Latest news with #glazing
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Delivering nationwide maintenance solutions with speed, quality and trust
Able Group is a Business Reporter client. Able Group stands at the forefront of planned and reactive maintenance services across the UK, serving both domestic and commercial customers with professionalism, speed and reliability. Established in 1993, the company began as a local emergency glazing service. Today, it has evolved into one of the country's leading multi-trade maintenance providers, thanks to its commitment to fast response times and exceptional service standards. The business was founded by partners Robert Ambler and Andy Horton, operating initially in Essex. Its customer-first approach, built on prompt response and high-quality service, quickly set Able Group apart in the market. By 1998, its regional success had grown into a nationwide operation, expanding to cover a broader range of essential trades. Today, Able Group is led by Managing Directors Joe Horton and Phil Howell. Despite its national scale, the company maintains a close-knit, family-led culture rooted in its founders' values. This continuity of leadership and vision has been instrumental in preserving the business's core principles while driving growth and innovation. Able Group now offers a comprehensive suite of services across seven core trades: glazing, locksmiths, plumbing, drainage, gas and heating, electrics and pest control. With a presence spanning the entire UK, the company serves a wide range of clients – from homeowners and landlords to high-street retailers, restaurants, estate agents, facilities management firms and national tourist attractions. Whether it's a planned installation or an emergency call-out, Able Group delivers fast, reliable service with minimal disruption. Understanding that commercial clients often require ongoing and bespoke support, Able Group developed its Commercial Accounts offering. This service is designed to meet the specific needs of businesses that require regular and dependable maintenance solutions. Phil Howell, who has been with the business for over 17 years, explains: 'We created the Commercial Accounts service to offer tailored support for our business customers. With this offering, clients benefit from priority service, a dedicated account team, flexible payment terms and preferential rates, allowing them to streamline all their maintenance needs with one trusted provider.' Powered by people: a nationwide network of experts A key pillar of Able Group's success is its extensive network of over 1,000 highly skilled and fully vetted engineers. This nationwide team plays a vital role in ensuring the company consistently delivers fast, reliable service without sacrificing quality. Recognising that excellent workmanship is essential to achieving professional results, Able Group has focused on building and maintaining a trusted network of engineers who uphold the company's high standards. This commitment ensures that every customer – no matter where they are in the country – receives prompt, expert service they can rely on. From seeing the business grow from near its inception, Joe Horton is now leading the way. 'Whether it's a domestic emergency or an ongoing commercial contract, Able Group consistently delivers high-quality maintenance services backed by decades of experience, an expert workforce and a customer-focused approach,' he says. With a legacy spanning over 32 years, Able Group continues to lead the way in nationwide maintenance, setting the standard for fast, professional and dependable service – every time.
Irish Times
14-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Construction firm sues over alleged €6.8m defects in glazing to Dublin office block
A construction firm is suing a glazing company over alleged defects in glass installed at the Exo Building in Dublin's Point village which it says cost some €6.8 million to repair, the Commercial Court heard. Bennett (Construction) Ltd, with a registered address in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, has brought proceedings against Spanish firm Tvitec System Glass SL and its Irish subsidiary sub contractor, Technical Envelope Facades (TEF) Ltd, formerly Tvitec System Ireland Ltd,, with a registered address in Mountainview Park, Tallaght, Dublin. It is claimed there was very bad leaking arising out of the works completed by TEF and that the glazing supplied was defective. The workmanship of the installation of the glazing was of sub-standard quality, it is also alleged. The defendants deny the claims. READ MORE On Monday, an application was made by Thomas Hogan SC, for Bennett, to have the case admitted to the fast track Commercial Court. It was opposed by Michael Cush SC, for Tvitec, on grounds of delay in bringing the proceedings. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey refused to admit the case as he considered there had been culpable delay by Bennett in bringing the proceedings. It means the case will now be dealt with through the normal High Court list. In an affidavit, Paul Bruton, managing director of Bennett, said his firm and TEF entered into an agreement in March 2018 for the supply and installation of glazing. TEF also entered into a collateral warranty with The Platform ICAV (formerly Davy Platform ICAV) which was the beneficiary of the project. The Spanish firm also executed a parent company guarantee with The Platform whereby it guaranteed the obligations and liabilities of the Irish sub contractor, Mr Burton said. The benefit of the collateral warranty and guarantee were assigned to Bennett in August 2024. Mr Bruton said TEF commenced works in January 2018 and various issues arose on an ongoing basis including cash flow issues TEF appeared to have on a regular basis, he said. In January 2022, following the Christmas break, TEF failed to return to site even though works were already significantly delayed, he said. A meeting between the parties followed and TEF advised it had financial difficulties and that the works were not profitable. TEF said it would only return to site if a further €850,000 was paid. Bennett says it has paid €10.1 million to TEF and paid another €625,000 'under duress' to get them back on site, Mr Bruton said. They returned but failed to complete the works and once again left the site, he said. Under the terms of the collateral warranty, the dispute could be referred to a conciliator but TEF refused to nominate a conciliator and refused to accept the Bennett-nominated conciliator who, as a result, had to resign in December 2024. Bennett had in the meantime embarked on extensive remedial works with different sub-contractors. Mr Bruton said the total sum being claimed against the defendants for the cost of remediating the works is some €7.4 million.
