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THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 100 25th November 2003
£35
Million Management Buy Out of Securistyle
The
directors of Securistyle announced on 19th November that they have
successfully completed the £35 million management buy out
of Cheltenham based Securistyle, a market leader in the UK for the
manufacture of window hinges, and a leading supplier to the UK architectural
hardware market.
[More
Here]
Ronnie
Rossall to Jump from 15,000ft at 125mph - but only if YOU pledge Money
to Kids Charity
They
say that madness comes in many forms. Throwing yourself out of a plane
at a height in excess of 15,000 feet is probably one of them. Yet
Systems Hardware managing director Ronnie Rossall intends to do just
that. However, he is not planning to just plummet towards the earth
in a 125mph tandem skydive… Oh no – he intends to include
a back somersault exit from the aircraft, straight into high speed
left and right spins, while his sons Stephen and Robert, leaving the
aircraft after Ronnie, reach speeds in a vertical dive approaching
180mph to catch him up and link-up in freefall.
[More
on this Story]
In line with its continued growth, European specialist glass processor HansenGlass is undertaking an expansion programme at the company’s offices and manufacturing facility in Kirkby, Merseyside.
New
Palmer Report - The Market for Windows, Doors and Conservatories in
New Housing to 2007
Key
points from the 2003 edition
* £400 million market recorded in 2002 for the total installed
value of glazed products was 0.6% up on the previous year. PVC-U's share
of the market has stabilised at just over 60%.
* Although housing starts grew by 1.7%, the window market fell by 0.6%
by volume; but grew in value by 1.9%. PVC-U's share was 76%.
* Entrance door markets fell 2.8% by volume, and 1.1% by installed value.
PVC-U's share was 11%
* Patio door market grew by 1.3% by volume, 3.5% by value.
* Conservatories installed in new housing (i.e. new houses sold with
conservatory) fell 16% by both volume and value. Only 2.6% of new houses
had a conservatory installed.
[More
on this Story]
Vitro/AFG JV Float Plant Starts Operations
in North America
Vitro AFG, North America's newest and most modern float glass plant
is now in production in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. Vitro AFG
is a 50/50 joint venture of Vitro Plan, a subsidiary of Vitro SA and
AFG lndustries Inc, a subsidiary of Asahi Glass Company in the United
States of America.
[More
on this Story]
Window
Customers Win a new Set of Wheels
When
John and Sue Scott bought new windows and doors from Crewe firm Nouveau
Windows they didn’t expect a brand new Renault Laguna too. That
ís exactly what they got thanks to a competition being run by
the trade organisation Network Veka, of which Nouveau is a member.
[More
on this Story]
Its
Official – Visage Ornate® is Exclusive to Shepley Installers
Shepley
Window Systems has just received confirmation from The Patent Office
that its Visage Ornate® brand has been authorised as a registered
trademark. ‘We not only recognise the importance of differentiation
and brand protection for ourselves, but for our customers too,’
says Gary Torr, managing director of Shepley.
[More
on this Story]
Sapa
lnterim report January-September 2003
Reporting a 38% increase on after tax profits for the 9 months to September
30th 2003, Sapa's President and CEO Staffan Bohman said: 'Our positive
volume development has been achieved in markets with continued weak
growth and with considerable pressure on margins. Sapa's profile operation
in the US shows good growth in volumes coming from an increased market
share. Profiles Europe has prioritised profitability and has by this
marginally decreased volumes.
[More
on this Story]
It's
Curtains for Sash Deliveries
Sash UK has boosted its national delivery fleet with the purchase of
a seventh heavy goods vehicle. Sash, whose colourful liveried trucks
have become a familiar sight to motorists throughout the UK, has also
ordered two additional curtain sided backs to cope with the increased
demand from the company’s conservatory division as well as handle
palleted consignments by plot number, for the new build market.
[More
on this Story]
Sentinel
Wins Major Public Sector Contracts
Sentinel Doors claims to be the first door manufacturer to sign one
of the latest Term Partnering Contracts, which are currently only available
in draft form. The contract, called 'Term Partnering Contract 2001'
(TPC2001), was signed with Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT) and will involve
the supply and installation of Sentinel composite doors and frames for
81 properties.
[More
on this Story]
Sierra’s
Seal of Approval
Oxfordshire-based
trade supplier Plastics Direct can now offer its customers the latest
high security locking system from Safeware.
Launched earlier this year, Safeware is a new brand of window and door
hardware that is claimed to be the most advanced product of its type
in the UK.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
Technology Improves New Audi A8 Sedan
Alcoa
announced on 30th October that it has provided automotive aluminum structural
technology to Audi AG, the German automaker, for its second-generation
A8 sedan. Alcoa's automotive structural technology in the A8 offers drivers
outstanding stability and sets new standards in safety performance, while
maintaining one of the automotive industry's lightest luxury sedan body
shells.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 99 18th November 2003
Verdict
from GP&T launch Partners: 'We're Proud to Have been Part of It'
From the start of its existence, Glass Processing & Technology has
received support from companies representing most facets of the glass
industry. The show’s launch partners have been its most key supporters
and advisers, so it is particularly satisfying that they all agree that
GP&T 2003 has been an exceptional debut.
[More
Here]
GP&T:
Some Major Product Launches
Glass Processing & Technology offered more than the usual number
of new product launches, maybe because it was the first outing of the
show. We
saw the launch of a branded IGU from Speed Frame, from its recently
acquired TPS line. Dow Corning showed us its latest fast cure silicone
sealant for IGU manufacture; Ritec rebranded its non-stick glass coating
as 'Low-M Glass' (low maintenance) with an enhanced formula; DR Services
surprised us with a new application for switchable glass; and we were
given a sneak preview of RegaLead's Fusion offering (fused glass, of
course!).
[Read
About all of Them Here]
Edgetech,
Lisec and Goldshield Make a Great Team
Essex
based Goldshield has taken delivery of the UK's first Lisec TSS®
SuperSPEED production system. The company had high hopes for the benefits
it would bring, and now that the line is up and running, the results
are clear to see. As anticipated, the introduction of this line has
considerably enhanced the production of high performance sealed units.
[More
Here]
Business
Link Advises Novaglaze
An
investment of over £1m by Huddersfield-based glass bending specialists
Novaglaze in a machine that reduces the time taken to bend pieces of glass
from 20 hours to 3 minutes looks set to result in substantial growth for
the company.
[More
on this Story]
Guardian
Industries Corp. Launches Diamondguard™ Technology
'When
experts from Guardian Industries’ Science & Technology Centre
applied science and chemistry to the growing field of ultra-thin glass
films, they created something never before seen in the glass industry:
a protective coating that will bring value to customers today and
provide a platform for the launch of a host of innovative, high performing
products in the future.' says the company.
[More
on this Story]
Asset
Boosts Sales to Domestic Sector
Sales
of Asset windows, doors and conservatories to home owners rocketed by
almost 75% last month, thanks to a change of supplier of the PVCu profiles
used to make them.
[More
on this Story]
Manse
Masterdor Ltd Welcomes MP Following Major lnvestment
Phil
Willis, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, recently paid a visit to
Manse Masterdor Ltd following the company's expansion, to see the North
Yorkshire company in action.
[More
on this Story]
Absolute
Windows buys Ecoline Prepping Centre
Stuga
has confirmed the sale of an Ecoline Prepping Centre to Absolute Windows
of Bolton for delivery early in 2004. Absolute fabricates the Status
70 system and already has the Stuga Autocut Saw Centre, which is a good
combination for the Ecoline.
[More
on this Story]
Search
for the House of Pane - the UK’s Noisiest Home
A
nationwide campaign to find the UK’s Noisiest Home was launched
at a briefing in the House of Commons recently. The campaign –
which is a joint initiative between the Noise Abatement Society, and
specialist window company James Harcourt – targets noise pollution
experts from across the UK in a bid to find the worst cases of human
suffering and raise awareness of their plight.
[More
on this Story]
Status
Toolroom Nominated 'Centre of Excellence'
The
tool room at the Status Systems extrusion plant in Delph has been nominated
a dedicated centre of excellence for the maintenance and refurbishment
of tools.
[More
on this Story]
New
Contract for Nationwide Windows
Rugby-based
Nationwide Windows has been awarded the contract by Willenhall Housing
Trust to upgrade around 40,000 windows as part of the Trust’s investment
in home repairs and improvements for local tenants. The five year rolling
contract involves replacing existing windows with new PVC windows fabricated
from HW System’s HW70 profile.
[More
on this Story]
AAMA
Looking into Concerns about Dumping of Vinyl Window Components
Representatives
from the American Architectural Manufacturers Association Vinyl Materials
Council and the Vinyl Institute met recently with two U.S. government
agencies to familiarise themselves with the petition process that protects
domestic businesses from unfair foreign price competition (dumping).
[More
on this Story]
Setting
the Standards for PVCu Doors
PVCu
doors have always been a poor relation to PVCu windows. While most PVCu
windows work well when fitted and by and large can expect a trouble
free life for 20, 30 or more years, PVCu doors are a different matter.
Door panels are only part of the problem. All it needs is a change in
the weather and the service calls start; Doors that won’t close,
doors that won’t open. It’s a service engineer’s nightmare,
but it’s not like that for everyone.
[More
on this Story]
CertainTeed
will Invest $13.5 Million in its New Plant
CertainTeed will invest $13.5 million in a new, 250,000-square-foot plant
in South Buffalo. The building materials company recently held a ceremonial
ground breaking for the new facility in Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park.
[More
on this Story]
First
Installation of Nanogel® Translucent Aerogel Daylighting Panels Completed
in Europe
Swiss
building materials manufacturer Scobalit, has completed the first European
installation of Scobatherm® Nanogel® daylighting panels filled
with Nanogel® Translucent Aerogel from Cabot Corporation. The panels
were produced and installed by Scobalit in a school building project in
Zurich.
[More
on this Story]
Latasa
to be Sold to Rexam for Enterprise Value of $462m
Alcoa
announced on Friday 31st October that Latas de Aluminio, S.A. (Latasa),
an aluminium can business based in Sao Paulo, Brazil has been agreed to
be sold to Rexam for $355m and the assumption of debt, or an enterprise
value of approximately $462m.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 98 11th November 2003
GP&T:
Promac in a Charity Production
The
main feature of the Promac Glass Division display on Stand G10 at GP&T
will be a fully working complete automated IG production line. During
the exhibition, with the assistance of Express Glass Group, these machines
will be making custom sized sealed units for delivery and installation
at a new private hospital after the show, with all proceeds being donated
to charity.
[More
Here]
Pilkington
Interim Results 30th September 2003 Show 11% Increase in Pre-Exeptional
Profit
'The
Group’s results in the first six months of the year confirm the expectations
we set out in our previous statements, reflecting continued difficult
trading conditions in most of our markets' says Pilkington Chairman, Sir
Nigel Rudd. Despite the market background and a reduction in operating
profits of our joint ventures and associates, Group profit before amortisation
of goodwill, exceptional items and taxation was up 11 per cent on the
first half of 2002.
[More
Here]
OFT
Welcomes New Model Contract Terms from GGF
The
Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has recommended a clearer and fairer
model contract to its members following discussions with the OFT. The
improved model contract gives consumers a fairer deal with better cancellation
rights and greater prominence to the GGF dispute resolution procedures.
The model contract provides a blueprint for fairer terms in the sector
covering matters such as:
[More
on this Story]
Fortune
Brands Acquires Therma-Tru Door
Fortune
Brands Inc.’s Home and Hardware business has signed an agreement
to acquire Therma-Tru Corp., the manufacturer of residential entry doors
based in Maumee, Ohio in a transaction valued at approximately $925m.
[More
on this Story]
Unilock
Products is Re-Equipped
Over
the past 12 months Unilock Products, located in Radstock, has undergone
extensive development to improve manufacturing and supply services for
HLS Group companies and outside clients. These include the installation
of a new powder coating plant in order to increase throughput speed
and enable faster changes of colour to be made. Machinery for spiral
wrapping aluminium sections to minimise the risk of transit damage has
been purchased and is now operational as is new equipment for silicone
glazing. .
[More
on this Story]
New
Man at the Helm for Palram
Palram
Europe's UK Sales and Marketing Director, David Melamed is leaving to
take up a new technology, research and development role with the group
in Israel. He will be succeeded by Mark Pacey, Managing Director of
Sheffield-based Century Plastics Ltd, on December 1st.
[More
on this Story]
£1m
investment at Planet, and New Management
A
one million pound investment in the latest state of the art manufacturing
technology has been installed at the Walton Summit manufacturing site
over the past four weeks. After an intense period of delivery, set up
and commissioning, Stuart Prescott, Manufacturing Director and Mike
Batley, Works Maintenance Engineer, have completed this latest phase
in the expansion of Planet's manufacturing capacity on schedule.
[More
on this Story]
KBE
Achieves another Production Record
KBE
Window Systems’ Berlin Plant achieved record production output
in excess of 10,000,000 metres of PVCu Window and Door profile per month
in both September and October. The company says that ‘this level,
when added to the monthly output of KBE’s Moscow plant, clearly
positions KBE as one of the world’s leading producers of PVCu profile.’
[More
on this Story]
Kyro
Group Reports 36% increase in Profits for Q1-3 2003
'Kyro's
strategy is to grow organically and through acquisitions. During 2002
and 2003 growth has been sought through acquisitions, which within the
Glaston Technologies business area have made its machinery group number
one in the world of glass processing machinery and its glass processing
group the leading comprehensive supplier of architectural glass in Finland,'
says President Pentti Yliheljo.
[More
on this Story]
Saint-Gobain
Vitrage Acquires a New Float Line in China
The
Flat Glass Division of Saint-Gobain (Saint-Gobain Vitrage) and its Korean
partner Hanglas proceeded on October 8th, 2003 to the purchase of a
float line located in Qingdao (Shandong province) in North Eastern China.This
operation was carried out through a joint venture company held in majority
by Saint-Gobain Vitrage and Hanglas, and Luoyang the current owner of
the float line holding 10%.
[More
on this Story]
Saint-Gobain
Group Suffers from Exchange Rates
Consolidated
sales for the Saint-Gobain Group came to €22,236 million for the
first nine months of 2003, representing a contraction of 3.0% on an
actual structure basis and 4.6% on a comparable structure basis. As
for the first six months of the year, the decline in sales is entirely
due to currency effects – which had a 6.6% negative impact during
the period – and especially the sharp falls in the value of the
US dollar, pound sterling and Brazilian real against the euro.
[More
on this Story]
Tessenderlo
Group: Results to End of September 2003
Tessenderlo
Group's (Eurocell's parent company) sales figures realised as at the
end of September 2003 show a slight rise of 1.1% compared with the same
period for the previous year, totalling €1,458.8m against €1,443.4m
in 2002. Based on a comparable consolidation perimeter, the sales figures
would have fallen by 4%, due largely to the impact of the dollar.
[More
on this Story]
Hunter
Douglas: Nine Months Sales 1.9% Lower, Profit 4.0% Lower
Hunter
Douglas, world market leader in window coverings (Luxaflex®) and a
major manufacturer of architectural products (Luxalon®) reports results
for the first nine months of 2003. Hunter Douglas' sales in the first
nine months of 2003 were €1,248.4m, 1.9% lower than €1,273.2m
in the first nine months of 2002. The sales decrease reflects 0.7% volume
decrease, 10.4% negative currency impact and 9.2% contribution from acquisitions.
Sales were higher in Europe, level in Australia and lower in North America,
Latin America and Asia.
[More
on this Story]
CertainTeed
Roofing Completes Multi-Million Dollar Expansion Project at Minnesota
Plant
CertainTeed
Corporation has completed a major multi-million dollar expansion project
at its Shakopee, Minnesota, roofing plant, which included construction
of a production line to make the company’s Landmark™ Series
of laminated shingles.
[More
on this Story]
Guardian
Industries Introduces Ultrawhite™ Glass
‘Are
you in the market for a crisp, clear glass without the long lead times?
Do your customers want colour neutrality and improved clarity on demand?
Guardian Industries, a global leader in the glass, automotive and building
products industries, may have the solution: UltraWhite™ low-iron
glass'. says the company.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
Foundation Grants Help Southern California Disaster Relief Organisations
With
thousands of displaced California families still dependent upon volunteer
efforts for daily living needs, Alcoa Foundation has announced grants
to disaster relief organisations from the San Bernardino Mountains to
San Diego. A total of $60,000 has been awarded to the following organisations:
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
Announces Agreement to Sell Specialty Chemicals Business
Alcoa
Inc. announced on 6th November that Alcoa World Alumina & Chemicals
(AWAC), a global alliance between Alumina Limited (40%) and Alcoa (60%),
has agreed to sell Alcoa Specialty Chemicals to Rhone Capital LLC. This
sale is part of the divestiture program announced by Alcoa in January.
[More
on this Story]
Yes
it Will Make the Coffee!
‘With
nearly fifty Flowlines now sold in three years this extremely flexible
cutting and prepping centre is well known in the market place.’ says
Stuga.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 97 4th November 2003
Heywood
Williams Shares in Freefall as New Chairman Quits after 3 Months
Shares
in Heywood Williams plunged 43 per cent on Friday, 31st October
after the UK-based windows and doors group announced the resignation
of Hamish Bryce, executive chairman, and said it was cutting 300 jobs
in its domestic manufacturing operations (15% of its workforce). Serious
problems appear to have been discovered at the Cestrum, Centralock
and easyfab divisions. That, coupled with news that the final dividend
was unlikely to be paid, pushed shares down 57p to an all time low
of 75p (now down to 70p as of this (Tuesday) morning).
[More
on this Story]
Another
Scoop for GP&T as Guardian Industries Signs up to Exhibit
The
organisers of Glass Processing & Technology (GP&T) 2003 - the
UK glass industry’s dedicated exhibition and conference event –
have announced that global glass giant Guardian Industries will be exhibiting
at the forthcoming inaugural show, representing yet another major coup
for the event.
[More
on this Story]
Epwin
Announces Sale of D J Profiles
PVC-U
building products specialist, Epwin Group announced on Friday 31st October
the sale as a going concern of its rubber extrusion company D J Profiles
to Trelleborg, a major European building products group based in Sweden.
[More
on this Story]
New
Brooms get Sweeping at Wendland
In
a move described as ‘taking the company to the next level’
Graham Fisher (left) has been appointed Managing Director at
conservatory roof systems specialist Wendland and Alan Fielder
(below right) has been appointed Sales and Marketing Director.
[More
on this Story]
KS
Announces Record Sales Growth
KS Profiles, the Daventry-based PVCu window system supplier, announced
on 27th October year on year sales growth of 63% and the company's 11th
new customer in 10 months.
[More
on this Story]
LGT
Goes Through the Roof with Cyclone Cat and Sales
Lambert GT Services Ltd, the British toughening plant manufacturer has
experienced a ‘boom’ in the sales of glass tempering machines
and ancillary toughening plant equipment. With five new machine installations
since December last year and a further order book for three to be installed
by the end of this year, this represents almost one third of all new
machine sales since the company’s incorporation six years ago.
[More
on this Story]
Novaglaze
Installs Toughening Plant
Novaglaze Ltd of Huddersfield has installed its state-of-the-art curved
glass toughening plant which can bend 4mm up to 19mm thick glass, formed
to the highest standards.
[More
on this Story]
ASA
Complaint Upheld
Following
a complaint, a regional press advertisement on behalf of Southern Glass
Ltd of Southend-on-Sea, Essex was investigated by the Advertising Standards
Authority. The complaint was upheld.
[More
on this Story]
Flowline
Does it Again and Again
The
Stuga Flowline Cutting and Prepping Centre covered more ground in the
summer with sales to Armstrong Industries in Coventry and Pyramid Profiles
in Walsall.
[More
on this Story]
Bohle
Boosts Service and Quality
Two
top-of-the-range machines from Bohle’s glass processing range are
helping an Oxfordshire glazier to expand its service offering and achieve
a faster turnaround. Wallingford Glass & Glazing has recently taken
delivery of the latest Bohle Glass Belt Grinder GBS RT-11/22 and Disc
Grinder TSM 600-S.
[More
on this Story]
BBA
News
In
this month's What's New section of the BBA website there is news of the
visit of Building Regulations Minister Phil Hope to the BBA offices recently,
an article on the successful completion of a social housing project using
the BBA Innovation Awards winner, Kingspan TEK Haus Building System.
[More
on this Story]
Beaufort
Bucks the Trend
Expansion
continues apace at Beaufort Secure Design Ltd with the move to a new facility
in Newport, twice the size of its previous premises. The aluminium systems
company says it has seen overall sales double in the last five years together
with significant growth within the specification market.
[More
on this Story]
Pilkington
Activ Approval for Alfas
The
Alfas range of glazing and bonding tapes has been tested and confirmed
as suitable for use with Pilkington’s new self-cleaning glass.
[More
on this Story]
Sierra’s
Long and Winding Roads
Devon-based
Sierra Windows claims to be a truly nationwide supplier of windows and
doors - its 16-strong delivery fleet covered just short of one million
kilometres last year supplying customers from Cornwall to the Scottish
Highlands.
[More
on this Story]
Fullex
Lock into Experience
It
has been a year of change and forward thinking for managing director,
Ian Southall, and the team at Fullex Locks Ltd. With a growing number
of partnership programmes in the public sector, the launch of the Gemini
double door lock and the installation of new systems to improve service
and administration, there has been little time to sit back and reflect
on the overall success the company has achieved.
[More
on this Story]
Elite
Announces Eurocell Association
Elite
is a young company formed just over two years ago and has recently moved
across to Eurocell’s Pinnacle Conservatory System to serve the company’s
growing customer base. Situated in Great Barr, Birmingham, Elite currently
fabricates 15-20 roofs per week for the trade from its 4,000 sq ft premises.
[More
on this Story]
Procell
Helps Drive Trims Expansion
Trims
Ltd, a leading stockist of Premier Profiles’ Procell range of window
trims and roofline products, has announced plans to open several more
depots across the Midlands and North of England.
[More
on this Story]
Connect
2 the Northeast
Connect 2 National Plastics says it has experienced an unprecedented year
of sales and recently opened another new branch in Sunderland.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
Files Antidumping Petition against South African Producer
Alcoa
announced on 16th October that it has filed an antidumping petition with
the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission
against imports of certain aluminium alloy rolled plate manufactured in
South Africa.
[More
on this Story]
Amcat
and UK DATA IT help Telemarketers Avoid Silent Call Upset
Amcat,
a global supplier of contact centre solutions, is working with data suppression
specialist, UK DATA IT, to become the first contact centre predictive
dialler vendor to support the new 'silent call file'.
[More
on this Story]