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THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 285 25th September 2007
Brian
Kennedy
Backs
McCanns
Latium
boss
Brian
Kennedy
-
worth
an
estimated
£250m
-
has
revealed
he
is
providing
financial
aid
to
Kate
and
Gerry
McCann's
legal
battle
to
clear
their
names.
Mr
Kennedy
said
he
felt
compelled
to
help
them
after
they
were
named
as
suspects
in
their
daughter
Madeleine's
disappearance.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Synseal
Employees
get
First
Global
Composites
The
first
global
composite
doors
rolled
off
the
production
line
early
last
week
and
have
now
been
installed
into
the
homes
of
17
Synseal
employees.
The
new
doors
have
been
photographed
for
the
sixty
page
consumer
support
brochure.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Veka
Makes
Impressive
First
Half
Gains
Showing
particularly
well
in
private
home
improvement
markets
that
remain
unpredictable,
coupled
with
difficult
social
housing
conditions,
VEKA
plc
is
reporting
excellent
gains
for
the
first
half
of
'07
with
new
business
gains
of
more
than
£5
million.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Ultraframe
Wins
at
Best
Factory
Awards
Conservatory
roofing
manufacturer,
Ultraframe,
has
won
an
award
for
Best
Engineering
Plant
at
the
prestigious
Best
Factory
Awards
(BFA).
Now
in
their
16th
year
the
Awards
acknowledge
and
reward
manufacturing
companies
that
demonstrate
pioneering
working
practices.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Edgetech
Announced
Finalist
in
Two
G07
Awards
Edgetech
UK
has
been
announced
as
a
finalist
in
two
G07
awards.
Up
once
again
for
the
Energy
Efficiency
Award
which
it
took
home
last
year,
the
company
has
also
been
short
listed
for
the
Promotional
Campaign
of
the
Year
Award
for
one
of
its
highly
targeted
direct
mail
campaigns.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Listers
Makes it a
Hat Trick!
For
the third
consecutive
year Lister
Trade Frames
of Stoke on
Trent have
been nominated
as a finalist
at the industry's
prestigious
G-Awards.
The G-Awards
are the Oscar's
of the fenestration
industry attracting
the best of
the great
and the good
to celebrate
both company
and individual
achievements
over the previous
twelve months.
[Read
the Rest Here]
GAP
Scoops G07
Nomination
for Training
and Development
Leading home
improvement
stockist GAP
has been short
listed in
the Training
and Development
category for
the G07 Awards.
GAP recently
invested £300,000
in a dedicated
Training Centre
at its head
office in
Blackburn
where staff
can learn
the technical
and practical
aspects of
the products
GAP stocks.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Sheerframe
Fabricator
Invests £250,000
To Meet Newbuild
Demand
Sheerframe
fabricator
and installer
H Jarvis Ltd
is investing
more than
£250,000
over the next
six months
to help meet
demand from
customers
in the newbuild
sector. The
company, which
specialises
in windows
and doors
for the housebuilding
sector, is
investing
in new jobs,
office space
and machinery.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Kestrel
Reduces its
Carbon Footprint
Kestrel,
the no lead,
no tin, next
generation
of PVC-UE
and PVC-U
roofline,
cladding and
window trim
products,
is pleased
to announce
that after
two years
of a three
year programme
to reduce
energy at
its 120,000
sq ft Scunthorpe
manufacturing
facility,
it has already
hit its three
year target
of 15%.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Elecon
Acquires APC
Bolton-based
The Elecon
Group which
includes Proactive
Procurement
and Foilcraft
in its portfolio
has just acquired
the assets
and goodwill
of A.P.C,
a long established
supplier of
conservatory
accessories
to the trade.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Sheerframe
Sales Slide Upward
Sheerframe
systems company
L.B. Plastics
has seen an 80%
increase in sales
of its technically
enhanced vertical
sliding sash window.
The company says
that the advanced
window system
continues to win
market share in
newbuild and replacement
markets due to
a great range
of aesthetic and
technical innovation.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Following its £2 million investment, Padiham Glass Ltd is giving its customers the chance to stay ahead of the competition with the highest thermal performance sealed units. Padiham's 1200 units a day will contain Edgetech's Super Spacer(r) with built in energy saving and soft coat glass as standard.
[Read the Rest Here]
Promac
Group At Glassex-GP&T
As
one of the leading
names in the glass
and glazing industry,
the Promac Group
will once again
have an impressive
presence at the
Glassex-GP&T
exhibition, which
takes place at the
NEC, Birmingham
from 8-10 April
2008.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Rockdoor
Invests £120,000
in Machinery
Composite
door manufacturer
Rockdoor has invested
£120,000
in new machinery
at its state-of-the-art
factory in Blackburn.
The investment
includes a new
Vacuum Forming
machine which
will increase
capacity by up
to 50%.
[Read
the Rest Here]
VEKA
Goes Live at the
Building Centre
VEKA
plc has signed a
contract with the
Building Centre
in London that means
that the Centre's
extensive database
of specifiers and
architects now has
full and unlimited
access to all VEKA
products and services!
'This is a major
step forward for
VEKA,' says Mr John
Warburton Marketing
and Strategic Development
Manager of the company.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Sash
VS Sales Rising
The
sliding sash is
back and Sash UK
is cornering the
market with sales
of its Sash Vertical
Slider reaching
dizzy heights since
the launch of this
stunning window
option earlier this
year. 'Demand has
been unprecedented,'
announces David
Ruzicka Managing
Director of Sash.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Select
Systems Invests
£3m In Major
Expansion
Essex-based
Select Systems has
invested in Business
Micros' Evolution
software package
as part of a £3m
investment in new
CNC automated machinery.
Select had used
Business Micros'
WinStar package
for more than 16
years but switched
to Evolution when
it was looking for
an IT solution which
could provide the
right platform for
a major future expansion.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Selecta
Invests £1
Million In New Expansion
Programme
Leading
PVC-u extruders
Selecta Systems
has invested over
£1 million
in a new expansion
programme at the
Birmingham state-of-the-art
extrusion plant.
The company that
has established
a reputation for
quality and reliability
for over 25 years
is strengthening
its commitment to
customer satisfaction.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Manufacturing
Par Excellence
While
many companies talk
of quality and excellence,
Shepley Windows
have introduced
a number of processes
and procedures to
help achieve such
high standards,
thanks to new working
practices.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Euroglas
Keeps it's Edge
with Cutmaster Gold
from Bohle
Objects
just millimetres
in diameter are
playing a crucial
part in significant
improvements in
efficiency and cost
reductions in the
production of more
than 500 tonnes
of float glass per
day at one of Europe's
major producers.
[Read
the Rest Here]
First
Shutter Fabrication
Partners for Everwhite
Swansea-based
UK Trade Shutters
opens its doors
in September 2007,
fabricating Everwhite's
PVC-UE louvred internal
shutter system.
Anthony Jones, former-Group
Managing Director
of Plastic Building
Materials saw Everwhite's
shutters in his
previous role and
was impressed.
[Read
the Rest Here]
GAP's
New Central Warehouse
in Blackburn Open
for Business
GAP's
new central warehouse
in Blackburn is
open for business.
The depot is the
largest stockist's
warehouse in the
country at 45,000
sq ft including
a 1,500 sq ft trade
counter.
[Read
the Rest Here]
MACO
500 Tests to Window
Perfection
MACO
has been promoting
quality through
best practice procedures
as part of the company’s
contribution to
improvement in the
industry. A fundamental
part of the manufacturing
and fabrication
process is the control
of quality and the
pushing for higher
standards
[Read
the Rest Here]
New
Glue Line Ups Panels
Run Rate at Phoenix
Significant
investment in a
new third glue line
has upped weekly
run rate to in excess
of 1,500 panels
a week at Phoenix
Door Panels Ltd,
enabling the company
to ensure the service
levels are maintained
through the busy
autumn period.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Sash
UK Makes the Future
Cristal Clear
Forming
a strategic alliance
with Sash UK has
seen Shropshire
based conservatory
company, Cristal
Clear Limited go
from strength to
strength since its
inception.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Complaint
against Phoenix
Structural Supplies
Ltd Not Upheld
A
complaint objecting
to a magazine advertisement
for Phoenix Structural
Supplies Ltd, Great
Barr, Birmingham
was not upheld according
to information published
by the Advertising
Standards Authority
(ASA).
[Read
the Rest Here]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 284 18th September 2007
Final
Four are Chosen for
the 2007 Bohle Glass
Student of the Year
Award
After
months of deliberation
and considerable discussion
amongst the judges
of the 2007 Bohle
Glass Student of the
Year Award, the drum
roll has begun as
the final four have
been selected, distilled
from literally hundreds
of entrants from colleges
throughout the UK.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Click
Onto Pilkington At 100% Detail
Visitors
at 100% Detail will be switched on to all things
Pilkington thanks to the glass manufacturer sponsoring
the internet café. The event takes place
at Earls Court, London, runs from Thursday September
20 to Sunday September 23.
[Read
the Rest Here]
SmartGlass International will be displaying at 100% Detail in Earls Court London from 20th to 23rd September on stand J116. Having won the 'Innovative Product of the Show' Award in 2006, SmartGlass expects strong interest for 2007 and looks forward to welcoming visitors to Stand J116.
[Read the Rest Here]
Old
Roots; New Routes -
The Industry Debate
17th October
New
legislation, climate
change, saturation and
maturity, consolidation,
new products and new
markets have driven
massive changes in recent
years. More is to come,
and many of the old
certainties are gone.
Is this a reason to
invest or a signal to
exit?
[Read
the Rest Here]
Brian
Kennedy to Plough
Share Cash Back
into Everest
Brian
Kennedy has generated
an estimated £35m
from the sale of
a minority stake
in the double glazing
company Everest,
and the firm says
it will use the
new cash to expand
the company's reach
beyond its traditional
strength in windows
and doors to transform
it into an 'all-encompassing
home improvement
brand.'
[Read
the Rest Here]
Penicuik
Acquired by Highseal
As
we reported in The Gl@zine of 14th August, the future of Scottish
fabricator Penicuik Home Improvements has been secured thanks
to leading Spectus fabricator Highseal Windows Ltd. Penicuik has
been bought by Transform Conservatories, a sister company of Highseal.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Based in the Denton area of Manchester Malbern Windows is celebrating its twenty fifth year in manufacture of uPVC windows and doors. Malbern employs 220 people in window and glass manufacture and purchased the Stuga ZX4 cutting and prepping centre as part of a plan to increase production.
[Read the Rest Here]
Hat
Trick of Success at Newcastle Great Park
Sheerframe
fabricator H Jarvis Limited has scored a hat trick of success
with three national housebuilders at Newcastle Great Park housing
development in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Kestrel
Reports Sales Growth of 16%
The Kestrel brand of no lead, no tin, 100% calcium organic PVC-UE
and PVC-U roofline, cladding and window trim products, has grown
16% despite a 7% fall in total foam profile tonnage volume in
2006.
[Read
the Rest Here]
GAP
Rocks for Shamanic
An
employee of GAP, the leading home improvement stockists, is hoping
your votes will boost his dreams of rock stardom. Steve Mcouan, who
works in internal sales at GAP's Forthside depot in Scotland, and
his Shamanic band mates are competing for a record deal in the Sun's
Win a Deal competition.
[Read
the Rest Here]
We've seen aluminium, PVC-U and timber sash windows making the headlines recently and all have one thing in common - they've used Super Spacer® warm edge technology from Edgetech to meet their high performance specification.
[Read the Rest Here]
Freefoam
Sales Increase Significantly in First Half of 2007
Freefoam
Plastics, a manufacturer of environmentally friendly PVC roofline and
rainwater products, has recently announced a significant increase in
sales for the first six months of 2007, with turnover approaching €25m.
[Read
the Rest Here]
GlassBuild
America 2007 Sets Records in Atlanta
GlassBuild
America set records at its event held September 10-12 in Atlanta.
An all-time high of 538 exhibiting companies occupied 218,840 square
feet of exhibit space. 9,500 glass, window and door industry professionals
- coming from 54 countries and the U.S.- gathered for the three-day
event.
[Read
the Rest Here]
A
Combined View with Solaglas
Long
standing customer of Solaglas Coventry, Lister Trade Frames makes no
secret of the reasons behind its ongoing market success. The company
says that its dedication to innovation and focus on product quality
has seen its sales figures hit record levels for the third year running.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Another
Industry First for Sash
Sash
UK has extended its reach across the Atlantic with the company securing
a $1.8m contract to supply a two-storey conservatory as part of its
joint venture with VEKA - Blue Diamond Conservatories - believed to
be the largest conservatory deal ever made in the UK to date.
[Read
the Rest Here]
GAP
Internal Cladding Sales up 38%
GAP has seen a 38% rise in internal cladding sales year on
year. The home improvement stockist offers a wide range of internal
cladding. The colours and styles available are suitable for use throughout
the home.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Norvik
Breaking New Ground
A change in the market is the reason behind the latest 7,000sqft
expansion for a UK independent window fabricator. For Barnsley based
Norvik PVCu Window Systems Ltd has seen a massive 40% swing in new build
sales since launching a national supply and installation service for
the New Build Sector.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Shepley
Improves its Social Skills
Trade fabricator Shepley is set to expand into the social
housing market with a comprehensive offering. A new commercial division
has been established at Shepley, led by Eric Heywood, commercial manager
who brings with him a long and proven history in the sector.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Water
Torture Adds New Compliance for Wrightstyle
Advanced systems from steel glazing specialist Wrightstyle
Limited, have successfully passed stringent American fire tests, withstanding
not only high furnace temperatures, but also the notoriously difficult
hose stream test.
[Read
the Rest Here]
GTS
Merges Leading Glass Business Software with Microsoft Dynamics GP
GTS has announced a new business management solution that
will enable auto glass, residential and commercial glass shops to combine
their GTS software with Microsoft Dynamics™ GP.
[Read
the Rest Here]
NBS
Recognises Qualicoat
The Qualicoat standard for architectural powder coat finishes has been
recognised by the 'National Building Standard' and is being recommended
to all specifiers.
[Read
the Rest Here]
One
in Six SMEs Now Know Their Own Carbon Footprint
Britain's SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) have
a good understanding of key climate change terms such as carbon footprint,
carbon neutral and carbon offsetting, but only around one in six (17%)
has so far assessed its own carbon footprint.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Sodden
Summer Heats Conservatory Commissions
A complex mix of weather, interest rates and falls in house values in
2007 looks set to make 2008 the year of the conservatory. After a summer
that was more umbrellas than parasols, Paul Masterson, Managing Director
of Crystal Windows and Conservatories, which recently opened at Housing
Units' retail park in Manchester, says that the level of conservatory
design commissions has rarely been higher.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Growth
Of 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Credit Revolutionises Home Improvement Sales
The introduction of 'buy now, pay later' credit deals to
the home improvement market has resulted in a surge in sales within
the sector says independent finance specialist Consumer Credit Solutions
(CCS).
[Read
the Rest Here]
Exhibitions:
Make them Work for You
If
you think exhibitions don't work or they aren't right for your company
- Dave Broxton, Sales Director of the Glassex-GP&T shows, suggests
you think again.
[Read
the Rest Here]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 283 11th September 2007
Just
a Bit of Fun at G07
Comedy actor,
Rob Brydon, is set to bring
his own unique style of
humour to this year's G-Awards
as the host of the Presentation
Gala Dinner at the Hilton
Birmingham Metropole on
Friday 12 October. The witty
Welshman will be the evening's
celebrity master of ceremonies
and present the Awards to
the winning companies.
[Read
the Rest Here]