Editor John Roper writes that once the FIT Show closed, the market seemed to move from hectic to slow and yet the latest CAB State of theTrade Survey (featured in this issue) hints at continuing, if slow, recovery. On the other hand, some problems never seem to go away. Emplas Group MD, Ryan Johnson says this industry still needs rational pricing policies (see page 8) as he and Roper lament the never ending 'race to the bottom' which sees businesses cut prices until they run out of cash just before they go into liquidation...and there have been a few too many of those lately.
The CAB Column – Fasten you seat belts
The UK economy isn’t out of the woods yet but has entered 2025 with some welcome signs of greater stability writes Council For Aluminium in Building CEO Nigel Headford as he reviews the organisation’s State of Trade survey.
More than just YouTube
Andrew Scott, CEO of Purplex Marketing, explores how dynamic video strategies are transforming fenestration marketing, dramatically boosting visibility and forging deeper connections with today’s digitally savvy customers. From corporate and brand films to personalised messages, Purplex offers a one-day service to produce a range of content for all uses that can be drip-fed to different channels over time.
A truly consultative approach can be transformative. The Fabricator’s Ed Humphreys talks to Ab Initio founder Rhonda Ridge about the company’s own customer-centric approach.
Machinery – No one else is doing this
Stuga Machinery has announced that it is finalising a new dual-platform dashboard system, developed to give fabricators unprecedented visibility over production performance.
Machinery – A welding wonder
John Fredericks Plastics has invested in a new Graf Synergy SLS – Single Head CNC sill welder from Haffner.The new machine delivers seamless, high quality welds reinforcing John Fredericks’ commitment to product excellence.
Holding steady for 1777
The right sliding sash window must meet a broad set of demands, including heritage compliance, thermal efficiency, ease of installation, customer satisfaction and consistency of supply. Ed Humphreys talked to Quickslide about one vertical slider that became the solution for five different real-world challenges
Prep’d for door prep
ODL Europe has completed a six-figure investment in its in-house door prep facility, doubling its footprint and significantly increasing its prepping capacity.
Showcasing Sheerline
Sheerline’s products can now be viewed on the NBS Source platform which enables specifiers to select the best products for their projects; and manufacturers to show their products alongside certifications and literature.
Shh! Mind the noise!
One of the biggest trends to emerge in machinery over the last couple of years is noise reduction and soundproofing. We are seeing an increasing number of machines being specified with roofs or sound proofed cabins, writes Wayne Hunter of Emmegi.