Weekly
Email News for the Glass, Glazing and Fenestration Industries
4th April 2006
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CRITIC'S CORNER
Profile
22 Watches The Armstrongs - Episode 6
Just
after Michael’s rollercoaster ride to the heady heights
of sales manager, and back down again, our Othello-playing chum
is faced with an ultimatum; shape up or ship out.
So, Michael is no longer flavour of the month and John and Ann’s
comments to camera clearly point out they don’t think he
has the guts for sales. Whatever the story, you have to feel
sorry for him, being built up and knocked down on almost a daily
basis must be disheartening for any employee.
More
Here:
APA
Systems says that the company is now established
as a market leader in extruded aluminium and PVCu window and
door framing systems technology
More
Here:
Andersen
Windows new High Performance™ Low-E4™
self cleaning glass, is being supplied as a standard across
the popular 400 Series range, and hence at no additional charge
More
Here:
Ebor
Equipment Ltd says that as everyone
in the flat glass industry knows, wear and tear on diamond
grinding machines and polishing tools can cause productivity
problems and greatly increase costs
More
Here:
Deceuninck
Ltd
has recently launched its new Belface cladding profile. Belface
is suitable for cladding entire buildings as well as dormers,
eaves, canopies and parapets
More
Here:
HomePro
Insurance is one of the UK's leading providers
of Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs) and specialises in providing
insurance and services to the trade and construction industries
More
Here:
Glassex
saw the official launch of Rehau’s
REHAU-Dimension Plus Complete Conservatory Superstructure
system
More
Here:
Saint-Gobain
Glass says that it has launched
another 'first' in the conservatory roof glass market, a dual-action
self-cleaning / solar control glass, SGGBIOCLEAN COOL-LITE
ST
More
Here:
Synseal
fabricators can now get perfectly colour-matched trims for
all its window profiles
More
Here:
Synseal
has announced all its profiles are available in five additional
colours: black, grey, red, blue and green
More
Here:
(300+ Listed Products)
Go Here:
For a directory of products sorted by product type
Go Here:
For a directory of products sorted by company in alphabetical order
R's
Doors and Conservatories
is keeping track of profit and costs with Windowlink's Vector
Plus conservatory presentation and pricing software package
More
Here:
TBW
Ltd
staff and their partners were able to celebrate their assessment
and reaccreditation of the prestigious Investors In People award
at the company's annual, complimentary, Christmas Dinner and
Dance on December 16th
More
Here:
Barnsley
fabricator DEM Window Solutions
has adopted WHS Halo's Eclipse esthétique sculptured
profile to be able to offer a more decorative option alongside
its existing Eclipse PCE products
More
Here:
Glass
UK
is taking a bow following its role in the ongoing refurbishment
of the Royal Festival Hall, having provided laminated toughened
glass for a suite of 8 oversized (3m. x 3.1m) Sheerglaze doors,
as well as staircase balustrades and coloured staircase wall panels
More
Here:
It
was a dark night in more ways than one (apart from the firelight)
when New Ford Primary School in Stoke on Trent was set alight
in an arson attack
More
Here:
When
it came to adding the finishing touches to two of his successful
businesses, Mercy's nightclub and neighbouring restaurant bar
Rocco's, Norwich-based businessman and entrepreneur Steve Peri
enlisted the expertise of Contract Glass
More
Here:
Pyroguard
laminated fire glass from CGI International
has been specified for a prestigious project to upgrade all fire
doors in schools across the Isle of Man
More
Here:
Europe's
biggest racquets, health and fitness club, Next Generation, Hatfield,
sports a stunning curtain wall façade by Metal
Technology
More
Here:
New
windows from Duraflex are
helping to improve council homes in Bolton as part of a multi-million
pound regeneration scheme
More
Here:
Dean
Hague has joined Cheshire-based trade fabricator Advantage
Windows and Conservatories Ltd in the role of Sales
Support Manager
More
Here:
Sash
UK Ltd,
manufacturer of PVCu home improvement products, has appointed
Jo Fearne as the company’s new PR and marketing manager
More
Here:
Rock
DJ by night, Nick Miah, joined the GAP
Birmingham team four months ago as a driver. He's has coloured
plaits for a long time, but when Depot Manager Steve Rimmer
suggested going GAP green he couldn't resist
More
Here:
Deceuninck
Ltd
has announced the appointment of Mike Ward as its new Sales
and Marketing Director for the UK division based at Calne, Wiltshire
More
Here:
Sealant
specialist Geocel has strengthened
its specification support team to offer specifiers, fabricators
and applicators working on SG, IG and curtain walling projects
an improved back up service
More
Here:
Customers
can now go to their own private account area on Lister’s
web site to view and download production information
and well as their latest quotations
More
Here:
The
Web site for TruSeal Technologies,
Inc., a specialist in warm edge spacer systems
for insulating glass (IG), now features enhanced navigation
and updated graphics
More
Here:
All
Conservatory Outlet customers
now have the benefit of online ordering. ‘Whether
a full Conservatory Outlet member or a trade sales customer,
online ordering makes life easier,’ explains Matthew
Glover, Managing Director
More
Here:
EN 1279 'Glass in buildings - insulating glass units'
has finally been posted in the Official Journal
of the European Union (OJ). This means that, from
next month, IGU manufacturers will be able to CE
mark their units - and by March 2007 all units must
comply with the Construction Products Directive
(CPD). And, said Adam Osborn of Notified Body BM
TRADA Certification, CE marking is the
most effective way to prove compliance
More
Here:
Conservatory
Outlet is once again teaming up with UK-based
charity Health and Education for All (HEAL) to raise money
for under privileged children in India
More
Here:
KAT
UK,
the supplier of patio doors and vertical sliding sash
windows, donated £3,735.20 during 2005 to Care for
the Wild International (CWI) to aid the charity's work
in protecting wild tigers
More
Here:
One
company which has pre-empted the 'green' revolution is FSG
Technologies. It is installing the Mustang® continuous
aluminium guttering system, supplied by
Aluminium Roofline Products, on 'eco-friendly'
properties built by Paul Newman Homes.
More
Here:
More
than 500 'first generation' PVC-U frames removed from social
housing were successfully recycled as part of a major refurbishment
project at Stoke-on-Trent. Labour and funding provided by
the BPF-backed Recovinyl Scheme
helped to fulfil the project's stringent recycling specification.
More
Here:
EU
policymakers, social partners and leading safety and health
experts met on 12th December 2005 in Bilbao, Spain, to see
how to better protect European workers from noise and to award
those organisations that have already managed to implement
effective solutions
More
Here:
The
Eden Project's new education and resource facility has bespoke
PowerGlaz building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) glass/glass
laminates manufactured by Romag
More
Here:
Malcolm
Wicks recently outlined his vision for micro wind turbines,
solar panels and other microgeneration technologies at the launch
of the Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College in London
More
Here:
Global
Warming and Fire Regs
Last
week, a government policy review revealed that rather than achieving
a 20 per cent cut in emissions by 2010, Britain would be likely to cut
emissions by just 15 to 18 per cent. With this announcement, Tony Blair
called for a 'technological revolution comparable to the internet' to
slow down global warming.
Paul Lindsay, general manager of Swish Window and Door Systems,
provides a timely reminder that the window industry should be taking
more advantage of this: 'with whisperings of new energy consumption
related ‘green taxes’ afoot, gas and electric bills rising
by as much as 25 per cent as the wholesale costs of fuel quadruple,
there has never been a more persuasive case to upgrade a house.
'Sales messages have just got to catch up with the times and companies
must use the opportunities presented by Window Energy Ratings, changes
in regulations and sophistication of their products to sell the benefits
of high performance, high-quality windows and doors to consumers.'
More from Paul below.
Sustainability
Takes Centre Stand at Interbuild
Working with the organisers of Interbuild the Council for Aluminium
in Building is attending Interbuild 2006 held on April 23rd to 27th
and heading up the centre piece for the aluminium in construction
feature in conjunction with the Aluminium Federation - Alfed.
[More
on this Event]
GlassBuild
America
At
GlassBuild America: The Glass,
Window & Door Expo - September
19-21, 2006 - you'll find over 350 exhibiting
companies – more than 200,000 net square feet of exhibit space
provides an all-encompassing central showcase. 8,000 + professionals
from all segments of the glass, window, and door industries will be
in attendance.
[More
on this Event]
GPD
2007
Plans for GPD 2007 (June 15 - 18) are well underway. The event will
again be held in its traditional grounds in Tampere, Finland. It will
comprise a conference, workshops, a glass product exhibition and the
unforgettable evening social programme.
[More
on this Event]
GPD
China 2006
GPD
Returns to China in April 23 - 24, 2006. The Glass Processing
Days Conference returns to China in conjunction with the China Glass
Expo in Beijing. The conference targets members of the international
glass community who take a special interest in the industry's developments
in China. China Glass is scheduled for April 25-28.
[More
on this Event]
The Window Industry is facing tough times, with more and more fabricators and installers feeling the pressure of fewer leads, less orders and cut-throat margins. According to Industry consultant Andrew Scott companies need to take action now, or face extinction.
Speakers
Confirmed for Energy Seminar
FaberMaunsell
(ODPM), BFRC and Energy Saving Trust confirmed to speak at industry-wide
seminar, Ricoh Arena May 10th.
[More
on this Event]
glasstec
2006: ‘glass technology live’
The
importance of solar energy as a key source of electricity is growing
at the same steady pace as is the potential for glass in solar building
components. A special show ‘glass technology live 2006’
organised at glasstec 2006 in Düsseldorf from 24th to 28th October,
is to focus on ‘Façade-Integrated Photovoltaics’.
[More
on this Event]
Get
'Six Appeal' at G06!
Make Friday 15 September a night to remember - the date for the G06
Awards Presentation, the industry's most sparkling event, has
been announced.
[More
on this Event]
Henkel
Joins List of Interbuild Newcomers
Henkel
is among the key names on a growing list of 63 companies set to make
their first appearance as exhibitors at Interbuild 2006 the
UK's premier building and construction show (NEC, April 23-27).
[More
on this Event]
Exhibition
Calendar
Go
Here:
for upcoming exhibitions in the UK and the rest of the world.
!!JUST UPDATED!!
The
Direct Window Co has achieved a 'C' rated window thanks
to the help and support from Edgetech, For.El and machinery supplier
Promac.
More
here:
The
Sheerframe suite of PVC door outerframes
for composite doors has successfully achieved a 30 minute fire door
rating to BS476: Part 22, the first PVC system of its kind to reach
this all-important standard.
More
here:
While many companies claim to be market leaders in the new housing
sector, the Abbott Group says
that it has proven just that by winning the manufacturer of the
year award at the prestigious Taylor Woodrow Supplier Awards 2006.
More
Here:
HOPPE
(UK), the supplier of door and window
hardware, has just received Secured by Design (SBD) certification
enabling homeowners to be as secure as possible.
More
Here:
Network
VEKA trade fabricator, Glazerite Windows,
has recently completed a Customer Satisfaction Survey as part
of the company’s ongoing customer commitment to provide
the highest level of quality and support under its ISO9001 accreditation.
More
Here:
Sun
Trade Windows celebrated the opening
of its second Trade Counter in the Cheney Manor area of Swindon
recently with a customer Open Day.
More
Here:
A
cost effective pay-as-you-go system of providing business leads
to reputable tradesmen and suppliers with no join up fee or
contract has been launched in the UK by Quotatis
More
Here:
Eurocell
has announced the availability of the company’s newly designed
Sales Support Literature Guide. The guide has been created to
make customers aware of what literature is available via their
dedicated profile supplier and to make it easier to order.
More
here:
Chiltern
Dynamics and sister company BM
TRADA Certification have produced a free technical
information sheet with up-to-date information on CE marking of
windows and doors.
More
here:
As Spring approaches, Ultraframe
is helping its customers prepare for their busiest time of year
by providing installers with the tools to maximise their marketing
campaigns.
More
here:
North Western Lead
has produced a brochure with 48 photographs of decorative glass
panels: 24 with lead and film and 24 featuring Decra Bevels. NWL
trade customers can have their own logo, their own name and address,
plus full contact details professionally overprinted on the brochure
for a nominal fee.
More
here:
Orders
in the twelve months to January 2006 rose by eight per
cent compared with 2004, and orders in the three months to January
2006 rose by 16 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier.
Orders in the three months to January 2006 rose by six per cent
compared to the previous three months, with decreases in private
housing, infrastructure and public non housing orders being offset
by increases in public housing, private industrial and private
commercial orders.
More
here:
2005
has proven to be a successful year of seminars for the UK window hardware
manufacturer, Securistyle, whose
specification team has been presenting to over 1000 delegates at its
120 organised CPD seminars.
More
Here:
As part of its ongoing improvement plan Abbseal
(UK) Ltd is now offering a customised training package
to its key business partners.
More
Here:
Birmingham-based
System 10 fabricator Shelforce
has launched a training programme designed to encourage local disadvantaged
residents into the PVC-U windows and doors industry.
More
Here:
Part L and J (Scotland) have affected Roof Window specifications, with particular emphasis on thermal transmissions and installation systems. Fakro Roof Windows has a pro-active Research and Development section
More here:
PART L ARCHIVE
A
new exhibition plant is growing out of the desert sand: More than
2,800 trade visitors and conference participants attended the first
Intelligent Building Middle East
(IBME).
[More
on this Event]
Reed
Exhibitions plans to hold the next Interplas
on 15-18 May 2007. This is five months before K, the world’s
largest plastics event that takes place every three years in Düsseldorf,
Germany. The next Interplas was originally due to run on 7-9 October
2008.
[More
on this Event]
More leading companies are following the example of Eleco and Akzo
Nobel in backing a concerted push by TRADA, the Timber Research &
Development Association, to raise the profile of timber at Interbuild
2006.
[More
on this Event]
MosBuild+ 2005 Exhibition was
the biggest Windows & Doors exhibition ever to be held in Russia.
The event hosted over 300 Exhibitors and 40,000 visitors over the
four day International Event. The 2006 show will be 4-7th April.
[More
on this Event]
Another
example of government ineptitude is revealed this week around the fire
regulations. FENSA, under a directive from the Office of the Deputy
Prime Minister (ODPM) is having to change its guidance where means of
escape windows are concerned.
Ken Evans at Securistyle thinks that this could be a huge issue
for the window industry as it means that in some instances there may be
a requirement to redesign the window.
'The new directive means that matters cannot be made worse by either change
of design or by change of material, even if the proportion of the window
(mullion centres) are maintained. For example, changing from a metal window
to a PVC-u frame window will result in the opening being reduced, simply
because of the material change.
'As we understand it, if the original window conformed and the change in material produces a reduction of opening to less than the minimum size required in the Building Regulations then a redesign will be necessary.
'It appears the ODPM and FENSA are not prepared to compromise on this issue. FENSA have been instructed to ensure their registered businesses follow the new rules and therefore all future inspections will be on that basis.'
More from Ken below, and it is worth getting hold of the April issue of the BPF Window Group's Look Out, which also covers this.
Our final look at Glassex will be next week, and we shall also be taking a closer look at what we saw at Fensterbau, along with a preview of next month's Interbuild.
Our third Glassex Review is here.
Our second Glassex Review is here.
Our first Glassex Review is here.
Glassex:
The 'Yee-Ha
Days'
I have been
following
with interest
the correspondence
about Glassex
from Lawrence
Breakspear
& Claire
Shilling.
May I make
a couple
of observations?
First of
all the
references
to the 'Yee-Ha'
days: I
have been
attending
Glassex
since 1983,
for the
first three
years as
part of
the organising
team, I
do not recall
any great
problem
with the
'yee-ha'
faction.
Partying
has always
been part
of the nighttime
scene but
that, mostly,
involved
the exhibitors
oh, and
the organisers.
[Read
the Rest
Here]
Ultraframe
Classic Roof
System is
Now Even Better
As
well as launching
a first in
structural
design with
the new Tie
Bar Replacement
Kit, Ultraframe
has also invested
in other enhancements
including
an improved
raised back
box gutter,
new bolster
end caps and
a new tie
bar boss.
The company
has also revised
its pricing
system making
the Ultraframe
Classic roof
even better
value.
[More
on this Product]
Product
of the Week
Archive here
PROJECT OF THE WEEK
Curtain
Up for Total Glass
Total
Glass Commercial
has recently completed
a major curtain walling
contract to supply
and fit PVC-U screens
as part of refurbishment
works at a sheltered
housing scheme in
the Gedling district
of Nottingham. Working
with a main contractor
on behalf of Gedling
Borough Council, the
company supplied 24
stairwell entrance
screens to replace
rotten and ageing
timber windows and
infill panels in the
six two-storey blocks
of flats.
[More
on this Project]
Game
On
Rumours that Jose
Mourinho held a series
of meetings with Kevin
Keegan about how best
to throw away a massive
lead and let Manchester
United win the title
haven’t been
confirmed. However,
this weekend as Chelsea
huffed and puffed
their way to a draw
against Birmingham,
Alex Ferguson’s
side summarily disposed
of Bolton to make
the unlikeliest of
prospects – a
title race - a distinct
possibility.
[More
on this Here]
THIS WEEK'S NEWS
Is
The
Window
Industry
Warming
to
Kyoto?
Paul
Lindsay,
general
manager
of
Swish
Window
and
Door
Systems,
comments
on
the
recent
news
that
Britain
is
likely
to
miss
its
2010
Carbon
emissions
target.
[More
on
this
Story]
‘Take
Advice
on
Fire
Egress’
Urges
Securistyle
Window
hardware
supplier
Securistyle
is
urging
fabricators
and
installers
to
take
advice
before
replacing
windows
to
ensure
that
recent
changes
to
Building
Regulations
compliance
regarding
fire
egress
are
met.
[More
on
this
Story]
Pilkington
Building
Products
-
UK
Commits
to
Cumbernauld
Customers
in
Scotland
and
the
North
East
of
England
stand
to
benefit
from
£2.8million
investment
at
Pilkington
Cumbernauld.
The
UK
glass
manufacturer
has
announced
the
opening
of
a
purpose-built
manufacturing
facility
at
Wardpark
Industrial
Estate,
Cumbernauld.
[More
on
this
Story]
Hackney
Chooses
Veka
and
Fabricator
Partners
for
£40m
Refurb
VEKA
PLC
has
secured
a
four-year,
multi
million
pound
partnership
with
Hackney
Council
to
supply
replacement
windows
for
thousands
of
council
owned
properties.
The
£40
million
contract
involves
three
companies
from
the
Network
VEKA
scheme
-
Sovereign,
Pipers
and
Ashford,
with
work
having
already
commenced
after
the
seasonal
break.
[More
on
this
Story]
Brunel
-
Smaller,
Leaner,
Quicker....
Brunel,
now
based
at
Tamworth
Staffs,
has
gone
through
a
substantial
set
of
changes
in
the
last
year
involving
a
major
downsize
and
a
re-think
as
to
how
a
UK
based
manufacturing
business
supplying
hardware
can
prosper
in
todays
international
markets.
[More
on
this
Story]
Finesse
Launches
Search
for
First
Customers
Finesse
Windows
Ltd
of
Melchett
Road,
Kings
Norton
is
hoping
to
trace
all
customers
that
placed
orders
with
the
company
when
it
opened
its
doors
for
the
first
time
in
1981.
[More
on
this
Story]
Masterdor
Leads
the
Way
in
the
Fight
Against
Crime
Manse
Masterdor
ltd
says
that
it
has
found
a
solution
to
the
security