With businesses facing sky-high staff and energy costs, while their customers also keep their surplus cash in their pockets, next year is likely to be a challenge, writes Editor John Roper. However, the entrepreneurial spirit still looms large in this sector…large enough to make 2026 a prosperous year for us all.
AI: a tool, not a toy
Andrew Scott, founder and managing director of Purplex the marketing company, explores how artificial intelligence is redefining marketing and why success depends on using it with insight, not imitation as he introduces Helix, the company’s own artificial intelligence platform that understands this industry.
Automation: Get going!
IGU manufacturer Cleartherm Glass Sealed Units is calling on others in the industry to embrace automation or risk falling behind. Ed Humphreys, The Fabricator’s special correspondent, reports.
The Council for Aluminium in Building outlined a refreshed focus for the year ahead as Russell Yates delivered his first address as president at the association’s 31st annual general meeting, held on 23rd October at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Like aluminium but better
A wedding and accommodation venue in Wales, created from a barn, originally specified aluminium windows and doors until The Residence Collections was put forward for its PVC-U heritage and modern designs.
Powdered armour
Architectural powder coatings play an essential role in the safety, performance and durability of modern building façades. Beyond their visual appeal and long-term weather resistance, these coatings are increasingly being evaluated for their contribution to fire safety writes Qualicoat chair Chris Mansfield.
AluK was the only company to pick up two G-Award trophies – the industry’s biggest celebration of the year. AluK and Arkay Contractors won the Commercial Project of the Year Award and also…
…the Rising Star Award went to Tony Leach, the company’s continuous improvement lead, who is leading large parts of AluK’s multi-million pound SAP transition.
Commercial Project
AluK won the Commercial Project title for its collaboration with Arkay on the stunning Escapade Silverstone development.
MD Russell Yates, said: “AluK has undergone a massive resurgence in 2024 and winning twice at the G-Awards felt like the culmination of that.
“Escapade Silverstone was a fantastic demonstration of the quality of our products and the value that we bring to our partnerships with customers. Tony’s win showed the quality and calibre of the team here. It sets us up perfectly to push on even further in 2025 and show why we are the systems company of choice for so many of the UK’s most ambitious fabricators.
“It’s a big achievement just to be a finalist at the G-Awards, so to finish the night with two trophies was pretty incredible.”
Picture: AluK and Arkay Contractors won the G-24 Commercial Project of the Year award for Escapade Silverstone.