Dear reader,
For more than thirty years Solar Gard Window Films have been providing comfort, protection and energy savings to customers around the globe and we would like to thank you personally for being part of our business.
In this newsletter, which will be coming quarterly, we are delighted to share with you new and exciting business building initiatives. We are investing to ensure that Solar Gard continues to be the brand of choice and now more than ever, by being a loyal Solar Gard Dealer, you will be rewarded with more support and brand recognition.
Solar Gard now has a fresh, new look which better communicates the excitement of the industry’s best window film. We have created country specific marketing support materials including new brochures and film samples – with more to come. We are continuing to develop and expand our product portfolio and have invested heavily in our online presence to promote both our business and yours. In addition you now have access to our exclusive Dealer Corner at www.solargard.com/uk where you can download technical and marketing information and tools, at your convenience.
When it comes to energy-savings and energy-efficiency, Solar Gard means business. This is why we recently joined the Clinton Climate Initiative. What does this mean for you? Read on to find out how our partnership with an international organization that is fighting climate change affects you! To help you leverage this international recognition, we have created energy specific materials and state of the art tools to help you raise awareness and increase sales with the energy-saving benefits of Solar Gard window film.
We hope you enjoy the exciting changes and new tools and as always, if you have any suggestions or comments on how we can improve our service to you please contact your local representative or let us know through the website. We are committed to you and your success and we thank you for your continued business.
Best regards,
Larry Constantin
Solar Gard Regional Manager Europe, Middle East & Africa
Solar Gard Joins the Clinton Climate Initiative
Solar Gard films can be installed under the Clinton Climate Initiative’s Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program, which brings together the world's largest energy service companies (ESCOs) and banks in a program designed to reduce energy consumption in public buildings. The program provides global cities and their private building owners' access to the necessary funds to retrofit existing buildings with more energy-efficient products, like Solar Gard window film.
Solar Gard was one of the first vendors to enter into discussions with CCI, other participants include providers of indoor lighting, clean vehicles, traffic and street lighting, building products, advanced waste management technologies, water system components and alternative energy technologies.
Being a part of this international initiative will bring a host of exciting opportunities to Solar Gard. Our commitment to CCI adds considerable value to our dealers, partners and customers. More information of how you can take advantage of this initiative can be obtained by contacting your local representative.
Worldwide, a number of prestigious municipal buildings have already realised the benefits of Solar Gard® window film. These installations include the Helsinki Metro (Finland); Raffles Tower (Singapore); Australia Square (Australia); Kudan Fuji Building (Japan); Hong Kong International Airport (China); Seongdong-Gu Office Complex (Korea) and Department of Energy and National Geographic Society Campus (both in the USA).
Utilize CAPSOL to Boost Sales
CAPSOL is a new energy tool available to you to through your sales representative to help your customers understand and visualize the energy-saving impact of applying window film to their building. CAPSOL is thermal simulation software that recreates a building’s exact properties and
utilizes real local weather and construction material information to ensure an accurate reading of energy-savings when window film is applied.
CAPSOL can be used to determine a building’s energy usage and illustrates the various benefits installing window film can bring: energy savings, internal temperature improvements and the amount of solar heat blocked from entering the building.
This precise, high-tech software is utilized by and meets the standards of respected organizations worldwide including:
• U.S. Department of Energy
• International Energy Agency
• International Organization for Standardization
• European Union
• Centre for Window and Cladding Technology, University of Bath, U.K.
To learn more about this great energy tool and how to start taking advantage of it, contact your sales representative now!
New & Improved Solar Gard Automotive Films
With four outstanding Solar Gard automotive film series, there’s surely one to fit your customers’ needs. Below is an overview of all Solar Gard automotive films – make sure you check out the Dealer’s Corner for more information and great materials to use in your shops.
Performance Series: Ultra Performance
• Unmatched combination of high heat rejection and high VLT
• Maintains factory glass appearance
• Unprecedented clarity
• Industry-leading colour stability
• Satellite, GPS, TPM & cellular friendly
Performance Series: HP & NR Supreme
• Outstanding solar performance
• Industry-leading colour stability
• Unprecedented film clarity
• Low reflection
• Superior glare reduction
• Exceptionally fast dry-out times
• Complements factory tinted glass
• Optimum heat-shrinking
Charcoal Series: HP & NR Lines
• Classic charcoal tint with stylish warm tones
• Seven shades to suit local tint laws in HP
• Five shades to choose from in NR
Smoke Plus Series: HP & NR Lines
• Classic smoke grey tint
• Four shades to choose from in both the HP and NR lines
• Blocks up to 98% of ultraviolet rays
Limited Warranty Coverage – Automotive
We stand behind the films you sell with some of the best warranty terms in the business. Most Solar Gard auto films enjoy a five year warranty, but for full details on the scope of warranty coverage, call your sales representative or read more here.
In addition to the great quality of our products and the industry leading warranty support, a whole range of promotional point of purchase posters, brochures and other great marketing tools are now available.
Check out the Dealer’s Corner to see the latest catalog of marketing materials and order them through your service center today.
Solar Gard® to Lead Industry Organizations with High-level Appointments
Lawrence Constantin, Solar Gard Regional Manager for Europe, Middle East, Africa and India, has recently been appointed as the Vice President of the European Window Film Association (EWFA) Board.
Bekaert Specialty Films plays a large role in the EWFA, including its establishment in 2000, as the organization represents and seeks to further the interests of the window film industry. It brings together manufacturers and distributors with the purpose of promoting window film products in the EU and highlighting their innovative performances and properties.
Ian Penfold, Solar Gard Flat Glass Sales Manager for the UK and Ireland, has been appointed as the Chairman for the Applied Window Film Group, part of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF).
Within GGF, the Applied Window Film Group is a specialist group reporting to the Glazing Executive of the GGF and consists of manufacturers, distributors and installers of window film products. The Applied Window Film Group constantly reviews and improves current practices in order to increase the professionalism of its members with a view to providing value for money solutions. Additionally, the Group aims at creating awareness on the issues and regulations greatly affecting the environment such as climate change and personal safety.
New Products: Solar Gard 8 Mil LX70 and Solar Gard Silver 20 OSW
Through extensive R&D, we are now bringing you two new films: Solar Gard® 8Mil LX70 and Solar Gard Silver 20 OSW-SREX. Check out the benefits each of these films will bring to your customers.
Solar Gard 8Mil LX70 combines safety, visibility, energy savings and appearance, offering the most complete set of features and benefits:
• Outstanding solar performance: blocks 55% of total solar energy received (TSER), lowering energy consumption and energy-related expenditures.
• Low reflectivity: Solar Gard 8Mil LX70 does not affect the appearance of the building; it is optically clear yet allows 72% of visible light transmission (VLT), among the highest in the industry.
• UV protection: Blocks 99% of UV rays, protecting valuables such as window displays, artwork, carpets, historic artefacts etc.
• Safety and security: Tested to the current highest standards to ensure protection against blasts, intrusion, and severe weather damage.
Solar Gard Silver 20 OSW – SREX is a new, easy-to-clean and durable exterior window film solution for clients with extremely complex glazing systems or for installations that are not accessible from the inside of the building, providing an optimal solution for safety, solar protection, and energy savings features and benefits:
• Washable and scratch resistant: Solar Gard’s ultra strong exterior scratch resistant coating allows for normal cleaning and washing without concern, keeping your building looking great for years and years
• Outstanding solar performance and energy saving benefits: Blocks up to 79% of total solar energy
• Reduction of energy consumption: Enhanced interior comfort and lower temperature means less reliance on air conditioning systems
• UV protection: Blocks 99% of UV rays. Valuables such as window displays, artwork, carpets and furnishings are protected from UV damage and fading
• Improved warranty: 5 years for vertical installs, reduced risk of glass breakage and maintenance of low-e functionality for windows
• Outside installation benefits: Capability on nearly all glazing systems, accessibility from outside, ease of cleaning
More information on these great new films is available on the Dealer’s Corner or through your sales representative.
New ComputerCut 6.5 Increases Ease and Efficiency of Window Film Installations
In order to give you the best tools to build your business, we’ve launched ComputerCut 6.5. This latest version enables users to enjoy these new upgrades and features which make a more efficient work process:
• Flat glass capabilities: Plotting technologies that optimize performance for residential and commercial film cutting and preparation
• New accessories: The ComputerCut plotter now contains support tools which increase installation efficiencies
• Enhanced zoom feature: Enables users to get the closest possible look at complex designs, creating less waste
• Custom pattern mechanism: For automotive use, users can now create their own versions of patterns, delivering a more creative design oriented tool
ComputerCut saves costs, time and material for automotive installations and now it even has more sophisticated capabilities for flat glass use. This internet-based tool will support your business growth – enabling you to become more competitive than ever by increasing installation accuracy and productivity in the full range of window film applications.
You can be confident ComputerCut 6.5 will help deliver the most competitive quotes possible and protect your profit margins by ensuring precision cutting and minimizing waste.
Talk to your sales representative today or visit the Dealer’s Corner for more information on how to take advantage of this newly-enhanced business building tool!
