How Hazlemere Windows have benefitted since becoming GGF members

How Hazlemere Windows have benefitted since becoming GGF members

Hazlemere Window Company Ltd became members of the Glass and Glazing Federation in 2015, after looking into the benefits to both the business and its clients before signing up. This decision continues to be one that the company wished they had taken earlier, as often when clients are seeking a reputable double glazing manufacturer and installer they often start by looking for a Glass and Glazing Federation Member.  The GGF represents over 60% of the home improvement industry by turnover. The Glass and Glazing Fedrerations’s opinion is also regularly sought by Government on Regulation and Consumer issues. The GGF, which was established over 40 years ago, is considered as the Voice of the Industry and their opinion is regularly sought by Government on regulation and Technical Standards. Hazlemere Window Company Ltd joined the GGF to further cement its position as established independent manufacturers and installers with an impressive track record stretching back over 33 years, plus to also benefit from the GGF’s Technical input and advice.

GGF technical department

The Glass and Glazing Federation Technical Team can provide support to Members in the following areas:

GGF free technical advice

The GGF Technical Team are there to help Members with any questions they have. If they do not know the answer they usually know who to contact.

GGF input into technical standards

This means they know what will be required in the future as well as influencing how standardisation should change. GGF Members are able to participate at GGF meetings to guide the way forward with standardisation.

GGF technical library

The GGF hold a comprehensive technical library that contains British, European and International standards relevant to glass and fenestration products. Members can reference these documents via the GGF’s Technical Department.

GGF technical consultation and expert witness

The GGF provide a consultancy service that can provide an independent report on an installation. This service is not free and has to be paid for. However, GGF Members receive a discount on the fees. Consultancy reports can be used for a variety of purposes including giving consumers confidence with their installation to confirming what should be rectified to make an installation fit for purpose. The service also provides expert witness evidence should complaints go to litigation.

GGF product testing and approval

The GGF can give specific advice on how a manufacturer can obtain appropriate approvals, for their products, to national, European and International standards. Through their contacts they can arrange all necessary testing.

GGF Governmental influence

The GGF  consistemtly works to build up the necessary links and access to Government, the opposition parties and legislators. This allows for ‘Members’’ views to be carried through to the decision makers to ensure GGF Members are not disadvantaged.

In conjunction to their excellent links to UK Government they have set up a route to spread their Members messages into Brussels. The GGF is linked to various European organisations that provide access to MEPs and the Commission.

The GGF is also linked into a European Monitoring organisation, the British Business Bureau with our CBI Membership.

England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Building Regulations

These are mandatory requirements that are set by national governments. The GGF provides guidance to Members on what the requirements are, as well as working with the relevant Government Departments to update existing and develop future legislation.

Proper Vetting

All GGF Members who supply, fit or install replacement windows, double glazing, energy efficient windows, doors and conservatories have been trading for at least three years and are regularly vetted to ensure quality of service: this vetting process includes making a site visit to the company’s premises, checking two years of their accounts and taking up trade and consumer references.

Hazlemere Window Company Ltd are proud to be active GGF Members and also that one of it’s Directors, Mark Austin was elected as Chairman of the GGF’s Windows and Doors Group back in January 2017. Mark co-chairs the joint quarterly meetings of the Windows and Doors Group and the Conservatory Association with Phil Goult of Anglian, who is the Chairman of the Conservatory Association.  As such Mark and Phil both sit on the GGF Home Improvement Executive (HIE), with whom all the other chairs sit, representing consumer groups, fenestration hardware suppliers, window and door system manufacturers, technical groups and the Heritage window group etc. In-fact in May 2018 the HIE unanimously elected Mark to be GGF Vice-President, as position that also a position on the GGF Board of Directors assuming they approve the recommendation from the Home Improvement Executive. This is something they also did unanimously on 7th June 2018, so another reason why Hazlemere Window Company Ltd are genuinely proud to be GGF Members.