Glassex
Adds New Trading Dimension with Auctions
Emap
Maclaren, organiser of Glassex and the successful Glass Processing &
Technology held recently, has announced a number of initiatives aimed
at stimulating interest amongst fabricators and installers, still the
key visitor group for the event.
Glassex continues to provide the key annual marketplace for the UK window,
door and conservatory industry, something that will be extended with the
introduction of The Glassex Auctions, which will offer a genuine trading
platform for the industry.
Each day between 2.00pm and 3.00pm a professional auction will take place
in the Glassex exhibition hall during which exhibitors will have the opportunity
to auction lots of unwanted, excess or end-of-line stock. Bidding paddles
will be available for all visitors on the door, with numbers limited on
a first come, first served basis, although places may be reserved in advance
for a small fee.
Lots will be grouped and disposed of on certain days during Glassex, with
a catalogue mailed with badges to visitors who pre register to attend
Glassex. Sellers will set their own reserves. However, Sunday will be
a ‘no-reserve’ day to add a further element of fun as well as
to encourage interest from smaller traders.
Stephen Redman, Event Manager for Glassex believes the introduction of
The Glassex Auctions will add an extra dimension to the event: ‘Auctions
are by definition lively and exciting, and Glassex is long established
as the key annual trading post for the industry. It’s a natural fit
and should provide a very interesting and enjoyable feature. There is
a serious side to the auction, but it will also be great fun.’
The Glassex Auctions are just part of a raft of new initiatives introduced
for Glassex 2004, which also include competitions and skills displays
designed to emphasise the professionalism that exists within the glazing
industry of the 21st century.
All the technical information, FAQ's, and details of the lots will be
available on the Glassex website at http://www.glassex.com.
Anyone interested in the auction should pre-register for Glassex now and
they will be kept informed about this and all the other features, seminars
and new product launches taking place at Glassex ’04.
A
New Home for Wendland as the Company Continues to Grow
Conservatory
roof system manufacturer Wendland Roof Solutions has announced that it
will move to new, purpose-built headquarters in December 2003 as part
of its growth projections for 2004 and beyond. The move follows a period
of dramatic expansion and development for the company, with new Managing
Director Graham Fisher at the forefront of an aggressive new growth strategy.
The
new 72,500 sq ft premises are based at Olympus Business Park in Quedgley,
Gloucestershire, within easy reach of the M5 and the historic City of
Gloucester. The building houses purpose-built storage and distribution
facilities and a 20,000 sq ft secure external yard, with planning permission
granted to build further manufacturing premises. New air-conditioned offices
will include a special on-site training facility, conference suite and
display showroom as well as a staff canteen and other amenities. The building
also boasts a full security access system with swipe-card entry and ample
parking space. A new telephone system has also been installed ready for
the move.
The re-location comes shortly after Wendland achieved an all-time sales
record in the month following the re-structure of the company’s sales
and marketing teams. Managing Director Graham Fisher says that the new
headquarters are wholly appropriate for the company’s ambitious growth
plans:
‘The move is absolutely central to our new positioning in the marketplace
and provides us with a professional base from which to grow our fabricator
and installer networks. The new office will see the entire team working
from the same building, which will improve internal communications, and
we now have the sheer space available to invest in new technologies and
further new product development. 2004 will be a very exciting year for
Wendland and its customers.’
To ensure that the move progresses smoothly, Wendland will close to external
customers and suppliers on December 17th and will re-open for business
on January 2nd 2004.
Tel:
08706 009600
Email: mailto:wendland@cdw.co.uk
Web:
http://www.wendland.uk.com
Fabricators
Place Veka First in Industry Benchmarking Survey
According
to the 2003 Annual Benchmarking Study published recently by Reputations
Plus Ltd, Veka was rated first overall and first for value for money by
all knowledgeable fabricators. In the survey, regarded as the definitive
performance measure of the UK’s top 34 PVCu systems suppliers, fabricators
were asked to rank companies in the order of who they perceived to be
the best performers in each category.
In the premium sector customers ranked Veka top out of 8 companies for
15 attributes. Four of these attributes were among the eight most important
to fabricators. These included such issues as innovation, delivery frequency,
help in developing customers’ businesses, and the quality of the
company’s sales force. Veka was also placed first by the fabricators
questioned for their perception of the company as having an approachable
and responsive management, the quality of technical training, and for
its technical literature.
The overall picture was even more impressive, with Veka being ranked 1st
out of 20 system companies where they are rated by their own customers
for 11 attributes. In total, customers ranked Veka 1st, 2nd or 3rd for
19 out of 23 attributes.
In addition to offering a detailed measure of excellence however, the
Benchmarking Study – produced by industry specialist Reputations
Plus Ltd – is highly useful and prized by Veka for offering a measure
of improvement in areas of the company’s products and service, to
supplement the company’s own systems for doing so.
Mark Rogers, Veka’s Sales and Marketing Director, has used the study
for many years: ‘The Annual Benchmarking Study is an excellent tool
for judging how the key systems suppliers are perceived in the market
place by fabricators, both your own customers, and non-customers. It also
provides a measure of just how we may have improved our service in key
areas, or indeed if we have work to do.
‘The results are extremely flattering but we are by no means complacent;
benchmarking against your own industry is one thing but as a service orientated
company we want to be compared against the best service providers in the
world, regardless of the industry.
‘The key of course, is that it is often difficult to see yourself
as others see you, and this survey gives an excellent perspective in that
respect. This is an excellent supplement to the other quality systems
that we have in place. Needless to say we are very excited that we are
perceived so highly by the industry. However, we will continue to strive
to be first in every one of the individual categories.’
Mike Rigby, a director of the report’s publishers Reputations Plus,
says that the result is impressive by any standards: ‘Veka has clearly
done much to refine its offer within each of the key categories defined
by our respondents, but also to project itself within the market to companies
that are not actually customers of Veka. This is an impressive result
for the company.’
Tel:
01282 716611
Email: mailto:salesenquiry@veka.com
Web: http://www.vekauk.com
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.
Pyramid Profiles is a well known Midlands fabricator using the Synseal
Shield system and is timing its Flowline installation to coincide with
a major factory extension. Armstrong Industries is also a Midlands fabricator
using the Synseal Shield system that needed to find a solution to allow
further expansion without the need for more operators, due to the difficulty
in finding them.
Both companies were drawn to the reputation of the Stuga Flowline for
accuracy and reliability. They also liked the fact that Stuga takes care
of all software issues and has its own dedicated software engineers on
the road at all times working with the large team of normal service engineers.
The Flowline carries out all cutting and prepping operations on PVCu windows
and doors including mitres, arrowheads, drainage, espags, trickle vents,
'Y' notches,' V' notches, 'Q' cuts and all door preps, plus numerous spotting
operations.
The versatility of the Flowline to cover numerous profiles and operations
is down to the multi-head tooling system that can rotate through three
hundred and sixty degrees in either direction. Based on a design used
in many other industries the multi-head tooling system has been well proven
in over forty Flowline installations.
Tel:
01455 554203
Email: mailto:sales@stuga.co.uk
Web: http://www.stuga.co.uk
Plastmo
Launches the Definitive Vertical Slider
Having
analysed the market, Plastmo has introduced a Vertical Slider, considered
by the company to be the definitive, forward-moving product of its type
on the UK market.
With its fully sculptured ovolo features and Georgian bars, the Slider
is, a modern vertical slider which combines the elegance of the Georgian
era with cutting-edge PVCu technology.
Suitable for use throughout the entire spectrum of new-build housing design
and refurb. applications, it will add authentic style to properties ranging
from large country and town houses, to the typical suburban property.
The Slider features high security, anti-jemmy components: modern low-line
beading and inward-opening sashes for easy cleaning. It incorporates a
dedicated head-vent to allow air circulation to vent over the window,
offers enhanced weather protection and comes with the latest security
hardware in a variety of styles.
The new Plastmo Vertical Slider is now available through the company's
dedicated network of fabricators throughout the UK. Sales Director Robert
Thiroff comments ‘Our Slider forms part of the exciting new product
range from Plastmo. We have taken our time analysing competitive products
and consider this is going to be another Slidex Patio Door story-a product
born of extensive market research and prime technology proving to be a
market winner’.
Tel: 01604 790780
Investing
in the Future at Edgetech
Super
Spacer can help manufacturers and installers reach – and exceed –
the Part L demands for thermal efficiency now. But it seems the move to
more stringent U-values is inevitable. Although timing is not yet clear,
it could happen sooner rather than later.
Andy Jones, Sales Manager for UK and Ireland comments: ‘That’s
why Edgetech has already started to invest heavily in the future to meet
this increased demand. While we experienced 60% growth in 2003 and are
budgeting for a 75% increase in 2004, we’ve also invested well over
£100,000 on a move to a brand new warehousing and distribution centre
based in Coventry to service the UK and Ireland. We also have a new management
team in place in the UK to work alongside our existing experienced team.
We’re looking forward to helping forward thinking manufacturers and
installers get ahead of the game by investing now for the future’.
The Edgetech team outside the new HQ in
Coventry: (Clockwise from Left) Karl Jones, Technical Services; Andy Jones
UK Sales Manager; Gerhard Reichert Vice President of Business Development;
Joanne Eggington, Office Manager; Zororo
Kandawasvika Warehouse Co-ordinator; Anne
O’Connor Customer Services Advisor
Tel: 02476 363614
The
Omega Group Signs up for Global Roofs
Peterborough
based trade fabricator The Omega Group, has signed a supply contract with
Synseal Extrusions Ltd for the Global conservatory roof.
Robert Morley, Managing Director of Omega elaborates, ‘We were unusual
in having our own aluminium conservatory roof system which was very strong
and great for swimming pools and large retail conservatories. We also
fabricated the K2 roof. On a recent visit to Synseal to look at its profile,
I saw the global roof and knew that’s what I needed. I was impressed
– it looked so strong. And since signing the deal, I haven’t
been disappointed. It’s good to run one system which satisfies both
retail and trade markets.
‘The Global roof has lots of advantages, but I’m particularly
impressed with the box gutter, the valley gutter and the aluminium woodgrain
top capping. The aluminium sections are also thick and strong and the
roof itself is a modern design. The other huge benefit for Omega is that
we don’t have to carry anywhere near as much stock as we used to.
Our trade customers love it.’
Tel:
01623 443 200
Web:
http://www.synseal.com
Sparks
Direct Expands Van Sales Fleet
Sparks
Direct (Delta distributors in the South East) has announced the expansion
of its van sales fleet with the purchase of two Mercedes sprinters.
Steve Taylor (Financial Director) commented 'It is our intention to offer
a complete range of hand tools, cutters, fixings and other consumable
products nationwide. Currently our vehicles only cover 60% of the UK,
but it is our intention to achieve 90% by the Spring of 2004. Our vehicles
call on PVC and aluminium window fabricators on a weekly basis allowing
the fabricator to keep a minimum amount of stock.
'The vans are fitted out like small shops and carry a very comprehensive
range. We also operate supply chain management for many of our customers
on fixings with us carrying out a weekly or bi-weekly stock check and
maintaining minimum stocks as agreed with the fabricator.
'This has proved exceptionally popular with the medium to larger fabricators.'
Anyone wishing to find out if a van operates in their area, contact Dave
Tracey 01903 754455.
Web: http://www.sparksdirect.com
Trade
fabricator John Fredericks has further strengthened its production capacity
with additional investment in new equipment.
Part
of the significant investment at the Huddersfield-based company has been
in two new corner cleaners, worth £80,000, which have given the
company more product flexibility and increased sash production by around
20 per cent.
The new kit adds to John Fredericks' existing portfolio of equipment,
which includes reinforcing centres, auto screwing machines, head welders,
verti-quad welders and bar coding machines, to improve production lead-times
and product quality.
Last year, John Fredericks installed a third state-of-the-art fully automated
cutting machine, taking the company's investment into these machines to
over £l million.
Steve Jones, managing director of John Fredericks, commented: 'We see
strategic investment in new equipment as very important in order to maintain
our position as one of the leading quality trade fabrication manufacturers
in the industry. We have equipped ourselves with some of the most advanced
equipment available to increase our levels of production, quality and
service and we anticipate that the business will continue to go from strength
to strength as a result.'
Contact: Mark Dicconson
Tel: 01422 314100
Email: mailto:mdd@johnfredericksplastics.com
Web: http://www.johnfredericksplastics.com
Get
Cosier with Sierra Windows
Sierra
Windows has announced that recent thermal tests on the 70mm window confirm
that it can achieve a U value of 1.8 W/m2 deg K.
This confirmation also means that the window meets the energy efficiency
requirements of Scottish Technical Standard Part J.
The NPL carried out the Wall-Guarded Hot-Box tests on a 70mm pre-applied
gasket window using standard Low E glass: ie: non-argon fill, hard coat
with standard aluminium spacer tubes. Thermal transmittance equipment
and measurement procedures conform to the requirements of BS EN ISO 12567-1.
General Manager of Sierra Windows, Brian Webb comments: ‘We are delighted
with the confirmation that our 70mm system has achieved the 1.8 U value
using standard components and the pre-gasketed system.
‘This means the 70mm window system can be offered with standard low
E glass without the additional cost of thermally enhanced units incorporating
argon gas fill, warm edge spacer bars or additional soft coat technology,
helping our customers to differentiate their product in the marketplace,’
adds Brian.
Tel: 01803 697000
Bostik
Findley and TC Sealed Units Celebrate a 21 Year Unity
Bostik
Findley and key customer TC Sealed Units have recently celebrated a twenty-one
year partnership, marked with the presentation of a glass trophy from
Bostik Findley area sales manager Andrew Tilley to managing director of
TC Sealed Units, Tony Calvano.
TC Sealed Units in Luton is approaching its third decade manufacturing
insulating glass units using Bostik Findley’s hot melt perimeter
sealant, Evo-Stik Hiflo. The company says that this ensures top quality
units as they currently meet the requirements of four standards, including
kitemark, which incorporates EN1279 Part 2, the new European standard
for insulating glass units.
From a supplier’s point of view, the kitemark is a straightforward
way to demonstrate conformity of product to a published specification
and it provides the necessary assurance of production quality to customers.
In twenty-one years, Tony Calvano says that Bostik Findley’s hot
melt sealants have been used for the manufacture of 3.8 million insulating
glass units. TC Sealed Units currently manufacture between three and four
thousand units per week at their factory in Luton.
Tony comments, ‘To manage this productivity and maintain these standards,
we need to specify a quality product and cost efficient materials; using
Bostik Findley sealants, this is assured.’
Tony Calvano states that using the BSI to carry out third party auditing
of his ISO 9001:2000 quality system and the latest version of kitemark,
exceeds the basic requirements of EN1279 and gives additional confidence
to customers that the products and service supplied will be to the highest
standard.
The latest units tested by BSI achieved an average Moisture Penetration
Index of 2.4% (0.024), which is exceptional when compared with the maximum
20% (0.2) allowed by EN1279-2. Tony attributes these excellent results
to TC Sealed Units’ stringent production controls and employee training
programmes, combined with the outstanding performance of Evo-Stik Hiflo
and Bostik Findley’s intensive technical support.
Bostik Findley believes the imminent arrival of EN1279 will effectively
end the production of single seal units that only use a two-component
sealant, whilst single seal Hot Melt Butyl (HMB) sealant technology will
continue to provide value for money, efficient performance and extremely
low EN1279-2 results.
Evo-Stik Hiflo is a single part Hot Melt Butyl sealant, which, when applied
at the correct temperature, sets quickly from its molten state, allowing
units to be moved from their assembly location within 5 minutes of application.
Units can therefore be sealed and glazed within the same day, enabling
fast and efficient response to customer needs and requirements.
Other advantages of using Evo-Stik Hiflo include ease of application,
zero wastage, good flow rates and excellent adhesion to glass and spacer
tubes.
Richard Sellman, Bostik Findley’s marketing manager, says, ‘Bostik
Findley are at the forefront of HMB sealant technology and we are delighted
we have been able to support TC Sealed Units growth in the IGU business.
We hope to develop our relationship further with them in order to continue
to provide the highest quality products and service in the future.’
AA
Expands into New Territory - Company expands from Warrington to Wales
AA
Conservatories has announced its plans to expand from its site in Warrington
to open new premises in Llandudno, Wales.
AA
Conservatories was founded by David Sheldon and Peter Uzell in Warrington
in 1990, with the long-term business goal of progressing from fitting
windows to installing fully complete conservatories. The business now
has a turnover of £800,000 per annum and employs 12 staff at a 4,500
sq ft site, where it promotes and sells the K2 roofing system and fabricates
100 roofs a month.
This success has encouraged its expansion to an additional 2,500 sq ft
site in Llandudno, which will provide AA Conservatories with an extra
fabrication capacity of 50 roofs a month and more office space. As part
of the expansion, the company has also invested in new transportation
systems and is currently recruiting new staff.
David Sheldon comments: ‘AA Conservatories has gone from strength
to strength over the last decade due to our focus on providing quality
service and value for money. We won't sell a product unless we can personally
recommend it, such as K2 roof systems, which are well-designed products
supplied with excellent customer support. Our expansion into Llandudno
is a natural progression in our company growth and we aim to provide the
same excellent products and quality of service to North Wales as we do
in the North West.’
Sally Fielding, Managing Director at K2 says: ‘We congratulate AA
Conservatories on over a decade of successful trading and its expansion
into North Wales. At K2 we pride ourselves in providing quality products
and we are delighted that AA Conservatories will be recommending our products
to its customers across not only the North West but also North Wales.’
Email: mailto:enquiry@k2conservatories.co.uk
Web: http://www.k2conservatories.com
Sapa
continues to expand. Sapa Profiler AB will open a new manufacturing unit
for components based on aluminium profiles in Lithuania. UAB Sapa Profiliai
is scheduled to start during the first quarter of 2004. The company will
initially employ approximately 20 people. Sapa has been represented in
Lithuania since 1998 through a sales office.
'We are strengthening our efforts in this interesting and growing market.
Several of our customers are establishing production in Lithuania and
that is why we choose to follow by opening our own production unit', says
Lars Forsberg, head of manufacturing at Sapa Profiler AB.
Web: http://www.sapagroup.com
Vitro
Increases EBITDA by US$13m (14.8%) and Reduces Debts
Glass
maker and distributor Vitro S.A. de C.V. has announced that 3Q03 consolidated
net sales declined 3% YoY to US$582m. Comparisons reflect a decrease in
glass container shipments as a result of bad weather, ongoing weak flat
glass demand in the U.S. non-residential construction and OEM automotive
markets, and slow consumer spending in glassware products. At the same
time, sales were supported by strong domestic construction and auto replacement
markets, as well as by Vitro's Spanish operations.
Consolidated
EBlTDA declined 5% YoY to US$100 million. Glass Containers was the main
driver of the decline, resulting in a 20.4% drop in EBlTDA from poor weather
conditions that led to lower sales and fixed cost absorption. Flat Glass
EBlTDA increased 2.2% YoY, driven by increased efficiencies at Vitro's
float plants. Glassware EBlTDA increased 5.5 percent mainly due to a better
product mix, particularly in exports. Consolidated EBlTDA margins for
the quarter declined to 17.2% from 17.5% a year ago.
Alvaro Rodriguez, Chief Financial Officer, commented: 'We continue to
make progress in streamlining and focusing operations and strengthening
our balance sheet. For example, QoQ EBlTDA increased 14.8 percent, with
an improvement of 200 basis points in EBlTDA margins for the period. We
are starting to see a positive change in trends, partially improving due
to the initiatives taken to lower our cost structure. During the quarter
we also completed the divestiture of one of our plastic operations for
US$18 million.'
Mr. Rodriguez added: 'Consolidated debt was reduced by US$75m to US$1,411m
quarter-over-quarter. On October 22nd, we expect to complete the issuance
and sale of US$225m Senior Notes due November 1st, 2013, which will be
applied primarily to retire substantially all of the short-term and current
portion of long-term debt of our holding company, Vitro, S.A. de C.V.
This transaction will improve the average life of total consolidated debt
to about 4 years on an adjusted basis, from approximately 3 years.'
Reflecting its position in specialised niche markets, Vitro recently developed
new products for leading players such as Estee Lauder, Coca Cola and Modelo,
examples partially responsible for an 8.9% QoQ increase in EBlTDA at Glass
Containers.
Exemplifying the trend towards value added products, Flat Glass recently
signed a contract for 20,000 square meters of double-glazed 'Isolar Solarlux'
glass in Spain for the Bilbao Exhibition Centre. In addition, during the
quarter Flat Glass has secured new long- term contracts with some of the
major brands at GM, Ford and Chrysler.
In November 2003, Vitro opened its new flat glass facility developed jointly
with AFG, the US subsidiary of Asahi Glass, which is expected to increase
Vitro's float glass capacity by 18%. This facility will start production
ahead of schedule and within budget.
Strong
Growth Platform and Focus on Profitability Targets for Trelleborg
'Concerted
strategic development has resulted in a well-positioned global industrial
group with favourable opportunities for growth. Following vigorous concentration
and expansion, we are now entering a third phase that is more clearly
focused on profitability targets,' said Group CEO Fredrik Arp, during
Trelleborg's Capital Market Day in Stuttgart, where he had the opportunity
to provide in-depth information about the Group while also presenting
more details about the new Trelleborg Sealing Solutions business area.
'With the acquisition of PSS, the repositioning of Trelleborg has largely
been completed,' Fredrik Arp affirmed. 'The concentration phase begun
in 1999 with the divestment of non-core operations and simultaneous strong
expansion through strategic acquisitions has resulted in a first-class
industrial platform. For 90 percent of our sales, we have established
leading positions in attractive market segments and have achieved a number
of economies of scale. We have well- developed research and development,
a well-structured production organisation and global coverage. These provide
competitive advantages and a solid foundation. Our focus now is on organic
growth and complementary acquisitions in profitable market segments. We
are now entering a third phase more clearly focused on profitability targets
with potential margin improvements in all business areas.'
CFO Bo Jacobsson described the profitability targets, which at EBITA levels
are set individually for each business area. For the Group, the targets
for return on capital employed and return on shareholders' equity are
set at 15 percent, calculated before goodwill amortisation. At EBITA level,
the cash-flow target is adjusted to 80-90 percent.
Following the current year's considerable expansion, the growth target
is now being revised to 8-10 percent annually, for which both financial
and organisational capacity exists, as Bo Jacobsson indicated.
The new business area, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, was presented by
Business Area President Claus Barsøe, who also affirmed that the
integration process is progressing beyond expectations. The business area
is a leading supplier of precision seals for industrial, automotive and
aerospace applications. Through customer-tailored solutions, cost- efficient
production and global market coverage, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has
also become the world leader in terms of earnings.
Trelleborg Automotive, which in recent years has integrated two major
acquisitions, is preparing for further growth in sales and earnings, according
to Business Area President George Caplea. Order bookings are favourable
and operations are well positioned following a solid restructuring process.
In addition to organic growth based on aspects such as innovations and
the transfer of technology between Europe and North America, Caplea expects
further complementary strategic acquisitions like that of KunHwa during
the spring of 2003.
Trelleborg Engineered Systems shows a positive profitability trend. According
to Business Area President Peter Nilsson, this is due to measures that
include rationalisation of the product range. Such measures will continue
and will be complemented by production in areas with cost advantages.
Increased focus on product and application development in profitable segments
and increased market presence are intended to result in a gradual improvement
in margins.
The President of Trelleborg Wheel Systems, Maurizio Vischi, explained
that the business area is currently experiencing a difficult market situation,
with reduced demand for tractor tyres due to weaker conditions in the
agricultural sector. However, it has been possible to maintain earnings
through the restructuring program now implemented and a number of market
activities.
Peter Suter, President of the Trelleborg Building Systems business area
explained that return ratio had been maintained at a high level through
a number of rationalisation measures, successful innovations and increased
market presence, and were strengthened during the past year with two complementary
acquisitions in Germany and the UK.