure our
commitment to high quality products
is not being undermined. With
Rapierstar’s close working relationship
with Eurocell and knowledge of their
profiles, we recognise the value of
their expertise specifically in relation
to the systems we use.
“Their recently updated
Recommended Fixings Manual (RFM)
has proved to be a valuable reference
guide, offering detailed guidance not
only in the use of fabrication screws
but in terms of installation. It is
helping our fitting teams to choose the
right screws for assembly of bays and
couplers, and assess whether the right
length masonry fixings are being used
at all times.”
Vulcan’s approach to fasteners was
already ‘robust’, according to Paul
Balfe, Rapierstar’s technical
consultant, who completed the health
check. However, he identified some
small changes that will reportedly
make a big difference to Vulcan in the
long term.
Paul Balfe said: “Our fastener
health check is designed to assess
every area in detail, which flagged up
a few changes to the type of fasteners
being used. With these small changes,
it is possible to get better performance
or make fabrication easier, and we also
identified an opportunity to
consolidate two sizes of screw and
thus reduce their inventory.
“We’re delighted to become
Vulcan’s supply chain partner for
fasteners and assist them in all areas.
This has also included the supply of
racks for their stores area and a set of
labels to go with the rack. This makes
it was easier for stores to put away
fastener stock and to see at a glance
when product is running low to avoid
production disruption.”
MAXIMISE EVERY
OPPORTUNITY
Aluminium trade fabricator,
Fentrade Aluminium Building
Products, has announced it
will start manufacturing the
Optio ‘8BW flush window
from AluK when the industry
reopens. Chris Reeks, director
of Fentrade Aluminium
Building Products, said: “We
know our installing customers
will want to maximise every
opportunity when the market
returns. The Optio ‘8BW
flush window taps into the
growing aluminium market
and is perfect for
contemporary new build and
traditional refurbishment
projects alike.”
The Optio ‘8BW flush
window is said to offer a
‘powerful combination’ of
performance, versatility and
security. Key features include
U values as low as .‘W/m2K
as well as a double rebate that
offers greater protection
against the elements.
The design features slim
’‘mm sashes for a minimal
contemporary look and a
¢€mm outer frame. There is a
choice of handle colours that
will suite with the other
aluminium products such as
doors, bi-fold doors and inline
sliders within the Fentrade
manufacturing portfolio.
Fentrade says that, as with
all its products, there’s a rapid
and reliable turnaround from
order to delivery, including a
quote within £’ hours.
Rapierstar’s Paul Balfe (left) at Vulcan
Windows’ PVC-U factory in Hull
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/www.prefixsystems.co.uk
