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After an incredible 30 years at Selecta Systems, Shift Team Leader Brian Smith retired this year, bringing to a close a remarkable career that has seen Selecta grow and change considerably.
Brian joined Selecta on 16th June 1996, when our extrusion department looked very different to the one we know today. Starting as an Operator before becoming a Shift Team Leader just 12 months later, Brian has been a much-loved member of the extrusion team and the wider Selecta family.
Known for his character, sense of humour and ability to talk to absolutely anyone, Brian will certainly be missed. Before he headed off to enjoy his well-earned retirement, we sat down with him to look back over his 30 years at Selecta.
When did you join Selecta?
16th of June 1996.
Can you remember what Selecta was like when you first started?
It was very different! There were only three extrusion machines when I joined, compared with the 16 machines at the company I had worked for previously, so Selecta seemed smaller in comparison.
There were fields around the site and nowhere near the number of buildings there are today. I joined around eight months after the site was established, so I’ve been able to watch it grow from those early days into what it is now.
What was your first role?
I started as an Operator, working across the three extrusion lines we had at the time. After about 12 months I became a Shift Team Leader, and I’ve been doing that ever since.
What skills have you developed most over the years?
Definitely communication and people skills. You learn how to speak to different people, manage situations and build confidence.
The technical side has changed massively too. The extrusion machines have gone from buttons and manual controls to modern touchscreen systems, while the tooling and equipment have become much easier and more efficient to work with.
One thing I always remember is Mark saying that he wanted Selecta to be a “happy ship”. I’ve always thought that’s been a big part of what it’s like working here.
Has anyone particularly influenced you during your career?
Rob Scott was a brilliant Operator and taught me a lot. I already had experience in aluminium glazing, lamination, thermoforming and extrusion before working with PVCu, but Rob helped widen my knowledge even further.
Bob Heeley has also had a big impact on me personally. He’s always been very understanding and willing to help. Sometimes it’s the little things people do for you over the years that you remember the most.
Have there been any memorable or funny moments?
There have been plenty over 30 years!
One of my favourites involved the Tool Room wash bath. I bought some rubber ducks and secretly put one in there before going home. When I came back, nobody had said anything, so I added more.
Eventually one of my colleagues came in saying, “My ducks have multiplied!” I kept adding them until he finally worked out it was me. It’s little pranks and moments like that which have made working here enjoyable.
How has Selecta changed since 1996?
It’s become much more efficient and streamlined. The machinery, tooling and dosing systems have all improved massively.
The advances in technology, particularly over the last ten years, have been incredible. The machines today are completely different to those we started with and are much quicker and easier to operate.
What have you enjoyed most about working at Selecta?
The social side and the people. There’s a really good bunch of people here, and that’s one of the reasons I’ve hesitated about retiring!
What’s the secret to a long and successful career?
Get the job done, but enjoy it along the way.
I’ve genuinely enjoyed coming to work. I’ve never really had that feeling of waking up and not wanting to come in, and that’s probably what I’ll miss most when I retire.
What are you looking forward to in retirement?
It’s a bit of an unknown at the moment! I’ve got plenty of jobs lined up, but I’m looking forward to fishing, gardening, spending more time socialising with friends and, most of all, travelling with my wife.
Brian’s Quick Five
Tea or coffee? Coffee
Early bird or night owl? Night owl
Favourite film? The Thing
Dream destination? The Philippines
Marmite – love it or hate it? Love it!
Finally, what has kept you at Selecta for 30 years?
The people. I’ve enjoyed the job, but it’s mostly the people who have made it for me. Being part of a family-run business and having that social side to work has meant a lot.
After 30 years, countless friendships and plenty of stories along the way, Brian was understandably reluctant to say goodbye to Selecta. His friendly nature, humour and ability to chat with anyone have made him a familiar and much-loved face across the business.
We would like to thank Brian for everything he has contributed to Selecta over the past three decades and wish him and his wife a very happy retirement filled with plenty of travelling, fishing, good company and new adventures.
Colour has moved on from just being an alternative to White, to becoming a genuine specification choice for today’s window and door market. Selecta Systems Marketing Manager Mark Walker explains.
For many years, White was the default choice for PVCu windows and doors. Today, that standard requirement has been totally transformed. The market for coloured windows and doors is changing rapidly. Colour has become an increasingly important consideration for homeowners, architects and developers. This has created new opportunities for fabricators and installers looking to offer greater choice and differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market.
The shift towards coloured PVCu profiles is part of a wider change in consumer expectations. Windows and doors are no longer viewed simply as functional components of a property. They are an important part of its overall appearance. Homeowners are looking for products that complement the architectural style of their property, from contemporary new-builds to traditional and heritage homes.
For fabricators and installers, this means that offering an attractive and versatile colour range can be an important part of winning business.
From Grey to a Much Broader Colour Palette
Grey has undoubtedly played a major role in the growth of coloured windows and doors, with shades such as Anthracite Grey becoming firmly established as a popular contemporary choice. However, the market is now becoming much more diverse.
Selecta Systems’ Colourfoil Collection reflects this evolution, offering 18 colour shades and woodgrain finishes across its ADVANCE 70 Window and Door System. The collection includes contemporary shades such as Anthracite Grey, Slate Grey, Agate Grey and Hazy Grey. It also includes traditional colours including Chartwell Green and Cream and authentic woodgrained finishes such as Irish Oak and Mountain Oak.
The introduction of newer shades also demonstrates how quickly preferences are evolving. Ulti-Matt Black, for example, provides a modern, smooth finish designed to replicate the appearance of aluminium. In contrast, Agate Grey offers a softer alternative to darker grey tones. Pebble Grey provides another subtle option. It has already proved particularly popular when paired with ADVANCE 70 Flush Sash Windows.
Selecta continuously reviews the market for the latest and up and coming trends in products and colour. Plans are already afoot for new colour shades to be added to the Colourfoil Collection.
This growing palette gives fabricators the opportunity to move beyond the traditional ‘White or woodgrain’ choice and offer customers something much more individual. Additionally, pair this up with the opportunity to have any colour option from the Renolit colour swatch. The special colour range provides you with even greater scope and openings.
Colour Doesn’t Have to Mean Compromise
The ADVANCE 70 Window and Door System combines colour flexibility with a five-chambered profile designed to deliver strong thermal performance and excellent U Values. With U Values as low as 0.8 W/(m²K) when combined with a 40mm TGU. There are also values of 1.1 W/(m²K) with a 28mm DGU. For further peace-of-mind, enhanced security options include PAS 24 and Secured by Design.
The choice of finish is also becoming increasingly important. Selecta’s Colourfoil Collection incorporates both grained and smooth finishes. Grained foils are designed to recreate the texture and appearance of timber, while smooth finishes provide a cleaner, more contemporary appearance inspired by aluminium.
Greater Choice Creates Greater Opportunity
For installers, the ability to offer a comprehensive range of colours can help them respond to changing customer demands and provide a more personalised service. For fabricators, it provides another opportunity to add value. It also allows them to create differentiation and target projects where colour is an important part of the specification.
Importantly, Selecta laminates its coloured profiles at its Birmingham headquarters using modern foiling technology, with all of our standard colours produced to stock. Our efficient operations enable us to offer a faster turnaround on special colour orders. These can be ready for delivery, typically within one to three weeks depending on the section and whether they are foiled on one or both sides.
As colour continues to move from being an optional alternative to White towards becoming an expected part of the window and door buying decision, fabricators and installers who embrace that change can put themselves in a stronger position to meet the demands of today’s market.
The future of PVCu is certainly not just White, and with the ADVANCE 70 System and Colourfoil Collection, there is now a palette of possibilities for fabricators and installers to explore and grow their business.
Nominated finalists for Best Use of Video at NFA 2025, Selecta Systems, have launched another set of window and door videos / animations to their every growing customer base. Marketing Manager, Mark Walker, talks about how video and animation can transform the windows and doors market.
As consumer attention spans shrink and the need to stand out in the home improvement sector continues to be more significant, businesses are turning to one of the most powerful tools available: video and animation.
From product explainers to installation walkthroughs, companies across the UK are embracing video content as a way to inform, inspire, and convert potential customers. In an industry where trust, visual appeal, and understanding are key to decision-making, video offers unmatched advantages.
With the rise in popularity of video content on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram reels and Facebook stories, video and animation are capturing the attention of the audience much greater than long descriptive text. This is why Selecta have invested in another set of window and door animations, designed to demonstrate the benefits of our ADVANCE 70 window and door system.
Making the Complex Simple
Modern PVCu windows and doors offer a host of technical benefits — thermal efficiency, soundproofing and multi-point security. However, certain features can be difficult to communicate through static images or written descriptions.
Animation allows us to peel back the layers of windows and doors, show them in situ and focus on the core benefits of which they bring to market. You can demonstrate how heat retention works or how our security locking systems function — all in a matter of seconds.
These animated insights help fabricators, installers and homeowners understand the value of products, enabling them to make more confident, informed purchasing decisions.
Inspiring Transformations Through Visual Storytelling
Homeowners often struggle to envision how new windows or doors will transform the look and feel of their property. Video and animation content solves this problem by bringing real-world installations to life through dynamic visuals.
Our latest video shows off the versatility of our ADVANCE 70 window and door system. This is simply done by featuring the same style windows and doors in a traditional styled property before transitioning to a more modern styled home, where only the colour shade changes and completes the makeover.
Showcasing different frame styles and finishes, video and animation helps customers “see the difference” before they commit. For many, this emotional and visual connection is what turns a casual browser into a serious buyer.
Driving Engagement and Conversions
Statistics show that product pages featuring video see significantly higher engagement and conversion rates. According to a 2025 industry report by Home Improvement Insights, homeowners are 64% more likely to request a quote after watching a product video, compared to viewing images alone.
With attention spans shorter than ever, video is also ideal for capturing interest quickly — especially on mobile devices and social media platforms. Video captures attention more effectively than text or static images and users are more likely to spend time watching a video than reading a description.
Whether it’s a 30-second Instagram Reel or a full-length product explainer on your website, video gives you the flexibility to connect with a customer during their buying journey. Also, videos are more likely to be shared on social media and increase dwell time. Google rewards pages where users stay longer, improving search rankings.
Building Trust and Professionalism
In a sector where reputation is everything, video content also plays a crucial role in building trust. Professional videos and animated explainers help establish credibility and highlight the companies and brand’s commitment to quality.
Showcasing products, their benefits and features clearly and concisely, gives people confidence in the product itself.
Multi-Purpose, Long-Term Value
Another advantage? Versatility. A well-crafted video or animation can be used across multiple platforms — from websites, social media channels, online ads, trade shows, email campaigns and showroom screens. The latest video can be either used in full or split into individual, smaller product videos – for quick reels or story use!
We see video and animation as an effective content investment with real long-term marketing value. All of our animations and videos can be personalised and branded for our customers, which are consistent in tone. This includes catchy and bespoke music tracks that accompany the product and compliment the animations style for stronger brand personality.
View our videos on our Selecta in Profile YouTube Channel!
View all of our videos in our Selecta Video Library!
Birmingham based PVCu Window and Door Systems Company, Selecta Systems, are revelling in the achievement of being nominated finalists in seven categories at the 2025 National Fenestration Awards. Managing Director Maximilian Weihe opens up about being NFA finalists and the Selecta success story so far.
“We’re very proud of what we have and continue to achieve here at Selecta. Over the years, we have seen the demise of so many profile systems and systems companies’, whereas Selecta have remained consistently strong and well placed within the market. There have been many factors that have contributed to other systems companies’ downfall. However, Selecta’s ability to remain successful for over 43 years shows our resilience and ability to adapt to market conditions and our customer’s needs.”
“At Selecta, we believe that the two biggest assets in any company are its staff and customers. Without either, there is no company. For context, we have approximately 300 fabrication customers on our books and a number of those have been long-term Selecta partners. Just over 47% of our customers have been Selecta partners for 10 years or more, with just over 10% accounting for 20 plus years. We’re very proud of the loyal customer base that we have established at Selecta.”
“This loyalty and commitment also extends to our staff. Our success has been built around a knowledgeable, dedicated and experienced team over the years. What this shows is the businesses’ ability to create stability, continuity and solidarity, not only amongst our customers but also our team.”
“This is why we are extremely proud to again be recognised by our industry peers at this years NFA’s. To receive seven category nominations is testament to the teams outstanding work here at Selecta. I also believe that the individual staff nominations demonstrates our ability to build a strong, talented and competent team here at Selecta.”
“To have individual recognition for your ongoing contributions to your customers, the business and the industry brings a sense of immense personal pride that should be celebrated. Therefore, I would like to extend my gratitude and congratulations to all that have been nominated and also to the team that has contributed to our continued success.”
“We have successfully and continuously consolidated our place in the market. Our objective has and will always be to provide a range of quality window and door profile systems, backed up by a flexible and personal support package and service.”
“The aim is to build on the 43 years of success and ensure that Selecta and the ADVANCE 70 System are the go-to brands for fabricators, installers, specifiers and homeowners. The introduction of two new products, an improved flush sash window and a new flush sash door, reinforce that commitment. Whilst the upcoming lead generation, sales and fabrication management package on offer from our Connect Portal Mode further strengthens that promise to our fabricators and installers.”
“Taking all of the above into account and managing the business with transparency, trust and honesty, we believe will breed loyalty and success. You can then only hope that this philosophy is acknowledged by your industry peers and all who become ‘part of the family’. I consider being nominated finalists in seven categories at the NFA – National Fenestration Awards 2025 as part of that acknowledgement and recognition.”
Birmingham based PVCu window and door systems company, Selecta Systems, went to FIT Show 2025 ready to connect with visitors to the industry’s number one trade show. They were equipped with groundbreaking new additions to their Connect customer portal and two new sections to their ADVANCE 70 window and door system. Sales Director Andy Green and Marketing Manager Mark Walker talked about Selecta’s presence and impact at FIT Show 2025.
Andy explains, “The FIT Show provided Selecta with the ideal platform to connect with a large, dedicated audience. It allowed us to demonstrate how Selecta and our range of products and services can help fabricators and installers businesses grow. It also enabled us to be able to showcase and demo our two new products and Connect portal additions directly to visitors to our stand.”
“Over the course of the three days, we had a good number of fabricators visit our stand to specifically look at changing from their existing PVCu systems company. The numbers and quality of these potential customers were extremely good and certainly justified our presence. It was also great to be visited by a large number of our valued and existing customers.”
“Our new ADVANCE 70 flush sash window and flush door were well received by visitors to the stand. Feedback from existing and potential customers was excellent. The two new sections sit seamlessly within the existing ADVANCE 70 suite of profiles. We’re confident that the new additions to our window and door range will enable fabricators and installers to grow their portfolio. They will also increase their sales opportunities when offering a comprehensive range of window and door solutions.”
“Alongside the two new products and the ADVANCE 70 System we also demonstrated the versatility of our window and door systems. This included our upgraded MASTERslide Patio Door System and the innovative Vantage 70 System. Our patented quick-fit compression interior trim is for modular buildings, caravans and garden rooms. Both systems were well received as fabricators and installers looked at product alternatives. They were diversifying and adding to their range of window and door solutions.”
Also featuring on the stand at FIT Show 25 were the latest additions and developments to Connect, Selecta’s 24/7 customer support portal. In particular, a demo of the significantly upgraded Window & Door Designer was on show. Selecta are confident that it will be a real game changer for fabricators and installers and also a systems company first, as Mark describes.
“Over the last few years, we have been working closely with The Consultancy of the BM Group. Together, we developed an all-in-one fully integrated lead generation, sales management and fabrication software solution. All of the hard work and brainstorming has started to come to fruition. We were able to have a demo on show on our stand.”
“The initial idea was to connect the window and door designer to a complete sales management and CRM system. This allows full control of quoting and pricing straight from the window and door designer. This has been achieved, providing complete control over managing the initial enquiry all the way through quoting and order acceptance.”
“The sales management and CRM section provides complete control over all quotes and orders that have been generated within the window and door designer or via the sales management module. We have taken the whole process to the next level and connected the sales process with fabrication. Further developments have seen the system able to then create works orders, cutting sheets, glass orders, etc. This provides the fabricator with a software solution that connects and follows the initial lead. It continues all the way through to the fully fabricated window or door.”
“Selecta Systems will be the UK’s first fully cloud-based profile company. It’s able to instantly onboard any customer utilising the TOUCH cloud-based technology for both software and master catalogue profile datasets. This provides an integrated, all-in-one lead generation, sales management and fabrication software set-up. It will streamline the whole sales and fabrication process.”
“Taking it a step further, fabricators will be able to onboard their own customers. They can offer their own branded versions of the window and door designer. It’s a complete game changer in how leads, sales and the fabrication of windows and doors are currently processed. We demonstrated this at the FIT Show. Over the next couple of months, we plan to carry out the final developments and launch to our customer base and any new fabricators that join Selecta.”
Andy concludes, “We see the launch of the comprehensive lead generation, sales and fabrication management package combined with our current and new product innovations as being key to building an effective and long-standing partnership with our customers. These developments and investments demonstrate our commitment to our existing and potential customers and also to the industry as a whole.”
“Finally, I would also like to say a big thank you to all involved in making FIT Show 2025 a success. This includes both on and off our stand. FIT Show 2025 was certainly the perfect ‘fit’ for Selecta, which is why we have already booked up for FIT Show 2027.”
PVCu window and door systems company Selecta Systems are inviting fabricators and installers to Connect at FIT Show 2025. Sales Director Andy Green and Marketing Manager Mark Walker, give you an insight into what to expect from the Birmingham based systems company. They explain why you should Connect with Selecta at FIT Show 2025.
Andy says, “As part of our product research and development programme, we have been working closely with a number of customers. What has arisen out of these conversations and development meetings are two new products. One being a completely new addition to the ADVANCE 70 System and the other an enhancement of an existing product.”
“Without giving away too much information, the two new products will fit seamlessly into our existing ADVANCE 70 suite of profiles. Both products take advantage of our business philosophy of being fabricator and fitter friendly. They meet the demands of the current and future market. Low stock holding capabilities, the use of existing hardware and simple installation continue to be key benefits. The new products will allow customers to grow their portfolio. This provides them with a greater opportunity to open new doors within the market.”
“Selecta will be exhibiting the two new products at FIT Show alongside our existing range of window and door products. We’re welcoming visitors to the show to Connect with Selecta. At the show, we’ll not only have our window and door solutions on display, but we’ll be demonstrating that there is so much more that Selecta can and do offer to our customers.”
Andy also highlights, “We see the FIT Show as the perfect platform to interact with window and door fabrication businesses. They may feel a bit apprehensive about changing systems companies. We totally understand the hesitancy, but we see this as the ideal opportunity for ourselves to talk about our smooth, seamless and quick changeover process. Our knowledge, experience and large tooling stock enables us to act and convert or set-up customers quickly. More importantly, we can do this with very little disruption to the fabricators business. It also helps that you are dealing with the decision makers during the whole changeover and set-up process. This removes any potential delays to the arrangement.”
Selecta will also be demoing their latest additions and developments to their Connect customer support portal. In particular the Window & Door Designer will be featured with a significant new upgrade. Selecta are confident that it will be a real game changer and systems company first as Mark explains.
“Connect provides fabricators and installers with a host of technical spec, information, guidance and downloads. These come with an excellent asset full resource and news centre. At the very heart of Connect sits our marketing and sales support tools. These have been designed to help businesses generate more sales leads and win new business.”
“Identified as Branded Mode, our Window & Door Designer with Home Visualiser has already taken lead generation and sales to the next level. It is fully loaded with all of Selecta’s window and door solutions, styles and configurations. As the name suggests, it can be branded in-line with your business.”
“Customers can explore a wide range of window and door styles. They can choose from a variety of colour options to suit. Customers can also upload property photos to visualise how they would look. Then, they can request a survey and quote based on their design. Branded Mode is a fully immersive user experience. Whether done in their own home, in your showroom or by your representative at the customers property.”
“FIT Show 2025 will see the launch of a host of the first set of new features and modules within Connect and the designer. The added features are aimed at connecting fabricators, installers and their customers together. Additional quoting, pricing and fabrication modules are being integrated within the Window & Door Designer. Selecta are leading the way with this innovative software solution. This is something that is currently not offered by any other systems company.”
“This ground-breaking and integrated system will provide fabricators and installers with the ultimate lead generation and sales management tool. There will be a future module integrating with the fabrication process. Fully loaded with the Selecta dataset, our Window & Door Designer will link the initial lead, to sales management and pricing all the way through to workshop fabrication”, says Mark.
Andy concludes, “The current and new product innovations combined with our comprehensive marketing and sales support package are key to building a trustworthy, effective and long-standing partnership. It also demonstrates our commitment to our customers and the industry as a whole. Selecta is the only PVCu systems company to exhibit at every FIT Show. That’s why we are confident that fabricators and installers will experience the benefits from connecting with Selecta on stand W50 at FIT Show 2025!”
Marketing Manager, Mark Walker, talks about a challenging market and why you should Connect with Selecta at FIT Show 2025.
In the current market, it’s become imperative that fabricators and installers partner with a systems company that can provide them with more than just a range of products. Every systems company can supply fabricators with ‘sticks of profile’, but not all can provide a personal and comprehensive service and support package. By this, I talk about providing you with a personal marketing support package, which is backed up with the sales and marketing tools to help you generate more sales leads and win new business.
It’s widely reported that the industry is down by approximately 10-15%, with some stating it could be as high as 20-25% in certain sectors of the market. With the industries home improvement boom now a distant memory, it now appears that we have somewhat returned to pre-covid levels, a time we seem to have forgotten.
Businesses may have become more accustomed to the reactive nature of doing business, which they experienced with the home improvement boom over the last few years. The current downturn may require businesses to take a more proactive approach to generating sales leads and winning new business. In turn, this may involve companies undertaking a totally different marketing strategy and plan to which had worked previously and of which they are used to.
Dependent on current resources and infrastructure, there will be some who would benefit from additional support and tools to aid them in implementing and realising their strategy and plan. The marketing support package, which Selecta have invested heavily in, provides fabricators and installers with exactly that! 2025 will see more innovative developments in place to further push the boundaries of support including the tools to take our Connect customer support portal to a completely new level.
Connect provides fabricators and installers with a host of technical and general information and guidance, with an excellent resource and news centre. However, marketing support sits at the very heart of Connect, providing a comprehensive package that’s designed to help businesses generate more sales leads and win new business.
Identified as Branded Mode, our Window & Door Designer with Home Visualiser has already been touted as a real game changer when it comes to lead generation and sales. It is fully loaded with all of Selecta’s window and door solutions, styles and configurations, and as the name suggests can be branded in-line with your business.
Customers can explore a wide range of window and door styles, choose from a variety of colour options to suit, upload property photos to visualise how they would look and request a survey and quote based on their design. Branded Mode is a fully immersive user experience, whether done in their own home, in your showroom or by your representative at the customers property.
With Selecta inviting you to Connect at FIT Show 2025, the April show will see the launch of a host of new features and modules within Connect and the designer. The added features are aimed at connecting fabricators, installers and their customers together with additional quoting, pricing and fabrication modules being integrated within the Window & Door Designer. This groundbreaking and integrated system will provide fabricators and installers with the ultimate sales lead generation, sales management and fabrication management tool. Portal Mode will link the initial lead, to quoting and pricing, through to workshop fabrication.
In Connect, you also have access to the Website Support Package, which features two ready-made themed websites, one for fabricators and one for installers. Fully equipped with all of Selecta’s window and door solutions, photography and text, you can have a modern and ready-to-go website up and running within 5 days! All that’s needed is your logo, chosen colour theme, a company bio and your contact details to get started. It takes out the headache of a website build.
The themed websites have been purposely designed to grow as you grow, allowing you to add new products, services and features. Upgrades include adding the Window & Door Designer, so that you can have a fully branded and professional on-line package that’s ready to start generating leads and winning new business from the outset.
This comprehensive marketing support package is key to building a trustworthy and effective partnership. In challenging times, we believe it’s imperative that you receive the right support and back-up from your systems company. This is why we are confident that Connect will provide even more added value and benefits to every fabricator and installer who choose to #bepartofthefamily
During December of last year, Selecta Systems held a couple of fundraising events and raised a fantastic £3,700 for local charity, Acorns Children’s Hospice. A Christmas raffle culminating in a Christmas jumper day, were organised by the Selecta marketing department for this worthy cause.
Selecta Systems Marketing Manager, Mark Walker, spoke about the fundraising events and why Selecta chose to support Acorns Children’s Hospice.
“We’ve supported Acorns as our local charity for a number of years now and we’ve always been amazed at what they do for babies, children, young people and the families of those with life limiting or life-threatening conditions. Acorns has been threatened with closure over the last few years or so and is heavily reliant on donations from the community to fund the local hospice centres.”
Acorns Children’s Hospice provides babies, children and young people, who have life limiting or life-threatening conditions and associated complex needs with a network of specialist palliative nursing care and support. They also provide a holistic service which meets the needs of both the children and their families, including the bereaved. This includes short break provision; emergency and end of life care; therapeutic and psychosocial support; sibling services and family support.
Coordinated by Marketing Assistant, Danielle Southam, concludes, “It only seems right to continue our support for such a worthy cause. We would like to thank everyone who got involved and donated. We are thrilled at being able to raise over £3,700!”
Selecta Systems Marketing Manager, Mark Walker and Lesley Edgar, Managing Director at 3D visualisation provider Red and Gray Ltd, talk about the use of CGI imagery and new the advancements in AI technology within the fenestration industry.
In today’s digital world, it is common knowledge that 3D visualisation is firmly entrenched as a well-used tool to make advertising any product easier and less expensive to manage. However, not all CGI is good CGI. In the same essence not all AI composite is good AI composite.
Mark comments, “Selecta have always been big advocates of CGI and the use of AI technology. Over the years we have outsourced our CGI requirements to Red and Gray of whom we have built an excellent working partnership with. Providing a quality service in both CGI and AI technology, it became clear that Red and Gray have a strong wealth of experience when it came to windows and doors. They have become very popular within the fenestration industry as their knowledge of the products is second to none, adding that to their first-class ability in CGI and AI imagery, they offer the perfect solution to our marketing needs”.
“Our latest projects have included CGI generated product animations and images. Using this technology has taken our marketing support offerings to a new level, allowing ourselves to get the best visual representation of our products and their surroundings. The MASTERslide Patio Door and ADVANCE 70 Flush Sash Window animations have been a huge success with our customers, providing them with a quality product sales tool of which can be branded to their personal requirements”.
Selecta have embraced the skills of the Red and Gray team, which in turn has not just helped them provide additional marketing support to their customers, but also boosted their marketing campaigns across various platforms.
Lesley says, “We love working with Mark and the team, they have a great understanding of what is needed to get the right message across to their working partners. Companies can sometimes ‘cut corners’ by using poor imagery, whilst being totally unaware just how much damage this can do to their brand. It’s fantastic that Selecta recognise this and the benefits of embracing CGI and the use of AI technology”.
“When a fenestration company offers top quality products, many with important key features, its vital they don’t overlook the importance of investment in quality imagery to reflect the essence and characteristics of their brand and its values. From windows and doors to handles, tracks and even hinges, time and money has been given to research and develop all these products, but many are then advertised with poor quality images, the detail in every image is key “you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression”.
“Why sell high quality products without matching imagery? Is it cost, the opinion of the person signing off the marketing images, or something else? The most important aspect of any marketing imagery is how do you want your potential customers to see your product? Art/illustration is the door to the clients wallet, it’s all about selling a dream or an aspiration to own that product, so the most accurate, attractive yet inspiring images are our priority”.
Red and Gray offer a full inhouse range of design, CGI, animation, configurators, AR and VR services, as well as the new AI technology, which is now being used by many of their clients. Having been established since 2001, the business has become the go-to for digital image services. So, how can fenestration businesses benefit from good CGI?
Lesley says, “Having the best imagery is more important than ever. “Many businesses don’t have time/space to photograph their products without the massive expense of hiring a studio or bespoke location, sending staff to manage the project, hiring a photographer, installing the product or building an appropriate set, the list goes on”.
We now live in a world where everything is fast paced and visual, scrolling on autopilot. Imagery is everything, it needs to be eye catching and relevant, otherwise it won’t last for more than a second on screen. As with any service provider there is a cost for good CGI imagery or AI composition.
However, Lesley added that the reality is much more cost efficient than you might think. “Clients often worry about the cost of digital imagery. The reality is, compared with traditional photography and set building, its inexpensive, its flexible and we keep up with all the current trends so can advise on the best way to showcase your products.”
“All 3D sets, geometry and final images we create for our clients are archived so can be used again with a change of product, updated style or décor, or even a different window or door. By reusing an existing set, you can have a whole new image for a fraction of the cost and the time. This is something that Selecta took advantage of, when showcasing both the MASTERslide Patio Doors and the ADVANCE 70 Flush Sash Windows”.
The world is changing. AI and CGI are fast becoming the future for any business. Most buyers are not interested in the detail until they are ready to buy, so it is all about an image being good enough to make the customer stop and take notice.
Mark concludes, “We have been delighted with how Red and Gray managed and delivered on all of our expectations. They have enhanced the visual appeal and representation of our products and options, of which in turn provides added benefits to our working partners. We look forward to working with Lesley and the team again on our next and future projects”.
Energy efficient products remain a big driver for sales, with homeowners, architects and developers looking to improve a home’s thermal performance thus reducing energy usage and bills. Selecta Systems Technical Manager, Cliff Prosser, explains the company’s philosophy behind ensuring that any new developments and enhancements continue to be fabricator and installer friendly, whilst also being as cost effective as is possible.
Windows and doors are often seen as a ‘distress purchase’. A purchase made out of necessity rather than pleasure. Replacing windows and doors within a home is amongst one of the largest investment renovations that a consumer will undertake on their property. Energy efficient products will now very likely feature top of their requirements, when choosing replacement windows and doors, closely followed by security and aesthetics.
Window and door companies have the ideal opportunity to promote the energy efficiency of their products as one of the main USP’s. Whether this being new build projects or replacing ageing and tired windows and doors, there is a necessity and requirement to improve a homes thermal efficiency and reduce energy bills. The latest and future revisions to Building Regulations Document Part L and the Future Homes Standard (FHS) provides companies with a strong legislative platform for promoting the thermal performance of windows and doors within the home.
With the recent and future changes to Part L and the FHS, coupled with further calls for action on climate control and sustainability, our industry remains under pressure to further develop product energy efficiency innovation and sustainability. These changes have seen Selecta provide further investment in our research and development programme, working closely with ER Certification and Clayton Glass. These partnerships have led to some truly exceptional results with some very efficient and cost-effective solutions attained.
The objective of our energy efficiency and sustainability R&D programme has been to continue to provide fabricators and installers with an effective and easily attainable solution, that meets and exceeds current and future requirements. This philosophy has seen our existing ADVANCE 70 system capable of achieving a U value of 1.1W/m²k with a 4/20/4, 28mm double glazed unit. Again, incorporating 4mm glass, a 40mm triple glazed unit will achieve a U value of 0.8 W/m²k, meeting the proposed FHS target. All this has been achieved without any further modifications of our ADVANCE 70 system and very much standardised glass specifications.
We realise the fact that the FHS final intended 0.8 W/m²k U value requirement will pose a significant challenge to many in our industry. These planned tighter regulations may indicate that some products on the market may have already or be close to reaching their design limits of their product range.
This is why we are extremely pleased that our continued investment in our R&D programme has clearly demonstrated the excellent technical and thermal capabilities of our ADVANCE 70 system in current and future market conditions. Along the way, we have been able to retain the company ethos on providing fabricators, installers and consumers with the most innovative, proficient and cost-effective energy efficient window and door solutions on the market.
We firmly believe that by partnering with Selecta and our ADVANCE 70 system, our excellent thermal performance ratings present fabricators and installers with greater sales and marketing opportunities. The future proofed ADVANCE 70 window and door system, combined with our first-class marketing and technical support package certainly provides you with the tools to generate new sales leads and win new business.