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THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 67 25th March 2003
Total
Glass Signs Multi-Million Pound Deal with Profile 22
Total Glass, one of Profile 22's biggest
trade fabricators, has signed a multi-million pound deal with its profile
supplier, strengthening the already-established working relationship between
them.
[More
on this Story]
Plus
Plan rebuts Rumours
Rumours about the future of Plus Plan
(UK) Ltd, a UK PVCu window systems company in the commercial sector, and
Plus Plan GmbH, both part of the German VGT Industrie AG, have been circulating
around the industry in the last two weeks. As ever with rumours, some
of these are true; but some are false and potentially damaging.
[More
on this Story]
Laird
Group files Positive Results, but Fullarton Disposal Proves Costly
The Laird Group has reported annual turnover for 2002 of £424m,
close to the figure achieved in 2001 and in the face of difficult electronic
markets and adverse exchange rate mocements. Laird Technologies, Laird
Security Systems and Laird Plastics all recorded higher operating profits,
before exceptional items, in the year.
[More
on this Story]
Saint
Gobain fails to excite in good market, but glass is best sector'
Saint-Gobain’s
2002 performance, achieved against the backdrop of a challenging economic
environment, testifies to the Group’s resilience and its swift reaction
to changing business conditions', the group says.
[More
on this Story]
Veka
Tilts to Caldwell
Caldwell has been chosen by Veka plc to
supply improved window hardware for its Matrix vertical slider range.
Veka has been working on an enhancement programme with this product for
several months. In particular, the company was interested in approving
Caldwell's slide-in pivot bar assembly and sash restrictor, along with
the development of a new tilt restrictor range.
[More
on this Story]
Don't
Hold Industry Back Urges BPF President
BPF President, Brian Mann made an impassioned
plea to Ministers on 19th March urging government action to alleviate
the fiscal and regulatory pressures currently suppressing manufacturing
industry's performance.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
Finalises Agreements with Government of Iceland to Build Aluminium Facility
Alcoa Inc. announced on March 18th it
has finalised agreements with the Government of Iceland and Landsvirkjun,
Iceland's National Power Company, to build the 322,000 metric tons per
year Fjardaal aluminium facility in Eastern Iceland. Agreements were signed
recently in Iceland.
[More
on this Story]
'Explosive'
Demand for Evolution puts Business Micros on Track for 35% Turnover Growth
As the orders continue to come in for
Business Micros Evolution manufacturing program, the software supplier
finds itself well on track to achieve a year on year turnover increase
of 35 per cent.
[More
on this Story]
Alumet
'trebles market share'
Alumet Systems (UK) Ltd has trebled its
market share over the past four years and is set to double it again over
the next two. With profits for its latest full year forecast to rise to
70 percent, and turnover for the current l2 months likely to be 50 percent
up at more than £10 million, confidence at the Warwickshire based
company is at an all time high.
[More
on this Story]
Status
Encourages Fabricators with Attitude
With tough forecasts being set for 2003,
profile extruder Status has already exceeded targets for the first two
months of the year. This is due in great part to both the proactivity
of its sales team, and the overall ambitious nature of its nationwide
fabricator network.
[More
on this Story]
All
Fab for Profab 2000
Profab 2000 is marking its 14th year with
Profile 22 to announce a 75% boost in its factory space to meet growing
demand from its West Wales customer base. Profab's premises in Ammanford
have grown by 2,600 sq ft to 7,500 sq ft as part of controlled expansion
plans to take the company forward into the 21st century.
[More
on this Story]
Gold
Seal Windows and Roofline
Goldseal Windows has announced that it
will now be operating from new larger premises. Until recently the company
traded from Goldenhill Lane in Leyland but due to increased demand and
the introduction of a new trade window division has now moved to Boro'
Corn Mill in Chorley.
[More
on this Story]
Outstanding
Tenant Satisfaction Ratings for Sentinel
Sentinel Doors, which is operating 'Project
Partnering' agreements with many local authorities and housing associations
throughout the UK, has achieved tenant satisfaction ratings of 98% and
99% respectively from partnerships with Tonbridge & Malling Housing
Association and Perth & Kinross Council.
[More
on this Story]
BBA
Monthly Certificate Update
The following BBA Certificates have been
awarded, updated or withdrawn:
[More
on this Story]
New
Premises for Rooms with a View
Bradford-based Rehau fabricator, Rooms
with a View Ltd has recently moved to larger premises in Hillam Road,
off Canal Road in Bradford.
[More
on this Story]
Leading
the On-Line Revolution with Synergebuild
Controlled investment has enabled Status
fabricator Leading Windows to achieve a year on year growth of a quarter
of a million pounds since 1999.
[More
on this Story]
Progressive
Success for Unique Windows
Its first 16 months of Trade sector fabrication
has been so successful for Bedfordshire-based Plastmo customer Unique
Windows, that the company has purchased a further 4,000 sq.ft. of production
space, within an overall £500,000 expansion programme.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
Continues to Limit Use of Independent Accounting Firm
Alcoa announced on 28th February that,
consistent with the company's corporate governance guidelines, it continued
to strictly limit the non-audit work of its independent accounting firm,
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), in 2002.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 66 18th March 2003
Darby
Group plc - Preliminary Results Show Return to Profitability
Stephen Knight, Non-Executive Chairman
of Darby Group plc has announced a trading update at the AGM on 7th May.
'The Company continues to operate in an extremely competitive marketplace,
and at present there are some signs of uncertainty in the economy. Nevertheless,
we view the future with confidence, and the Company is now well equipped
in terms of management and capacity to maximise the opportunities which
do exist.' The Group has enjoyed a return to overall profitability - profit
before tax £0.8m (2001: loss £1.9m)
[More
on this Story]
Deceuninck
Reinforces its Balance Sheet Structure - Earnings up by 5.9%
The Deceuninck Group achieved consolidated
sales of 362.2m euro in 2002. Current net profit grew by 20% to 32.7m
euro. EBIT grew by 1.8% to 42.9m euro, operational cashflow by 4.5% to
77.3m euro. 'The past year saw major economic and political uncertainties',
says Clement De Meersman, Deceuninck CEO.
[More
on this Story]
Restructuring
at Heywood Williams Group to Pay Dividends in 2003
In announcing the preliminary results
for the year ended 31st December 2002, Chief Executive of Heywood Williams
Group PLC Ian Stuart made the point that the company was in a position
'to benefit from the investments in new products, more efficient business
structures and a strengthening of the management skills across the divisions'.
[More
on this Story]
New
Foiling Service from Exefoil
Extrusion foiling coupled with collection
and delivery service is now available from a new source. Exefoil Ltd,
based in Haydock, Lancashire, has been founded to provide a new foiling
service. The management team headed by Michael Cox has almost half a century
of experience in plastic extrusion and window fabrication, yielding first-hand
experience of the potential problems, and the quality required.
[More
on this Story]
A
Simple Mistake Proves a Waste for Synseal in Pollution Fine
Sometimes owning up to a problem is the hardest thing, especially when
you have been making great progress on all fronts, and everyone has been
trying their best to be the best. 'Our customer facing systems have ensured
that customers give us the highest ratings for quality, logistics and
overall value,' said Gareth Edwards, Production Director of systems company
Synseal Extrusions Ltd, 'but even the best of us make mistakes that let
us down.'
[More
on this Story]
Iceland's
Parliament Approves Alcoa's Fjardaal Plant
On March 5th Althingi, Iceland's parliament, approved legislation that
will allow the conclusion of a contract to construct Alcoa's proposed
Fjardaal primary aluminium smelter in Eastern Iceland. The vote passed
by a strong majority - 41 votes in favour, 9 votes in opposition and one
abstention.
[More
on this Story]
UK
Glass Engineers make the French Connection
Instrument Glasses Ltd, a family owned
glass engineering specialist, has enjoyed an increase in its export sales
potential of over £300,000 in France after participating in a Trade
Partners UK funded 'Export Explorer' Trade Mission to Lille this month.
[More
on this Story]
Sheffield
Winter Garden Highly Commended in ICE Award Ceremony
Sheffield's latest landmark building,
the Sheffield Winter Garden was Highly Commended at the lnstitution of
Civil Engineers Yorkshire Award Ceremony on 28th February. The design
team for the award include architects Pringle Richards Sharratt, consulting
engineers Buro Happold and contractor Interserve Building.
[More
on this Story]
Status
Increases On-Line Ordering
In 2002 Status received 43 per cent of orders through its on-line ordering
system SynergeBuild. This represents a significant proportion after the
first years of rolling out SynergeBuild to its nationwide customer base.
[More
on this Story]
KAT
Invests in a Right Little Goldmine
KAT UK has invested £30,000 in a marketing specific IT system to
help it continuously improve customer service. The Macclesfield based
niche product fabricator has a strong background in proven telemarketing,
and the new Goldmine system will be fundamental in helping KAT maintain
this as it continues to grow.
[More
on this Story]
Dual
Management Initiative for Hardware Distributor
Hardware distributor Carl F Petersen has
further enhanced its service strategy with dual management sales support.
Designed to give account ownership to internal and external staff, the
system provides wide-ranging benefits.
[More
on this Story]
Metal
UK Completes Innovative 'Pod' for Fosters
Metal UK, engineer and installer of bespoke
glass solutions, has completed a bespoke project to design, manufacture
and install a futuristic security pod for architect Norman Foster Partnership.
[More
on this Story]
Velux
Leads Way with new European Standard for Roof Window U Values
Velux, the roof window specialist, will
now measure its product U values to pr EN ISO 12567. The standard, which
is due to be adopted by all member states during April 2003, sees the
introduction of a U value measurernent method specifically for roof windows.
[More
on this Story]
BWF
Launches Code of Conduct
The
British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has officially launched its new Code
of Conduct. Since its adoption at last year's AGM, the BWF has been working
on the logistics of putting it into effect. The implementation process,
which will make the new Code a reality for BWF Members, will be formally
introduced at the BWF's Members Day later this month (27th March 2003).
[More
on this Story]
Air
Products to Build and Operate High Purity Nitrogen Plant for Guardian
Glass
Air Products PLC has been awarded a long-term contract to supply ultra
high purity nitrogen to Guardian Glass at their new state of the art float
glass facility, in Goole, East Yorkshire. Under the terms of the agreement,
Air Products will build and operate the Prism HPN20 plant on behalf of
Guardian.
[More
on this Story]
Cutting
Edge Solutions from Siemens
Siemens state-of-the-art drives and control
technology are being used in the manufacture of a new range of polycarbonate
precision cutting machines, called Polycut, recently developed by Clearview
Engineering a division of Clearview (Yorkshire) Ltd.
[More
on this Story]
New
Member of Steel Window Association
Mike Honour Windows Ltd, of Moreton-in-Marsh,
Gloucestershire, is the latest member of the Steel Window Association.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 65 11th March 2003
Synseal's
Grand Opening Success
The Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP for Ashfield and Secretary of State for Defence
opened Synseal's new manufacturing and warehouse facility on Friday 7th
February.
[More
on this Story]
Schott-Glaverbel
Acquires Flat Glass Processing Company in Turkey
The joint venture Schott-Glaverbel B.V., owned 50/50 by the special glass
manufacturer Schott Glas (Mainz, Germany) and the flat glass manufacturer
and processor Glaverbel (Brussels, Belgium), has acquired the Turkish
flat glass processing company Orim
[More
on this Story]
Dopag
opens UK facility
Dopag (UK) Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dopag
AG of Switzerland. It is a specialist fluids handling company offering
a wide selection of equipment and systems, engineered to meet the needs
of both hi-tech companies and traditional manufacturing industry.
[More
on this Story]
Velux
Operates Round the Clock with Bohle
Production
at Velux, the roof light company, is operating around the clock thanks
to advanced glass processing technology from Bohle. Velux has now purchased
six Bohle twin-belt arrissing machines to take a fine but critical grind
edge off glass before assembly into roof window units.
[More
on this Story]
Everwhite
Takes Quantum Leap in Production
EverWhite
- manufacturers of PVC UE building products and systems - has announced
a 'quantum leap' in production with the launch of the largest range of
new products in the company's history.
[More
on this Story]
Siegenia-Aubi
is one of a Kind
Window and door hardware and ventilation manufacturer,
Siegenia-Aubi Ltd, has supplied a unique hardware solution for a domestic
conservatory in Portsmouth.
[More
on this Story]
The
Whiteline Group Confirms Growth and Market Position
The
Whiteline Group, the South East specialist trade fabricator of PVCu windows
and doors, reports that after significant investment into the company,
the company has grown its market position and share once again over the
last year.
[More
on this Story]
Lanterns,
PST and Versatile
Conservatory
roof system supplier, Versatile approached PST in 2002 looking for a software
solution that would allow the company to design conservatory roofs using
its roofing profiles.
[More
on this Story]
Strong
Sales Growth and Stable Profitability for UK Construction lndustry
'The
Construction sector in the UK has seen strong sales growth of 22.4% between
1999 and 2001, with the average company recording sales of £28 million
in 2001. Pre-tax profits however have grown by 44.2% with the average
sector company showing a profit of £1.27 million in 2001.' reveals
a new report.
[More
on this Story]
SFS
Sets New Records in Hinge and Fastener Sales
Fastener
manufacturer SFS intec has reported a 20% year-on-year increase in sales
of austenitic fasteners and major growth in door hinge sales.
[More
on this Story]
Remploy
Supplies Self-Cleaning Glass for Oldham Housing Renovation Scheme
Two
of Oldham council's housing schemes, currently being renovated, are to
benefit from self-cleaning glass, being supplied through Remploy Metro
Windows.
[More
on this Story]
IMI
plc Preliminary Results
IMI
plc, the major international engineering group, recently announced its
preliminary results for the year ended 31st December 2002.
[More
on this Story]
Securing
the Nation's Treasure
When Sir Arthur Gilbert bequeathed his extraordinary collection of decorative
arts to the British people, he did so on the understanding it would be
safeguarded forever. Recently opened to the public, the collection is
under Abloy Security's lock and key.
[More
on this Story]
What’s
Your Outdoor Gear Worth?
Have
you ever stopped to think about the value of your outdoor property? The
reality is that most people would be surprised at the total value of items
such as bicycles, lawnmowers, workbenches and power tools that are stored
in their sheds and garages. Unfortunately, these items are easy targets
for opportunist burglars.
[More
on this Story]
Derby
Day for Ultralite
Ultraframe
has made sourcing its Ultralite 500 'roof in a box' lean-to conservatory
roof even easier through new distributor The Building Plastics Supply
Group Ltd
[More
on this Story]
HM
100 Helps Portsmouth Company Produce its own IG Units
Business
has boomed for a south coast window company to the point where it has
decided it no longer wishes to be reliant on outside suppliers for its
insulated glass units, turning instead to Tremco for the products and
technical back up needed for a switch to in-house production.
[More
on this Story]
Glass
UK Unveils Europe's Largest Laminating Bench
Europe's
largest glass laminating bench has been installed at Glass UK's Ickenham,
Middlesex headquarters, enabling the company to manufacture the largest
oversize laminated toughened double-glazed units on the continent.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
and Alcoa Foundation Report 2002
*Combined
Giving of More than $34 Million Worldwide
*50 Years Of Community Investments with Events in 135 Communities
*Heightened Focus On Employee Engagement in Alcoa Communities
*Announcement of Global Social Venture Initiative for NGO Sustainability
[More
on this Story]
Technal's
Windows Installed Off-Site for Flagship Liverpool Scheme
Construction
of Liverpool's first five star hotel is now well advanced, following the
arrival on site and installation of the prefabricated concrete panels
containing more than 200 aluminium casement windows from Technal.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 64 4th March 2003
Buildings
to Deliver a Key Element of Government's Energy Policy Targets
BRE reviews and comments on the government's
recent Energy White Paper: The government’s Energy White Paper,
published on 24th February, sets out its goals and targets for reducing
emissions of carbon dioxide by 60% by 2050. In achieving this long-term
target, and an intermediate target of reductions of 15-25 Million tonnes
of Carbon (MtC) by 2020, energy efficiency is identified as delivering
half of the necessary improvements.
[More
on this Story]
OFT
Launches Codes Regime to Business
The OFT recently unveiled its new ‘approved
code’ logo at the launch of its consumer codes approval scheme to
UK business. The new regime will benefit consumers by driving up standards
of customer service and will reward qualifying businesses by helping to
build consumer confidence.
[More
on this Story]
Over
1000 Catch the CAB Standards
More than 1000 copies of the Council for
Aluminium in Building's 'Setting the Standard 6' guide have been sold
in just two months highlighting the demand for clear, concise and practical
information on working with Part L.
[More
on this Story]
Group
Deceuninck enters new premises in Czech Republic
Group Deceuninck, worldwide producer of
PVC-U window systems and building profiles, has moved its Deceuninck Spol
subsidiary into a brand new office, warehouse and training centre in the
Czech Republic. An investment of 3.5 million euro is involved.
[More
on this Story]
sdea
Sponsors International Display Week
sdea is to sponsor the niche London display
show, International Display Week, for the first time. The show will be
held at the Business Design Centre from 5th to 7th March.
[More
on this Story]
Shepley
Stars in Your Eyes
Staff at Shepley didn't realise how many of their colleagues were famous
until launching a look-a-like competition in their employee newsletter.
[More
on this Story]
Italian
Hardware Giant Forms UK Company
AGB spa ofItaly has announced the formation
of Alban Giacomo UK Ltd (AGB UK Ltd).
[More
on this Story]
Schott
Makes Good Start to Year - 250m Euros Invested in Capital Equipment
The Schott Group recorded an increase
of 5% for both order intake and sales in the first four months of the
2002/03 fiscal year (to Sept. 30th).
[More
on this Story]
AFG
Announces a $30 Million Coating Facility in Abingdon, Virginia
AFG Industries of Kingsport, TN, announced
on February 4th the selection of a site in Abingdon, VA, for its new coating
plant.
[More
on this Story]
'Superwood'
Ready for UK Production - TimbaPlus takes Delivery of new Extruder
A new building material, produced from
a combination of wood and thermoplastics, with all the positive benefits
of both wood and plastic and none of the problems traditionally associated
with each, is now in production.
[More
on this Story]
Fischer's
Undercut Anchoring System Wins CTRL Endorsement
The Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) has
become the latest major construction project to specify undercut anchoring
systems from fischer's department for Advanced Curtainwalling Technology.
[More
on this Story]
Force
8 Roll Call Pays Dividends
Window and door manufacturer, Force 8,
has made life easier for its employees by investing in a Rotox machine,
which is currently helping to reducing labour by approximately 20%
[More
on this Story]
NFB
Sets Sights on Smaller Firms
The National Federation of Builders has
announced the introduction of a lower-priced subscription fee designed
to attract smaller building firms into membership.
[More
on this Story]
Glass
Training explains how Proskills works
The Editor of the GTL newsletter made
the following comments:
'We have been asked by some employers to describe how the new Proskills
organisation will work with employers.
[More
on this Story]
Glass
Processing Consumables from Ken
Bohle is now the exclusive UK distributor
of BEVELOX the premium grade chemical-mechanical cerium oxide bevel polishing
compound, now to be called 'BEVELOX by Bohle'.
[More
on this Story]
Improve
your Sales - Colour Rendering and Fabrication for Conservatories
PST is offering its colour rendering software
at the discounted price of £200.
[More
on this Story]
New
Track Systems from DR Services
To ensure the smooth operation of sliding
panels, DR Services now offers its Series 700 and Series 700 Junior range
of sliding track hardware for frameless glass systems.
[More
on this Story]
Hunter
Douglas to Sponsor Archiprix
Hunter Douglas has concluded a cooperation
agreement with The Archiprix Foundation, to become the main sponsor of
the prestigious 'Archiprix Nederland' and Archiprix International prizes.
[More
on this Story]