Saint-Gobain
Group First Quarter 2004 Sales: Up 5.1% on a Like-for-Like Basis
Consolidated sales of the Saint-Gobain Group for the first quarter of 2004 amounted to €7,233m, compared with €6,986m for the same period in 2003, representing an increase of 3.5% on an actual structure basis, and 1.3% based on a comparable structure. The Glass Sector posted moderate like-for-like sales growth. Business was brisk for Insulation, Containers and Flat Glass for the automotive industry, in their principal markets. However, Flat Glass for the European construction industry and Reinforcements were once again hit by downward pressure on sales prices, despite a significant upturn in sales volumes.
At
constant exchange rates, sales were up 7.4% on an actual structure basis
and 5.1% based on a comparable structure. This increase was achieved thanks
to a significant 5.1% rise in sales volumes in most of the Group's geographic
areas, while sales prices held firm.
This performance demonstrates Saint-Gobain's ability to reap the benefits
of the economic recovery currently taking hold, particularly in industrial
production and capital spending.
Sales trends by sector, division and geographic area are as follows:
Except for the Pipe Division, whose figures were on a par with the prior
year, sales growth was reported across the board in the first quarter
of 2004. Particularly strong performances were achieved by the Group's
new businesses (Building Materials Distribution, Ceramics & Plastics
and Abrasives), which are the main growth drivers, as anticipated at the
beginning of the year.
The Glass Sector posted moderate like-for-like sales growth. Business
was brisk for Insulation, Containers and Flat Glass for the automotive
industry, in their principal markets. However, Flat Glass for the European
construction industry and Reinforcements were once again hit by downward
pressure on sales prices, despite a significant upturn in sales volumes.
High-Performance Materials reported the Group's strongest like-for-like
growth (+6.8%). The recovery in the manufacturing industry and capital
spending which began at the end of 2003 in the United States, continued
during the first quarter of the year and picked up pace. Based on the
Sector's current order books this favourable trend should be sustained.
The Housing Products Sector also achieved very strong sales. Building
Materials continued to benefit from the buoyant residential construction
market in the United States, while the Building Materials Distribution
Division recorded the Group's highest organic growth rate (+7.5%), thanks
to a significant increase in sales volumes for all of its brands, including
in Germany. Pipe was the only Division where like-for-like sales did not
increase, reflecting the completion at the end of March of deliveries
under the Abu Dhabi contract.
By geographic area, strong like-for-like growth was achieved in France
and the United States. A moderate upturn was felt in other Western European
countries, with a slight recovery observed in Germany. Markets remained
extremely buoyant in emerging countries - particularly in Asia and Eastern
Europe - and the Group achieved double digit growth in these regions.
Asbestos claims in the United States: some 5,000 new claims were filed
against Certain Teed during first-quarter 2004, including 700 in the State
of Mississippi, representing 4 four times less than the number of new
claims in the same period of 2003 (22,000, including 8,000 in Mississippi).
At the same time, 5,000 claims were resolved during the period. Therefore,
at March 31st, 2004 some 108,000 claims were outstanding, unchanged from
the December 31st, 2003 figure. The average cost of claims settled over
the last twelve months was US$ 2,500 per claim, up, as expected, on the
2003 average figure of US$ 2,100.
In addition, the Republican leadership of the United States Senate recently
attempted to move forward a debate on proposed legislation to create a
national asbestos trust fund. As expected in the current political climate,
on April 22nd, 2004, the 60 votes required to proceed were not obtained.
A mediation process has been launched at the request of the Senate's Republican
and Democrat leaders, in an attempt to seek an agreement among the various
parties involved, particularly relating to the size of the fund.
Outlook
In the first quarter of 2004, the Group posted satisfactory sales growth
despite the negative impact of currency effects. For the full year, Saint-Gobain
confirms its objective of achieving further growth - of 4% to 5% - in
operating income at constant exchange rates, and of maintaining strong
free cash flow levels.
Glassex
Throws Down the Gauntlet to Installers: Take the 2005 Glassex Challenge!
Following
the success of the Glassex Challenge that took place in March at this
year’s Glassex, the organisers are inviting installers of windows,
doors and conservatories to see if they can become the 2005 Glassex Installers
of the Year.
Held for the first time, two person teams from all over the UK were invited
to install a flat window, a bay, a residential door and a conservatory
roof, competing against each other, the clock, and a team of expert judges.
The competition took place in a number of heats throughout Glassex, with
the winners taking a superb selection of prizes from power tool specialist
DeWalt, in addition to race track driver’s days. However, none of
the valuable prizes equals the kudos to be gained from taking the title
of Glassex Installer of the Year.
Now, with new plans already being made to make the competition even more
exciting and competitive, the organisers are calling for installers to
register their interest NOW to take part in the 2005 Glassex Challenge.
There is no charge for taking part, and no obligation on the part of competitors.
But if you think you are the best installation team in Britain, now’s
your chance to put it to the test.
There are a number of ways to register your interest:
By telephone on: 020 8277 5208
By fax on: 020 8277 5128
By email to: mailto:jennifer.calvert@emap.com
The
Window Centre Direct Mailing Attracts Complaint
A
complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority about a direct mailing
from The Ruislip Service Centre Ltd t/a The Window Centre has been upheld.
A householder objected to a direct mailing, for windows, that comprised
a leaflet and a letter addressed to the recipient headlined 'WILL YOU
BE SAFE WITH YOUR CURRENT PROTECTION? Find out with a FREE SECURITY CHECK'
.
Complaint:
Objection to a direct mailing, for windows, that comprised a leaflet and
a letter addressed to the recipient. The leaflet was headlined 'WILL YOU
BE SAFE WITH YOUR CURRENT PROTECTION? Find out with a FREE SECURITY CHECK'
and showed a photograph of a man attempting to break in to a property.
The inside of the leaflet stated 'WILL YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS MEET THE
NEW LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF FENSA' and listed questions, under the headline
'LEGAL COMPLIANCE FENSA REGULATIONS', with tick boxes labelled 'YES' and
'NO' beside each question.
Two of the questions were 'Bay windows must have STRUCTURAL STEEL SUPPORT
poles fitted. Have yours?' and 'Your windows should have ENERGY GLASS
fitted to reduce fuel loss. Are your windows fitted with energy glass?'
The back of the leaflet featured a photograph of a man climbing through
a window.
The letter stated ' ... With the darker nights ... we are all more vulnerable
to the opportunist burglar. He will attempt to break in to your home through
the weakest points in your windows and doors and if he is successful,
the devastation to your life will be huge. Apart from the trauma of losing
your precious belongings there is the added problem of replacing the window
or door to a more secure level ... Without such safety measures, you could
be at more risk than you thought ... Many homes have windows with either
no locking at all or the current security is no longer adequate against
the determined robber ... whenever the phone rings and we hear a distressed
customer who has just been burgled ... We would prefer to bring your windows
up to date before somebody breaks in and shatters your lifestyle ...'.
The complainant challenged whether the mailing caused undue fear and distress
to recipients.
Adjudication: Complaint upheld
The advertisers asserted that they installed double glazed windows and
doors with high security features that had helped decrease crime levels
in many areas. They said they were a registered member of the Fenestration
Self-Assessment scheme (FENSA) and had to comply with improved thermal
performance standards.
The advertisers explained that homeowners replacing windows and doors
from 1st April 2002 onwards needed to have the work completed by a FENSA
registered company or to get a certificate of approval under the Building
Regulations from the local authority. They asserted that they intended
their mailing to increase public awareness of the new regulations for
replacing windows and doors. The advertisers said they would stop using
the letter but wanted to continue to use the leaflet in future advertising.
The Authority considered that the letter, in conjunction with the leaflet,
placed excessive emphasis on vulnerability to burglary and could cause
fear and distress to recipients. It considered, however, that the leaflet
in isolation was unlikely to cause undue fear and distress to recipients
and welcomed the advertisers' assurance that they would stop using the
letter.
New
Business Win for Deceuninck
Stoke
on Trent based Hanley Trade Frames has recently signed up as a Deceuninck
fabricator. Hanley is manufacturing Deceuninck’s fully sculptured
decorative 70mm system, namely 2800 series.
On making the switch Geoff Thomas, Managing Director of Hanley said ‘Having
looked at numerous systems on the market, Deceuninck’s system was
far superior in terms of overall aesthetics and product quality. The company
also offers a whole host of business support solutions and we were extremely
impressed with its on-line E Business package, SynergeBuild that allows
us to view Deceuninck’s stock levels while placing our order. Joining
Deceuninck was a very easy decision for us to make.’
Hanley Trade Frames is looking to expand its operation over the coming
months and is confident that by working closely with Deceuninck the company
will quickly achieve these aims.
Tel: 01249 816969
Astraseal
adds Global to Ultraframe
Graham
Holmes Astraseal, one of the earliest PVCu fabricators in the UK is a
large fabricator with big plans for conservatories. ‘We’ve been
making Ultraframe roofs in volume for 7 years,’ says Managing Director
Andrew McKeown, ‘and things have gone well for us. Ultraframe is
very big and popular, but we want to exploit the potential of the market.
We’re aiming to sell many more roofs a week in 2004 so we felt we
needed something a bit special. Global is a first class system at a competitive
price. It’s easy to put together on site and very installer friendly.
We did our market research and customers were most impressed with the
product, prices, sample cases and marketing support. The training we had
on Global was excellent too.
‘It’s also got extra benefits: the thermal efficiency of the
double skinned box gutter and the clip in gutter,’ continues Andrew.
‘With the three glazing bar options you can mix and match making
it a very flexible system. The rainwater is unhanded too which is a big
help. The First Degree software is also compatible with our window software
so it’s much easier all round.’
Tel: 01623 443 200
Web:
http://www.synseal.com
GGF
Awards Super Spacer® top Results at Glassex
Edgetech
IG Inc. says that it had a great Glassex. Visitors flocked to the stand,
and the GGF presented Interim results of a comprehensive test programme
in its seminars - Super Spacer® came top of the spacer bar technologies
tested.
In a recent government funded project, jointly commissioned by the GGF
and the DTI, a range of typical UK window systems were measured to establish
the improvement in thermal performance derived from different spacer bar
systems in insulated glazing units.
The hot box measurements were carried out at the National Physics Laboratory,
while the simulations were done at the Centre for Window and Cladding
Technology at Bath University. Tests were carried out on three and five
chambered PVCu windows, soft wood windows, 5mm thermally broken aluminium
and 23mm thermally broken aluminium windows. Windows were tested with
hard and with soft coat low E glass, and with and without argon gas filling.
‘Super Spacer didn’t just do a little better than the rest,
it did a lot better – it was approximately 23% better than the next
best. It was up against four other warm edge spacer bars and standard
aluminium bar, with a typical overall window u-value saving with Super
Spacer of approximately 0.2w/mk. To say that Super Spacer made the difference
is an understatement. ‘ said Andy Jones, Edgetech’s UK Sales
and Marketing Manager.
Norman Blower, spokesperson for the GGF comments: ‘The objective
of these independent tests was to investigate the capability of a full
range of spacer bars, both warm edge and aluminium to see how they perform
in different types of sealed units. As the results show, Super Spacer
outperformed all other spacer bars across the board.’
Andy Jones added: ‘While we and our Super Spacer customers are obviously
delighted with these results, the failure of those windows with hard coat
low E glass and aluminium spacer bars to achieve even the legal U-value
requirement should be of great concern for the rest of the industry. It
begs the question – is it possible to reach even the current required
U-value without Super Spacer never mind the proposed further improvements?’
For a full copy of the results, call Edgetech on 02476 705570
Over
98% Dispatch Success for Total
From
its new 20,000 square feet dedicated dispatch area, Liverpool based fabricator
Total Glass has achieved a 98.6 per cent success rate for deliveries.
‘You have to stay below 100 per cent, otherwise you have nothing
more to aim for,’ said managing director Frank Deary.
The company has been implementing a series of improvements to its dispatch
area to help improve its service to its customers. These include the installation
of tracking devices on all vehicles, two full time quality controllers,
and a complete physical reorganisation of the area.
‘We have made the dispatch area answerable to its own actions. By
giving it this added responsibility and ownership as a stand alone department,
it has more incentive to make sure that everything that goes out of the
door, arrives at its destination when it should, and how it should,’
continued Frank.
Total Glass as a whole maintains a policy of continuous investment and
improvement, believing that apportioning ownership to its employees instils
a sense of pride in a job well done.
‘Changes we make come from a combination of employee and customer
recommendations,’ said Frank. ‘The dispatch area had already
been vastly improved by creating a separate ancillary packing department.
By treating this as a stand alone discipline prior to dispatch, it simplified
the final stage, freeing them up to ensure final quality checks were made
on a larger number of orders, and sent off on time.’
Fitted with tracking devices, Total Glass vehicles can maintain constant
contact with the factory and its customers’ destinations, in case
of hold ups on the road.
Tel: 0151 549 2339
Email: mailto:sales@totalglass.com
Web: http://www.totalglass.com
Titon
Adds Powered Ventilation to its Product Portfolio
Trickle
ventilation and window fittings supplier Titon is adding powered ventilation
products to its product portfolio. Titon has made the move to ensure the
company can offer both a background and extract ventilation support service
to specifiers and developers primarily in the domestic sector.
Titon is confident that the expansion into powered ventilation products
will complement its existing portfolio of trickle vents, and has handpicked
a niche range of products to create maximum impact in a very competitive
marketplace. 'This new venture into powered ventilation products follows
considerable research. We are very confident that these products will
ensure we can offer a thorough ventilation service and we are well placed
to advise customers on the compliance with the relevant sections of the
Building Regulations and current standards' said David Ruffell, Chief
Executive, Titon.
The new range of ventilators are suitable for the public sector, where
best practice and best value is of a high priority. Titon says that its
products are endorsed and regularly selected by architects, Local Authorities
and Housing Associations across the UK. Titon also manufactures and supplies
a purpose designed range of window handles, hinges, pivots, sash locks,
espagnolettes and shootbolts for all types of window profile.
Tel: 01206 713800
Web: http://www.titon.co.uk
Tuff
X - Now Processing Soft Coat Glasses
Tuff
X the toughened safety glass and double glazed unit division of Aintree
based James Price Group is now processing soft coat glasses completely
in-house.
Substantial investment in new technology has included the introduction
of a £70,000 Hegla 3m x 2m edge-deletion automatic glass cutting
system. This allows Tuff X to cut soft coat glasses with minimum wastage
and has increased capacity by 40%. At the same time the EFCO tempering
furnace has been modified with an aspirator facility that enables it to
toughen both hard and soft coat. All Tuff X double glazed units are produced
on a Lisec robot-sealing station which washes, dries and seals the units
at a rate of two per minute and includes an Argon filling option.
The
Hegla 3 X 2 edge-deletion automatic cutting table
The James Price Group has also invested in the latest screen printing
production which is proving valuable particularly for corporate, health
& safety and architectural glazing applications.
Chris Roberts, James Price plc Sales Manager, commented: ‘Our systems
operate 24 hours a day and toughened double glazed unit production is
now running at 2,000 per day and rising. With the current levels of specification
for Low E glass, our ability to cut, toughen and process soft coat glass
as well as hard coat will become increasingly important in the future.’
Tel: 0151 523 7070
Email: mailto:info@jprice-group.co.uk
Web: http://www.jprice-group.co.uk
Aluminium
Takes Off In the Cotswolds
Sales
of aluminium conservatories and in particular coloured aluminium conservatories
are on the rise according to Trade Plas Ltd, a Beaufort Secure Design
customer in the Cotswolds. In response to growing demand, the fabricator
and installer is currently planning to expand its showroom to accommodate
more aluminium displays.
Based
in Nailsworth, Trade Plas offers a complete range of doors, windows and
conservatories in both aluminium and PVCu to give its customers a wide
choice of options. The company installs between two and three aluminium
conservatories a month using Beaufort profile and Quantal roofs, which
it manufactures in-house, ‘When you think that two years ago we weren’t
doing any aluminium conservatories, just aluminium windows, that’s
a really impressive increase and the market is definitely on the up,’
comments Richard Phelps, Production Manager at Trade Plas.
Beaufort’s high quality aluminium system is suitable for conservatories,
with its natural strength without the need for reinforcing, plus a variety
of contoured profiles and colours. Beaufort has worked closely with Trade
Plas to provide a range of finishes as standard, ‘In addition to
white, silver, black and brown Beaufort supplies ‘National Trust’
type Green and Cream profile for us. The latter complements the honey-coloured
Cotswold stone perfectly,’ says Richard. In addition, Beaufort has
also supplied Charcoal Grey powder coated profile as a special order for
one of Trade Plas’ bespoke conservatory projects.
At its showroom, Trade Plas displays a number of conservatories including
two in coloured aluminium, which have raised awareness of what’s
now available. ‘They’ve also generated a lot of interest from
discerning homeowners who are looking for something a bit different,’
adds Richard. In fact, the company is in the process of moving its roof
manufacturing facility so that it can expand the showroom to include more
aluminium conservatory designs.
Trade Plas was set up 15 years ago as a trade supplier of PVCu windows.
Following a growing number of requests to fit windows as well, the company
took on its first installation team about 10 years ago and subsequently
added the Beaufort aluminium system to its range. Today Trade Plas employs
all its own builders, electricians and plumbers to maintain total control
over every aspect of an installation. The company opened a US division
in Minneapolis last year with a view to developing the untapped American
conservatory market. The operation includes a huge showroom with a selection
of Beaufort aluminium conservatories in a variety of landscaped settings,
and which Trade Plas describes as ‘probably the best conservatory
showroom in the world.’
Tel: 01633 29 40 40
Web: http://www.beaufortsecure.co.uk
Alcoa,
Chalco Receive Joint Venture Approval
Alcoa
Inc. and Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (Chalco) announced on 20th
April that they have received approval from the China National Development
and Reform Commission (NDRC) to proceed with formation of their proposed
joint venture at the Pingguo Aluminium facility in the Guangxi Zhang Autonomous
Region, in South China.
When Alcoa participated as the strategic investor in Chalco's global public
offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange and The Stock Exchange
of Hong Kong in December 2001, the parties agreed to form a 50/50 joint
venture at Chalco's facility at Pingguo. This facility is one of the most
efficient alumina and aluminium production facilities in China. Pingguo's
current alumina refining capacity is 850,000 metric tons per year (mtpy)
and the capacity of the aluminium smelter is 135,000-mtpy. The proposed
joint venture will be beneficial to both Alcoa and Chalco.
The parties have committed to growth at Pingguo over the next few years.
Under the terms of the NDRC approval, these growth projects will be submitted
for regulatory approval after formation of the joint venture.
Preparations to form the joint venture, including arrangements to support
the existing and future requirements for electrical energy and completion
of the joint venture agreements, have substantially progressed. Alcoa
and Chalco expect to receive final regulatory approvals within China by
the end of 2004. No U.S. regulatory approvals are required.
Magden
is ‘Stocking Up’ for Success
Northern
dealer Magden has begun stocking the K2 roofing system products, including
K2’s modular roof system L2 in a Pack.
Magden
was founded by Alan Robinson in 1978 to supply plastic and industrial
glazing products, but later diversified into supplying conservatory roofing
systems and now employs over 50 staff. The company had previously stocked
other roofing systems for several years, but was so impressed by the quality
of the K2 products, the service provided to dealers and consumer satisfaction
with the product that they began to exclusively stock L2 in a Pack.
The company eventually intends to stock L2 in a Pack across all five of
its depots from Manchester to Newcastle, selling it to over 500 customers
across the North of the country.
‘We were impressed by both the build quality and visual appeal offered
by L2 in a Pack’, comments Alan Robinson, Managing Director of Magden.
‘We were also delighted by the service provided by K2, including
marketing literature and technical support and are confident that the
stocking of this product will contribute towards our plans to expand throughout
the UK.’
Paul Carter, Sales Manager of K2 comments: ‘L2 is becoming increasingly
popular amongst dealers, as the dedicated low pitch eaves beam offers
structural stability, while a polycarbonate breather tape also prevents
water or insects from penetrating the roof. The modular roof system’s
visual appeal is equally attractive, with a choice of three finishes,
a dedicated firring piece available in five colours and sculptured top
and end caps.’
He continues: ‘We are delighted that Magden has begun to stock L2
and look forward to working closely with the company and aiding it to
expand its business in the future.'
Tel: 01204 554554
Web: http://www.k2conservatories.com
Investing
to Offer Something Different…
After
a year of half a million pounds worth of restructuring, investment and
consolidation, culminating in a management buy out at the end of 2003,
Hull based Bennett Glass and Frames Ltd has hit the new year running with
the results of all that hard work coming to fruition. The Status fabricator
has doubled production turnover, winning several new accounts within its
target market.
Bennett
Glass has invested significantly in increasing the overall professionalism
of its approach. These investments have taken the form of both tangible
assets - such as building, machinery and IT – and other more intangible
commercial concepts such as overall corporate attitude.
Bennett Glass and Frames is the combination of two companies – Frametec
and Bennett Glass – which, although operating under the same roof,
were still separate businesses. Paul Myers was brought in by the then
owners, the Kyoob Group, to restructure the organisation. A management
buy out in December 2003 finally led to the establishment of a single
trading body – Bennett Glass & Frames Ltd.
‘Professionalism is ultimately the result of operating with the right
attitude,’ said managing director Paul Myers. ‘But you cannot
change an attitude overnight – it requires a lot of seeds to be sown,
and a lot of time and gentle cultivation for them to germinate and take
root. Consolidation in 2003 saw us stand still in terms of production
and sales growth, but today we are beginning to see some strong growth
coming out of those initial seeds.’
Upwards of half a million pounds has been invested by the company over
the last 12 months. This includes new premises, a complete new IT system,
additional manufacturing capacity, and staff development and training.
Paul Myers believes that a long term approach to building a solid and
professional infrastructure will make a significant contribution to increasing
overall growth and profitability.
‘Early indications show that what we are doing really is something
different to what the market used to otherwise expect,’ continued
Paul Myers. ‘It was not just employee attitude that we have managed
to change, but customer attitude too. Over the years regular customers
had fallen into a pattern of not just being ignored, but expecting to
be ignored. General disgruntlement was part of the working day. Then one
day in our bid to improve attitude and professionalism we started listening
to, and responding to their complaints. Some of them registered genuine
shock and surprise that a supplier would want to start taking notice of
them.
‘With all the above investment Bennett Glass is now in a position
to offer increased capacity without compromising quality and service levels.’
KAT
Strikes up Strategic Partnership with Remploy Metro Windows
A
proactive and reciprocal partnership between KAT UK and Remploy Metro
Windows has been established as part of both companies’ overall strategy
for growth in 2004. The Macclesfield based patio door manufacturer KAT
UK, and the Oldham based window fabricator Metro Windows, have set themselves
significant growth targets and will share mutually beneficial opportunities
for commercial advancement.
On
a basic level KAT UK supplies its PVCu patio door products to Metro Windows,
which it distributes direct into local authorities, and into the domestic
market through the President Windows site in Oldham. On a wider basis
the two companies will use their extensive networking capabilities to
share knowledge and potential opportunities for growth.
‘As a major provider of employment opportunities for disabled people,
Remploy actively integrates networking into its overall working ethos,’
said KAT director David Richards. ‘Supplying our patio doors to them
is just a small part of our overall relationship. Long term we plan to
work together on other projects which will help both companies make steps
towards achieving individual growth aspirations.’
Metro Windows forms the entrepreneurial division of Remploy. It provides
an accredited window manufacturing service employing a disabled workforce
fabricating windows and doors for local authorities, and for the President
Windows retail site. The company is looking to more than double its turnover
over the next 12 to 18 months.
‘We have a number of strategies in place to help us achieve this,
and establishing Key Partnerships is one of these strategies,’ said
Don Cooper, commercial manager for Remploy Metro Windows. ‘KAT has
always struck us as being a dynamic, open minded and forward thinking
company – the sort of qualities that we know will provide a positive
working environment in the future.’
Remploy is one of the UK’s leading providers of employment opportunities
for disabled people. It provides jobs and training as part of the economy
– as well as its own factories. Working closely with government programmes
like Workstep and NDDP, it assists over 5500 people with a range of physical
and mental disabilities to find work every year. In addition it supports
4500 people in the employment of other organisations and 5,500 people
in its own sites.
Email:
mailto:sales@katuk.co.uk
Web: http://www.katuk.co.uk
UAP
Seals its Relationship with Dida
UAP
has cemented its relationship with major Chinese Manufacturer Dida, by
signing a ten year distribution agreement covering the UK and all EEC
countries.
David Clegg Sales Director of UAP explains, 'We have been trading with
Dida for four years on the company's range of Euro cylinders with exclusivity
in the UK market. During that time we have helped Dida develop high specification
products for the EEC market such as our highly competitive Secured by
Design cylinder range.
Mr
Wei, Dida and David Clegg UAP accepting the ten year
agreement
'Dida asked whether we would jointly exhibit with them at the International
Hardware Exhibition in Cologne and we were delighted to accept. During
the show we had ample time to discuss trading, and we were delighted to
be asked to represent Dida in Europe as well as the UK, covering all Dida
products.'
Mr Wei, Managing Director of Dida says, 'we like the way UAP do business.
They are very straight forward, and they are always striving to improve
the performance of our products.
'Working with UAP has led us to change our basic products into high specification
units, and the result has been increased volume for both of us. It makes
sense to enter into an agreement with UAP to distribute our products in
the EEC allowing us to concentrate on our home market and the Asian market.'
The Dida range not only comprises high quality Euro cylinder locks but
also lever locks and handle sets. 'The range is very large and the quality
is very good making it very compatible with UAP's market image. said David.
'The Dida range will be made available on a direct import basis to our
customer base here in the UK and overseas.'
Tel: 0161 763 5290
Email: mailto:uap@btconnect.com
Web: http://www.universal-imports.com
Everwhite
Sales Boost the Trend
With
some roofline companies reporting mixed sales so far this year, Everwhite
reports that it is boosting the trend. With a current turnover of £7.8
million the independent roofline company improved sales by 30% in December
last year and 22% in January this year.
‘Early signs for this year are good,’ says Tony Crutcher (left),
Sales and Marketing Director of Everwhite, ‘and we expect sales to
continue to increase for the rest of the year.
We have worked hard and invested a lot to ensure we can continue to give
customers what they need, despite an escalating demand for our products.
As well as the reliable, on-time and complete deliveries that we offer
as standard, and the quality products and reasonable prices our customer
enjoy, we go that extra mile.
We offer a professional installer support scheme (Everwhite Distributor
Support Package), stylish brochures and other useful marketing support
items and provide outstanding customer support.’
Tel: 01685 882 447
Newstead
Sales up 100%
With
mixed sales reports for some so far this year, Newstead Trade Frames reports
that it is bucking the trend. With sales up 100% compared with the same
period last year, trade sales are booming. Conservatory sales are apparently
still going strong too, accounting for £1.5m of the company’s
sales in 2003.
‘Our conservatory sales really took off last year,’ enthuses
Adrian Locker, Director and General Manager of Newstead. ‘At peak
we were selling 30 per week, and we’re forecasting even better sales
this year. Installers are approaching us because they’ve seen how
much more we have to offer. For example our true one-stop-shop and our
unusual marketing support, including our stylish new showroom for our
customers to use as their own.’
Tel: 01782 641 642
Rosewood
has experienced such a dramatic increase in demand and popularity over
the last few months that some window companies are thinking about replacing
mahogany with Rosewood as their standard foiled product, according to
Profoil managing director Colin Deans.
This richer, more wood like colour was introduced to the industry about
four years ago and was positioned alongside Golden Oak as an alternative
to the popular mahogany. However, its growth over the years has been about
25 per cent, while mahogany has declined.
‘You can physically see the growth in our foil store room,’
said Colin Deans. ‘Rosewood now takes up double the amount of shelf
space that the other colours occupy. Anyone who is not offering rosewood
today is losing out on a very lucrative market place.’
Golden Oak is still a strong candidate in the popularity stakes, and for
a while did look as if it would be a strong contender. However, the trend
for darker colours in the home has allowed Rosewood to shift up a gear
and vie with mahogany for first place.
Profoil offers an extensive range of colours and finishes from the most
popular woodgrains, to the more obscure reds, greens and blues.
Tel: 01536 310900