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THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 96 28th October 2003
EU
Firms still Face Problems in Chinese Market
China's
push to implement WTO accession rules has benefited European companies,
but huge obstacles remain, with foreign firms notably in the auto and
construction sectors actually seeing the number of barriers to business
increasing, the European Chamber of Commerce in China said.
[More
on this Story]
The
Glass Processing Days Conference Sprung out to UK
The first GPD UK will be organised in conjunction and in co-operation
with Glass Processing & Technology Exhibition held on 11-13 of November
in Birmingham, UK. A day and a half-long GPD UK will take place on 10-11
November 2003. The main social element will be a five course banquet
in Warwick Castle (jousting optional).
[More
on this Story]
Consort
Signs up for Global Roofs
Consort
Ltd has signed a supply contract with Synseal Extrusions Ltd for the
new Global roof. Consort, one of the first BBA Ultraframe roof fabricators,
decided it was time to change. ‘We could see the conservatory market
was experiencing massive growth, but our conservatory sales weren’t
growing at all,’ explains Stuart Buchanan, Sales and Marketing
Director of Consort.
[More
on this Story]
£200,000
Investment by Status Fabricator
Status
fabricator Allen Installations, better known to the trade as Windows
Direct, has recently invested £100,000 in production machinery,
with a further £100,000 budgeted over the next six months. These
investments have been designed to increase productivity, streamline
production flow and eliminate human error at the company's Essex based
factory.
[More
on this Story]
SFS
Fastener Wins 100% Approval Rating as Company Sounds Warning about Far
Eastern Imports
The
new generation bimetallic fastener from SFS intec Ltd has won a 100%
approval rating from fabricators and specifiers, a recent survey has
revealed. The news follows warnings about the risk of failing fasteners
at a time when the market is facing an influx of imported bi-mets from
the Far East.
[More
on this Story]
LHC
Approval for Sovereign Group - Local Company Celebrates Success for
New Aluminium Venture
Nelson
based PVCu window and door manufacturer, Sovereign Group Ltd has gained
LHC (London Housing Consortium) approval for it’s new expansion
into aluminium window and door production.
[More
on this Story]
KAT
UK and Manse Masterdor Reach Supply Agreement
Niche
products specialist KAT UK and composite bespoke door manufacturer Manse
Masterdor Ltd have reached a supply agreement, giving KAT UK access
to a top of the range door product, and extending existing market avenues
for Manse Masterdor Ltd.
[More
on this Story]
Shepley
Breaks Sales Records
In
recent months Shepley Window Systems announced a series of new records
for window and door production. The trade fabricator says it has now
broken its sales records too.
[More
on this Story]
Carl
F Direct - Quality Tools Delivered Next Day
An
expansion programme established by Carl F has been substantially increased
with the launch of Carl F direct. Running alongside its core window
and door hardware operation, the company says that the new mail order
business is the most significant development to be announced in Carl
F’s 15-year history.
[More
on this Story]
Deceuninck
Subsidiary Dayton Technologies joins with Alcoa Home Exteriors in Strategic
Alliance
Deceuninck,
worldwide producer of PVC window systems and profiles for the construction
industry, announced on 2nd October that its U.S. subsidiary Dayton Technologies
has joined with Alcoa Home Exteriors, Inc., a major U.S. manufacturer
of building products, in a strategic alliance that promises to bring
an exciting range of products to the home exteriors marketplace.
[More
on this Story]
Trosifol
Opens new Production Plant in Russia
In
the presence of high-ranking regional politicians and important business
partners, Trosifol officially opened its new production plant in Nizhny
Novgorod, about 450 kilometres east of Moscow, on 12th September. With
a maximum capacity of 4,000 tonnes of PVB film for laminated safety glass,
the new plant will be the hub in satisfying demand from the Russian market.
[More
on this Story]
Molan
Distributes Sky-Vent
Polycarbonate
roof pack supplier Molan has agreed a deal to distribute the Sky-Vent
conservatory roof vent product. The company supplies over 1000 roof packs
per week to the conservatory market and says it is the largest polycarbonate
roof pack supplier in the UK.
[More
on this Story]
New
Windows and Central Heating - The Residents’ Choice
A
new programme of resident consultation across Reigate and Redhill in Surrey,
highlights PVCu replacement windows and central heating as the two most
popular improvements.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
to Continue Operations at Intalco; Uncertainty About Rates Leads to Cutback
Alcoa
announced on 15th October that it will cut aluminium production at its
Ferndale, Washington ('Intalco') smelter, because higher Bonneville Power
Administration (BPA) prices have made the plant less competitive. The
plant will move to an annual production rate of 90,000 metric tons on
November 1st, 2003.
[More
on this Story]
Vitro
Cristalglass Selected to Supply Glass for 2004 Barcelona Forum
Vitro,
S.A. has announced that Vitro Cristalglass, Vitro's European subsidiary,
was selected to supply glass for the construction of the Universal Culture
Forum, a new icon building in Spain, that will host the 2004 lnternational
Conference in Barcelona.
[More
on this Story]
‘Live
Job Bags’ Take Hold at Regency
Cheshire
based Network Conservatories who produce Regency conservatories are the
latest company to buy into the RoofWright family of software. Using RoofWright,
Network Conservatories will be able to process the orders taken by sales
people within hours and substantially increase their throughput.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 95 21st October 2003
Insolvencies,
Winding up Orders, Petitions and Creditors' Meetings
The
following Notices have appeared in the past couple of weeks and include
notifications of creditors' meetings, winding up orders, administration
orders, voluntary liquidations and final creditors' meetings. Some 65
Companies mentioned include: Contano Aluminium, Highbridge Double Glazing,
European Security Window Systems, Doors Direct, Imperial Windows (Torbay)
and Empress Windows.
[More
on this Story]
UTC
reports Q3 EPS 5% higher and $1 billion in cash flow from operations
United Technologies Corp. has reported third quarter 2003 earnings per
share increased to $1.27, up 6 cents or 5 percent from the same quarter
last year. Net income rose 4 percent to $639m. Consolidated revenues
rose 9 percent to $8.0bn, primarily due to the acquisition of Chubb
Plc during the quarter. .
[More
on this Story]
League
Table Confirms The Burnden Group Plc’s Exceptional Growth Rate
International,
£multi-million construction and engineering group, The Burnden
Group Plc, has been highlighted in a league table of the 100 fastest
growing companies in the North West following 72.6% growth in 2001 -
02.
[More
on this Story]
Glassex
gets Competitive with Conservatories!
Building
on the growing importance of Glassex to buyers and specifiers serving
the conservatory sector, two new conservatory competitions will be launched
to take place at Glassex 2004. These events are designed to add fun
and interest at the show, but with the serious intention of developing
and promoting skills, safety and excellence in this rapidly expanding
market.
[More
on this Story]
Eurocell
Building Plastics South East Round-Up
Eurocell
Building Plastics, the UK network of trade centres, has relocated two
of its prominent South East centres. EBP Hayes has now moved to the
Clayton Business Centre off Trevor Rd, Hayes and the current South East
HQ, EBP Dartford is now situated on Newtons Court in the Crossways Business
Park, Dartford..
[More
on this Story]
GBW
Invests in People and IT
GBW
has made further investment in new personnel and the company’s
operational infrastructure. This includes additional staff resources
within the Customer Services Department to further enhance service levels,
and the installation of an IT system for tracking orders right through
the production process.
[More
on this Story]
Military
Honed Skill & Precision will Take KAT UK to Next Stage of Growth
Discipline,
drive, commitment, ambition, teamwork – these are just a few of
the qualities that motivate the new military trained management team
of KAT UK. Ex-Infantry officer David
Richards, founding director of KAT UK, has enlisted the skills of ex-logistics
officer Paul Randall and Submariner Sean Moriarty, to help him lead
KAT UK into the next stage of growth.
[More
on this Story]
Bohle
Helps County Glass get Tough
County
Glass & Aluminium Ltd has boosted the efficiency of its glass toughening
operation with the latest Twin Belt Dry Grinding machine from Bohle.
The Winchester-based company has recently taken delivery of the new
Bohle equipment to replace outdated machinery and improve productivity.
[More
on this Story]
Celebration
Opening of new £60,000 Installer Showcase Showroom!
A
little bit of business and a lot of fun were the order of the day at
Newstead Trade Frame’s recent Celebration Opening event, attended
by over 120 staff and their partners and 46 guests. The day was organised
as a thank you to staff and suppliers for the hard work put in during
the course of Newstead’s recent expansion programme..
[More
on this Story]
Fasteners
that Stay in one Piece from UK Fasteners
Screws
may be simple components, but they need to work. ‘Specifiers and
fabricators have been complaining of problems with a brand of bi-metallic
screws,’ warns David Ballinger, managing director of UK Fasteners.
[More
on this Story]
BeA
Fastening Systems Appoints Distributor for Southern Ireland
BeA
Fastening Systems Ltd, the UK manufacturer of collated industrial fastenings,
has just appointed TBF Thompson as sole distributor for Southern Ireland.
The new partnership will herald unlimited production and output benefits
for the Irish manufacturing industry.
[More
on this Story]
Dorma
Steps up MidEast Business Activity
The
Dorma Group is significantly expanding its business in the Middle East.
In the presence of Germany's federal chancellor, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder,
Dr. Michael Schädlich, Chief Executive Officer of the Dorma Group,
signed in Ryadh the purchase contract enabling Dorma to acquire a majority
holding in a production facility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
[More
on this Story]
Sureframe
Hit with Portal’s Paladin Door
The
growth of the composite door market has persuaded Accrington-based window
company Sureframe to start supplying Portal Products’ Paladin door.
A PVCu panel customer for the last seven years, Sureframe decided to stock
the Paladin door as it complements the company’s existing product
range.
[More
on this Story]
WindowQuoter
Opens Doors for Companies
Two
more companies have signed up to the internet-based WindowQuoter system
to generate new customers - and say they are already reaping the benefits.
Operated by nation-wide company Price Engines Ltd, WindowQuoter provides
firms with quality windows, doors and conservatory business by providing
genuine appointments with serious customers.
[More
on this Story]
PPG
Glass Provides Clearer View of Charters of Freedom
As
visitors returned on September 18th to the newly renovated rotunda at
the National Archives Building in Washington, they viewed the Declaration
of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights through Starphire ultra-clear
glass by PPG Industries.
[More
on this Story]
Top
Glass Dining at the Dorchester
The
Krug Room, the new Krug-sponsored chef’s dining room at the London
Dorchester is now officially open. Optima Architectural Glass was chosen
to work with interior fit out firm Vivid Interiors to install a 10m Priva-Lite®
‘intelligent’ glass screen in the Krug Room.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 94 14th October 2003
More
Comments on GP&T, K2 and Glassex
Out of a number of emails received following our comments on K2's decision
to pull out of Glassex 2004, we have selected four which cover the main
points. The first, from K2 marketing director Iain McInnes, clarifies
the proposed timing of the Customer Conference, while John Walsh from
Titon, Alan Foat from Kall Kwik and Irish glassman Frank McKee offer some
pearls of wisdom on Glassex and exhibitions in general.
[More
Here]
Network
Nears the Quarter-Billion...but says 'Public Trust is Worth More'
Network Veka has proclaimed total sales on the verge of a quarter billion
pounds - but says the growing public trust of for its standards and principles
is worth much more. We publish the full story of Veka's recent AGM, with
pictures!
[More
on this Story]
2003
International Solutia Design Awards -The Winners
The winners of the 2003 International Design Awards
from Solutia – manufacturers
of Saflex® and Vanceva™, the interlayers used in laminated architectural
glass – once again demonstrate the high levels of innovation and
ingenuity that exist amongst the architectural and interior design community
in their use and applications of laminated glass..
[More
on this Story]
Ultraframe
Issues Trading Update for the Year Ending 26th September 2003
Ultraframe
Plc, specialist designer and manufacturer of conservatory systems in
Europe and North America, on 8th October issued a year end trading update,
preceding its full year results announcement on Tuesday 2nd December
2003. As announced at the interim results, it is the Company's intention
to make this update a regular addition to its existing financial calendar.
[More
on this Story]
Laban
Dance Centre Wins the Stirling Prize
The
Laban Dance Centre in Deptford, South East London has won architecture’s
most coveted award – the Royal Institute of British Architects
(RIBA) Stirling Prize in association with ‘The Architects’
Journal’. The Prize of £20,000 is awarded to the architects
of the building which has made the greatest contribution to British
architecture in the past year.
[More
on this Story]
Study
Supports Case for VAT Reduction on RM&I
A
study carried out by Capital Economics for the Construction Products
Association supports the case for reducing VAT to 5% on all domestic
repair, maintenance and improvement work.
[More
on this Story]
The
British Woodworking Federation backs CPA
The
British Woodworking Federation has backed the Construction Products
Association’s recent call to the Government for a reduction to
5% on VAT applied to home repair, maintenance and improvement.
[More
on this Story]
Saint-Gobain
Vitrage Strengthens its Presence in China with the Acquisition of a
New Float Line
Saint-Gobain’s
Flat Glass Division (Saint-Gobain Vitrage) and its Korean partner Hanglas
proceeded on October 8th, 2003 to purchase a float line located in Qingdao
(Shandong province) in North Eastern China.
[More
on this Story]
Basta
Locks in New Equipment Foundry Upgrade
Basta,
the Wolverhampton manufacture of window and door fittings, has made
a number of acquisitions over the last few years - first came Worcester
Parsons in 1998, followed by the 'Conqueror' business in 2001 and more
recently the merger ofthe Shaw Product range into the product portfolio.
On the factory side, things have been happening too.
[More
on this Story]
Ecoline
Prepping Centre for Major Fabricator
A
major fabricator has purchased a state of the art Ecoline Prepping Centre
from Great Yarmouth based machinery manufacturer Stuga Limited
[More
on this Story]
Roof-Maker
Switches to Global
K2
dealer Roof-Maker Ltd of Leicester has changed systems supplier. The
company has been selling two roof systems over the last five months
and says the decision to move to the new global roof system was down
to its customers.
[More
on this Story]
Dorma
Grows by 8.1 Percent to € 663 million
Despite
the sustained weakness of its markets worldwide, the Dorma Group succeeded
in increasing sales during fiscal 2002/2003 (June 30th) by 8.1 percent
to €663.1m (previous year: €613.3m). This was announced by Dr.
Michael Schädlich, Chief Executive Officer of the Dorma Group, during
the Düsseldorf press briefing on the company's financial year.
[More
on this Story]
The
Gl@zine Wins the Uzone Challenge
The
Ultraframe Uzone challenge involved a room full of journalists and three
conservatory roof kits. Ultraframe claims a time of ninety minutes for
this new roof to go up. The Industry press put this to the test in three
teams.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa's
Income From Continuing Operations Rises 40 Percent Over Previous Year's
Result
Alcoa
reported on 7th October third quarter income from continuing operations
of $283 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to $229 million,
or $0.27 per share, in the second quarter. This quarter's results were
a 40 percent improvement over income from continuing operations of $202
million or $0.24 per share in the third quarter last year.
[More
on this Story]
Janex
Supplies Doors and Windows for Government's £250 Million Key Worker
Accommodation Initiative
As
part of the government's £250million starter home initiative, Janex,
supplier of Scandinavian windows and doors, has won a £100,000 contract
to supply Berkeley College Homes' key worker accommodation with aluminium
clad windows, flat entrance and internal doorsets for its Sandgates project
in Chertsey, Surrey.
[More
on this Story]
Lloyds
TSB Corporate Helps Nationwide Windows Expand
After
17 years in business and operating in a highly competitive market, Rugby
based Nationwide Windows is expanding with the support of its bankers,
Lloyds TSB Corporate.
[More
on this Story]
‘Vantastic’
– Safestyle’s 150 New Vans Keep the Lead
A
new fleet of 150 transit vans will hit the road between now and Christmas
to ensure Bradford-based Safestyle UK Limited meets its ever-increasing
window of opportunity.
[More
on this Story]
New
Milestone for Quality Mark - Good Builders Register hits the 500 Mark
Figures
released last Thursday show 500 firms are now on the Government-backed
Quality Mark Scheme, designed to promote good builders and help homeowners
avoid the rogue traders.
[More
on this Story]
UAP
Customer Survey Report 2003
Part
of UAP’s commitment to its customers is to appraise on a regular
basis what the customers think of UAP and its products.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 93 7th October 2003
K2
Announces it will Pull Out of Glassex in 2004 to Establish Annual Customer
Conference
Conservatory
roof system manufacturer, K2, has announced that it is putting a £0.5m
budget behind a new marketing strategy, which will see the company opt
out of next year’s Glassex and establish an annual customer conference.
Explains K2 marketing director, Iain McInnes: ‘This year we have
decided to take the same trail-blazing approach to marketing as we do
to new product development, opting to invest strategically in order to
achieve real results'.
[More
on this Story]
Network
Nears the Quarter-Billion... but says 'Public Trust is Worth More'
Network VEKA has proclaimed total sales on the verge of a quarter billion
pounds - but says the growing public trust of for its standards andprinciples
is worth much more. The £250m accumulated figure was thought to
be only days away when the organisation met for its 7th AGM and Conference
- but more than 150 delegates and guests heard the ever-increasing recognition
of its integrity was now the most valuable asset the organisation has
ever owned.
[More
on this Story]
Glassequipment.com, the official distributor of ETEC Twin Check Low 'E' Coating Detectors, has announced the following list as the entrants who submitted a complete and correct entry to the company's competition and have won an ETEC Twin Check low 'E' Detector.
Alcan Clarifies the Timing of Announcements under its Offer for Pechiney
Alcan Inc, at the request of the French bourse clarified the timing of announcements under its improved offer for Pechiney which was filed on September 15, 2003 and declared 'receivable' on September 29, 2003 by the French Conseil des Marchés Financiers.
CGII
Flying High in New Premises
CGI
International opened the doors to its new, purpose built factory in
January this year. The company was based in St Helens several years
ago and left for bigger premises in Warrington. However, CGII’s
increased success meant another move was necessary. So CGII moved back
to where things began with a new purpose built factory in Haydock, Merseyside.
[More
on this Story]
'Pilkington
Optitherm™ SN PRO T' for Processors
Pilkington
has announced the new product term 'Pro T' to distinguish the company's
products that must be toughened before installation. This change affects
the toughenable version of Pilkington Optitherm™ SN, the super-neutral
low emissivity off-line coated glass that was introduced recently for
use in insulating glass units.
[More
on this Story]
Eurocell
Building Plastics Celebrate In Ireland
Eurocell
Building Plastics is currently following up a number of leads gained
at the recent homebuilding exhibition in Dublin. Eurocell which has
two branches in Ireland, at Sligo and Dublin, used the exhibition to
support the depots and sub-stockists as well as driving demand forward
for its range of products.
[More
on this Story]
Coldseal
Fined for Safety Breach
Coldseal
Ltd of Alfreton, Derby was fined £2,000.00 under the Health and
Safety At Work etc. Act 1974, Section 3, Sub Section 1 Regulation at
Rochdale Magistrates Court recently.
[More
on this Story]
Guardian
to Expand in Mexico with Construction of 24th Float Glass Plant
In
a ceremony at the end of August in El Marques, Mexico, Guardian Industries
executives and government officials officially broke ground for what
will be the company’s 24th float glass plant. The new plant, located
in the state of Querétaro, north of Mexico City, represents an
investment of $120 million for Guardian.
[More
on this Story]
Kaba
Posts Gains in Operating Profitability
At
its press conference in Zürich on 22nd September, the management
of the Kaba Group discussed the financial results for 2002/03. With
the exception of the Door Systems Division, the Group’s business
units in part reported remarkable local-currency growth rates and considerable
progress as regards operating profitability.
[More
on this Story]
Chela
Web Link with Dow Corning for Digesil Range
Chemical
cleaning specialist, Chela has recently sealed its relationship with US
giant, Dow Corning Corp., a global leader in silicon-based technology
and innovation and manufacturer and supplier of silicone products.
[More
on this Story]
‘National
Travel’ with Sierra
Sierra
Windows has increased its fleet with new, high-specification vehicles.
Each sports Sierra’s new, eye-catching livery, and can be seen delivering
their cargo to installers the length and breadth of the UK.
[More
on this Story]
Wood
Machine Makers Carve out Exports Market
Wood
machine manufacturer, The Air Press Company, is branching out into new
overseas markets and has won £22,000 worth of new overseas business
with help from Trade Partners UK - the government network that gives UK
companies a head start with trade and investment overseas
[More
on this Story]
Window
Rush in Russia
The
Russian window market has seen a boom in recent years. After the crisis
in 1998 the market was still in decline in 1999, but has turned to good
growth since 2000. In 2002, the market grew by 20,5% in terms of quantity
and for 2003, a growth of 25.3% is expected. For 2004 and 2005, forecasts
see a market growth of 16.7% respectively 15.3%, according to the latest
market study by the consultants of InterConnection.
[More
on this Story]
Barlow
Group Launches Frontline GB
The
Barlow Group's commercial window, door and physical security products
division has been re-launched under the new brand name, Frontline GB (previously
known as Barlow Architectural & Security Ltd), to better represent
the range of international services it supplies.
[More
on this Story]
Alcoa
Postpones Shutdown of Intalco Smelter; Uncertainty on Power Rate Clouds
Plant's Future
Alcoa
announced on Friday 26th September that it had postponed a final decision
on curtailing production at its Ferndale, Washington ('Intalco') aluminum
smelter. The Bonneville Power Administration ('BPA') has scheduled a rate
hike for October 1st, 2003, that would increase costs at the plant..
[More
on this Story]
Masco
Finalises Sale of Baldwin Hardware and Weiser Lock Businesses to Black
& Decker
Masco Corporation and The Black & Decker Corporation announced on
October 1st that they have finalised the purchase of Baldwin Hardware
Corporation and Weiser Lock Corporation by Black & Decker from Masco.
The cash purchase price for the transaction is approximately $275 million.
The sale closed September 30th, 2003
[More
on this Story]
Window
and Door Seminar
Rotherham
Metropolitan Borough Council, in conjunction with hardware and profile
partners, Wagner (GB) Ltd and Rehau, will be hosting a morning of presentations
on 23rd October under the banner ‘The Total Solution’.
[More
on this Story]