Weekly Email News for the Glass, Glazing and Fenestration Industries
14th October 2003
http://www.theglazine.com

Is Glass a Cut Above?
While watching the results of the annual RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture on TV on Sunday night, I was struck by how significant a part the glazing element plays in modern architecture. It is not just about being trendy, or merely a way of bringing light into a building, it is increasingly the element around which the rest of the building is structured - it is the principal dynamic in terms of energy, form, function and overall aesthetics. I would even go as far as to say it maps out the culture of a building, both inside and outside, in a way which no other material has ever done - or ever will do.

Therma-Tru® Lock into Fullex
Visitors to Batimat Paris, in November 2003, will find Fullex high security door locks amongst the displays on the Therma-Tru® stand
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Partnerships in Safety –You’re not Alone!
On 6th November the British Glass 2003 Annual Glass Health & Safety Conference and Glass Charter National Awards ceremony takes place at the Renaissance Solihull Hotel.
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Glaverbel at Batimat 2003
From 3-8 November the Glaverbel Group will once again be occupying a key spot at Batimat, the International Building & Construction Show, in Paris
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Glaverbel at Glasstech Asia Pacific 2003
From 8th till 10th October, Glaverbel Asia-Pacific will take part in Glasstech Asia 2003, the definitive industry event in the region for glass
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Bournemouth based Hallmark fabricator Sentinal Home lmprovements, a small family run company, supplies doors, windows and conservatories to companies in the adjacent Dorset area and is a member of the Consumer Protection Association
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Status fabricator MB Frames has achieved a growth of 40 per cent in the last year, and is well on track to overreach its target of 20 per cent for this year.
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The name CGI International is going to be a familiar sight on the roads in the UK. A new fleet of delivery vehicles have the CGI International company logo on the curtainsides. This marks a new transportation era for CGII and follows an excellent year of growth for the Haydock based company.
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Coventry based cruiserweight Rob Norton recently took to the ring in Sheffield to contest the British and Commonwealth title. Norton is sponsored by midlands based Spectus fabricator Indigo Products Ltd
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Haslemere based Clement Windows Group has announced the winner of its 'knock knock' joke competition, which was recently held on Delta FM's Bill Sheldrake show.
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Castle Combe experienced increased visitor numbers during September, when guests of the Burles Group flocked to the racing circuit.. The two-day event attracted existing and prospective customers, but for many the attraction was inside the Veka Big Rig, rather than on the track!
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Converting a higher proportion of the sun's energy into a useful source of electricity and heating would go a long way to reducing our dependence on the fossil fuels being blamed for global warming. That is why the Pilkington Energy Efficiency Trust (PEET) believes that support for solar energy research is so important - and is why the Trust is now aiding new research at Nottingham University's School of the Built Environment.
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Alcoa has begun publishing real-time tracking of its global Lost Work Day rate on www.alcoa.com. Lost Work Day Rate measures the number of injuries, which result in lost workdays
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The Health and Safety Executive has launched a new safety campaign focusing on working safely at height. As an example of good practice, inspectors visited the British Airways London Eye to look at the safe working methods used by its technical team
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Of course, polycarbonate has got a lot cleverer over the years - with solar control, low-e and easy-clean versions competing with glass at the cutting edge of the market. And in some cases - such as the illusionist David Blaine's self-imposed confinement in a suspended box near Tower Bridge in London - polycarbonate was an obvious choice over glass because of the higher strength to weight ratio.

All of which, I'm sure you will not be too surprised to hear, brings me back to the forthcoming GP&T show and the comments made in last week's leader in connection with K2 and Glassex. We got quite a full 'inbox' of replies to this, and I publish some of them below. Perhaps at the end of the day the Glass industry and the Plastics industry have to be kept apart simply because they can't stand each other... I welcome further comment.

Tony Higgin, Publisher
tony@theglazine.com

PS: We still have only heard from about half the exhibitors at GP&T - it is not too late to submit editorial for The Gl@zine Preview: send information to news@theglazine.com

Pilkington Activ™ used In Bohnymatte Home
It has been shown that Pilkington Activ™, the self-cleaning dual action glass, is suitable for traditional buildings. Kaspar Giovanelli of the Kaspar Giovanelli AG architectural practice in Frutigen gave the following personal report on the building of the Bohnymatte family home in Frutigen.
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WE HAVE EMAIL

More Comments on GP&T, K2 and Glassex
Out of a number of emails received following our comments on K2's decision to pull out of Glassex 2004, we have selected four which cover the main points. The first, from K2 marketing director Iain McInnes, clarifies the proposed timing of the Customer Conference, while John Walsh from Titon, Alan Foat from Kall Kwik and Irish glassman Frank McKee offer some pearls of wisdom on Glassex and exhibitions in general.
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THIS WEEK'S NEWS

Network Nears the Quarter-Billion...but says 'Public Trust is Worth More'
Network Veka has proclaimed total sales on the verge of a quarter billion pounds - but says the growing public trust of for its standards and principles is worth much more. We publish the full story of Veka's recent AGM, with pictures!
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2003 International Solutia Design Awards -The Winners
The winners of the 2003 International Design Awards from Solutia – manufacturers of Saflex® and Vanceva™, the interlayers used in laminated architectural glass – once again demonstrate the high levels of innovation and ingenuity that exist amongst the architectural and interior design community in their use and applications of laminated glass..
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Ultraframe Issues Trading Update for the Year Ending 26th September 2003
Ultraframe Plc, specialist designer and manufacturer of conservatory systems in Europe and North America, on 8th October issued a year end trading update, preceding its full year results announcement on Tuesday 2nd December 2003. As announced at the interim results, it is the Company's intention to make this update a regular addition to its existing financial calendar.
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Laban Dance Centre Wins the Stirling Prize
The Laban Dance Centre in Deptford, South East London has won architecture’s most coveted award – the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stirling Prize in association with ‘The Architects’ Journal’. The Prize of £20,000 is awarded to the architects of the building which has made the greatest contribution to British architecture in the past year.
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Study Supports Case for VAT Reduction on RM&I
A study carried out by Capital Economics for the Construction Products Association supports the case for reducing VAT to 5% on all domestic repair, maintenance and improvement work.
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The British Woodworking Federation backs CPA
The British Woodworking Federation has backed the Construction Products Association’s recent call to the Government for a reduction to 5% on VAT applied to home repair, maintenance and improvement.
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Saint-Gobain Vitrage Strengthens its Presence in China with the Acquisition of a New Float Line
Saint-Gobain’s Flat Glass Division (Saint-Gobain Vitrage) and its Korean partner Hanglas proceeded on October 8th, 2003 to purchase a float line located in Qingdao (Shandong province) in North Eastern China.
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Basta Locks in New Equipment Foundry Upgrade
Basta, the Wolverhampton manufacture of window and door fittings, has made a number of acquisitions over the last few years - first came Worcester Parsons in 1998, followed by the 'Conqueror' business in 2001 and more recently the merger ofthe Shaw Product range into the product portfolio. On the factory side, things have been happening too.
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Ecoline Prepping Centre for Major Fabricator
A major fabricator has purchased a state of the art Ecoline Prepping Centre from Great Yarmouth based machinery manufacturer Stuga Limited
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Roof-Maker Switches to Global
K2 dealer Roof-Maker Ltd of Leicester has changed systems supplier. The company has been selling two roof systems over the last five months and says the decision to move to the new global roof system was down to its customers.
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Dorma Grows by 8.1 Percent to € 663 million
Despite the sustained weakness of its markets worldwide, the Dorma Group succeeded in increasing sales during fiscal 2002/2003 (June 30th) by 8.1 percent to €663.1m (previous year: €613.3m). This was announced by Dr. Michael Schädlich, Chief Executive Officer of the Dorma Group, during the Düsseldorf press briefing on the company's financial year.
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The Gl@zine Wins the Uzone Challenge
The Ultraframe Uzone challenge involved a room full of journalists and three conservatory roof kits. Ultraframe claims a time of ninety minutes for this new roof to go up. The Industry press put this to the test in three teams.
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Alcoa's Income From Continuing Operations Rises 40 Percent Over Previous Year's Result
Alcoa reported on 7th October third quarter income from continuing operations of $283 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to $229 million, or $0.27 per share, in the second quarter. This quarter's results were a 40 percent improvement over income from continuing operations of $202 million or $0.24 per share in the third quarter last year.
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Janex Supplies Doors and Windows for Government's £250 Million Key Worker Accommodation Initiative
As part of the government's £250million starter home initiative, Janex, supplier of Scandinavian windows and doors, has won a £100,000 contract to supply Berkeley College Homes' key worker accommodation with aluminium clad windows, flat entrance and internal doorsets for its Sandgates project in Chertsey, Surrey.
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Lloyds TSB Corporate Helps Nationwide Windows Expand
After 17 years in business and operating in a highly competitive market, Rugby based Nationwide Windows is expanding with the support of its bankers, Lloyds TSB Corporate.
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‘Vantastic’ – Safestyle’s 150 New Vans Keep the Lead
A new fleet of 150 transit vans will hit the road between now and Christmas to ensure Bradford-based Safestyle UK Limited meets its ever-increasing window of opportunity.
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New Milestone for Quality Mark - Good Builders Register hits the 500 Mark
Figures released last Thursday show 500 firms are now on the Government-backed Quality Mark Scheme, designed to promote good builders and help homeowners avoid the rogue traders.
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UAP Customer Survey Report 2003
Part of UAP’s commitment to its customers is to appraise on a regular basis what the customers think of UAP and its products.
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Float Glass Industries Customer Day - a Success in One!
A big 'Thank You' to key customers and suppliers for their support and patronage over the years was the main reason behind The Float Glass Industries’ (FGI) inaugural Golf Day. Deemed a tremendous success by all who attended, the event took place at the Marriot Worsley Park Hotel & Country Club on 18 September. Non golfers were not forgotten and participated in a range of exciting activities including Reverse-Steer 4x4 Driving and Crossbow Archery.
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The Dangers of Using Espag Handles on Tilt & Turn Windows
'According to the best estimates I have seen', says Winlock's Sales & Marketing Director Philip Swann, 'sales of Tilt and Turn frames in the UK are approximately 600,000 units per year. This figure is based upon the consumption of gear but it is clear that sales of TBT handles lag far behind. The only logical conclusion that can be drawn is that many TBT frames are being fitted with standard espag handles'.
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