Lindman
Launches New Window System - the 'Natural Successor' to PVCu and Aluminium
Lindman, best known for its composite doorsets, has launched a complete
suite of
windows made in a new frame material which the company claims is expected
to overtake PVCu as well as compete strongly for commercial aluminium
applications.
A new company, Lindman Fenestration, will manufacture and supply Pultec
Window Systems, made from pultruded, glass reinforced, thermosetting resins,
a product at the cutting edge of plastics technology from a process protected
by patents. Lindman will target two markets initially - the housing sector
and commercial windows, including curtain walling.
Chris Dixon, Lindman's managing director, says: 'Fibreglass has long been
regarded as the coming 'Messiah' for windows and the natural successor
to PVCu, although - until now - no other complete system has been offered
in the UK. With 15 years' experience and credibility as the pioneer and
established market leader of fibreglass composite residential doors, Lindman
has the best platform from which to introduce Pultec.
'The Pultec range has many advantages over extruded PVCu, with a 200 per
cent increase in life expectancy which should appeal to the more discerning
architect in all market sectors where 'best value' is required. It is
guaranteed for 20 years, but has a life expectancy of over 50 years.
'Thermosetting resins are far stronger, as well as more stable and reliable
than PVCu, as Lindman has proved with its Fibre-Craft doorsets. BRE also
encourages the greater use of fibre reinforced thermosets, having established
"ngcc" specifically to promote this concept to the entire building
industry.
'The Pultec profile is so strong that it is load bearing, like aluminium,
but needs no metal reinforcing inserts, like PVCu. Therefore, far larger
windows and glazing screens can be produced than is possible with PVCu
- but without the thermal disadvantages ofaluminium.
'Pultruded fibreglass has arrived at a critical time in the progress of
PVCu as the most popular window material. In recent years, doubts have
been expressed about the long term viability, ecology and sustainability
of PVCu. Product deterioration is occurring sooner than was envisaged
(15 years) and both manufacture and disposal create environmental concems
because of the ozone depleting chlorine content. None ofthese concerns
applies to Pultec.
'For architects who specify aluminium in commercial and public buildings,
the appeal of Pultec will lie in its high performance characteristics
and the degree ofaccuracy and detail in the finished product, which is
obtained through the state-of-the-art thin wall pultrusion process. Pultec
Window Systems will also compete with aluminium on price while providing
a more versatile appearance.'
Pultec can be supplied in any colour, including white, with dual colours
for inside and outside surfaces if required. It can be redecorated, although
this will usually be for aesthetic reasons rather than essential maintenance,
given the guaranteed life expectancy of the product. Unlike PVCu, it can
be easily repaired, although its strength also makes this an unlikely
requirement.
The systems are available in all today's popular window designs - traditional
open out casements including bay windows, with side hung and top hung
vents; vertical sliding sash windows; tilt and turn windows; horizontal
sliders for larger applications like schools and hospitals where conventional
openings are not appropriate; and patio doors including a full panoramic
design. Lindman Fenestration will offer a full installation service.
As a brand new product, Pultec Window Systems will be available for installation
from September 2002 onwards. The only building in the UK to have used
the same profile material is the five-star Celtic Manor Resort in Newport,
one of 'The Leading Hotels of the World' and international convention
centre, home to the Wales Open Golf tournament and chosen venue for the
Ryder Cup in 2010.
Some 350 of the 400 bedrooms, including the palatial Presidential Suite,
were fitted with sliding patio doors made ofthe same material, when a
new hotel and convention centre was built three years ago as part ofa
£100m expansion programme.
The Celtic Manor's chief engineer responsible for maintenance, John Denny,
is enthusiastic about the product and happy with its performance. He says:
'The doors have a first class appearance with a slim profile, in keeping
with the top specification for a world-class convention resort. I have
found them to be totally trouble-free, requiring no routine maintenance,
and I would have no hesitation in using them in the future.'
Tel: 0117 961 0900
Email: mailto:enquiries@lindman.co.uk
Web: http://www.lindman.co.uk
First
Strandex License in Europe
Strandex Europe, the European development arm of the Strandex Corporation
of Wisconsin USA, wood/plastic composite extrusion technology specialists,
confirmed the appointment of Silvadec SA. of France as their first European
license.
Mr. George Stauffer the CEO of the Strandex Corporation presented the
Strandex Technology License to Mr. Philippe Crez and Mrs Benedicte Jezequel
of Silvadec at the recent Wood/plastic composites conference held in Vienna
in May. Organized by Ami the conference was a great success for all concerned
with over 300 delegates attending the 2-day event.
Barry John Davis the managing Director of Strandex Europe commented 'With
all new and developing areas of technology it takes a high degree of vision
and awareness for any company to be the first. In Silvadec we believe
we have established a partnership that will bring substantial value to
both of us over the coming years.
'With over 10 years of experience and 60 extruders producing around 100,000
tones of Strandex profiles and products the Strandex technology offers
producers a tried and tested solution for access to this rapidly developing
area of technology.'
Incorporating a broad range of recycled materials the Strandex process
allows for the creation of hollow profile sections that replicate and
replace both traditional wood and plastic profiles into a wide range of
markets such as windows and doors etc.
Contact: Barry John Davis
Tel: 0044-121-240-4773
E-mail: mailto:info@strandexeurope.com
Web: http://www.strandex.com
Anglian Windows new state-of-the-art toughening plant
Rt.
Hon. Charles Clarke MP, member of Parliament for Norwich South, opened
Anglian Windows new state-of-the-art toughening plant on Friday 21st June.
This represents a £5million capital investment for the company.
Changes
to Approved Document L of the Building Regulations have meant significant
improvements in efficient manufacturing techniques to ensure the continuous
supply of compliant products. An essential part of complying with this
revised Building Regulation is that all window manufacturers will need
to use low emissivity glass in their products. Low E glass takes, on average,
30% longer to toughen than standard float glass, reducing efficiency and
hence throughput. Anglian has installed a new state-of-the-art toughening
plant along side two other modern toughening lines that can process low
E glass as efficiently as standard float glass, meeting the demand and
maintaining high product quality levels.
Anglian Group Chief Executive Larry Condon said, 'The new toughening plant
will help us to eliminate any bottlenecks in the processing of low E glass
and guarantee our customers a continued high level of service.' In response
on the green issues especially, Charles Clarke agreed, 'Anglian are doing
something which I think is good for the world as a whole, good for what
the Government is trying to achieve in terms of environmental targets,
and I hope and believe that Anglian are doing something which will give
a competitive edge in the market place over the coming years, securing
the future of your business in a very positive way.'
Anglian has over 35 years experience in the design, production and installation
of PVCu windows and doors with a unique manufacturing process of vertical
integration, enabling complete control over quality to be maintained.
Vertical integration means that Anglian buy in the raw PVC ingredients,
mix them and extrude the window profiles. This is in turn cut to size
and fabricated into the pre-designed windows. Simultaneously huge glass
sheets are cut to size, toughened where applicable, and sealed units are
manufactured and join the window for assembly. The windows are transported
using Anglian's fleet of vehicles and installed by Anglian's fully trained
experienced fitting teams.
'Anglian is the unequalled market leader in the home improvement, new
build and, social housing and commercial refurbishment market sectors.
With the prospect of a significantly growing market over the next decade,
Anglian is well placed to meet the challenges that will be presented.'
said Larry Condon.
'It is the work of your company which sets the benchmark for how we should
be approaching housing in the future' commented the Rt. Hon. Charles Clarke
MP
The
Anglian Group has the financial stability to invest in capital equipment
as and when the market requires it. The Group has a turnover in excess
of £300million and is responsible for the employment of 7,500 people
nationally. 'The opening of the new toughening plant will guarantee the
continuity of work for our locally employed workforce' Mr Condon said.
'Investment back into the company is at the forefront of Anglian's philosophy
and will allow the company to grow from strength to strength.'
Anglian's commitment to the environment runs further than simply conforming
to British Standards. Anglian fully support the PVC industries Voluntary
Commitments to the environment embodied in a legal structure 'Vinyl 2010'.
Anglian is the leading manufacturer of PVCu window manufacturer to have
actively set up a end of life window recycling scheme enforcing Anglian's
policy of zero waste into landfill.
Construction Minister, Brian Wilson, welcomed the recent opening of a
new glass toughening plant in Norwich.
The joint venture, between Anglian Windows and Pilkington, highlights
the achievements of Rethinking Construction and demonstrates what can
be achieved when knowledge is shared across the construction industry.
Mr Wilson commented:
'This project fulfils many of the Egan reforms that are driving change
within the construction industry. Toughened glass results in fewer accidents,
leads to reduced heating costs and lower greenhouse emissions, essential
to meeting the targets set by the Kyoto protocol.
'When industry gets together to solve the challenges of sustainable construction,
the long-term cost savings for the client are considerable. And as suppliers
strive to communicate more with contractors, it is clear that waste can
be reduced and accidents avoided.
'The fruits of successful collaborations such as this one should be shared
so that the construction industry collectively drives up standards to
make our aim for a world class industry a reality.'
Toughened float glass is required in certain circumstances where there
is a danger of injury from falling through it. Toughening energy efficient
glass requires a particular plant to maintain the effectiveness of the
thermal coating.
Ardagh
Glass plant closure a shock to workers
Hopes that 325 workers at the Ardagh glass plant in Dublin could keep
their jobs were dashed with a surprise closure announcement by management.
News of the closure came to a shocked work force in Ardagh’s financial
results statement which showed pre-tax profits plummet to €2.4 million
last year compared to €8.9m in 2000.
An immediate result of this is to put glass recycling in Ireland under
threat. Rehab, which runs an estimated 1,300 bottle banks around the country,
has supplied the company for 18 years and recently signed a new contract
to do so.
The closure is expected to increase pressure on the Government to find
an alternative means of recycling the glass surplus. Rehab collected 30,000
tonnes of glass or 100m bottles and jars last year. Ardagh Glass processed
nearly all of this.
Rehab expects to collect 36,000 tonnes this year and had signed a three-year
contract with Ardagh Glass two weeks ago. Rehab's General Manager Bob
Rowate says that its success in recycling was directly linked to the amount
that Ardagh Glass processed.
EU regulations mean Ireland must recycle 200,000 tonnes of packaging material
each year. The Government will now be under increasing pressure to find
a solution to all of this now surplus glass.
A management spokesperson said they had decided to close after they failed
to get commitments from major customers on volume and prices, and said
the closure was 'unavoidable'.
Dublin south east Workers’ Party candidate Tom Crilly described the
closure as a disgrace. He said it was the only glass recycling factory
in the country and he called on the Government to take over the company
in the interests of the environment and the hundreds of jobs involved.
Andrew Hetherington, chief executive of Repak, said the closure of the
Ringsend plant could be a 'serious regressive step in Ireland's progress
to date in achieving its recycling targets as laid down by the EU'. Repak
is the industry-funded waste packaging compliance operation.
The Republic has delivered on its recycling targets in recent years, he
said. 'The closure of this plant will seriously hinder Repak and Ireland's
ability to meet its recycling targets. Ireland does not have another manufacturing
facility with a similar capacity to absorb glass cullet and this closure
could mean Ireland will in future have to export its recovered glass abroad
for recycling.'
'It is critical for Irish industry that an alternative facility or avenue
is found for glass cullet and Repak will be devoting significant resources
in this regard,' Mr Hetherington said.Daithí Doolan, Sinn Féin
candidate for Dublin South East said he had it 'on good authority that
a well known property developer has already made an offer for the Ardagh
factory site and that here lies the real reason behind this threatened
closure'.
He said it was high time the interest and welfare of the factory worker
and ordinary person were put before big business and profit. 'This is
where all the glass collected by Rehab ends up and is the only glass recycling
facility in the State. The government needs to seriously review its continued
ineffectual approach to the current waste management crisis.'
Now
a Hen Covers a Story (anag. 3,3,1,12)
Crossword lover Ann Downie has a Iuxurious new place to practice her hobby
after winning a £10,000 conservatory in a national competition.
She and husband Alan were among thousands across the UK to enter the contest
run by Swedish retailer lkea and the independent window and conservatory
installers' organisation Network Veka.
The prize was installed at their Cumwhinton home by local member company
CIS then launched in style when Network Veka sent its Operations Manager
John Ogilvie to join CIS Managing Director Lewis Johnston in presenting
Ann with a bottle of Champagne. 'The conservatory will make a very comfortable
spot for me to do my crosswords' said Ann, who loves to spend her spare
time puzzling over the clues, 'It will also make us a lovely dining room
for the rest of the time.'
N.B. For anyone still puzzled by the headline, the answer is 'She won
a conservatory.'
Tel: 01282 718997
Email: mailto:networkveka@veka.com
Web: http://www.networkveka.com
Caption - Ann and Lewis outside Ann 's prize conservatory.
New
Name Heads up Status
Status Systems general manager Steve Hanson has handed over the general
manager role of the company to industry newcomer Chris Foreman.
During his two years with Status Steve was instrumental in growing the
business - 16 per cent in 2001, 22% year to date - and managing over £1.5
million worth of investment in operations.
'Having worked with Status on a consultancy basis in the past, and then
for two years as general manager, I feel I have gained a considerable
understanding and knowledge of the industry and its expectations,' said
Steve Hanson. 'Unfortunately, I have to move on for family reasons. It
was a hard decision, but my family has to come first. I have decided to
move into manufacturing, as a Status fabricator, so I will stay part of
the Status family'.
Chris Foreman has now taken on the role of general manager at the Delph
based extrusion plant. He brings with him blue chip experience from the
automotive and printing industries, and is looking forward to continuing
to develop the Status brand.
'Status is obviously a well thought of company in the industry. Being
chosen to take over from Steve is both an honour, and a challenge - he
has built a good team that is obviously grasping the opportunities in
the market place with both hands. I am looking forward to working with
Roy Shipley and the rest of the company to take Status into its next period
of growth and consolidation.'
Tel: 01457 875731
Email: mailto:info@status-systems.co.uk
Web: http://status-systems.co.uk
Burnden Strengthen Production Force
The Burnden Group Plc has completed a major machinery investment programme with the recent delivery of another high speed extrusion line.
The
installation of the new machine completes an extensive two-year business
development plan, which has seen a multi-milion pound investment with the
German supplier of extrusion equipment, Weber and Technoplast, a downstream
equipment supplier from Austria.
With a total of nine extrusion lines operating to full capacity, each
new line has the capacity to process in excess of 5 metres per minute,
resulting in a maximum of 140 kilos of materials being extruded every
hour.
Keith Halliwell, The Burnden Group's production manager, explains: 'As
a company which has established itself as being at the forefront of manufacturing
precision, it is important that we take a constant review of our processing
requirements and capabilities.
'The recent investment programme has resulted in an improved level of
efficiency throughout the factory and helped to improve upon the quality
of the Group's product portfolio.'With the completion of one investment
programme, the Group is concentrating its efforts into phase two of the
business development programme with discussions already taking place regarding
machinery requirements for the remainder of 2002 and 2003.
Tel: 01204 554 554
Email: mailto:enquiry@k2conservatories.com
Web: http://www.k2conservatories.com
David
Salisbury's new £1.25M Factory
David Salisbury (formerly David Salisbury Conservatories), UK manufacturer
of bespoke hardwood conservatories, has now fully completed its relocation
to a new 25,000ftsq factory and operational head office on a 2.2 acre
site on the Isleport Business Park at Highbridge, Somerset.
The
new factory and offices, built on a greenfield site close to the M5 motorway,
were officially opened on May 31 by Wells Constituency MP David Heathcoat-Amory,
former minister in the last Conservative government and currently UK Conservative
Party delegate to the EU Convention on the Future of Europe.
Continuing strong growth for its products has fully justified David Salisbury
in making the £1.25m investment which includes the site, building
and new production facilities and services, including an expanded spray
finishing facility using state-of-the art environmental control technology.
The design of the production flow through the factory has already substantially
increased productivity and allowed the company to improve its delivery
lead time as well as achieve a growth in sales. After reaching £4.5m
in 2001, the company is set to achieve its target of £5.5 - £6million
in 2002.
The company now has some 75 people working either at Highbridge or in
the field across the UK. 50 are based at the new head office with a further
25 engaged in field sales or building and installation services.
Concurrent with the move, Gary Edgecombe has assumed responsibility for
Operations, in addition to his sales and marketing role, and becomes the
company's Director of Sales & Operations. As well as managing the
activities of the 9-strong salesforce and Customer Care department, Gary
will now have direct control of the company's surveyors, project managers
and installation teams - all of whom play a key role in ensuring customers'
new conservatories are designed, delivered and installed on time and to
their complete satisfaction.
Commenting on the successful re-location, Gary Edgecombe highlighted the
changes the move would make to the company. 'We had been working under
increasingly difficult conditions over the last 2-3 years as business
growth started to outstrip our capacity to expand production. At Isleport
we have, for the first time in our history, a purpose-built, state-of-the
art facility which will enable us to fulfil our growth ambitions for the
next 5 years. We have settled well into our new factory and offices enabling
us all to concentrate fully on serving the needs of our customers. It
is our intention to remain at the forefront of the further active development
and diversification of the burgeoning UK conservatory market in which
we see the opportunity for considerable further expansion - especially
in the bespoke sector of the market'.
Contact: Gary Edgecombe
Tel: 01278 764400
Email: mailto:gary@davidsalisbury.com
EuroWindoor study tour to China
The
People's Republic of China and its enormous potential market are the goal
of this year's EuroWindoor study tour. In addition to visits to large
window and curtain walling producers, the complex program of the mission
includes contacts with the Chinese Ministry of Construction and the Construction
Industry. Of course excursions to the country and its people, representing
the world's largest population, are part of the tour. Rates are as follows:
3,750.00 Euro per person in double room; single room surcharge is 600.00
Euro per person.
As proposed by its membership, EuroWindoor has been strongly committed
to China in the past two years. With the support of the Commission of
the European Union, EuroWindoor concluded a cooperative agreement with
the Chinese association recently. The objective of the cooperation is
to improve the general market environment for windows and curtain walls
in China with regard to high quality products. Introduction of the European
fenestration philosophy will open up chances, also for the medium-sized
industry, to gain a foothold in this dynamic market of high growth potential.
The study tour offers the unique opportunity to get in-depth information
on the leading companies of this huge country as regards PVCu profiles
and windows as well as aluminium windows and curtain walls.
The mission will start in Frankfurt am Nain with Lufthansa transfer to
Beijing, continue to ShenYang and Dalian, followed by Shanghai and then
via Kanton (Guangzhou) to Hong Kong. In addition to visits to the Ministry
of Construction and the Chinese association, more than 10 companies are
included in the itinerary. Being in Europe, it is rather difficult to
have an exact idea of the dynamic and fascinating process China is currently
undergoing. The political system is stable and the market operates according
to clearly defined rules subsequent to China's accession to the World
Trade Organisation. A trade-specific number may give a first idea of the
potential offered by this cultural and economic area of more than 1.2
billion inhabitants: capacity of China's largest PVCu profile producer
is about 300,000 tonnes PVCu-profiles.
Excursions and sightseeing tours to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong will
give a fascinating insight into the present daily life and the thousands
of years of the highly advanced Chinese civilization. Maximum number of
participants is 50 persons, who will be registered according to date of
receipt of the respective registration. Costs are 3,750.00 Euros per person
in a double room. Single rooms are available at a single room surcharge
of 600.00 Euros. For members of EuroWindoor a special rate of 3,500.00
Euro is available. A detailed program of the study tour with registration
forms is available from the EuroWindoor General Secretariat.
Tel: +49 69 95 50 54 11
Email: mailto:eurowindoor@eurowindoor.org
Web: http://www.window.de
System
X Composite Door Winner
Invitations to attend the launch of the new ‘System X’ composite
doors from Panels Plus at the Glassex 2002 exhibition were individually
numbered, and the holder of the lucky invitation, drawn on the last day
of the exhibition, was promised a new composite door of his or her choice.
John
Cowie, the editor of Window Industries Magazine claimed the winning number
087, announced in the April issues of the trade press.
John was delighted with the win and said it was most fortuitous, as he
has recently moved house.
Nick Lake, Panels Plus Communications Director said, 'We will liaise with
John to decide what style of door he would like.
Nick went on to say 'Glassex 2002 exceeded all expectations, our revolutionary
new System X composite door was the centre of attention on our stand as
it can be installed into and colour matched to 95 per cent of doorframe
systems.'
Tel: 01708 632251
E-mail: mailto:sales@panelsplus.co.uk
Web: http://www.panelsplus.co.uk
The
Flat Glass Company (Asahi Glass) in Mexico and Russia
Brussels, 20 June 2002 - The recently set up "Flat Glass Company"
(FGC) of Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., announced today 2 major investments. A
new float in Mexico and a greenfield float in Russia, which are initiated
and will be managed respectively by AFG Industries, Inc. (US) and the
Glaverbel Group (Europe). FGC today is managing 35 float plants worldwide.
The Mexican plant - a joint venture between Vitro Plano, S.A. de C.V.,
a subsidiary of Grupo Vitro in Monterey, Mexico, and AFG - will cost approximately
USD 100 million. The new plant with a capacity of around 550 metric tonnes
of flat glass per day will serve the growing glass demand in Mexico and
augment AFG's Victorville, California, production in serving their West
Coast customers.
Construction has begun to convert an existing container glass facility,
owned by Vitro, into AFG's most modern, high quality, float glass plant.
It should be completed in the 4th quarter of 2003.
Luc Willame, President of the Flat Glass Company, said, "The plant's
location will also help us reduce shipping costs to our customers since
West Coast demand has historically exceeded supply and we have had to
ship glass from the Midwest and East to service our customers. With NAFTA
economies improving and glass demand strengthening, this is an excellent
time to invest in additional capacity. Timing is also fortunate with the
implementation of California's new energy codes and improving residential
and commercial construction."
Through the Glaverbel Group, the Flat Glass Company has also decided to
build a new float glass plant in Russia in order to meet the large expansion
in local demand. Luc Willame said, "This will be the first such greenfield
project in that country by any Western glassmaker. The new plant will
have a capacity of around 600 metric tonnes per day, and will be situated
at Klin in the Moscow region, near to large consumption centres of glass
for the construction and automotive industries in Moscow and St. Petersburg."
A mirror production unit with a capacity of around 5 million square metres
per year will be built on the same site. Agreement for this double investment
totalling around EUR 130 million has been reached with the Russian authorities.
Work on the float plant should begin in July this year, and the facilities
will be operational in 2004.
The Glaverbel Group is already active in Russia as the only Western glassmaker
through the intermediary of Bor Glassworks* (at Nizhny Novgorod), the
largest Russian producer of flat glass by the float process (two lines
with a total capacity of around 1,100 tonnes/day) and of automotive glass
(capacity of around 900,000 sets/year).
The two investment projects are part of the FGC strategy to participate
to the growth of glass markets into emerging countries.
* Glaverbel holds a stake of 36.4% in Bor glassworks and acts as industrial
operating partner at the head of a consortium of shareholders whose other
main members are the IFC and EBRD development banks. The consortium controls
more than 85% of Bor Glassworks.