Please click on 'THE GL@ZINE' links to view the whole issue, or on 'more on this story' just to see that particular story:
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 156 25th January 2005
Ultraframe
Trading Update Shows UK Sales 28% Down in Q1
Rod Sellers, the Chairman, will make the following statement regarding
current trading at the Annual General Meeting to be held at Clitheroe
today:
[More
on this Story]
New
Year Diet? Make a PIG of Yourself
By way of a top-up following the Christmas binge and before the beer-fest
that is Glassex, the next PIGS networking event is on 3 February at The
Slug & Lettuce, Upper St. Martins Lane, London from 6pm till late.
[More
on this Story]
New
£5m Distribution Centre at Deceuninck's Calne Site
Deceuninck is expanding its operation at the company’s UK headquarters
based in Calne, Wiltshire. Having purchased 7 hectares (17 acres) of land
and obtaining planning permission for 225,000 sqft, the company are constructing
a new 115,000 sqft distribution development.
[More
on this Story]
Shin-Etsu
Increase European PVC Production by 100,000 Tons/Year
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. has announced that Shin-Etsu PVC B.V. in
The Netherlands, will expand PVC production capacity at its Pernis Plant
from 350,000 tons/year to 450,000 tons/year. Shin-Etsu PVC is Shin-Etsu
Chemical's 100%-owned Group company and its European PVC production and
sales base.
[More
on this Story]
Pilkington
Downplays Share Speculation
Pilkington,
one of the market's longest-standing bid candidates, saw a flurry of speculation
ln the stock exchange last week. The stock jumped 6.6 per cent to 125.5p
in heavy trading, with 36.4 m shares changing hands. The volume was the
highest for over 2 years.
[More
on this Story]
Synseal
Invests in New Polycarbonate Cutting Table Unique to the UK
The
new polycarbonate cutting table recently installed by Synseal Extrusions
Ltd is the only one in the country. ‘The table has replaced two separate
machines to improve efficiency,’ explains Steve Musgrave, Production
Director of Synseal.
[More
on this Story]
Wendland
Responds to the Challenge: MD Graham Fisher Spells Out the Future
Well
known as a brand while remaining one of the more discreet operators of
the UK conservatory industry, Wendland Roof Solutions is now stepping
from the shadows to reveal a number of business and product initiatives.
[More
on this Story]
GQA
is Major Sponsor of Glassex Challenge 2005
GQA
is the occupationally specific Awarding Body for NVQ/SVQ qualifications
aimed at Fabricators, Glass Manufacturers, Glass Processors, Glaziers,
Installers, Fenestration Surveyors and Automotive Glaziers.
[More
on this Story]
Industry
Encouraged to 'Grasp Sound Understanding' of new Price Tool
The British Plastics Federation is encouraging all firms in the plastics
industry to learn how the forthcoming Futures Contracts for plastics
traded on the London Metal Exchange (LME) could affect their business.
[More
on this Story]
New
Celuform Price Lists Give Installers more
Options
Two
new price lists that will allow stockists
to offer discounts to installers 'at a realistic
level' are being introduced by Celuform, the
PVC-ue building products manufacturer.
[More
on this Story]
When
Bigger is Better: New £1 Million GAP Warehouse in Liverpool
GAP,
the standard setting roofline stockist and Europe’s third largest
door panel manufacturer, has relocated to even bigger premises in
Liverpool. The company has invested over £1 million, more than
doubling the warehouse space to 14,500 ft2.
[More
on this Story]
LPCB
Approval of Commercial Windows
The first commercial windows to be approved by LPCB
to LPS 1175 - 'Specification for testing and classifying
the burglary resistance of components, strongpoints
and security enclosures' - are Selectaglaze Ltd's
Series 50.
[More
on this Story]
County
Systems Ltd Invests £500k to Offer Conservatory
& Window Package
Yorkshire-based
County Systems, which says that it has carved
a reputation for its 'We do more, so you do
less' method of manufacturing Ultraframe conservatory
roofs, is investing half a million pounds over
the coming year.
[More
on this Story]
Mighton
Products t/a Ultrashoe - Complaints Not Upheld
Complaints
objecting to an advertisement, in Architect,
Builder, Contractor & Developer magazine,
for the 'Fenestrator' window hardware equipment
issued by Mighton Products t/a Ultrashoe of
Saffron Walden, Essex was not upheld.
[More
on this Story]
Taking
the ‘Globe’ by Storm
Conservatory,
window and door specialist, Global Windows Ltd,
has opened its fourth show site after another
successful year. The largest window company in
Sheffield has a lot to celebrate
[More
on this Story]
AAMA
Tightens Certification Standards to Ascertain
Lead-free Vinyl Profiles
Revamped
testing procedures, designed to ensure that vinyl
window profiles used by AAMA-certified window
and door manufacturers are lead-free, have been
approved by the American Architectural Manufacturers
Association (AAMA)
[More
on this Story]
Corporate
Insolvencies Fall to Lowest for Six Years
16,372
companies failed during 2004, the second year
in a row that company failures have fallen. This
was the lowest number of corporate failures recorded
across the UK since 1998. Even so, companies
failed at the rate of 65 every working day during
2004.
[More
on this Story]
Volkswagen
Commercial Vehicles Sets a New UK Sales Record
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has enjoyed its
best year so far in the UK, with sales breaking
the 20,000 mark for the first time. The overall
figure of 20,803 for last year represents growth
of 27.2 per cent on 2003, and gives the brand
a 6.2 per cent share of the UK light commercial
vehicle market.
[More
on this Story]
Write-Down
of Book Value of German Primary Aluminium Plants
Hydro
has written down the book value of its German
primary aluminium plants by approximately NOK
1.5 billion after tax due to weakened competitiveness
caused by the strengthened EUR versus USD, and
increasing energy costs. The write-down was charged
to the fourth quarter results last year, and will
have no cash effect.
[More
on this Story]
Bystronic
Acquires Sales Companies in Great Britain
and Sweden
Bystronic, a member of the Conzzeta
Group, is a worldwide supplier of solutions
for processing sheet metal, other sheet
materials and tubes. With effect from
1st January 2005, the Bystronic Group
has acquired two sales companies, Pullmax
Ltd UK and Pullmax Scandinavia AB.
[More
on this Story]
Asahi
Sees Growth in Compter Screen market
as Key Driver for Next 3 year Plan:
'Jikko 2007'
Asahi
Glass Co, Ltd, aims to realise the
Group vision of 'Look Beyond' under
the management policy 'Jikko'-Execution
for Excellence, whlch was introduced
in 2004. The Group is executing its
new growth strategy, which is formulated
based on favourable results of 'Shrink
to Grow' initiatives launched in 1998.
[More
on this Story]
G
05 Awards Date Announced
Following the hugely successful
reintroduction of the G-Awards
to the industry calendar, the
date for the G 05 Awards Presentation
Gala Dinner has been announced.
The event will take place at the
Birmingham Hilton Metropole, NEC
Complex on June 10th 2005 and
will be held once more in conjunction
with the GGF Annual Convention.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 155 18th January 2005
Decuninck
Turnover Increases in 2004 by 24% to 582m Euros
Group
Deceuninck achieved a turnover of 582 million euros in 2004. This represents
an increase of 24% compared to the previous financial year. The negative
impact of the currency on the turnover amounts to 2.1% on an annual basis.
Turnover for the fourth quarter amounted to 140.8 million euros while
Internal volume increased by 5.5% on an annual basis.
[More
on this Story]
G
05 Awards Date Announced
Following the hugely successful reintroduction of the G-Awards to the
industry calendar, the date for the G 05 Awards Presentation Gala Dinner
has been announced. The event will take place at the Birmingham Hilton
Metropole, NEC Complex on June 10th 2005 and will be held once more in
conjunction with the GGF Annual Convention.
[More
on this Story]
Synseal
Unveils SynerJy Window and Door Suite at Glassex 05
Synseal Extrusions Ltd, now the third largest systems company in the market,
is launching SynerJy, its stunning new window and door suite at Glassex.
Nick Dutton, Sales and Marketing Director, explains the design process
and the benefits of the new system:
[More
on this Story]
Glassex
2005 Will Feature New Companies
In its 25th anniversary year, Glassex 2005 (13th – 16th March NEC
Birmingham) will prove to be just as true a barometer of industry trends
as it always has been, says show organiser EMAP Maclaren. Perhaps the
biggest representation of the continuing importance of the event is the
number of new faces wanting to take advantage of the opportunities Glassex
has to offer.
[More
on this Story]
Alumet
Systems (UK) Acquires Avon Manufacturing
One of Warwickshire's oldest manufacturing companies as been acquired
by multi-award winning company Alumet Systems (UK) Ltd. Formerly of
Montague Road, Warwick, Avon Manufacturing Ltd will continue trading
as a division of Alumet Systems from the company's new premises at Avon
House, Southam, adjacent to Alumet's head office at Senator House.
[More
on this Story]
Glaverbel
Increases its Stake in Bor Glassworks, the Largest Glassmaker
in Russia
The
Glaverbel Group recently raised its stake in Bor Glassworks from
44% to 83%. Bor Glassworks is the largest glass producer in Russia,
based in the Nizhny Novgorod region.
[More
on this Story]
Re-Named
Alfas goes for UK Growth
The
illbruck name is re-entering the UK building
materials sector with the re-naming of the foam
tapes, movement joints and technical sealants
and adhesives business of Alfas Group. From
March the company will operate as illbruck Sealant
Systems UK Ltd.
[More
on this Story]
New
Investment Plans Spell Bright Future for Therma-Tru Doors
Therma-Tru
Doors has announced a multi-million pound investment in a new production
facility for Sentinel Doors in south Wales. Early 2005 will see the
start of a £7.5m investment programme in plant, premises and staff.
[More
on this Story]
Bohle
AG Invests 4.5m Euros in Logistics Centre
In
the last half of 2004 an impressive logistics centre was built at
the headoffice site of the Bohle AG and it has now started operation
as scheduled.
[More
on this Story]
Anglian
Home Improvements Attracts Complaint
A
complaint objecting to a brochure for conservatories issued by
Anglian Home Improvements of Norwich was upheld in both of the
two objections according to published details from the Advertising
Standards Authority.
[More
on this Story]
Wymar
Group Invests in New Extrusion Lines for the East European Market
Wymar
International NV, part of the Plastics Converting division of
Tessenderlo Group, is to invest 1.2m EUR in three new extrusion
lines for manufacturing window and door profiles from PVC at its
Oeselgem (BE) facility.
[More
on this Story]
After
103 Years in Business Customer Care is Still Paramount, says Leeke’s
For
over 100 years J.H. Leeke and Son, based in Wales, has invested
in the development of its staff to ensure the highest levels of
product knowledge and customer service. It is with this in mind
that Leeke’s chose to join the Ultraframe Registered Conservatory
Installer Scheme.
[More
on this Story]
HM
100 Offers Tremco Client New Vision of the Future
A
manufacturer of high performance insulating glass units, supplying
the replacement window market in the North West of England. has
just made the switch to Tremco's HM 100 insulating glazing sealant.
[More
on this Story]
Solutia
International Design Awards Announced
Marking
an industry first, the Laminated Glazing Interlayers division of Solutia
Inc. will bring the design talents of both architects and automotive
designers under one competition.
[More
on this Story]
solarcentury
Wins Government Grants to Fund More Clean Energy Projects
The
UK Department of Trade and Industry recently announced that it has awarded
solarcentury a significant proportion of the funding available, for
six solar photovoltaic projects throughout the UK.
[More
on this Story]
Volkswagen
Van Centres Gain Quality Accreditation
Throughout
last year, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has been introducing a Partner
Certification Programme across its national network of Van Centres which
aims to ensure customers receive the highest standards of service.
[More
on this Story]
Long-Servers
Clock Up Almost 500 Years at Litchfield Group
A
record number of employees at the Nether Heage-based Litchfield
Group of Companies – parent company of Sheerframe systems
company L.B. Plastics Ltd - received gold watches for their
long service at a recent presentation.
[More
on this Story]
Prestigious
Accolade for Direct Trade
Direct
Trade (Yorkshire) Ltd, a lsupplier of windows, doors &
conservatories has been officially recognised as one of
the fastest growing companies in the country by The Sunday
Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 Publication.
[More
on this Story]
PPG
to Increase Capacity for Energy-Efficient, High-Performance
Glass
Officials
from PPG Industries announced that they will expand capacity
at their Wichita Falls, Texas, flat glass plant to meet the
growing demand for low-emissivity glass and accommodate future
generations of energy-efficient, high-performance products.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
Announces Full-Year Income of $1.4bn: Highest in Company's
History
Alcoa
announced on 10th January that its full-year 2004 income from
continuing operations was $1.402bn, or $1.60, up 33% from
$1.055bn, or $1.22, per diluted share, in the previous year.
The 2004 revenue of $23.5bn, is the highest level in the company's
history, and 11% higher than 2003.
[More
on this Story]
Hydro
Capital Markets Day - Continued Profitable Growth
'Few
99-year-olds are more fit and better prepared to meet
the future than Hydro,' says President and CEO
Eivind Reiten in connection with the company’s
annual Capital Markets Day. 'In the course of a few
years Hydro has doubled its oil and gas production,
achieving the same in Aluminium. And today we
are presenting new, ambitious targets for the company.'
[More
on this Story]
£100m
Distribution Centre for Wolseley UK
Wolseley
plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor
of plumbing and heating products and a leading supplier
of building materials to professional contractors, announces
a £100 million capital investment programme for
its UK distribution network.
[More
on this Story]
Wacker
and Dow Corning Reach Agreement on Integrated Manufacturing
Site in China
Wacker-Chemie
GmbH and Dow Corning Corp. have finalised the master
agreement for their planned Asian joint ventures to
produce silicone intermediates and fumed silica in the
Shanghai area.
[More
on this Story]
Saint-Gobain
Acquires Swiss Bathroom Distributor
Saint-Gobain’s
Building Distribution Division has announced the acquisition
of the Swiss company Sanitas Troesch, the leading distributor
of bathrooms for professional trade customers and number
two distributor of kitchens in Switzerland.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 154 11th January 2005
U.S.
Begins to Pay Dividends for Ultraframe
Ultraframe
Plc, the specialist designer of conservatory systems in Europe and North
America, recently announced preliminary results for the 53 weeks ended
1st October 2004 (2003: 52 weeks). Results include prudent provision for
an exceptional item of £5.3m, charged in respect of the US litigation
announced on 3rd September.
[More
on this Story]
Help
the Tsunami Victims with your Old Mobile!
Victims in tsunami-stricken areas are set to receive a helping hand through
the recycling of old mobile phones and printer cartridges. The recent
earthquake off the coast of Sumatra has led to an estimated 150,000 deaths,
with thousands more injured or forced to flee their homes - and leading
recycling company Eurosource has launched a nationwide appeal to help.
[More
on this Story]
Laird
Trading Update points to Positive 2004
The Laird Group PLC recently issued a Trading Update prior to the end
of its financial year on 31st December 2004. Results for the year are
expected to be in line with market estimates, giving another year of
strong earnings growth despite the adverse translation effects of exchange
rate movements and the impact of higher commodity prices.
[More
on this Story]
End
of an Era for Silver End Site as Laird Shifts
Production
Laird
Security Hardware has announced that it is undergoing
a process of restructuring its manufacturing
facilities by switching the majority of the
remaining production processes for window products
from Essex to other factories in the UK and
overseas.
[More
on this Story]
The
Writing’s in the Sand ...and it Wins £12,000 Dream Wedding
Proposing
to his girlfriend in 20-foot-high letters on a sandy beach was not
just a truly romantic gesture by Kömmerling fabricator Alexander
Windows’ commercial and trade sales manager Russell Palmer -
it won the happy couple a £12,000 dream wedding.
[More
on this Story]
Sunroom
Partnership Sheds Light on Bright Future for K2 USA
K2
USA has completed a private label distribution deal that the company
is heralding as ‘one of the biggest breakthroughs for conservatory
products in the American market.’ The deal involves a partnership
with one of America’s largest sunroom manufacturers, Patio Enclosures
Inc
[More
on this Story]
Carlyle
Group and Advent to Acquire HT Troplast from Ruetgers
Global
private equity groups The Carlyle Group and Advent International recently
announced an agreement to acquire HT Troplast AG, a diversified plastics
manufacturer, from Ruetgers AG. Financial details were not disclosed.
[More
on this Story]
Specifiers
Want More Product than Price
After
a slow start compared with some industries, the internet is being
used more and more in the window industry. More window companies
are surfing the web to find the product they want, before approaching
suppliers.
[More
on this Story]
Solaglas
Portsmouth Expands for the Total Future
Solaglas Portsmouth has recognised that the demand for soft coat
glasses in double glazed units is rapidly increasing. A 13000
sq ft extension to the existing factory has significantly increased,
the glass processing, toughening, and glass distribution activities
on the site.
[More
on this Story]
Burles
Group plc Acquires Masterglaze Trade Centres
Masterglaze,
the chain of Trade Centres with branches at Swansea, Cardiff and
Yeovil has been acquired by the Burles Group. This move is part
of the Burles Group’s strategic development of its Trade Counter
business and builds on the success of its Abercarn ‘Factory
Outlet’ operation.
[More
on this Story]
Recycling
DVD Hits the Mark with Local Authorities
Over
one third of all English local authorities have requested free copies
of a glass recycling and reprocessing film, produced by Bankit,
since its launch in October 2004.
[More
on this Story]
Glass
UK Goes Down Under for the Perfect Colour Solution
Glass
UK, a manufacturer of toughened, oversized laminated double-glazed engineered
glass solutions, has secured sole UK rights to an Australian glass colouring
process which the company says redefines choice, price and durability.
[More
on this Story]
Glass
and Windows Alliance (GWA) Formed at glasstec
The
Glass and Windows Alliance (GWA) was introduced to the public at glasstec
2004. The four founders have long been established on the market. All
of them are global players who have been cooperating in varying constellations
for some time:
[More
on this Story]
Ensure
Door Closers are CE Marked Advises DHF
The
Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) is urging architects, specifiers
and contractors to insist that all door closing devices they specify
carry the CE mark.
[More
on this Story]
Abloy
Security Updates on 2004 Achievements
Abloy
Security launched new products in 2004, including the DIN electric
lock range and the high performance effeff® 351. In addition,
some internal restructuring took place, and December saw the
appointment of Neil Tilsley, Director of Sales and Marketing.
[More
on this Story]
Alcan
Proposes Restructuring at Nine European Sites
Alcan
Inc. recentlyannounced that it has begun consultations with
employee representatives on a proposed restructuring involving
nine of its European sites. This intended measure is a result
of changing market conditions and business realities.
[More
on this Story]
Dorma
Reports Rise of over 65% in Earnings before Tax
Door
closer technology specialist, Dorma, succeeded in increasing
earnings before taxes (EBT) for fiscal 2003/04 (June 30th) by
65.3 % to €45.8 million (previous year: €27.7 million).
This was announced in Düsseldorf by Dorma CEO Dr. Michael
Schädlich.
[More
on this Story]
New
Commercial Flyscreens Line for 2005
Windowscreens
UK of Upminster, Essex has announced the introduction of a new
proprietary Commercial Flyscreens line for windows and doors.
This new line complements the company's Residential Flyscreens
line.
[More
on this Story]
Assa
Abloy Acquires Leading Lock Company in South Korea
Lock
group, Assa Abloy, has signed an agreement to acquire
BEST Metaline, one of South Korea's leading companies
in commercial architectural hardware. Through this acquisition
Assa Abloy makes its market entry into South Korea.
[More
on this Story]
Groupco
and Fuhr: A Secure Partnership
The
hardware industry can claim few partnerships as long and
successful as the one between independent UK distributor
Groupco and German manufacturer, Carl Fuhr. Groupco is
Fuhr's biggest customer worldwide and the two companies
have worked together for over 40 years.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
Receives Approvals from Russia to Acquire Fabricating
Facilities from Rusal
Alcoa
announced on December 31st that it has received final
approvals from the Government of the Russian Federation
to proceed with its purchase of Rusal's controlling interests
in two fabricating facilities in Samara and Belaya Kalitva
in the Russian Federation.
[More
on this Story]