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THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 103 19th December 2003
K2
Tees Up Customer Conference
Conservatory
roof manufacturer K2 has released details of its customer conference,
which will be held at the prestigious Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland on
February 11th & 12th 2004.
[More
Here]
Palmer:
'The Market for Private Sector Home Improvements to 2007'
The
total British market for windows, external doors and conservatories
in the home improvements sector is now £4.1 billion at installed
values, in the base year of 2002. Window replacement of replacements
is increasing (now 20% of all replacements are replacing windows
that have already been replaced.) Nonetheless, the conservatory
market is where the growth has been in recent years. Palmer suggests
that traditional extensions by builders - requiring planning permission
and more stringent building regulation approval - are being supplanted
by conservatories.
[More
on this Story]
New
Space and a New Face at Solaglas Birmingham
Changes
are underfoot at Solaglas Birmingham with the recent installation
of a new glass trade counter at the Witton premises. A shrine to the
Solaglas Marketing Department, the office is furnished with glass
samples and information on the full Saint-Gobain Glass range.
[More
on this Story]
Glassex
Throws Down the Challenge to Installers: Are You the Best in Britain?
Britain’s
window and conservatory installers will have the opportunity to test and
demonstrate their skills through a new competition taking place at Glassex,
and which is designed to find the Glassex Installation Team of the Year.
[More
on this Story]
The first GP&T Show saw Float Glass Industries (FGI) welcome an impressive number of visitors to its stand, a third of which constituted quality leads covering a cross section of industry requirements.
Lean Manufacturing for a Lean Service
Newstead Trade Frames has recently invested £1 million in new machinery. The company has bought an SV800 corner cleaner, a Rapid MFC2000 saw and machining centre, a six-head welder and five vertical assembly lines.
Flowline Runs ‘Rings’ Round the Competition
Deep at the heart of the Stuga Flowline Cutting & Prepping Centre is a distinctive rotary tooling head system unique to this machine, known as ‘The Ring’, a system of rotating tooling heads that can be freely programmed to present tools at any angle around three hundred and sixty degrees in order to give the machine total flexibility for the complex design of British window systems.
Roof Window Concept wins Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Awards 2003
On 9th December this year’s winners of the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Awards were honoured. The winners include Keystone Lintels Ltd, based in Cookstown, who created a substantial sales increase by diversifying into new and lucrative markets. They partnered with the University of Ulster and, with engineering graduate Cormac Diamond, developed the expertise for a new product range of roof windows.
Securistyle
Urges Fabricators to Support Innovation for Long Term Success
Ahead of four new product launches in the first six months of 2004,
window hardware manufacturer Securistyle has hit back at pundits who
claim that the window industry has a bleak future and that product prices
must continue to plummet.
[More
on this Story]
Peter
Richards Group Revitalised as Part of Merseyside Initiative
A Merseyside manufacturing company which faced closure nearly ten years
ago has marked another year of unprecedented success by investing in
state-of-the art technology to meet the demands which will stem from
Liverpool’s award of European Capital of Culture. Furthermore,
the £150,000 investment by the Birkenhead-based Peter Richards
Group – which manufactures high quality architectural glazing solutions
to the construction industry - will now secure the future of its 30
staff and lead to the creation of further jobs.
[More
on this Story]
Leak
Proof Guarantee!
Sky-Vent
Ltd in Birmingham sold over 15,000 roof vents last year and had no comebacks
on leaky vents. 'We are that confident with our product that with the
new S type pre-glazed lids we guarantee the vent won't leak!' says Alan
Hudson Uk sales manager.'That's an industry first and no other conservatory
roof vent on the market can make this claim' added Alan.
[More
on this Story]
Allerton
Windows becomes HW Plastics 100th AIMS Signatory
HW
Plastics has announced that Allerton Windows of Bootle, Merseyside has
become the 100th company to sign up to the Approved Installer Membership
Scheme Initiative.
[More
on this Story]
Bank
of Scotland Business Banking helped Aluplast Launch its UK Operation
Lutterworth-based
aluplast, an international manufacturer of PVCu window profile systems
for the double glazing market, has extended its UK operation by acquiring
Plus Plan, an established PVCu extrusion specialist as we first reported
in The Gl@zine on 24th June.
[More
on this Story]
Cabot
Corporation and GE Plastics Plan to Develop Lexan Thermoclear Sheet with
Nanogel Translucent Aerogel
Cabot
Corporation, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, announced
recently its intention to work with GE Structured Products to jointly
market a Lexan® Thermoclear® multi-wall sheet filled with Nanogel®
Translucent aerogel.
[More
on this Story]
Masco
Corporation Announces New Common Stock Repurchase Programme and Declares
Quarterly Dividend
Masco
Corporation has announced that its Board of Directors has authorised the
purchase of up to 50 million shares of its Common Stock in open market
purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise.
[More
on this Story]
Andersen
Expanding Fibrex Extrusion Operation
Andersen
Corp. has broken ground on a new 150,000-square-foot extrusion facility
in North Branch, MN. Producing lineal window and door components
made with Andersen’s Fibrex wood/plastic composite material, the
new facility may also be used to perform other in-line and post-extrusion
operations required to supply other Andersen plants with ready-to-assemble
parts.
[More
on this Story]
Hunter
Douglas Announces Share Buy Back Programme
Hunter
Douglas announces that it will institute a Share Buy Back Programme. The
Company intends to buy up to EUR 50 million of its common shares within
the next 12 months on the market; depending on market conditions.
[More
on this Story]
Home
Depot Acquires Window Installation Firm
The
Home Depot of the USA has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Atlanta-based
RMA Home Services, Inc. The company has been an installation service
provider for Home Depot since 1998 and has 20 branch offices across the
U.S. Terms were not disclosed.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 102 9th December 2003
Vista
Goes for Listing on Alternative Market: will Santa fill his Boots?
Readymatch
plc is to be re-named Vista Group plc in the pursuit of an AIM Flotation
which will involve the placing of up to 266,316 new Ordinary Shares at
95p per share. Admission to trading on the Alternative Investment Market
is being advised by W.H. Ireland Ltd and expected market capitalisation
at the Placing Price will be £14.6m.
[More
Here]
Planet
PVC Group Debuts on Sunday Times Fast Track 100 List
Planet PVC Group plc, the UK’s fastest growing installer
of conservatories, windows and doors, has appeared for the first
time in the Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 league
table published this Sunday (7 December) by the Sunday Times.
[More
on this Story]
Duraflex
United Under One Roof for First Time
‘Groundbreaking’
best describes a major investment programme taking place in Gloucestershire
for PVCu systems company Duraflex. After months of detailed negotiations,
planning approval for a 260,000sq ft headquarters was granted in
October and work has already begun on site.
[More
on this Story]
Ultraframe
Proposes a 7.8% Dividend Increase on Downbeat 52 Week Prelims
Ultraframe Plc, the leading specialist designer of conservatory systems
in Europe and North America, announced on December 2nd preliminary results
for the 52 weeks ended 26 September 2003. These showed a modest decline
in turnover on continuing operations to £139.1m (2002: £145.2m),
largely due to falling sales (and bad weather) in the USA, but a good
improvement in gross and net margins reflecting tighter overhead control
and operational improvements. Good news for shareholders though: a proposed
7.8% increase in full year dividend to 11.1p.
[More
on this Story]
Promac
Commits to Glassex ‘04
Machinery
giant Promac has committed itself to exhibiting once again on a large
scale at Glassex 2004, following its highly successful participation
at the recent Glass Processing & Technology exhibition and conference
that was organised by the same team at EMAP Maclaren.
[More
on this Story]
Andersen
to Launch Revolutionary Window at Interbuild
Andersen,
the world's largest wood window manufacturer, is launching a new range
of windows at Interbuild 2004. The
UK's major building and construction exhibition takes place at the NEC
in Birmingham from April 25-29 and as always, new products will be a
central feature of the Show.
[More
on this Story]
Serenade
Windows Advert Attracts Complaint
A
complaint by Budget Windows Ltd, objecting to a directory advertisement
for glazing company Serenade Windows of Luton, Bedfordshire was upheld
according to published details from the Advertising Standards Authority.
[More
on this Story]
GIS
Windows Ltd Advert Attracts Complaint
A
complaint by Budget Windows Ltd, objecting to a regional press advertisement
and directory advertisement for double-glazing company GIS Windows Ltd
of Luton, Bedfordshire was upheld in one of the two objections, according
to published details from the Advertising Standards Authority.
[More
on this Story]
Demag
Cranes Wins Contract to Supply Veka
Materials
handling specialist, Demag Cranes & Components Ltd, has won a significant
contract for the supply of equipment to Veka plc, Burnley based designer
and extruder of PVCu window and door systems, and PVC-UE building products
and trims.
[More
on this Story]
HansenGlass
keeps on Growing
In
line with its continued growth, European specialist glass processors
HansenGlass is undertaking an expansion programme at the company's offices
and manufacturing facility in Kirkby, Merseyside. The company has ordered
one of the largest screen print machines to cope with the increasing
demand for its Ceramalite and Ceraphic surface decoration.
[More
on this Story]
Laird
Security Systems Expands in High Growth Market
The
Laird Group PLC announced recently the acquisition of Intron Limited
for an initial consideration of £9.0 million in cash and loan
notes, together with a potential earn-out payment capped at £6.0
million based on the achievement of future profit targets and estimated
to be approximately £3.5 million.
[More
on this Story]
Heartwarming
Result for Profile 22
Recent
thermal tests on Profile 22's 70mm window have confirmed that the company's
70mm Fully Integrated System can achieve a U value of 1.8 W/m2 deg K -
meeting the energy efficiency requirements of Scottish Technical Standard
Part J.
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on this Story]
Quanex
Buying TruSeal Technologies
Quanex
Corp., a manufacturer of engineered materials and components for windows
and doors and numerous other products, reports that it has signed a definitive
purchase agreement with Kirtland Capital Partners to purchase the stock
of TruSeal Technologies, Inc.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
Applauds Preliminary Determination of ITC in Aluminum Dumping Investigation
Alcoa
Inc.
applauded the International Trade Commission's 6-0 vote to continue the
investigation into dumping of certain aluminium plate imported from South
Africa. The vote was taken at a public meeting of the ITC on 1st December
in Washington, D.C.
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on this Story]
Alcoa
Completes Jamaican Expansion and Breaks Ground in Suriname
Alcoa
World Alumina and Chemicals - a global alliance between Alcoa and Alumina
Ltd, with Alcoa holding 60 percent - has completed the 250,000 metric
ton ('mt') construction expansion of its Jamalco alumina refinery in Clarendon
and will be started ahead of schedule, and has broken ground on a 250,000
mt alumina expansion at its Paranam alumina refinery in Suriname.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 101 2nd December 2003
Glassex
Adds New Trading Dimension with Auctions
Emap
Maclaren, organiser of Glassex and the successful Glass Processing &
Technology held recently, has announced a number of initiatives aimed
at stimulating interest amongst fabricators and installers, still the
key visitor group for the event.
[More
Here]
A
New Home for Wendland as the Company Continues to Grow
Conservatory
roof system manufacturer Wendland Roof Solutions has announced
that it will move to new, purpose-built headquarters in December
2003 as part of its growth projections for 2004 and beyond. The
move follows a period of dramatic expansion and development for
the company, with new Managing Director Graham Fisher at the forefront
of an aggressive new growth strategy.
[More
on this Story]
Fabricators
Place Veka First in Industry Benchmarking Survey
According
to the 2003 Annual Benchmarking Study published recently by Reputations
Plus Ltd, Veka was rated first overall and first for value for money
by all knowledgeable fabricators. In the survey, regarded as the
definitive performance measure of the UK’s top 34 PVCu systems
suppliers, fabricators were asked to rank companies in the order
of who they perceived to be the best performers in each category.
[More
on this Story]
Flowline
Makes More Sales
The
Stuga Flowline Cutting and Prepping Centre covered more ground in the
summer with sales to Armstrong Industries in Coventry and Pyramid Profiles
in Walsall.
[More
on this Story]
Plastmo
Launches the Definitive Vertical Slider
Having
analysed the market, Plastmo has introduced a Vertical Slider, considered
by the company to be the definitive, forward-moving product of its type
on the UK market.
[More
on this Story]
Investing
in the Future at Edgetech
Super
Spacer can help manufacturers and installers reach – and exceed
– the Part L demands for thermal efficiency now. But it seems the
move to more stringent U-values is inevitable. Although timing is not
yet clear, it could happen sooner rather than later.
[More
on this Story]
The
Omega Group Signs up for Global Roofs
Peterborough
based trade fabricator The Omega Group, has signed a supply contract
with Synseal Extrusions Ltd for the Global conservatory roof.
[More
on this Story]
Sparks
Direct Expands Van Sales Fleet
Sparks
Direct (Delta distributors in the South East) has announced the expansion
of its van sales fleet with the purchase of two Mercedes sprinters.
[More
on this Story]
John
Fredericks Invests
Trade
fabricator John Fredericks has further strengthened its production capacity
with additional investment in new equipment.
[More
on this Story]
Get
Cosier with Sierra Windows
Sierra
Windows has announced that recent thermal tests on the 70mm window confirm
that it can achieve a U value of 1.8 W/m2 deg K.
[More
on this Story]
Bostik
Findley and TC Sealed Units Celebrate a 21 Year Unity
Bostik
Findley and key customer TC Sealed Units have recently celebrated a
twenty-one year partnership, marked with the presentation of a glass
trophy from Bostik Findley area sales manager Andrew Tilley to managing
director of TC Sealed Units, Tony Calvano.
[More
on this Story]
AA
Expands into New Territory - Company expands from Warrington to Wales
AA
Conservatories has announced its plans to expand from its site in Warrington
to open new premises in Llandudno, Wales.
[More
on this Story]
Sapa
Expands in Lithuania
Sapa
continues to expand. Sapa Profiler AB will open a new manufacturing unit
for components based on aluminium profiles in Lithuania. UAB Sapa Profiliai
is scheduled to start during the first quarter of 2004.
[More
on this Story]
Vitro
Increases EBITDA by US$13m (14.8%) and Reduces Debts
Glass
maker and distributor Vitro S.A. de C.V. has announced that 3Q03 consolidated
net sales declined 3% YoY to US$582m. Comparisons reflect a decrease in
glass container shipments as a result of bad weather, ongoing weak flat
glass demand in the U.S. non-residential construction
[More
on this Story]
Strong
Growth Platform and Focus on Profitability Targets for Trelleborg
'Concerted
strategic development has resulted in a well-positioned global industrial
group with favourable opportunities for growth. Following vigorous concentration
and expansion, we are now entering a third phase that is more clearly
focused on profitability targets,' said Group CEO Fredrik Arp, during
Trelleborg's Capital Market Day
[More
on this Story]