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THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 160 22nd February 2005
Synseal
Conservatory Sales up 38%
Coming
on top of bumper 2004 conservatory sales growth, Synseal Extrusions Ltd
announce conservatory sales up 38% on year to date figures compared with
the same nine months last year. ‘Our massive commitment to invest
in developing one simple roof system to provide all conservatory solutions
has really paid off,’ explains Nick Dutton.
[More
on this Story]
Rok
to Close Conservatory Roof Company
Specialist property developer Rok Property Solutions announces it is closing
SpaceAge Plastics after failing to sell it. Rok blamed a 'lack of market
appetite' for the closure of the SpaceAge operation in Poole, Dorset,
which will result in the loss of 35 jobs.
[More
on this Story]
Norvik
Continues Expansion
Norvik,
a Duraflex fabricator with a successful trade and new build customer base,
has completed the latest phase of its ambitious expansion programme. The
Barnsley-based company has just completed a £300,000 factory extension.
[More
on this Story]
Intellectual
Property Rights Infringement
Roofline
specialist Fascia Mania Limited recently brought a successful action against
Amber Roofline Limited for intellectual property rights infringement.
[More
on this Story]
New
Horizons and a New Factory for J.Banks Ltd
One
of Willenhall’s longest established lock and hardware manufacturers,
with a proud history stretching back more than 150 years, J.Banks
& Co Ltd has now moved to a modern, purpose designed manufacturing
and distribution complex in nearby Tipton.
[More
on this Story]
Butler
Appointment Further Enhances the Kawneer Team
Kawneer,
the manufacturer and supplier of architectural aluminium systems,
has announced the appointment of Carl Butler as Manufacturing Director
with immediate effect.
[More
on this Story]
L.B.
Plastics Team Raises the Roof
As
the new Sheerlite conservatory roof system takes off in 2005,
L.B. Plastics has ensured its key customer service staff have
up to the minute knowledge of the latest Sheerframe conservatory
developments.
[More
on this Story]
K2
Installers Gain FMB-backed Quality Assurance
Conservatory
system manufacturer K2 has announced the accreditation of
17 installers to its Approved Installer Scheme.
[More
on this Story]
Brackenwood
Presents a New Image with Windowlink
Brackenwood
Windows Ltd has made a major investment in the latest design-to-sell
software from Windowlink.
[More
on this Story]
KBE
Welcomes Successful Change of Ownership
KBE,
one of the international brands of profine International
(along with Kömmerling & Trocal) welcomes the announcement
that the transfer of ownership of HT Troplast AG to international
private equity houses, The Carlyle Group and Advent International,
has been successfully completed.
[More
on this Story]
West
Port and Winlock on the up with Partnership
Deal
Business is booming at Cumbrian-based
timber window and door technology company
West Port, following its recent success
in winning several key social housing
contracts. Sharing in this success is
Winlock Security.
[More
on this Story]
New
Backing and Sheerframe Shift for Top Aberdeen
Window Maker
Aberdeen
Cladding & Windows, is looking forward to
a positive 2005 following its acquisition by
a leading Glasgow-based manufacturer and its
resulting move to the Sheerframe system from
L.B. Plastics.
[More
on this Story]
Fastener
Quality Key for Sovereign
The
Sovereign Group, the UK manufacturer and
installer of PVCu windows and doors, has
reaffirmed its commitment to continue using
only austenitic stainless steel fasteners
from SFS intec.
[More
on this Story]
Assa
Abloy Acquires Leading Door Service Company in the UK
Lock
group, Assa Abloy, has signed an agreement to acquire Doorman
Services, one of UK's leading companies in door services.
[More
on this Story]
Schott
Jenaer Glas Ends Production of Consumer Glassware in Jena
Schott Jenaer Glas finds itself compelled
to terminate production of consumer glassware in Jena. It is
planned to close down all business activities by March 31st,
2005. The closure will affect 120 employees.
[More
on this Story]
Chubb
Acquires Connecticut Based Security Firm - ACP Engineering Inc.
Chubb,
the global fire safety and security services division of United
Technologies Corp. announced on 2nd February that it has acquired
Plainville, Connecticut-based ACP Engineering Inc.
[More
on this Story]
CertainTeed
Corporation Reaches Record $2.6 Billion in Annual Sales
CertainTeed
Corporation announces its sales for 2004 were $2.6 billion,
an increase of approximately 12 percent compared to the company's
2003 sales figures.
[More
on this Story]
Strong results
for Hydro in 2004
Hydro's
income from continuing operations in 2004 was NOK 11,477 million
compared with NOK 8,375 million (NOK 32.50 per share) for 2003.
[More
on this Story]
Rhodia: 2004
Sales Improvement
Rhodia
announced on February 15th consolidated net sales of 1,233 million
euros for the fourth quarter of 2004, a 10.6% increase over the
same period in 2003 on the same basis
[More
on this Story]
Milacron's
Q4 Results Improve on Higher Sales; Outlook for 2005 Remains Positive
Milacron
Inc.reported on February 14th a net loss in the fourth quarter
of 2004 of $1.2m on sales of $213m. This compares to a net
loss of $24.2m, on sales of $198m, in the fourth quarter of 2003.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 159 15th February 2005
Rehau
Restructures to Improve Efficiency
REHAU has announced a new structure in its window division with Wolfgang
Gorner as overall head. The marketing, product development, technical
and customer service teams are being brought closer together into one
new business unit with clearly defined new product and sales targets.
[More
on this Story]
Glassex
Announces Seminar Programme
As Glassex celebrates its Silver Anniversary the organisers have announced
what it believes is the most comprehensive seminar programme in the history
of the event, with an emphasis on presentations that bring practical,
effective information to delegates in the front line of the industry.
[More
on this Story]
Tuffx
Reborn with New Management Team
With the continuing success of specialist glass processing products marketed
under the Tuffx brand a new dedicated company has been formed as Tuffx
Limited to concentrate on consolidating and expanding on that success.
[More
on this Story]
zendow®
achieves full accreditation
The zendow® suite of profile has proved that it is more than just
a pretty face. The contemporary new profile suite from Status Systems
is now fully accredited for specification by specifiers. Following stringent
tests, zendow® is now wholly compliant with BS EN 12608:2003, BS 7950
and PAS 23/24 for doors.
[More
on this Story]
Super
Unleaded Drives KBE Forward
As part of profine Group’s ‘Greenline Initiative’, all
KBE profile is now extruded lead free, using environmentally friendly
calcium-zinc stabilisers which have brought additional advantages.
[More
on this Story]
Stuga
Scores More Successes in Ireland
After two long established and successful Flowline installations in Northern
Ireland at Blair Niell in Belfast and Sean Timony in Enniskillen, Stuga
sold a Flowline to Murnane and O’Shea right down in Bantry Bay in
the south west of the Republic.
[More
on this Story]
Shepley
Launches New Range of Modular Conservatories
Shepley’s taken a long, hard look at how modular conservatories can
benefit the installer and has come up with a bright idea. Not only is
Shepley’s modular range available in a selection of the most popular
styles, but customers can order any size as long as it’s between
a minimum and maximum size.
[More
on this Story]
Winlock
Directors Risk Frostbite by Dipping Toe in Moscow's Big Chill
Intrepid adventurers Philip Swann and Graham Pearce of Winlock recently
wrapped up warm and sallied forth to brave the ravages of a Russian
winter (minus 15 degrees Celsius and heavy snow) in order to introduce
the company’s products to visitors at the Fensterbau Frontale Windows
and Doors Exhibition in Moscow.
[More
on this Story]
TWS
Gains Advantage with Merc Fleet
Advantage
Windows and Conservatories Limited’s customer TWS has invested
half a million pounds in 20 new Mercedes vans. The Leeds based company
has recently taken delivery of a new fleet that includes panel vans,
dropsiders and a tipper.
[More
on this Story]
Everest
Commercial Division Committed to Government School Programme
Everest Commercial Division sponsored the Local Government Chronicle’s
‘Local Education Partnerships (LEP) in Practice’ conference
at Earls Court on 3rd February as the Company’s reputation
as a premier schools fenestration solution-provider continues
to grow.
[More
on this Story]
Dynamic
Investment for New World Manufacturing
With the start of a new year and a major presence
at Glassex, Ireland’s leading door manufacturer
New World Developments has made major changes
to its factory operation to improve productivity
and deliver even better service to customers.
[More
on this Story]
Finesse
Wins Swish National 2004 Customer Service Award
'Having achieved an average 99.38% positive response
in an independent customer survey conducted by the
Guarantee Guild, there was no doubt in our minds
who the recipient of this award should be for 2004'
said Steve Couchman, Director for Swish Window Systems,
when presenting the award.
[More
on this Story]
Trelleborg
Group Reports Successful 2004
The Trelleborg Group can look back at a year
with a new structure and favourable growth.
For the full-year, net sales increased to SEK
22,912 M (17,960). Overall growth in comparable
currencies was 30 per cent.
[More
on this Story]
When
Only the Best Will do
New
trade stockist, WCS Ltd, has recently
signed up with Deceuninck to offer the
complete range of Deeplas cellular products
and additional ancillary items.
[More
on this Story]
Newstead
Doors Satisfy Colour and Heritage Demands
As
homeowners become increasingly aware of
the availability of the combination of maintenance
free and more traditional looking products,
it’s vital installers can satisfy these
needs. That’s why Lincoln-based JB
Windows turned to Newstead Trade Frames
for its supply of premium, coloured PVC
doors.
[More
on this Story]
Clearshield
Saves Construction Costs for Everyone
Damage
to raw glass surfaces during the construction
process can be costly, but this can be avoided
by converting ordinary glass into Low-M
(Low Maintenance) Glass‚ with Ritec’s
ClearShield system. The use of ClearShield
Glass Protect makes glass easier to clean,
keeps it looking like new, reduces costs
and increases customer satisfaction.
[More
on this Story]
Waste
Action Forum Targets Best Practice and
Education
Recycling
education, economics and sustainability
will be the focus of the next Waste
Action Forum, being held on 16th and
17th March in Barnsley. Waste management
professionals from local authorities
will hear presentations from government
and industry on the latest developments
in waste and recycling.
[More
on this Story]
Fixed
Cost Maintenance from Volkswagen Commercial
Vehicle Finance
Volkswagen
Commercial Vehicles’ commitment to
the van operator goes much further than
selling high quality, award-winning vans.
As motorists know, regular servicing and
maintenance are essential to keep their
vehicles running at optimum performance.
To ensure its customers enjoy the ultimate
van driving experience, Volkswagen Commercial
Vehicle Finance offers a number of Fixed
Cost Maintenance packages.
[More
on this Story]
The
Balance Between Security and Access Control
Robin
Rice, Managing Director of Abloy Security
looks at the latest issues and developments
affecting access control.
[More
on this Story]
Nine
Good Reasons why to Attend GPD 2005 in
Finland
Tampere,
Finland, is the destination, Friday June
17th – Monday 20th 2005 is the time,
for the this year's biennial GPD Conference
& Glass Product Exhibition Workshops.
Organiser Jorma Vittkala has outlined
the reasons for attending this important
event:
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 158 8th February 2005
Premier
Profiles to Close with 220 Job Losses
According to Mike Semens-Flanagan, Managing Director, Premier Profiles:
'Due to the many adverse trading conditions facing the business, Premier
Profiles suffered significant financial losses in 2004. We have subsequently
carried out a full strategic review of the business and it is with great
regret that, with further losses predicted, we today advised staff and
customers that we propose to close the business.
[More
on this Story]
Radius
Steps in as North West Profile Member Fails
Following the demise of a North West bending/special frame fabricator
that has left dozens of trade customers in the lurch, St Helens based
Radius Plastics has stepped in with special prices and service that will
mean most will be able to take delivery without further delay.
[More
on this Story]
Wendland
Further Strengthens Management Team
Following
a number of key strategic and new product announcements Wendland Roof
Solutions has announced the appointment of Steve Gardiner as Chief Executive.
[More
on this Story]
Synseal
Invests in Conservatory Saw Centre
Synseal
Extrusions Ltd has invested over £110,000 in a new conservatory
saw centre. Rather than having to manually feed each piece individually,
the machine auto-feeds 20 lengths of profile at a time.
[More
on this Story]
Everbrite
Invests in a ‘Brite’ Future
It
looks like another busy year ahead for Everbrite Windows & Doors in
Enfield as the family-owned firm gears up for further expansion. The company
has recently installed the latest computerised manufacturing system, and
just switched to fabricating the Duraflex Diamond Suite again, after four
years with another PVCu systems supplier.
[More
on this Story]
Arch
Craft Advances Curved and Angled Frame Production with New Factory
As
it celebrates the move to a new, purpose-built 10,000 feet2 factory near
St Helens, Merseyside, specialist frame maker and profile bender Arch
Craft is guaranteeing a maximum 10 day delivery time for all orders, which
the company believes to be the fastest service available for customers
in the North West of England.
[More
on this Story]
British
Standard for Door Locks Upgraded
The
well known and highly regarded British standard for door locks has been
upgraded. But existing stocks of locks conforming to the former standard
can continue to be sold without penalty. This is the advice given by the
Door & Hardware Federation which represents the UK’s leading
manufacturers of building hardware and architectural ironmongery.
[More
on this Story]
HIS
Systems Grows from Strength to Strength
HIS
Systems has benefited from a £250,000 investment at its South
Wales factory. This includes a new 55,000 sq ft warehouse and showroom,
which offer fabricators an enhanced service package. As part of the
programme of development the sales and technical team has been expanded.
[More
on this Story]
Nine
Good Reasons why to Attend GPD 2005 in Finland
Tampere,
Finland, is the destination, Friday June 17th – Monday 20th 2005
is the time, for the this year's biennial GPD Conference & Glass
Product Exhibition Workshops. Organiser Jorma Vittkala has outlined
the reasons for attending this important event:
[More
on this Story]
GGF
and iQ Business Launch a new Unique Business Support Service
The
GGF and iQ Business can provide you with a new unique business
support service designed to improve efficiency and the bottom
line. All businesses must comply with a wide range of legislation
which can prove time consuming and costly, unless innovative
approaches are adopted. The new Business Manager portfolio now
being provided by GGF/iQ.
[More
on this Story]
Fast
Completion for Total Glass
Total
Glass says that it is gaining a reputation
among social housing providers for swift and
efficient service following the successful
completion of a major refurbishment project
for Liverpool-based Cobalt Housing Trust well
ahead of schedule.
[More
on this Story]
Salt’s
the Seller when The Window Factory Chooses Marutex
Even
though Bristol doesn’t have one of the world’s
harshest climates, it’s reassuring to know
that the screws in your frames are a match for anything
the elements can throw at them. That’s why,
after a long investigation into a new supplier,
The Window Factory opted for UK Fasteners.
[More
on this Story]
The
Future is Here - The Era has Dawned
The
final pieces are now in place to complete the
Newdawn Newera S150 system. Launched at last
years Glassex show, the company says that the
new roofing system has taken the market by storm
over the last 12 months with over 90% of Newdawn’s
existing customers and all of its newly recruited
fabricators adopting the system.
[More
on this Story]
Thistle
Windows and Conservatories Ltd Found Guilty
Thistle
Windows and Conservatories Ltd was recently
found guilty of breaching The Construction
(Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulation
1996 (No 6) para 3 at Aberdeen Sheriff
Court. The company was fined £1,000.
[More
on this Story]
ChipsAway
is up to Scratch Thanks to Quality Volkswagen
Vans
Nobody
likes a good helping of chips – well,
not the type that appear in a car’s
paintwork anyway. Whether it’s a shower
of stones thrown up by the car in front,
or a carelessly opened door in a supermarket
car park, minor damage to a car’s appearance
can be both annoying and detrimental to
its value.
[More
on this Story]
Leeds
East Homes Invests in Austenitic-Only Window
Spec
Leeds
East Homes, the arms length management organisation
providing housing management services to
council tenants living in the east of Yorkshire’s
biggest city, has driven through a number
of improvements in the window specification
it inherited from Leeds City Council and
now insists on austenitic stainless steel
fasteners throughout.
[More
on this Story]
Principality
Plastics to Open up Shop in Gloucester
With
depots already in Cardiff and Swansea,
to be closely followed by Gloucester in
early 2005, Principality (Plastics and
Hardware) Ltd has been supplying PVCu
Building materials and allied products
to both large and small contractors within
South Wales for the last 14 years.
[More
on this Story]
Potter
Set to Revolutionise the Writing of Sales
Proposals
Sales
staff will no longer have to face hours
of work preparing sales proposals –
thanks to the launch of a pioneering web-based
system. The ProposalGENie, the first system
of its kind, allows sales staff to produce
proposals of consistently high quality
in minutes.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
Completes Acquisition of Russian Fabricating
Facilities from RUSAL
Alcoa
announced on 31st January it has completed
the acquisition from RUSAL of two fabricating
facilities in Samara and Belaya Kalitva
in the Russian Federation for $257 million
in cash.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 157 1st February 2005
Revised
British Standard Acknowledges Role of Self Cleaning Glass
Safe window-cleaning practice has always been a concern for both the British
Standards Institute and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which
holds the responsibility for Building Regulations in England and Wales.
However, due to increasing specification of Pilkington Activ™ for
high-rise developments and commercial properties, both organisations are
now acknowledging self-cleaning glass.
[More
on this Story]
Pultec’s
Green Claims Supported by BRE report
New evidence from the Building Research Establishment (BRE) indicates
that Pultec is the most environmentally friendly window profile company
in the UK. The material from which Pultec’s window systems are made
– pultruded fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) - has been given an overall
‘A’ rating, the highest achievable environmental rating, in
BRE’s new Green Guide to Composites.
[More
on this Story]
Paper
on Cracked Laminated Glass Receives Industry Recognition
A paper, co-authored by Dr. Stephen J. Bennison of DuPont’s Glass
Laminating Solutions business unit, on the 'Mechanical Response of Cracked
Laminated Plates', has received recognition from ASME (American Society
for Mechanical Engineers).
[More
on this Story]
Public
Sector Glazing Conference First for Glassex
For
the first time at Glassex, public sector housing managers and officers
are being catered for with a special one-day conference organised specifically
to deal with some of the key issues facing this market.
[More
on this Story]
Advance
70 has the X-Factor for Selecta Systems
'The
Advance 70 bandwagon is rapidly gathering momentum for Selecta Systems
and plenty of people are jumping on board!’ says Mark Richmond, Selecta’s
Sales and Marketing Director. ‘New business is up by 18% and it continues
to increase and we are already looking at a 25% increase in turnover this
year.
[More
on this Story]
One
Name and One Voice for Therma-Tru
Following
last year’s announcement that Sentinel Doors was becoming part of
the worldwide Therma-Tru family, the companies have confirmed that they
have combined their UK operations under the single company name, Therma-Tru
Ltd.
[More
on this Story]
Synseal’s
Technical Vans Provide the Support Fabricators Need
Synseal
Extrusions Ltd has invested in four new technical vans which bring the
technician and new tools together to help fabricators with the initial
set up, if they are new to Synseal.
[More
on this Story]
zendow®
Finds Favour with Homeowners
As
one of Status Systems' longest serving accounts, D & G Windows was
the first customer to fully convert production over to zendow® five
months ago. Since then, the Lancashire based fabricator has seen a significant
increase in business, particularly installing zendow® into older
properties.
[More
on this Story]
Second
GP&T Event Promises Boost for Flat Glass Specialists
Glass
Processing & Technology (GP&T) exhibition is set to provide
a further boost for the flat glass industry when it takes place at the
NEC Birmingham UK on 17th, 18th and 19th May 2005, the second event
in the series.
[More
on this Story]
Walnut
Motorsport Awarded Schüco Karting Contract
Walnut
Motorsport has been asked to organise the 2005 Schüco Karting
Challenge for the third successive year. This competition for
the construction industry has proved extremely popular and,
in 2005, the maximum number of entrants will be raised to 288.
[More
on this Story]
Beaufort
Doors PAS the Test
Beaufort
Secure Design’s aluminium door profiles
have achieved PAS 23 / 24 approval –
the industry’s most stringent performance
and security standard.
[More
on this Story]
Supertrucks
in Austria
Supertrucks
Ltd has long established customers in Germany and
Belgium and following a successful Glasstec 2004
Exhibition now has it's sights set on the rest of
Europe. During the next five years Supertrucks plans
to expand its sales of glass carrying racks and
bodies into Holland, France and Austria.
[More
on this Story]
Everwhite
Supplies an All American Market
Everwhite
Plastics Ltd is exporting PVC-UE profiles for
an internal louvered window shutter system exclusively
for the US. Vince Richardson, Technical Director
of Everwhite, explains why an American company
has chosen a UK company to design and manufacture
the product:
[More
on this Story]
GAP’s
Roofline Butler Service
Getting
on-time, every time, in-full deliveries is vital
for installers. If stockists let them down,
they let their customers down and risk their
reputation. GAP, the standard setting roofline
stockist and door panel manufacturer, understands
the importance of deliveries.
[More
on this Story]
K2
is an Attractive ‘Option’ for Turkingtons
Conservatory
installer Turkingtons has signed up to become
a K2 installer, as a direct result of K2’s
launch of Options, its range of interior trims.
[More
on this Story]
Official
Opening of the Building Plastics Trade Counter
Newstead
Trade Frames is a one-stop-shop fabricator. Not
only does the company supply windows, conservatory
roofs, and doors but also building plastics and
associated products. Newstead recently launched
its Building Plastics Trade Counter as a separate
division.
[More
on this Story]
Sentinel
Nets Third Contract at Kingfisher
As
part of an on-going stock investment programme,
Therma-Tru Limited incorporating Sentinel Doors,
has supplied and installed over 150 composite
residential doors for a third Kingfisher Housing
Association contract.
[More
on this Story]
Sapa
Window Defies Wrecking Test
Sapa
Building Systems subjected one of its Dualframe
horizontal sliding windows to a ‘wrecking
test’ in front of a group of prospective
clients as part of a demonstration of its security
performance.
[More
on this Story]
An
‘L’ of a Door from Siegenia-Aubi
A
forward-thinking approach between Council for
Aluminium in Building (CAB) members has led to
the development of a hardware system for Document
L compliant aluminium patio doors.
[More
on this Story]
Permasteelisa
2004 Orders Slightly Ahead of Previous Year
The
orders awarded to the Permasteelisa Group during
2004 amount to 935 million Euro with an increase
of 1.5% compared to the previous year.
[More
on this Story]
Asahi
Glass Closes One Funnel Production Furnace at
Takasago Plant
Asahi
Glass Co Ltd has decided to restructure the
funnel manufacturing facilities of the cathode-ray
tube (CRT) operations. To this end, the Company
will stop operations of one funnel production
furnace at its Takasago Plant (Takasago, Hyogo
Prefecture) by the end of 2005.
[More
on this Story]