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THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 52 26th November 2002
National
Window Companies 'A Pain in the Glass' says Which? Report
In a survey of its readers, published
on 7th November 2002, Which? found that six out of ten respondents experienced
difficulties with double glazing companies. National chains caused the
most problems.
[More
on this Story]
Deceuninck
fabricator wins Business Award for customer service
Deceuninck
fabricator Great Harwood Windows Ltd has won the prestigious East Lancashire
Business Award for customer service. Over 100 companies entered this category,
but the judges were impressed with the Blackburn based company's commitment
to customer service.
[More
on this Story]
Which
Trade Fabricators Have you Heard of?
Shepley recently commissioned research
into installers' perceptions of trade fabricators and the overwhelming
message from this research was that installers know very little about
trade fabricators.
[More
on this Story]
Who
Will be Caught with their Trousers Down in 2003?
The
window industry is facing one of the most significant phases in its history,
yet window companies in general appear poorly prepared to combat saturation
and less ready still to face up to the issue of replacing the replacements.
Who will be the first to be caught with their trousers down in 2003?
[More
on this Story]
Management
team buy out Ultraspan from Ultraframe
The management team at Ultraspan, including director of sales Steve Abrahams,
has purchased the Company from the Ultraframe group.
[More
on this Story]
The
VEKA Charity Calendar 2003 - Now it's Time for the Girls!
If you deal with PVC-U window systems supplier VEKA and perhaps wondered
if the girl on the other end of the line looks as good as she sounds,
now's the time to find out!
[More
on this Story]
New
Kitemark Scheme Launched for Double-Glazing Installation
BSI has launched a new Kitemark scheme
to ensure the quality of PVCu window installations. A double-glazed window
is only as good as the installation. Double-glazed windows on their own
can achieve the Kitemark but if a window is not properly installed it
may not last.
[More
on this Story]
Vat
Reduction ‘Crucial to Prescott’s Urban Crusade’, says NFB
The
National Federation of Builders (NFB) is calling on the Chancellor to
reduce the level of VAT on refurbishment projects in his pre-Budget report
later this month to help bring thousands of vacant, disused homes back
into use.
[More
on this Story]
Perfect
Partners for Pilkington Activ™
The
UK launch of Pilkington Activ™, the dual-action self-cleaning glass,
has now taken place, causing interest from not just homeowners looking
to save both time and money on window cleaning, but also the trade who
are keen to add the new product to their own portfolio.
[More
on this Story]
Darby
Reinvestment Programme
As
part of the reinvestment programme already under way, and with an eye
on future compliance with Part L / Part J of the Building Regulations,
the Darby Group proposes to install a new cutting table at its location
in Scotland.
[More
on this Story]
Avocet
Raises the Roof
Avocet
Hardware has completed the first phase of a £3.5m project to establish
an automated picking and despatch operation at its National Distribution
Centre in Brighouse.
[More
on this Story]
Structural
Glazing in Research and Practice - Customer Service via Glass Competence
Centres (GCC)
Wacker
has set up Glass Competence Centres (GCC) worldwide in order to provide
customers with individual, project-specific consultancy right through
from planning to implementation.
[More
on this Story]
Support
for EU Energy Directive
At
a conference to review the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive -
which has been adopted by the EU Council of Ministers - there was overwhelming
support for its introduction in the UK as soon as possible.
[More
on this Story]
Asahi
Glass Reports Consolidated Results for Fiscal 2003 First Half
Asahi
Glass Company Limited released its consolidated operating results for
the first half of fiscal 2003, ended September 30, 2002, on November 18th.
Net sales edged down by 2.0%, to Y632,873 million ($4,921 million). Operating
profit dipped 35.1%
[More
on this Story]
Business
Micros 12 Per Cent Up
Software supplier Business Micros has reported a 12 per cent increase
in turnover in the year since it was bought out by directors Graeme Bailey
and Jim Cronie.
[More
on this Story]
Commercially
Aware, Customer Driven
When
Indigo Products Limited opened its commercial division it determined to
tender only for those contracts it felt confident in fulfilling with high
quality and on site service performance.
[More
on this Story]
Schott
on Course in Difficult Times
With virtually constant sales of 1.98 billion euros (2.004 billion euros
in 2000/2001) and a satisfactory profit comparable to that of the previous
year the Schott technology concern stood up well to the weak world economy.
[More
on this Story]
PPG
Industries Forecast
Earnings
of PPG Industries for the fourth quarter are forecast to be between 55
and 60 cents a share, according to Raymond W. LeBoeuf, chairman and chief
executive officer.
[More
on this Story]
Assa
Abloy - Interim Report for the Third Quarter of 2002
* Sales increased by 13%, with 3% organic
growth
* Income before tax increased by 28% as a result of ongoing improvements
and increased Group co-ordination
[More
on this Story]
Cotswold
Windows goes from Strength to Strength
In
order to accommodate a growth in business, HW Systems fabricator, Cotswold
Windows has recently moved into new premises in Toddington, near Cheltenham.
[More
on this Story]
Activity
Centre gets Warm Response from Sash
Youngsters
throughout the UK are reaping the benefits of a newly refurbished activity
centre on the outskirts of Barnsley - thanks to local window manufacturer
Sash and a selection of the company's suppliers.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
Foundation Celebrates 50 Years; Announces International Social Venture
Initiative
As
part of a worldwide celebration of its 50th anniversary, Alcoa Foundation
announced an international Social Venture Initiative designed to improve
the effectiveness and sustainability of nonprofits by applying business
and entrepreneurial models in their organisations.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 51 19th November 2002
OFT
Launches Doorstep Selling Investigation
The OFT has launched an investigation
into doorstep selling following a super-complaint from the National Association
of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB).
[More
on this Story]
Vitro
Reports Unaudited Third Quarter 2002 Results
Vitro announced on October 23rd that it
continued to show a consistent level of sales on a YoY basis, reaching
US$600 million for the quarter, a marginal decrease on 1.4% compared with
the same period of 2002, taking into account the ongoing slowness in the
Mexican and the United States economies.
[More
on this Story]
Top
Ten Most Profitable Companies in the Glass lndustry
A just published industry report that
examines the financial performance of over one hundred leading companies
operating in the glass industry in Great Britain reveals the top ten most
profitable companies by pre-tax profit margin for the last complete financial
year available, 2000/2001.
[More
on this Story]
Stuga
Success Story
Stuga Limited recently sold Flowline number
thirty-seven and is currently installing number thirty. This is a major
success storey for a machine that was only launched three years ago.
[More
on this Story]
Kombimatec
Sales Up By 20%
At
the close of a financial year that took in the company's most successful
Glassex to date and the launch of several key new products, GTI-Kombimatec
reports a 20% overall increase in sales revenue. This follows on from
the previous year's results, which also saw a 17.5% rise in annual sales
for the company.
[More
on this Story]
Rapid
Success in 21st Century Windows
North
Wales PVCu fabricator, 21st Century Windows, has recently completed the
latest expansion of its Hawarden site that puts the company well on its
way to achieve its objective of producing 2,500 windows per week.
[More
on this Story]
Showroom
Spectacular for Taylormade Conservatories
Taylormade
Conservatories of Tamebridge, Walsall - an installer of the Ultraframe
conservatory roof system - has recently opened a purpose built indoor
showroom displaying 20 conservatories.
[More
on this Story]
Pilkington
Activ™ Installed on Transport Fleet
The
Pilkington vivid green transport fleet is a familiar sight on roads throughout
Britain and mainland Europe. Now, the vehicles have become even more eye
catching by having Pilkington Activ™ added to 100 of the delivery
trucks.
[More
on this Story]
Combining
Technology with Tradition
North
east Status fabricator, Ramage Trade Frames has invested £100,000
and has incorporated internet trading. Ramage has developed an IT infrastructure
based around the Synergebuild internet platform. As well as streamlining
order processing and stock movements, the system has created a stable
foundation to enable Ramage to control its growth more efficiently.
[More
on this Story]
Warmshield
Joins Forces with HW Systems
Halifax based Warmshield Windows Ltd has
recently signed an agreement with HW Systems to manufacture its range
of products including the HW70 suite and Vertical Slider Sash window.
[More
on this Story]
Swish
goes Large in Scotland
When major national housebuilder, Bellway
Homes, wanted bespoke roofline components, Swish Building Products stepped
in to supply the items to their exact specification.
[More
on this Story]
Everest
Expands Treherbert Production to meet Commercial Success
Everest has recently invested £500,000
expanding window production at its Treherbert, South Wales factory - primarily
to meet the escalating demand from the Everest Commercial Division now
into its third year in business.
[More
on this Story]
UK
Exhibitors Endorse glasstec
2002
'For all our British exhibitors glasstec 2002 seems to have been an unparalleled
success', commented Nigel Rees, the Glass & Glazing Federation Chief
Executive. 'We have had nothing but good reports from everyone concerned.
Most companies are hopeful that they will be able to turn a good proportion
of their leads into business opportunities'.
[More
on this Story]
Quality
Service and Value from Panels Plus
Panels Plus, manufacturer of PVCu door
panels and composite doors has taken a new departure and has changed from
a pure ‘sales’ operation to a more customer and service focussed
company.
[More
on this Story]
CertainTeed
Corporation Acquires Marshall Vinyl Windows
CertainTeed Corporation, the North American
building product manufacturer, announced on 5th November the acquisition
of Marshall Vinyl Windows, Inc. of Corona, California. Terms of the sale
were not disclosed.
[More
on this Story]
New
XRF Drift Correction Glasses
Glass Technology Services (GTS), the technical
arm of British Glass, offers a new Drift Correction Glass service to both
manufacturers and users of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation.
[More
on this Story]
SFS
Fasteners Provide Conformity Certification
SFS
intec has produced a certificate for registered fabricators to confirm
that both its austenitic and carbon steel fasteners meet the requirements
under BS7412 2002.
[More
on this Story]
New Research Paper Examines Correct Window Hardware Specification Options
The effect of correct window hardware
specification on the longevity and quaiity of an entire window is examined
in a new research paper just published by risk management company, BLP
Housing.
[More
on this Story]
Come
and Join us, says Bigger Better Network
Network Veka has celebrated reaching its
50,000th installation with a new recruiting call to the industry. The
invitation came at the organisation's sixth AGM, when 170 delegates heard
there was never a more relevant time for other window companies to look
at the Network way of doing things.
[More
on this Story]
Metal
UK Secures LSE Glass Construction Contract
LMC Group company Metal UK has been awarded
a £100,000 contract to design, manufacture and install a complex
structural glass cafeteria and meeting place at the London School of Economics.
[More
on this Story]
Glass
Industry Standards Review
The glass industry standards are being reviewed to ensure they continue
to address current and future working practice. Consultation to date has
identified that the current Level 2 NVQs and SVQs broadly meet the requirements
of the glass industry and should not be changed. However, there are plans
to have only one qualification at Level 3 with six optional routes.
[More
on this Story]
Lyten
Windows Reach New Standard
Lyten Windows a Eurocell 60mm Window System
Scottish Fabricator has achieved the Scottish Building Regulations Part
J requirement (equivalent to Part L in England). The company decided to
do this in advance of the legislation, which will come into force in 2003.
[More
on this Story]
Masco
Corporation Announces Record Third Quarter Sales, Litigation Settlement
Charge and gives Fourth Quarter Earnings Guidance
Masco Corporation reported on November
12th that net sales for the third quarter ended September 30, 2002, aided
by acquisitions, increased 13 percent to $2.5 billion, a new quarterly
record, compared with $2.2 billion for 2001.
[More
on this Story]
THE
GL@ZINE ISSUE 50 12th November 2002
Kyro's Safety Glass business secures contracts worth in excess of 15m
Euros at Glasstec
Tamglass Ltd. Oy and Uniglass Engineering Oy of the Safety Glass Technology
business area within the Kyro Group have contracted machinery deliveries
worth approximately EUR 15 million in total. The contracts were agreed
during Glasstec 2002, which is the most significant biannual trade fair
for the glass industry.
[More
from Glasstec]
Polysulphide
or polurethane? the debate hots up
In
an interview The Gl@zine conducted with Wolfgang Netzer, Head of Marketing
and Sales at Henkel Teroson, at Glasstec, Düsseldorf, Mr. Netzer
gives his views on the insulating glass sealants market and talks about
the benefits of polysulphide over polyurethane
[More
on this Story]
Kömmerling
Chemie: Maintaining a Good Hold on a Difficult Market
Even if the economic figures in Germany give little cause for celebration,
Kömmerling Chemie is well-positioned on the adhesive and sealant
market. Sales and turnover rose in 2001. In Europe, profits rose by 15%.
[More
on this Story]
Record
Number of leads for Hot Melt on Bostik stand
Ralph
the Robot, star of Bostik Findley's latest advertising campaign, has been
hailed as a major success after helping create a record number of sales
leads for Hot Melt perimeter sealants at this year's Glasstec.
[More
on this Story]
Glasshouse:
Overall Winners Announced
The overall winner of Glasshouse, one of the most successful architectural
competitions ever staged, was announced during a presentation ceremony
held in Düsseldorf.
[More
on this Story]
Slight
Recovery Expected for the European Window Market
In 2001, the 320,000 employees of Europe's window, door and curtain walling
industry produced components worth 38.5 billion Euros. The market volume
amounted to 100.50 million window units (WU). In 2001, the European window
market was in the red with a slight downturn of -2.5%, in 2002 it will
be a black Zero and in 2003 it is expected to grow by 0.9%.
[More
on this Story]
First
European Window Producers Declare Conformity with CE-Marking
The European window and curtain walling manufacturers will declare for
the first time conformity of their products with CE-marking at the annual
meeting of the European fenestration federations in Barcelona.
[More
on this Story]
Window
Producers Volunteer to Discontinue Using SF6 Gas
German window producers will discontinue the use of the highly controversial
SF6 gas in sound-proof windows in the future. This is the content of a
planned declaration of self-commitment as announced on 28th October by
the national trade association 'Verband der Fenster-und Fassadenhersteller
e.V.'
[More
on this Story]
Unitec
Hardware Under New Ownership
Geniatec AG has announced that as a result of successful negotiations,
the UK management team of Unitec has acquired the assets and total shareholding
in Unitec Hardware Ltd
[More
on this Story]
New
ETA Guideline for Conservatory and Atrium Roofs Approved
The BBA has played a key role in the preparation of a new European Technical
Approval Guideline - an assessment method showing how products and systems
would be evaluated, leading, if successful, to the award of European Technical
Approvals.
[More
on this Story]
Ultraframe
moves up a gear in Ireland
Ultraframe has announced a major restructuring of its sales and distribution
in Ireland. The move represents a major step change in the level of support
and investment offered to its conservatory roof customers both in the
North and South of Ireland.
[More
on this Story]
Rapid
success in 21st Century Windows
The
largest PVCU fabricator in North Wales, 21st Century Windows, has recently
completed the latest expansion of its Hawarden site that puts the company
well on its way to achieve its objective of producing 2,500 windows per
week.
[More
on this Story]
John
Fredericks lncreases Capacity by 50 Per Cent
Trade
fabricator John Fredericks has increased its manufacturing capacity by
50 per cent by expanding into a new 23,500 square feet factory in Lockwood,
near Huddersfield.
[More
on this Story]
Tests
Prove Calcium Zinc Outperforms Lead
'Recent tests perfomed on various PVC compounds confirm that products
made from calcium zinc significantly outperform lead-based alternatives
when measured in simulated weathering tests.' says Freefoam Plastics.
[More
on this Story]
Fabricator
Bares all to stop Bypass
A
well known fabricator stripped stark naked and stood in the middle of
a field, to demonstrate against a bypass proposal that will destroy a
great part of the most beautiful countryside remaining in the West Midlands.
[More
on this Story]
It's
an Openworld with HomePro
HomePro has announced another alliance designed to help its trade customers
gain access to hundreds of thousands of consumers actively seeking home
improvements. The company hasformed an alliance with lnternet Service
Provider (ISP) BT Openworld that sees its Find-a-Pro 'active matching'
service forming part of the ISP's subscriber content.
[More
on this Story]
Sash
Makes a Huge Splash in the Big Apple
Sash USA, the independent sales arm of Sash UK Ltd, has received an order
for what is the company's biggest domestic conservatory to date with a
retail value of almost $600,000 - excluding the cost of the pool and furnishings!
[More
on this Story]
Tradeplas'
American Connection
Nailsworth based retail fabricator Tradeplas has completed three conservatories
in America, after striking a successful deal with a USA based trade customer.
[More
on this Story]
Portal
Delivers 10,000th Paladin Door
The 10,000th Paladin composite door to roll off the production line at
Portal Products was presented to one of their earliest customers, C &
G Cladding of Cheltenham.
[More
on this Story]
Spectus
Narrowly Beats Competitors
Spectus windows have been chosen to refurbish the narrowest house in the
world! Fabricated by Raymond Williams Double Glazing, Greenock and installed
by Cumbrae Joinery, new PVCu windows have been fitted to 'The Wedge' in
Millport on the isle of Cumbrae, off the west coast of Scotland.
[More
on this Story]
John
Hardman, Stained Glass Master, Receives Blue Plaque in Birmingham
On Friday 8th November 2002 an English Heritage Blue Plaque was unveiled
for John Hardman (1811-1867), master metalworker and stained glass maker.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 49 5th November 2002
Pilkington
Interim Results
'in
line with recent Trading Update'
Pilkington plc announced on 30th October the interim results for the six
months to 30th September 2002:
* turnover £1.4 billion (2001 - £1.47 billion)
* operating profit £110 million (2001 - £138 million)
* profit before amortisation of goodwill, exceptional items and taxation
£76 million (2001 - £107 million)
[More
on this Story]
EWS
Signs up with Easy-Fab's Online Trading Portal
Specialist reinforcement manufacturer EWS, part of the Laird Group, has
become the latest company to join up to the 'easy-fab' online trading
portal.
[More
on this Story]
Duraflex
Announces Record Sales Growth
Duraflex has announced a £1.6m growth in sales for 2002 to date,
compared with the same period last year, with 80% of the increase coming
from new business wins.
[More
on this Story]
Ecoline
Follows Flowline with Record Sales and Interest
The Stuga Ecoline stand-alone Prepping Centre launched at Glassex 2002
is enjoying unprecedented interest and sales in keeping with its big brother
the Flowline fully automatic Sawing & Prepping Centre.
[More
on this Story]
First
European Order for Edgetech's New TSS® SuperSPEED Production System
Edgetech IG announced at Glasstec 2002 the first European order for its
new TSS® SuperSPEED production system.
[More
on this Story]
Solutia
launches Vanceva Color for the European Automotive Market at Glasstec
Solutia,the
producer of interlayers and films used for windshields and Enhanced Protective
Glass (EPG side, rear and roof windows), launched Vanceva Color interlayers
for automotive laminated glazing at Glasstec 2002.
[More
on this Story]
New
Glassex Exhibitors will Bring a Taste of Europe to the UK
With the countdown to Glassex 2003 now well under way, the show's organisers
have announced the latest companies that have signed up for the event.
Not only does the current exhibitor list include some of the UK's biggest
names, but it also reveals that many major European manufacturers are
now looking to Glassex as an ideal path to reach UK audiences.
[More
on this Story]
The
Bygone Collection Joins the GGF
The Bygone Collection has joined the Glass and Glazing Federation. The
Bygone window range is manufactured by Masterframe and is available only
through the Bygone Preferred Installer network, the group of independent
window installers who include this sliding sash window product in their
product portfolios.
[More
on this Story]
Hurst
Listed as Third Fastest Growing Company in Yorkshire
Just weeks after announcing a 30% increase in PVCu door panel sales for
the first half of the year, Hurst Plastics received a further boost when
it gained third place in a ranking of the 100 fastest growing companies
in Yorkshire.
[More
on this Story]
Delivering
Further Success on the Road with K2
K2 Conservatory Roof Systems has embarked on a further capital investment
programme which has seen the expansion of the company's delivery fleet.
[More
on this Story]
Graffiti
Removal for Shopfronts
Chicago Glass, in its association with Glas·Weld Systems, Kent,
is a leading player in glass repair technology. Its scratch repair polishing
system, 'Renovator', claims to be able to produce distortion free results
with little or no optical deviation or visibility distortion.
[More
on this Story]
Three
Major Acquisitions in the last 18 months for Connect 2
With three major acquisitions completed across the country in the last
18 months, growth is nothing new for Connect 2 National Plastics.
[More
on this Story]
Stormy
Weather Holds no Fear for New BWF Member
Few locations could better demonstrate the quality and strength of the
joinery manufactured by the British Woodworking Federation's latest member
than the lifeboat station at Rhyl on the north coast of-Wales.
[More
on this Story]
Latest
E-News from Glass Training
According to the latest E-News from Glass Training, the SSDA Board has
approved bids from two further sectors for the next phase of SSC development.
They are Construction and the Process & Manufacturing industry, which
comprises Glass, Extractives, Building Products, Coatings, Paper and Furniture.
[More
on this Story]
Glass
Industry Urged to Act Now to Avoid Being Left Out in the Cold This Winter
Action Energy is calling for the UK glass industry to act now to reduce
their energy bills. Winter is the time when energy costs tend to soar,
but it doesn't have to be like that this year! Simply by calling 0800
58 57 94 and requesting a free energy survey*, organisations can act now
to start saving money and become more energy efficient.
[More
on this Story]