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THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 137 31st August 2004
Anchors
Away as Deceuninck Fabricator Goes for Growth
Deceuninck
fabricator, Anchor Windows has expanded its manufacturing capability with
the development of an impressive extension to its site in Ebbw Vale, Gwent.
Earlier this year the company took occupancy of a 10,000 sqft unit which
they have extensively developed into a modern fabrication centre with
a total floor area of 25,000 sqft.
[More
on this Story]
RJM
Windows Plans to Double Turnover with Synseal
Robbie McKane, Partner of RJM Windows has been in the window industry
for twenty-eight years. Along with his wife, this seasoned fabricator
has built his company up to a £1.8 million turnover. Recently RJM
consolidated its position, by opening a new showroom worth £50,000.
[More
on this Story]
Ultraframe
Turns up Heat on Competitors with new Trade Price book
A new trade price book has been issued by Ultraframe, as a clear and
simple price guide to all its products. Ultraframe has unbundled its product
pricing, making it straightforward for trade customers to price compare
and to demonstrate Ultraframe's value.
[More
on this Story]
Raising
the Standard in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
[More
on this Story]
Milled
Georgian Grille Joints at P&M Dabner
Insulating
Glass manufacturer P & M Dabner of Northfleet, Kent has invested in
Ashton Industrial's PICOLLO Georgian Bar milling and drilling equipment,
allowing the company to expand its range of superior grille designs.
[More
on this Story]
Floor
Panel Test Success
In
a successful new glass floor panel fire test by CGI International, a specially
laminated panel managed 37 minutes’ integrity and 28 minutes’
insulation. The test by specialist fire glass manufacturer CGI, which
makes Pyroguard fire resistant glass, was in partnership with glass floor
specialist Firman Glass.
[More
on this Story]
Who
Guarantees the Sarnafil Roof Assured Guarantee?
Many guarantees are literally not worth the paper that they are written
on. They have so many exclusions that it makes it very difficult for a
homeowner to claim. Often there is a chain of responsibility – in
window companies this can start with the local installer, then the fabricator,
then the systems company.
[More
on this Story]
RegaLead
Shares Skills
RegaLead,
supplier of decorative glass products, recently played host to a group
of delegates from Albania’s Ministry of Environment. The visit was
arranged on behalf of the UK’s Department for International Development
to help develop Albanian skills in the inspection and permitting of industrial
processes.
[More
on this Story]
Radius
Plastics 48 Hour Glass Sizes Promise Slashes Bent Frame Lead Times Again
Radius
Plastics, the UK PVCu profile bending company and specialist shaped frame
manufacturer, has again slashed production lead times by offering computer
generated glass sizes and manufacturing instructions within two days,
allowing Radius customers to knock a further week or more off installation
schedules.
[More
on this Story]
Modplan
Restoring Confidence in the Industry
Modplan
Wales has recently been appointed as conservatory supplier to Westbury
Homes in South Wales, bringing relief to agonised Westbury customers
following the collapse of Cambrian Conservatories.
[More
on this Story]
Delivering
On Time, Every Time with Portal Products
Portal
Products says that its customers are benefiting from improved service
and delivery initiatives introduced by the door panel and composite
door manufacturer, which claims more than 99% of its deliveries arrive
on time.
[More
on this Story]
Fully
Booked After Just Four Months: Classic Trade Frames Goes from Strength
to Strength
As
measures of success go, there is nothing more conclusive than a full order
book. However, when the company in question achieves this just four months
after its opening date, the level of proven success goes up several more
notches.
[More
on this Story]
Premier
Moves to 100% Growth
K2
dealer, Premier Conservatory Roofs Ltd, is more than tripling the size
of its premises, allowing it to double its output of conservatory roof
systems to 150 per month.
[More
on this Story]
Heritage
Glass Aims to Provide the Best Customer Service in Shropshire
Following
on from the company’s win at the 2004 Shropshire Business Awards
for Best Customer Service, Heritage Glass has further shown its commitment
to this area by expanding its customer service division.
[More
on this Story]
Sales
Slink Upwards at KAT
KAT
UK has announced that the sales of its patio doors and vertical sliding
windows are up by 16 per cent on last year.
KAT director David Richards puts this down to the consistent reliability
of the KAT brand, offering short lead times and a quick turnaround without
compromising on the innate quality of the product.
[More
on this Story]
Titon
Provides Extract and Background Ventilation for House Builders
Titon's
new extract PAX 200 Series Fan, and Trimvent Select trickle ventilators
have been fitted into bathrooms and utility rooms in a new housing development
of 51 family homes in Colchester, Essex.
[More
on this Story]
The
Benefits of Edgetech’s Super Spacer are Clear to Newent
Gloucestershire
based Newent Windows says that it is a professional installer driven by
differentiating itself from its competitors. It decided one means of differentiation
was to change from aluminium spacer bars to Super Spacer® - Edgetech’s
warm edge alternative.
[More
on this Story]
Mila
Maintenance - Maintaining Windows with Windows
Mila
Maintenance Division, the specialist window and door
maintenance contractor for the social housing sector,
is using the latest technology to literally maintain
windows with Windows.
[More
on this Story]
Shepley’s
New Slam Shut Facility
In
response to customer demand, Shepley Window Systems
has spent time developing the slam shut facility on
its PVCu doors. ‘We have improved the aesthetics
of the door by eliminating the need to use a pad handle,’
explains Tony Fry, production director.
[More
on this Story]
tdsl
Goes Through Fire for Service Life Guarantee
BM
TRADA Q-Mark specialist fire door manufacturer tdsl
has put its Viscount Plus doorset through what is believed
to be currently the most rigorous and relevant performance
test programme in the UK.
[More
on this Story]
Southampton
City Council Chooses UK Fasteners
City
Thermoglaze, Southampton City Council’s own window
and door production unit, manufactures 150 windows and
doors per week. There are approximately 8,000 rented
properties still in need of replacement windows and
doors.
[More
on this Story]
Solaglas
MSN launches ‘The Solaglas MSN Challenge 2004’
Eleven 23” flat screen Philips televisions, each worth £1,300,
are on offer in ‘The Solaglas MSN Challenge 2004’, as well as
over 170 12-bottle crates of quality wines. Each customer of the 19 participating
Solaglas MSN businesses, that qualifies to take part, will automatically
win a crate of wine if they reach the target that they have been set for
purchases during the promotional period of September to November 2004.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 136 24th August 2004
Roger
Castleman, Norman & Underwood Chairman, Passes Away Aged 73
Respected Leicester businessman Roger Castleman passed away on 16th
August 2004, following a long period of ill health. Roger, who was 73,
was Chairman of the Leicester glazing, roofing and plumbing group of
companies Norman & Underwood, whose principle processing plant is
located in King’s Lynn. He had held this position since 1997, having
joined the group in 1975 as Managing Director.
[More
on this Story]
Ultraframe
Trading Update Shows Sharp Drop in UK Sales
Ultraframe's
initial results for the month of July indicate that, while sales were
broadly in line with management expectations, profit performance was significantly
below expectations in both the UK and North America..
[More
on this Story]
Ali
Meets Queen at the Pally
CGI International’s Commercial Manager, Alison Emerson, was presented
to HM the Queen when she and two colleagues attended a reception at Buckingham
Palace held in honour of achievers of a Queen’s Award for Enterprise:
2004 on 14 July 2004.
[More
on this Story]
Ritec
Gets Nautical in London and Düsseldorf
Ritec is taking to the water in style both in the UK and at Glasstec in
Düsseldorf later this year. Last Friday the company entertained a
group of glazing trade press editors on a narrow boat to give them a chance
to find out more about Ritec and its ClearShield glass surface protection
system.
[More
on this Story]
Saint
Gobain Announces Interim Sales up 7%
Consolidated
sales for the Saint-Gobain Group came to Euro 15,696 million in the first
half of 2004, representing an increase of 7.1% after a negative currency
effect of 2.4%.
[More
on this Story]
Everest
Commercial Expands Production at Sittingbourne
Following
the major expansion at its Treherbert production plant in 2002, Everest
Commercial has invested over £500,000 to meet escalating demand
for both Commercial and Retail business at the company's main site at
Sittingbourne in Kent.
[More
on this Story]
New
Finance Offer Means Nothing for Transporter Buyers!
Volkswagen
Commercial Vehicles is giving customers the chance to get behind the wheel
of an award-winning Transporter with a new 54-plate and a zero per cent
finance offer. .
[More
on this Story]
Masco
Corporation Reports Record Second Quarter and Increases Earnings Guidance
for 2004
Masco
Corporation reported on August 3rd that net sales from continuing operations
for the second quarter ended June 30th, 2004 increased 16% to a quarterly
record $3.1bn compared with $2.6bn for the same period in 2003.
[More
on this Story]
illbruck
Embarks on Restructuring of Alfas Group
Following
last year's acquisition by the illbruck Group, the sealants, adhesives
and movement joint businesses operated by Alfas Industries Ltd and Compriband
Ltd are to be combined into a single business operating under the name
of Alfas Industries Ltd.
[More
on this Story]
BM
TRADA Tightens up Fire Door Scheme
BM
TRADA Certification Ltd is tightening up its Q-Mark fire door scheme
to give added reassurance to specifiers that they are choosing a product
that will perform consistently to exacting standards.
[More
on this Story]
Space
Age Plastics to Sell Global Conservatory Roofs
Space
Age Plastics, part of Rok Group plc, has expanded its product offering
by adding the Global roof system to its portfolio. The decision –
in the words of Managing Director, Colin Deuchars - was ‘to ensure
we retain our competitive position in the conservatory market place,
by having suitable product that meets all market sector needs’.
[More
on this Story]
Taylor
Made Conservatories uses Shield
Taylor
Made was one of the first large fabricators to make a wholesale swing
to conservatories. It is always on the look out for making the running
in new markets and in spearheading new products. The company has just
announced the latest evolution in its 19 year old history: it has started
to use Synseal’s Shield conservatory system.
[More
on this Story]
Fenzi:
Thiover Turns Canadian
Thiover
polysulphides has moved to Toronto. The polysulphide sealant for insulating
glass, already distributed by Fenzi North America for some time, is now
produced in Canada at the new plant in Toronto.
[More
on this Story]
New
Van Fleet Steering Coventry Firm's Growth in Right Direction
A
Coventry double glazing firm has turned to the latest technology to boost
deliveries and drive customer service forward. Holbrooks-based specialist
do-it-yourself conservatory firm U-fit.co.uk has added to its van fleet
with two new vehicles, fitted with state-of-the-art tracking technology.
[More
on this Story]
Wendland
Raises the Bar with New Roofing Technology Centre
Following
its recent move to new state-of-the-art factory and office premises, conservatory
roof manufacturer Wendland Roof Solutions is now pledging to improve standards
within the conservatory industry.
[More
on this Story]
Radley
Joins Forces with Maitland on Barratt Contract
Specialist
trade fabricator Radley PVCU and Maitland, an Ultraframe roof manufacturer,
have joined forces to supply conservatories for two prestigious Barratt
developments in Surrey. Depending on demand from purchasers of properties
on each site, the contract could involve up to 200 conservatories.
[More
on this Story]
Shepley
Extends its Marketing Support to a Showroom Design Service
Over
the last two years Shepley Window Systems has seen an increasing number
of customers launching new showrooms or revamping existing ones. That’s
why Shepley now offers a professional showroom design service to its installer
network.
[More
on this Story]
Profix
Invests for the Future
Due
to expansion into the trade market, Profix Ltd has recently
undertaken an investment programme to purchase new fabrication
machinery at its site in Birmingham.
[More
on this Story]
Kier
Sheffield LLP Chooses System 10 for Long-Term Partnership
A
just signed six year partnership agreement with Kier Sheffield
LLP has put System 10 in the public sector spotlight.System
10 PVCu windows and doors are already extensively used by major
cities Birmingham and Glasgow. Now, with the addition of Sheffield,
System 10 has three of the largest UK social housing providers
amongst its client portfolio.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
Closes Plant after Union Talks Break Down
Alcoa
announced on July 26th that the Steelworkers of America Union
has rejected its proposals on a labour contract at the aluminium
smelter in Wenatchee: this plant will now remain idled and approximately
400 salaried and hourly workers will lose their jobs.
[More
on this Story]
More
Union Trouble at Alcoa US: USWA Team to Study Grievances from
Four Alcoa Plants
Alcoa
and the United Steelworks of America Union (USWA) jointly announced
on August 17th that the USWA will immediately compose a team
of members of the international union to review the grievances
outlined by four Alcoa U.S. operating facilities.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 135 17th August 2004
Shower
Firm Saved as BHD Goes into Administration
Nearly 600 employees at a conservatory and windows manufacturer faced
an uncertain future after the group went into administration. Aldridge
based BHD - whose main brand is Portland Conservatories - is in the
hands of administrative receivers from accountancy firm KPMG, along
with its four subsidiaries.
[More
on this Story]
Ultraframe
Appoints Vanda Murray as UK MD and Group Marketing Director
Ultraframe Plc, the leading specialist designer of conservatory systems
in Europe and North America, today announces the appointment of Vanda
Murray, OBE, as its UK Managing Director. Ms Murray will also have specific
responsibility for strategic marketing across the Group.
[More
on this Story]
REHAU
to Form Strategic Alliance with Wendland
REHAU
and Wendland Roof Solutions announce that they are working together to
form an exclusive `Strategic Alliance` to bring a unique REHAU Conservatory
Roofing Solution to the marketplace.
[More
on this Story]
Ultraframe
vs Eurocell - Court Case Re: Ultralite 500 and Pinnacle 500
Ultraframe reports that it is delighted with the outcome of the recent
court case between Eurocell and Ultraframe regarding the intellectual
property rights of Ultralite 500. Eurocell was a major customer of Ultraframe
for two years before they decided to launch Pinnacle 500, claimed to be
a copy of the design of Ultralite 500.
[More
on this Story]
Polyex
Acquires Barnsley Based Cutting Centre
Newly formed multiwall Polycarbonate manufacturer Polyex, based in Alfreton
Derbyshire, are pleased to announce that they have purchased 100% of the
share capital of Roofpax Ltd. Roofpax is a polycarbonate cutting centre
which is based near Barnsley servicing the UK conservatory roof market
and has grown considerably since its formation in 2002.
[More
on this Story]
Solaglas
MSN launches ‘The Solaglas MSN Challenge 2004’
Eleven 23” flat screen Philips televisions, each worth £1,300,
are on offer in ‘The Solaglas MSN Challenge 2004’, as well as
over 170 12-bottle crates of quality wines. Each customer of the 19 participating
Solaglas MSN businesses, that qualifies to take part, will automatically
win a crate of wine if they reach the target that they have been set for
purchases during the promotional period of September to November 2004.
[More
on this Story]
Colour
by Numbers as Deceuninck Launches Warmer White
In a major new initiative, Deceuninck has launched its innovative 3000
Series Window and Door System in a new warmer white. RAL Reference 9016
(Deceuninck colour 03) is the new colour reference. The new white, also
known as Traffic White, is much warmer in appearance and perfectly matches
accessories such as handles, door hinges and letterboxes..
[More
on this Story]
‘Roll
Your Own’ with Low Cost Bending Options from Radius
Radius Plastics, the UK’s leading PVC-U profile bending company and
specialist shaped frame manufacturer, is now offering fabricators the
opportunity to produce their own arch frames and other curved shapes with
a brand new range of bending ovens and equipment.
[More
on this Story]
Duke
of York Admires Hard Work at Sash UK
The Duke of York flew in to South Yorkshire last month (22nd July, 2004)
visiting Sash UK and other businesses in the region as part of his role
for international trade and investment, saying: 'It’s nice to visit
a place where so much hard work is going on'.
[More
on this Story]
Pilkington
Launches 'Activ Compatible' Mark
In
order to ensure that Pilkington Activ™, the self-cleaning
glass, performs to its full ability when installed, Pilkington
mounted a campaign long before the original product launch to
ensure that any products, systems and components likely to be
used with the glass are tested for complete compatibility.
[More
on this Story]
Roofing
Review Rates Ultraframe 'The Best'
An extensive review of conservatory roofing systems by The Merlin
Network shows that Ultraframe, the leading designer and manufacturer
of conservatory roof systems, is still the best in the market.
[More
on this Story]
Pilkington
Launches Activ Project Partnership to Architects
Pilkington has announced the Pilkington Activ™ Project
Partnership, a competition designed to discover ideal projects
for Pilkington Activ™, the world's first self-cleaning
glass. Architects and other specifiers are being asked to nominate
current commercial projects that make extensive use of external
glass and those chosen will be upgraded with Pilkington Activ™
at no extra cost.
[More
on this Story]
Bohle
Expands Russian Operation
After successfully establishing an operation in Moscow last
year, Bohle AG further expanded its presence in Russia in June
with the opening of a second warehouse and office facility based
in St Petersburg.
[More
on this Story]
Coalville
Invests in Stuga Machinery
Sheerframe windowmaker Coalville Glass and Glazing is putting
the finishing touches to its £1/2 million investment programme
which will give the company the capacity to produce between
700 and 800 windows per week.
[More
on this Story]
Sliders
Tops 200 and Goes Chrome!
Patio
door specialist Sliders UK has exceeded its ambitious sales
and production targets and now regularly supplies over 200 patio
doors per week throughout the UK.
[More
on this Story]
Counting
the Cost of Conservatory Roof Fabrication
Quoted price is only part of the equation in conservatory roof
system choices and can harm long term profitability is the warning
from Aztec Conservatory Roof Systems.
[More
on this Story]
Emplas
Creates Conservatory Village for T&K
Further fulfilling the company’s policy of offering ‘Tried
& Tested’ marketing support for its installer customers,
specialist trade fabricator Emplas has helped to create a comprehensive
conservatory village for its local retail subsidiary T&K
Home Improvements.
[More
on this Story]
Portal
Products Publishes Survey Results
When it comes to replacing the front door, homeowners want an
'easy life' with nearly half stating low maintenance as their
top reason for choosing PVC-U, according to a recent independent
survey.
[More
on this Story]
Snooker
Star Opens new PatioMaster Factory
PVC-U sliding patio door manufacturer, PatioMaster North West
was right on cue with its choice of UK Snooker Masters Champion
Paul Hunter to perform the official opening of its new factory
near Huddersfield in July.
[More
on this Story]
New
Business Opportunities from Lateral Thinking
Companies
wishing to diversify into new business or product areas, such
as a fabricator opening a Building Plastic Centre, can now take
advantage of consultancy expertise from a recognised industry
specialist.
[More
on this Story]
WHS
Halo Invests in Business Centre
Following a period of unprecedented enquiries from fabricators
looking to switch their systems supplier, WHS Halo has invested
in a new, state of the art business centre at one of its key
production facilities in Minworth Birmingham.
[More
on this Story]
Council
lnstalls Doors for Life
Darlington
Council has installed Part M compliant Masterdors
in a refurbishment project to create specially adapted
accommodation for elderly and disabled residents.
[More
on this Story]
Jeld-Wen
Standardises Sizes to Aid Part E Compliancy
Doors
and windows manufacturer Jeld-Wen UK Ltd,
along with a working group of major house
builders and suppliers, has agreed a range
of standard partition widths and corresponding
doorset and doorkit lining sizes to improve
ease of compliance with Part E of the Building
Regulations.
[More
on this Story]
Brodex
Ltd Attracts Complaint
A
complaint, objecting to two trade magazine
advertisements for window cleaning machine
parts on behalf of Brodex Ltd of Southport,
Merseyside, was upheld in seven of the eight
objections according to published details
from the Advertising Standards Authority.
[More
on this Story]
DuPont
Responds to EPA Complaint, Denies Allegations
DuPont
said on July 8th that it will file a formal denial
to a complaint issued by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) alleging that the company
failed to comply with the technical reporting requirements
of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the
Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) regarding
PFOA. PFOA is an essential processing aid used to
produce fluoropolymers.
[More
on this Story]
Guardian
Industries Corp. Owner Wins NHL, NBA & WNBA
Titles
William
Davidson, president and CEO of global glass manufacturer
Guardian Industries Corp., has earned a place in
professional sports history, becoming the first
team owner to win championships in different sports
in the same year.
[More
on this Story]