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THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 205 31st January 2006
Glassex
’06: 'The Most Diverse for Years'
Glassex
has long been regarded as the barometer of the glass and glazing industry,
with the event in recent years of course more closely representing windows,
doors and conservatories. As such it has always provoked an extraordinary
level of passion within the industry, for better or for worse but everyone
has an opinion!
[More
on this Story]
UK's
First A Rated Double Glazed Window for Tradelink
Edgetech is delighted to announce that long standing customer Tradelink
has manufactured the UK's first standard commercially available double
glazed 'A' rated window using the leading warm edge technology Super Spacer®.
[More
on this Story]
Industry
Wide Seminar Set for May 10th 2006 at Ricoh Stadium
Keeping
up to date with rapidly changing energy efficiency issues and environmental
legislation is of paramount importance to everyone in the window and glass
markets: Edgetech UK and other industry
experts hope to provide all the answers, as well as a platform on which
the glass and window industry can debate, in a free one day seminar on
May 10th.
[More
on this Story]
Saint
Gobain Reports Strong 2005, Excluding Costs of BPB Acquisition
Overall,
after adjusting for finance costs of EUR 18 million, in particular costs
recorded in the books of BPB and those relating to its acquisition by
Saint-Gobain, and after taxes, the contribution of BPB to Saint-Gobain’s
net income was a negative EUR 54 million for 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Epwin Group has merged its HIS Systems business into Swish Window & Door Systems. The move creates a single, strong systems business based around the familiar Swish consumer and specifier brand. The Group is putting significant investment behind the new company, including a £100,000 stand at Glassex.
TrustMark
Opens for Business
TrustMark,
the new scheme to help people find reputable firms for repairs, maintenance
and improvements in their homes, was launched nationally to the general
public yesterday, Monday 30th January. The promotional campaign for TrustMark
started early Monday morning at the ‘House of TrustMark’, a
home in Ealing, London.
[More
on this Story]
Trade
Lynks' Exclusive Insurance Offer has OFT Listing
Offering insurance backed guarantees from the only provider in the entire
window sector listed by Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in its advice to
homeowners has given further credence to Trade Lynks' recent decision
to offer its network partners preferential access to the range of products
from HomePro Insurance.
[More
on this Story]
Newly
Formed ODL Europe at Glassex
In
January 2005 Viewlite Ltd of Liverpool was acquired by ODL. ODL which
is based in Michigan USA is a market leading manufacturer of decorative
door glass and associated products for the building industry. During the
past twelve months the Viewlite range of cassettes and glass has been
combined with ODL's range of blinds, shades and tubelights.
[More
on this Story]
Linde
Confirms Approach to BOC
Further to the announcement on 24th January by The BOC Group plc, Linde
confirms that it has made an approach to BOC. The two groups are complementary
in terms of products and regions and together have the potential to create
a leading industrial gases business.
[More
on this Story]
Profile
22 Puts Customers 'Ahead Of The Game'
Representatives from over 100 fabricators and installers attended a recent
Profile 22 seminar to hear about forthcoming revisions in the building
regulations. The seminar proved so popular with customers that the venue
was relocated to larger facilities to accommodate the day's events more
comfortably.
[More
on this Story]
Saint-Gobain
Crystals New, Lighter Transparent Armour Products
Jeffrey
Rioux of Saint-Gobain Crystals presented a report on advances in the design
and ballistic performance of the company's Sapphire Transparent Armour
System at the 30th Annual International Conference and Exposition on Advanced
Ceramics and Composites held in Cocoa Beach, Florida on January 25th.
[More
on this Story]
New
Lorries to Follow in Safe Style
Britain's
ever growing lorry-spotting cult has a new challenge this month
with a unique set of liveries to watch out for. This follows the
introduction by the Yorkshire-based Style Group of a fleet of
six new articulated vehicles worth almost £1/2 million with
exceptionally lively and easily recognisable star-studded livery.
[More
on this Story]
New
Business Success Adds to Plastmo Growth
While
much of the glass and glazing industry suffers from the hang-over
of 2005, Plastmo Profiles says that it continues to increase market
share thanks to a more customer-focused approach.
[More
on this Story]
Ashton
Industrial Installs I.G. Line at Tri-Warm
Tri-Warm
Insulating Glass says that it ranks as one of the fastest growing
manufacturers of the past two years. In that short time investments
have been made in modern automated cutting and processing machinery,
including CNC grinding, drilling, and a tempering furnace serviced
by Ashton's Triple Diamond Belt grinding machine.
[More
on this Story]
Open
Days at GTI Kombimatec, 5th-8th March 2006
'GTI
Kombimatec is not going to Glassex for the first time in 22 years.
We feel we can offer our customers and partners a better experience
of seeing window machinery work and have a go at making real windows
themselves,’ says the company.
[More
on this Story]
Expansion
for Fountainbridge Glass
Edinburgh-based
double glazing and conservatory manufacturer Fountainbridge
Glass has relocated to larger premises. The company attributes
part of this expansion to the fact the company is differentiating
itself.
[More
on this Story]
Construction
Research Boost for UK Universities
Sir Neville Sims, newly appointed chairman of the BRE Trust,
has announced formation of a strategic research and development
partnership between United Kingdom universities and the
Building Research Establishment
[More
on this Story]
Smartglass
International Launched in Dublin
Smartglass International Ltd was launched at Plan Expo in Dublin recently
following the amalgamation of Smartglass Ireland and Vision Smartglass
UK. Smartglass International Ltd has moved to new premises housing a dedicated
manufacturing facility, showroom and administration centre.
[More
on this Story]
Morven
Windows Goes Sold Secure
Morven Windows says that it has added even more value to its products
by signing up for GU Ferco's Sold Secure scheme. Family owned and run,
Morven Windows operates from a purpose-built showroom, offices and factory
in St Austell.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 204 24th January 2006
Pilkington
Warns against Substitute Products as 'Activ' Campaign Breaks
'Pilkington
Activ™ is a permanent, dual action, self-cleaning glass. Beware of
imitators!’ That is the unequivocal warning from Pilkington to fabricators
and installers as its massive television, newspaper and Internet advertising
campaign for Pilkington Activ™ reaches homeowners throughout Britain.
[More
on this Story]
Deceuninck
Sales Rise by 11% to 644m Euros in 2005
Deceuninck
recorded sales of 169m euros in the fourth quarter of 2005. This represents
an increase of 19% compared with the same period in 2004 and means total
sales for 2005 amounted to 645.8m euros, an increase of 10.6%.
[More
on this Story]
Rehau
and Shepley End Relationship
Rehau has announced the ending of its supplier relationship with Manchester-based
fabricator Shepley Group. Rehau has been Shepley Group's principal systems
supplier since 1988.
[More
on this Story]
Shepley
Chooses Veka
As the company prepares to celebrate its 20th Anniversary in the UK VEKA
plc has begun 2006 on a high as the highly regarded Shepley Group announces
its decision to switch to VEKA as its principle systems supplier.
[More
on this Story]
The
Legend Lives on with Synseal
Synseal is moving the manufacturing facilities for Legend70 to Huthwaite.
'It's like a military manoeuvre,' explains Nick Dutton, Sales and Marketing
Director of Synseal. 'There are seven complete extrusion lines and 58
extrusion tools as well as all the stock to move, and we're doing it in
just one day'.
[More
on this Story]
K2
Returns to Glassex
After
an absence of two years, conservatory systems manufacturer K2 has announced
it will attend this year's Glassex. The company will appear alongside
its sister business K2 Glass which has appeared many times and intends
to make its return in style.
[More
on this Story]
Super
Spacer® Builds Investment Confidence
JK
Windows, based in Middlesex, has been trading for over 20 years. Director
Ajig Singh Jagdev attributes much of the firm's longevity to its commitment
to using the best and most technologically advanced products.
[More
on this Story]
SAS
Opens Window to New Dawn
Senior
Aluminium Systems says that it has secured the next stage of its success
with a board restructure and new finance partners. Control of the company
is now in the hands of md Lennart Jonsson and co-founder David Senior
who have bought out majority shareholders and non-executive directors
George Hall and John Hannam.
[More
on this Story]
Total's
Breakfast Club a First in the Industry
As
part of its commitment to improving employee communication and feedback,
Total Glass has launched what it claims to be a first in the glazing
industry - a Breakfast Club where management and staff can discuss issues
informally over coffee and croissants.
[More
on this Story]
Neilson
Back at the Helm
Kestrel-BCE
Limited is now part of the Latium Group of companies and has a new
Managing Director, Paul Neilson who has returned to the company
from a three-year spell working elsewhere in the Building Products
market.
[More
on this Story]
Celuform
Appoints McEvoy Sales Director
Pat
McEvoy is the new Sales Director at Celuform, the PVC-ue roofline
and cladding specialist. Appointed General Manager at Vekatrim only
a few months ago, McEvoy will have full responsibility for sales of
both brands.
[More
on this Story]
Decra
Led Products Approved for Pilkington Activ
With
the growing popularity of Pilkington Activ self-cleaning glass,
many decorative glass workshops have been keen to know which products
can still be applied to the special surface.
[More
on this Story]
Plastmo
Adopts HomePro Insurance Scheme
Plastmo
Profiles has secured an alliance with insurance provider,
HomePro to launch a Plastmo-branded insurance backed guarantee
(IBG).
[More
on this Story]
Basden
Resigns from Victorian Sliders Ltd
Danny
Basden has resigned his directorship of Victorian Sliders Ltd.
The company was launched in September 2005 and has made excellent
progress in promoting and selling Plastmo Profiles 'Charisma'
vertical slider.
[More
on this Story]
100th
New Member for CAB
Over
the last twelve months the Council for Aluminium in Building
membership has increased significantly and at its recent members
meeting in Falkirk celebrated its 100th new member.
[More
on this Story]
New
Standard Specification for Masterframe's Bygone Collection Sash
Masterframe
Windows Ltd has upped the ante for PVC-U sliding sash fabricators
with the new standard specification for its flagship product,
the Bygone Collection window.
[More
on this Story]
Commercial
Opportunities
for Newstead Customers
As
part of its new support scheme, Selling Made Easy (SME), fabricator
Newstead Trade Frames is offering customers the opportunity to work
alongside its Commercial Division as subcontracted nominated installers.
[More
on this Story]
Crime
Prevention Pays
Mighton
Products, which offers premium sash window hardware, is the first choice
for MH Joinery from Bridgwater, Somerset, when it comes to quality,
aesthetics and security.
[More
on this Story]
Forklift
Trucks for Everwhite Fleet
Roofline
manufacturer Everwhite Plastics Ltd has now fitted its entire fleet
with a demountable forklift in order to make its delivery service
even more efficient. The company has also enlarged its fleet with
two new trucks, a 40 tonne articulated lorry and a rigid 17.5 tonne
lorry.
[More
on this Story]
AWJ
Glass Gears Up for Growth
Following successful expansion during 2005, AWJ Glass is gearing
up for further growth with continued investment in its new state-of-the-art
facility on the outskirts of Scarborough. The IG and processed glass
producer has recently installed a third automated cutting table.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 203 17th January 2006
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.
Once again, this official recognition of our industry's achievements and
innovation will be held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, NEC Complex
in conjunction with the GGF Annual Convention. The Awards will culminate
in a Gala Dinner hosted by another top celebrity.
[More
on this Story]
Pilkington
Gets Activ With Promo Roadshow
Pilkington is staging a six centre Pilkington Activ™ Roadshow to
preview the company’s massive national advertising campaign, which
take place in Gatwick, Birmingham, St Helens, York, Glasgow and Bristol
in early February, and are free.
[More
on this Story]
Proving
the Question of Integrity
Future owners of a conservatory who choose an Ultraframe roof with Framelock
sideframes will be able to prove the integrity of their conservatory,
which is fully supported by their BBA accredited 'Certificate of Structural
Assurance'.
[More
on this Story]
Ultraframe
Offers Even Better Value on Classic Range
Ultraframe
has acted in response to tough market conditions and restructured
its pricing matrix across the Classic range of conservatory
roofing systems to demonstrate even better value to its customers.
[More
on this Story]
Fredericks
Enters Second Generation with New Profile
Trade
fabricator John Fredericks has signed a new deal with WHS-Halo
to fabricate the new Rustique 2 fully sculptured profile. The
profile is easy to glaze and fit thanks to a newly introduced
single leg glazing bead.
[More
on this Story]
Network
Welcomes New Trade Fabs
Three
new trade fabricators are among the latest intake of companies accepted
as members of Network VEKA: Westport Windows & Conservatories of
Atherton, Greater Manchester, Leivers & Millership of Newstead,
Nottingham, Woodland Trade Windows, Torquay.
[More
on this Story]
Emplas
Launches its New Fully Sculptured Suite at Glassex
After
a 12-year absence, Emplas Windows Systems Ltd is returning to Glassex
to not only mark its 26th year in business, but also launch its new
fully sculptured suite and two key initiatives designed to generate
business for installer customers.
[More
on this Story]
Romag
2005 Pre-Tax Profits up 20% on Strong Sales from Powerglaz
The year to 30th September 2005 saw further progress at Romag Holdings
plc, the specialist manufacturer of glass and plastic composites for security,
architectural and transport applications, not just in the realignment
into higher margin products but, more importantly, with the introduction
of the new production facility for Powerglaz.
[More
on this Story]
Management
Changes at Kyro - Glaston - Bavelloni
Some recent management changes at the Kyro Group have been made which
brings more expertise from the toughening plant side of the business,
Tamglass, and from both architectural and automotive glass disciplines.
Long standing Managing Director of Bavelloni, Dino Bavelloni will be retiring
at the end of the year.
[More
on this Story]
Kyro
Founds New Tools Company For Glaston
A new company has been founded to complement Kyro Group's main business
area, Glaston Technologies. DiaPol S.r.l manufactures tools for glass
and stone pre-processing. DiaPol continues and expands the existing Tools
division operations of Z.Bavelloni, a part of Glaston.
[More
on this Story]
Bystronic
Solution Centre Founded in Ottawa
The
Bystronic glass Group recently took over the Canadian technology company,
Intra Product Development. Now called the Bystronic Solution Centre the
company develops technologies for the cost-effective manufacturing of
PVCu windows.
[More
on this Story]
Planet has emerged from a high profile management buy out projecting £30m of sales in 2006 with a leaner and fitter organisation. And to kick off the New Year it has announced a new supplier for profile and roofs, Synseal. 'We'll be using SynerJy blu and Global blue, giving us a complete conservatory system all in one colour', says Dean St John.’
Having
the Upper Hand
Cristal
Glass and Glazing has recently joined Edgetech IG Inc. Having
been established since 1990 the company has been searching for
ways to differentiate itself in an increasingly competitive market.
[More
on this Story]
New
Applicator in SW Joins Karnaval Network
Opportunities
for window companies in the South West to offer coloured window,
door and roofline products have expanded with the appointment of
South Western Plastics to Karnaval Group's growing nationwide network
of specialist applicators.
[More
on this Story]
New
World Shifts Up a Gear
Irish
composite door manufacturer New World Developments, has extended
factory operations by adding another shift to cope with the
demand for its Apeer and Monno. Already achieving demanding
targets set for production in ‘05, the company aims to
substantially increase these in ’06.
[More
on this Story]
Sold
Secure Pays Dividend for Dorluxe
Joining
GU Ferco's Sold Secure initiative has paid off for the UK stable
door manufacturer, Dorluxe Ltd. Based in Suffolk, Dorluxe says
that it offers the very best in strong, secure and stylish PVC-U
stable doors, using GU Rhinobolts and gearing on all its products.
[More
on this Story]
Goldweld
- Teflon® Coated Welding Fabric - Online Shop
Goldweld.co.uk
is a new online shop selling Teflon® (PTFE) coated welding
fabrics directly to PVC-U window, door and conservatory fabricators.
The e-commerce shop has been set up by Biscor Ltd, Bradford
based manufacturers of PTFE coated fabrics
[More
on this Story]
www.truesash.co.uk
is Online Answer to Affordable Sash Windows
A
new on-line company, www.truesash.co.uk says that it is set
to provide customers with quality sash windows, that capture
all the style and appeal of traditional wooden windows, yet
avoid many of the associated pitfalls - including warping, rotting
and annual maintenance.
[More
on this Story]
Pultec
Windows the Only Choice for Listed Building
Pultec's
Optima range of new generation FRP windows was the only product to meet
national house builder Morris' specification for 27 distinctive apartments
created behind the imposing Georgian-style façade of a listed
former Victorian hospital near Warwick.
[More
on this Story]
Portal
gets Cutting Edge
Portal
Products in Cheltenham has taken delivery of a new Computer Numerical
Control (CNC) door router machine from Weeke.
[More
on this Story]
Linde
Agrees to Acquire Spectra Gases
The
technology group Linde has agreed to purchase the American speciality
gases company Spectra Gases, Inc. (Branchburg, New Jersey) from
the founding family Alvin and Andy Dietz.
[More
on this Story]
SFS
intec's Supply Chain Expertise Benefits H.W.L.
Leeds-based
trade window fabricator H.W.L. Trade Frames has cemented its long
term relationship with SFS intec following its decision to hand
the company total supply chain responsibility and management for
fasteners, door hinges, tooling and C-parts.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 202 10th January 2006
Planet
Group Slims Down to Face Future
The Directors of Planet Group Ltd have announced the sale of the retail
and trade division to the management team, led by Dean St John, after
a company re-structure. The retail division will consist of 8 retail showrooms
throughout the North West, the Midlands and a substantial manufacturing
plant at Walton Summit in Preston.
[More
on this Story]
Endless
Completes First Deal: Speed Frame Gets £13m Investment
A
new £100m Yorkshire-based fund which provides turnaround investment
for companies has completed its first deal with a £13m investment
in a window and door manufacturer. Endless, a Leeds-based fund launched
by former Ernst & Young insolvency partner Garry Wilson, has acquired
a majority stake in Barnsley firm Speed Frame.
[More
on this Story]
Eurocell
Signs Acquisition Deal with Brunel Plastics
Eurocell
has announced the acquisition of South West based Brunel Plastics
in a transaction which provides mutual benefit to both parties. Finalised
in late December the acquisition was officially completed on 3rd January
and sees Eurocell taking ownership of Brunel Plastics' six depots.
[More
on this Story]
New
Chief At Pilkington Building Products - UK & Ireland
Pilkington Building Products - UK & Ireland has appointed David
Pinder to the role of Managing Director. David, who has been with
Pilkington since 1985, takes up the helm in the UK and Ireland after
performing a similar role in Scandinavia, where he was Regional Director
and also Director responsible for both the on-line and off-line coatings
businesses.
[More
on this Story]
Paul Hazel has been appointed as Group Managing Director for Epwin Group, the vertically-integrated manufacturer and supplier of maintenance-free home improvement products and the UK's second largest PVC-U and PVC-UE extruder.
Christmas
Came Early for Veka
Just
days before Christmas, Veka plc announced the signing of an agreement
with the London Borough of Hackney under Phase II of the council's Decent
Homes Programme, worth £40 million over 4 years. Negotiations
have been successfully concluded by Veka in partnership with three companies
from its fabricator network, Sovereign, Pipers, and Ashford.
[More
on this Story]
Kevin
Warner Heads up Specialist Products at Shepley
Trade
fabricator Shepley Windows has recruited Kevin Warner, former Sales
Director of Deceuninck-Status, to head up its Specialist Products
Division. Commenting on his appointment Kevin said, ‘I have
long admired and respected Shepley Windows so I am delighted to
be joining such a dynamic company.
[More
on this Story]
Superfabricator
Speedframe adds Synseal's SynerJy
Superfabricator
Speedframe has added Global roof and the SynerJy suite from Synseal.
‘We fabricate between 7,000 and 10,000 frames a week,’
explains Ian Harrison, Speedframe's Executive Chairman. ‘But
that's just part of our business. Recently we have seen an increase
in the number of orders for conservatory roofs.'
[More
on this Story]
Style
Group Report Record Profit Growth
Against
an extremely challenging UK market, Yorkshire-based Style Group
UK, the independent replacement PVCu windows and doors manufacturer
and supplier, has bucked industry trends and announced a record
operating profit of £7.1m for 2004, a 24.6 per cent increase
on the previous year's figure of £5.7m.
[More
on this Story]
Factory
Owners at Risk if They Ignore Door Maintenance, Warns DHF
The
owners or occupiers of more than 80 per cent of the UK’s industrial
premises are risking substantial losses and could be breaking the
law because they do not have preventative maintenance programmes
in place to protect their doors and shutters.
[More
on this Story]
Ultraframe
Hosts Nationwide Installer Days
Conservatory
roofing systems company, Ultraframe, has held a series of
workshops for members of its Guild Approved Ultra Installer
Scheme across the UK. The events introduced Scheme members
to the Scheme's new Insurance Backed Guarantee and presented
an opportunity to preview and trial new product developments.
[More
on this Story]
Portal
Celebrates Record Quarter
Cheltenham-based
Portal Products is celebrating a 'record breaking' quarter,
with sales of its range of PVC-U panels and Paladin Composite
GRP and Steel doors reaching new heights. The company had
double cause for celebration as the record sales results were
achieved in conjunction with a consistent 99.2 per cent on
time delivery performance in terms of orders despatched.
[More
on this Story]
Spectus
Fabricator Moves to Grow
Spectus
fabricator Secure Window and Door Systems of Halesowen, says
that it is bucking the trend. At a time when many trade fabricators
are feeling the squeeze, the company is moving to bigger premises
on the back of growing sales.
[More
on this Story]
John
Williams Group Choose Trojan
Long
established North Wales and Cheshire based window, door and
conservatory manufacturer and retailer, John Williams Group,
has recently signed up with hardware supplier, Trojan Hardware
and Designs.
[More
on this Story]
UK
Cranes in Russian Glass Plant
To
safely and efficiently handle a throughput of 240,000 tonnes
of float glass at a new Russian facility, Pilkington Plc has
invested over one million Euros (about £700,000) in advanced
overhead cranes from UK specialist Street Crane Company.
[More
on this Story]
Eurocell's
Fresh Start to Kick the Habit
Alfreton
based Eurocell, one of the UK's largest manufacturers of PVC-u profiles
for windows, doors and conservatories, is lighting up a route to success
for those employees who made it their New Year's resolution to give
up smoking.
[More
on this Story]
Rehau
Marks 15 Year Partnership with Astraseal
Rehau
and Astraseal marked 15 years in partnership recently with the presentation
by Rehau of an engraved crystal rosebowl and framed certificate.
[More
on this Story]
Deceuninck
is
First
Choice
Berkshire-based
trade stockist, First Choice Plastics & Window Centre, is well
into its second year of working with Deeplas by Deceuninck and says
that it couldn't be happier with the relationship.
[More
on this Story]
Advantage
Launches New Trade Counter Initiative
Advantage
Windows and Conservatories Ltd, part of the Moran Group Plc, has
launched Window fitters Warehouse - a new trade counter support
package.
[More
on this Story]
RFT
Gets it Right First Time
RFT
Trade Ltd
(Right First Time) based between Southampton and Portsmouth, says
that it has developed a solution to the problem of end-users who
want non-standard designs.
[More
on this Story]
Management
Changes at Tessenderlo Group
Frank
Coenen and Albert Vasseur have joined the Management Committee of
Tessenderlo Group, assuming leadership of the Chemicals and Plastics
Converting Business Groups respectively.
[More
on this Story]
Trelleborg
Makes Major Acquisitions
Through
its Engineered Systems business area, Trelleborg has entered into
an agreement to acquire the CRP Group, and has also acquired the
remaining 70 percent of Elastomer Compounding s.r.o. (ECS) of the
Czech Republic.
[More
on this Story]