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THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 226 27th June 2006
Ultraframe
Reports Interims
Ultraframe Plc group revenue for the 26
weeks ended 31 March 2006 was down 5.9%
to £41.4m on the comparable period
(down 9.2% on a constant currency basis).
Within this, dollar sales in North America
were up 6.2% to $36.0m (£20.6m),
offset by a sales decline of 19.9% to
£20.8m in the UK.
[More
on this Story]
'Synseal constantly looks at ways of improving products and services for customers,' explains Nick Dutton, Synseal's Sales and Marketing Director. 'So when we announced we were going to make conservatory roof kits available in just three days last September, it was no surprise that our customers liked the quicker service.'
Combilift €10m Investment in New Global Headquarters
On Thursday, 22nd June, 2006 Irish Enterprise Minister Micheal Martin TD officially opened the new €10 million global headquarters of Combilift in Monaghan, Ireland, which will pave the way for the company’s continued dominance of the global long-load handling market.
Edgetech
US Wins Ohio Exporter of the Year Award
Bob
Taft, State Governor of Ohio, USA, presented Edgetech
UK's global parent company, Edgetech IG Inc, with
the 2006 Exporter of the Year Award. Edgetech IG Inc.
runs a network of distributors and direct export operations
selling leading warm edge technology Super Spacer®
across the world.
[More
on this Story]
G
06 Gets an Energy Boost from the BFRC
The
G 06 Awards have attracted another distinguished industry
endorsement. The BFRC Ltd - recently aligned with
the Glass and Glazing Federation - has agreed to be
an event sponsor of this year's scheme.
[More
on this Story]
BPF's
‘Open And Shut Case’ for PVC-U
Windows and Doors
A
seminar organised by the British Plastics
Federation Windows Group has reinforced
the environmental and economic advantages
of PVC-U windows and doors to specifiers
involved in social housing projects across
London.
[More
on this Story]
KEB
Extends KEB Connect Installer Service
With
successful domestic installer companies
now on a national supply basis from KEB
in Birmingham, Shropshire and Gateshead,
installers in Liverpool, Newcastle, Northampton,
West Midlands, Bristol and the South East
now have daily deliveries
[More
on this Story]
The National Glass Association (NGA) announced on 22nd June that it has partnered with shipping conglomerate DHL to offer its members discounts of up to 25 percent on the full suite of DHL services.
Ultraframe
Combats 'Cowboys' with Certificate of
Authenticity
Ultraframe
has introduced a Roof Certificate of Authenticity
to combat the problem of disreputable
companies passing off inferior products
as Ultraframe roofs.
[More
on this Story]
Uskvale
is First to Feature Framelock at New Showsite
Uskvale
Conservatories has seized the opportunity
to become the first installer in the UK
to use Ultraframe’s new Framelock
system as part of its show site.
[More
on this Story]
Complaint
Against Manor Conservatories and Construction
Upheld
A
complaint objecting to a regional press
ad for Manor Conservatories and Construction
of Swansea, Wales was upheld according
to information published by the Advertising
Standards Authority (ASA).
[More
on this Story]
Radiance
Sales Success up 119%
Radiance
Glass has seen sales more than double
up 119% over the last 12 months, thanks
to the company's ability to consistently
fulfil demand for Radiance Activ.
[More
on this Story]
BBA
Approval for Laird's Egress Hardware
The
BBA has published an assessment on Laird's
Egress hinges and handle hardware for
windows.
[More
on this Story]
Carl
F Group
Celebrates
Best Financial
Figures
to Date
The
Carl F Group,
which includes
Carl F Petersen
Ltd, is
celebrating
its best
ever financial
figures
with a combined
growth in
turnover
for all
global divisions
that topped
more than
£90
million.
[More
on this
Story]
Consolidating
the Future
Under One
Roof
Future
Products has
brought all
its manufacturing
operations
under one
roof with
the opening
of new premises
in Mansfield.
[More
on this Story]
IG
Doors Returns
to Hoppe
Products
after a
Five Year
Break
IG
Doors is
buying Hoppe
products
again. Hoppe
(UK) had
already
supplied
IG for five
years before
it decided
to source
its hardware
from another
supplier.
[More
on this
Story]
Freefoam
Researches
Colour Stability
Freefoam
Plastics,
a manufacturer
of lead-free
PVC Roofline
and Rainwater
systems
has conducted
a significant
amount of
research
into the
colour stability
of PVC products
when exposed
to increased
UV levels.
[More
on this
Story]
BM
TRADA Certifies an 'A' Rating for Aluminium Window
Certification provider BM TRADA has been involved in verifying
the performance of the first aluminium window to achieve
an 'A' rating under the British Fenestration Rating Council's
recently introduced energy assessment method.
[More
on this Story]
Daedalian
in Second Award Winning Landscape Collaboration
With
a track record of success going back 20 years, artistic
glass specialist, Daedalian Glass, still gets great satisfaction
from working with young graphics and landscape designers
like award-winner Ian Rochead.
[More
on this Story]
Leading
Trade Association Partners with Brighton & Hove Trading
Standards
The
UK Trades Confederation (UKTC) has formed a partnership
with Brighton & Hove Trading Standards department
to promote a new scheme, 'Buy With Confidence,' which
registers reliable and ethical traders in the area.
[More
on this Story]
Tessenderlo
Group Presents Recovery Plan: Possible Loss of 240 Jobs
In
the framework of its recovery plan 'Target 2007', on 20th
June the management of Tessenderlo Group informed the
works councils of the Chemicals sites involved of its
intention to carry out a reorganisation.
[More
on this Story]
Remote
Access Provides Positive Action
For
nationwide fabricator Modplan Limited, a commitment to
customer support has been the keystone to continuous growth
for over two decades.
[More
on this Story]
European
Commission Approves Linde's Acquisition of BOC
The
European Commission has approved the acquisition by Linde
AG, Wiesbaden, of The BOC Group plc, Windlesham, UK. The
approval is subject to certain conditions. The conditions
require the divestiture of Linde's gas business in the
UK
[More
on this Story]
Hewlett
Civil Engineering Expands with the Volkswagen Caddy
Hewlett
Civil Engineering of Leeds has bought 40 Volkswagen Caddy
vans as part of a major investment strategy to support
the company's continued expansion.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 225 20th June 2006
Mellon
Reckons Latium Bid Undervalues Ultraframe
Mellon HBV Alternative Strategies, a registered
investment adviser and a subsidiary of
Mellon Financial Corporation, owns approximately
11.65% of Ultraframe's issued share capital.
In a letter dated 8 June, Mellon HBV informed
the board of Ultraframe that in its view
the recommended 30p offer by Latium Holdings
Ltd undervalues Ultraframe.
[More
on this Story]
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) announced today that it had been invited to attend a construction industry round table meeting on Building Regulations by Angela Smith MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the newly formed Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
Record
Super Spacer® Sales Again for Edgetech
- UK and US!
Edgetech
UK reports another record breaking month
for sales in May for the second time this
year. Meanwhile, Edgetech’s US manufacturing
arm has broken a new site record, with
155,000 sealed units’ worth of Super
Spacer® ordered in a single day, 12
May.
[More
on this Story]
Eurocell
Places Major Order for Combilift Forklift Fleet
Eurocell
Profiles Ltd. has placed an order for a substantial
fleet of Combilift 4-way forklifts to work in its
extensive national network of over 70 distributor
branch locations.
[More
on this Story]
World
Cup Fever Hits Advantage
In
a spontaneous display of loyalty towards
the England world cup team, employees
at Advantage Windows and Conservatories
Ltd - the Cheshire based trade fabricator
-arrived for work be-decked in their England
tee-shirts.
[More
on this Story]
Palda
First to Fabricate new 2500 Chamfered
Suite
In
August, Southall-based fabricator, Palda
Windows, will become one of the first
to fabricate Deceuninck's new 2500 Chamfered
suite. ‘We'll not only be trailblazers
for Deceuninck's new system, we'll also
be providing our commercial customers
with the design they need.’ says
the company.
[More
on this Story]
Rooftec, one of the longest established fabricators in Lancashire, has moved to fabricating Ultraframe’s conservatory roofing systems. The company, which plans to rapidly grow its business and build a reputation for quality products and customer service, has chosen Ultraframe as its ideal strategic partner.
George Barnsdale Achieves Top BFRC Rating
Timber window specialist George Barnsdale has achieved a British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) 'A' Energy Rating, with BM TRADA, proving that its C1E Eco Stormproof casement window is among the most thermally efficient in the market.
Onwards
and Upwards for LDG
That’s
basically what has been happening at the
Lancashire Double Glazing Group Ltd since
the company took over Raymond Wood Commercial
Ltd in 1994 and moved into its current
premises in Lund Street at the beginning
of 1998.
[More
on this Story]
US
Resin Maker Goes Downstream with Royal
Group Buy
PVC
raw material manufacturer Georgia Gulf
is to buy Canadian window profile manufacturer
Royal Group of Toronto for a total of
CAD$1.7bn. This includes CAD$491m of assumed
net debt as of March 31st 2006.
[More
on this Story]
Edgetech IG Inc. customer Precision Entry has been named ENERGY STAR 2006 Partner of the Year by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE).
A
Partnership that's Standing the Test of
Time
August
2006 marks the start of a new phase in
the long-term partnership between Anchor
Windows and Deceuninck. It's the date
when the Ebbw Vale-based fabricator will
devote production to Deceuninck's 2800
Decorative Series.
[More
on this Story]
Construction of the first phase of the new Derby City Hospital has been completed with the Kings Treatment Centre handed over to the Derby Hospital's NHS Foundation Trust in March 2006.
Major
Commendation
Award
A
Major Commendation
Award was
presented
to Hambleside
Danelaw
Ltd, Daventry
for its
Insulator
Roof Lights
at The Lincoln
Centre,
London on
7th June
2006 by
David Cameron
MP Leader
of the Conservative
Party.
[More
on this
Story]
ASA
Adjudication
Against Euroclad
Advert
An
Industry Complaint
to the ASA
objected to
an advert
in Building
Magazine,
for Euroclad's
roof and cladding
materials,
was upheld
in two of
its three
areas of complaint.
[More
on this Story]
Vista
the Ideal
Partner
Vista
has just
completed
the first
year of
a five year
partnering
agreement
with Wirral
Partnership
Homes, Connaught
Plc and
Hankinson's
that has
seen in
excess of
1500 doors
installed
with a further
7500 doors
to be replaced
in the borough
over this
period.
[More
on this
Story]
Freefoam
Wins NHS
Contract
Freefoam
Plastics,
a manufacturer
of quality
approved
environmentally
friendly
roofline
and rainwater
systems,
through
one of its
stockists
Alltrim,
has recently
won the
contract
undertaken
by the NHS
for the
development
of six new
establishments.
[More
on this
Story]
Major
New Door Contract Secured
One
of the largest single Government contracts for doors has
been awarded, as part of a partnership agreement between
Sheffield Homes, Kier Sheffield, Arnold Laver and JELD-WEN.
[More
on this Story]
Maco
and Window Glass Breaking New Ground in Door System Development
The
Window Glass Co in Bristol has been working with Maco
on the development of a new polyamide thermally broken
aluminium door system for which Maco has developed and
manufactured dedicated striker plates.
[More
on this Story]
Securistyle
Hardware Provides 10-Year Guarantee
As
part of its commitment to customer service and requirements
to meet the Decent Homes standard, Eastbourne Homes has
specified Securistyle’s full suite of austenitic
window hardware including hinges, handles and the new
Defender lock, as part of a £400,000 window replacement
contract.
[More
on this Story]
Biscor
Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Launch of New Premises
2006
sees the 30th anniversary year for Biscor Ltd. the Bradford
based company which is the leading manufacturer in the
UK of PTFE (Teflon®) coated Glass and Kevlar®
fabrics.
[More
on this Story]
Sheerframe
Windows Prove Longevity in Chesterfield
Chesterfield
Borough Council has notched-up 21 low window-maintenance
years with the Sheerframe PVC window system, with an assessment
of its very first installation revealing window frames
in excellent condition.
[More
on this Story]
Bekaert
Bolsters Sputter Products Group Management Team
Bekaert,
the partner of choice for customers seeking the lower
cost of ownership and higher coater throughput offered
by rotatable sputtering technologies, announced on 5th
June several strategic personnel changes within the sputter
products division.
[More
on this Story]
Glaston
Expands Machine Production in China
Kyro
Group's main business area Glaston Technologies will begin
a more comprehensive glass machinery production in China,
as the new production unit built in Tianjin starts its
operations in June.
[More
on this Story]
Avocet
Helps to Protect Essex Birds
Brighouse
Yorkshire-based Avocet Hardware Ltd is helping to fund
the protection of a flock of Avocets breeding at a location
near Southend in Essex.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 224 13th June 2006
Resilience/Berggruen
may Emerge as White Knight in Ultraframe
Bid
The
Board of Ultraframe Plc ('Ultraframe')
notes the announcement on Monday 12th
June by Resilience Capital Partners LLC
('Resilience') and Berggruen Holdings
('Berggruen') stating that they are considering
making an offer for the entire share capital
of Ultraframe Plc but that there can be
no certainty that an offer will be forthcoming.
[More
on this Story]
Wendland
to Remain 'Independent and Focused' if
Ultraframe joins Latium
It's business as usual. That is the response
to questions about the company's future
from conservatory roof systems designer
and manufacturer Wendland, if the ultimate
owners of the business Brian Kennedy and
Stuart Lees add Ultraframe to the Group's
portfolio.
[More
on this Story]
Freefoam
Acquires Permacell
Freefoam
Plastics, the manufacturer of PVC Roofline
products has announced the acquisition
of the Permacell product range from the
recently appointed Administrator to the
business.
[More
on this Story]
Conzzeta
Group: Bystronic Shines in First Quarter
In
the first four months of 2006, the Conzzeta Group was able
to sustain the upward trend in revenues and earnings from
the previous year. Bystronic Glass was up 31%, while its
Sheet Metal division enjoyed volumes up 17%.
[More
on this Story]
Countdown
to G06
The
finale of this year's G-Awards is fast
approaching, and you've now only got until
16th June to be in with a chance of picking
up a prestigious prize.
[More
on this Story]
Bohle
Launches the Glass Student of the Year
Award
Bohle, the manufacturer and distributor
of glass, tools, machinery and consumables,
has announced the first ever Bohle Glass
Student of the Year Award, the winners
of which will be announced and presented
at this years G06 Awards
[More
on this Story]
New
Glassex Head Pledges to Consult with Market
Acknowledging
that Glassex did not deliver to all sections
of the market with its 2006 outing, organiser
EMAP Maclaren has reinforced the management
team of the event and pledged to make
'significant improvements' to the exhibition.
[More
on this Story]
Acquisition
of Pilkington by Nippon Moves Ahead
The
boards of Pilkington plc ('Pilkington')
and Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd ('NSG')
have announced that the European Commission
has cleared the Acquisition under the
Merger Regulation.
[More
on this Story]
Get
On Board for Glasstec 2006
Time
is running out to take advantage of a
great Glasstec 2006 travel deal. Once
again Ritec and its partners are offering
an unbeatable package, which includes
a luxury cabin aboard the River Art hotelship
moored in the centre of Düsseldorf.
[More
on this Story]
Conservatory
Outlet Signs a Two Year Agreement with
Synseal
Synseal
has announced that Conservatory Outlet
has signed a two year agreement for profile
and roofs. Conservatory Outlet is a bolt-on-brand
for small to medium sized companies who
want to add or increase sales of conservatories.
[More
on this Story]
Ashton
Windows Attains A Rating with Veka Profiles
Veka fabricator Ashton Windows has been
awarded the coveted A rating from the
BFRC for its casement windows, the first
PVC-U fenestration company in the north
to be awarded this recognition.
[More
on this Story]
Record
Super Spacer® Sales Again for Edgetech
UK
Edgetech
UK reports another record breaking month
for sales in May for the second time this
year. Warm edge technology is transforming
the window market and Edgetech says that
it continues to lead the field.‘
[More
on this Story]
Saint-Gobain
Glass Plant Wins Environmental Award
David
Cameron has presented Saint-Gobain's Eggborough
float glass plant - crowned as the UK's
best factory in October - with a prestigious
environmental accolade.
[More
on this Story]
Listers
Door Gallery
Now Open
Trade
window manufacturer,
Lister Trade
Frames,
recently
launched
its new
concept
in high
performance
composite
doors and
says that
the feedback
from customers
to date
has heralded
them as
a resounding
success.
[More
on this
Story]
Purplex
Introduces
Fee-Free ‘Business
for Sale Register’
Purplex
M&A, the
mergers and
acquisitions
division of
Purplex Consulting,
is compiling
its Business
For Sale Register,
and will be
offering business
owners the
opportunity
to register
for free,
a saving of
around £1,000.
[More
on this Story]
CAB
Conference
a Sell Out
Following
a number
of high
profile,
sell out
Regional
events for
members
in the last
year, the
recent CAB
technical
conference,
held in
May and
entitled
'Rules are
for Guidance',
was deemed
a success
by the CAB's
director
Justin Ratcliffe.
[More
on this
Story]
15%
Growth Means
Happy Days
for Aztec
Aztec Conservatory
Roof Systems
says that
it is currently
enjoying
its best
ever year,
thanks to
an increase
in sales
of 15% over
last year.
The sales
increase
can be put
down to
the success
of the Aztec
fabricator
network
which amounts
to over
40 specialist
companies
across the
UK.
[More
on this
Story]
DRS
'Partners' with IDMS to Boost Product and Service Offer
DR
Services has reached a reciprocal partnership arrangement
with automatic sliding door specialist, IDMS Windor. The
two companies will pool expertise and resources as appropriate,
with both operating from DR Services' premises at Hoddesdon
[More
on this Story]
The
Plastmo Dozen Ignites Sales Success
Plastmo's
continued push in the UK market has resulted in the introduction
of a dozen new customers to the approved fabricator network.
[More
on this Story]
Windowmaker
Achieves 35% UK Growth in Record Year
Despite
difficult market conditions, Windowmaker Software has
just recorded its best ever year thanks to a 35% growth
in sales for the UK market.
[More
on this Story]
Dynamic
First Half for SFS intec
SFS
intec has seen sales of its Dynamic 2D hinge for PVC-U
and composite doors take off during the first half of
2006 with a series of fabricators making the switch to
the advanced PAS-023/024 performing product.
[More
on this Story]
GAP
Goes Underground with FloPlast
PVC
stockist GAP has added underground drainage and soil-systems
to its range of products. ‘It's a natural progression
for us,’ comments Jon Randles, GAP's Group Purchasing
Manager.
[More
on this Story]
Securistyle
has 3-D Designs on Success
As
part of Securistyle’s strategy to stay ahead of changes
in legislation, customer demand and architectural developments,
the window hardware manufacturer is investing £5
million in product development and new processes over
a five-year period.
[More
on this Story]
New
Colours from Spectus
Spectus
is expanding its range of colours for PVC profile to meet
growing demand, particularly from the commercial sector.
The colours will be available across all Spectus profiles.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 223 6th June 2006
Ultraframe
will Join
Wendland
under
Proposed
Latium
Deal
BRIAN
KENNEDY,
whose
Latium
Group
owns Everest,
Weatherseal,
Wendland,
CDW and
Space
Kitchens
&
Bedrooms,
with a
combined
annual
turnover
of £400m,
and who
also owns
the Sale
Sharks
rugby
team,
has offered
a 30p
a share
offer
for Ultraframe,
the struggling
conservatory
roof designer,
in a deal
worth
£52.m
(including
£23m
debt).
So far,
the offer
has won
over some
35.8%
of the
share
capital.
[More
on this
Story]
BFRC
Operations
Transfer
to GGF
Group
It was
announced
yesterday
that the
Glass
and Glazing
Federation
(GGF)
will be
managing
and developing
the work
started
by the
British
Fenestration
Ratings
Council
(BFRC)
in the
area of
Window
Energy
Ratings.
The new
company
will be
known
as BFRC
Ltd.
[More
on this
Story]
Raw
Material
Costs
Hit NSG's
Profits
During
this fiscal
year,
Japan's
domestic
economy
consistently
showed
a positive
growth
trend
with several
critical