AP Technik top 1000 customers

AP Technik, a member of the Lygon Group and suppliers of the Thunderbolt multi-substrate anchor, recently announced that the bolt plus its Tradefix range of fixings is now available through 1,250 independent stockists throughout the UK.

General Sales Manager, Ken McCulloch says 'our success in expanding our distribution base is basically down to two issues. Firstly, demand for the patented Thunderbolt range, and secondly the improved profit opportunity which we are able to offer our stockists on our range of Tradefix lightweight fixings.'

AP Technik is now into its second year of operation and will this year contribute around £3 million of sales to group turnover.

Contact Ken McCulloch, AP Technik
Tel: 0121 558 9699.
Fax: 0121 609 4253
Email: marketing@unifix.com

HANIC SOFTWARE joins up with Thermoseal

German Software Specialist HANIC just signed a co-operation agreement with Birmingham based THERMOSEAL Group. According to Export Director Horst K Mertes, HANIC can see large benefits in this alliance. 'Using THERMOSEAL' s fast sales network, we will be able to strengthen our market presence even further' Horst states. 'In addition to our own UK offices which are in the final planning stage now, THERMOSEAL is the right partner to touch on every market segment of the British glass industry'.

As the fastest growing component manufacture and supplier in the sealed unit industry THERMOSEAL are really excited to be moving into a whole new area of the industry combining their products with HANIC Software.
Picture
Mark Hickox (left), Group Sales Director THERMOSEAL Group and Horst K Mertes (right), Export Director HANIC Software shaking hands for a successful future

Until now the group supplied the machinery & consumable items to manufacture sealed units. It can now complete the package by offering probably the most advanced software on the market to its smallest mid-sized and largest customers! Mark Hickox says: 'Our nationwide sales force are asked daily how to solve customer's problems - we can now call on HANIC's vast experience in glass production and management software to find fast professional and effective solutions'.
Mark adds by saying: 'THERMOSEAL Group's main strength is that we deal with companies making 500 units to 25,000 units per week and HANIC, unlike many software houses, offer flexible packages to suit both ends of the scale as well'
See us also during Glassex 2002 at our open house in our new premises in Birmingham.
http://www.thermosealgroup.com

For more on Hanic Software, read this

AG makes 800 metres of toughened glass per shift

Almost 800 metres every shift – that’s the current production run of toughened glass at Barnsley based sealed unit manufacturers AG Glass. Meeting the impact safety requirements of BS6206, this level of toughened glass production equates to over 6,000 sealed units a week – roughly a third of AG’s weekly total sealed unit production.

AG has found that by fully optimising their Bystronic automatic glass cutting equipment and their Uniglass toughening plant, they are not only able to readily achieve these levels of production, but can also sustain and even – very shortly – improve upon them.

Rearranging their cutting and arrissing procedures has enabled AG to create a pre-cut ‘buffer’ by which they aim to increase toughened glass production by nearly 35 per cent, to achieve around 1200 metres per shift. The pre-cut stock in the buffer is used for arrissing reducing turnaround delays, while the cutting table replenishes it.

Unloading another sheet of toughened glass.
(Note the protected bars to the storage frame which prevents damage to soft coated Low E).

The arrissing machine from Ashton Industrial is state of the art, fully automated, processes all 4 sides and deals with random sizes in a cycle time of 4 pieces per minute.

AG is able to make such accurate predictions as to the increase in toughened glass production following extensive trials carried out at the factory – part of the reason for the recent massive building extension which now brings their overall production space up to 65,000 sq ft.
With the growing demand for toughened glass, AG can assure both existing and new customers of continued supply in the future.

Email: info@ag-glass.co.uk
Website: www.ag-glass.co.uk

Combilifts are the Solution for Wendland

Gloucester based Wendland Roof Solutions have found the perfect key to their handling and storage operations in the form of two LPG-powered, four tonne capacity multi-directional forklift trucks from the lrish manufacturer Combilift Ltd.

As a major supplier of conservatory roof systems in kit form to manufacturers and fabricators throughout the UK and Ireland, Wendland's premises house both a manufacturing plant and polycarbonate cutting facility totalling more than 30,000 sq ft. The Combilifts were introduced several months ago to replace a previously used combination of electric 4-ways and sideloaders, which were proving inadequate for Wendland's needs.

The Combilift's ability to perform on semi-rough terrain in all weathers was a crucial factor for operations director Mike O'Brien as the trucks need to travel between the two plants on a regular basis, coping with rutted tracks, gradients and the occasional pothole. According to Mike, the old electric 4-ways couldn't operate outside without sustaining considerable and costly damage to the tyres.

ldeal for handling long and awkward loads in confined spaces, the two Combilifts are used to maximum effect at Wendland to load and manoeuvre the 6m lengths of aluminium and PVCu profiles delivered to the manufacturing plant. Due to the bulkier dimensions of the packs of polycarbonate sheeting, Combilift provided a fork attachment which increases fork spread and ensures more stable handling and stacking of the 7 x 2.5m loads in and around the cutting facility. The four-way capability of thetrucks enables the long packs to be manoeuvred sideways through the warehouse doors in one operation and also allows Wendland to use their storage space to maximum capacity.

The versatility of the Combilift means that it can work effectively as a sideloader, four way and counterbalance truck in any one operation, a 'machine for all applications' as Mike O'Brien puts it. Within two months of operation, the Combilifts at Wendland had already clocked up over 450 working hours each.

Combilift customer UK Tel: 07968 490051
Email: combilift@eircom.net
Web: www.combilift.com

DEEPLAS TAKES ITS PERC INSTALLERS BACK TO SCHOOL

The PERC (Purveyors of Excellence in Roofline and Cladding) training school, run by the Deceuninck Home Value business unit, has been set up to provide both theoretical and tangible hands on training in the installation of Deeplas roofline and cladding products.

The PERC scheme invites installers to become part of a nationally developing scheme where individual companies can benefit from membership of the scheme through a number of ways. From support in terms of specially priced materials, tools, personalised sales and promotional material and training, through to the nationwide generation of sales leads through a freephone number.

The school's curriculum has been developed to provide a national standard for all PERC installers. The aim is to improve and streamline the quality of roofline and cladding projects throughout the UK by establishing a common benchmark by which the industry as a whole can be measured.

'The Deeplas brand has long been recognised for its high quality, but all too often that quality is compromised by a shoddy installation,' said Deceuninck's Home Value unit Commercial Manager Mark Ridgewell. 'The PERC scheme takes control of this end of the chain by ensuring its members go through an intensive training session which focuses on a quality job well done. Only at the end of this will the selected installers become fully certified Deeplas product installers and promoted to the general public as members of the PERC scheme. The PERC scheme is more than just a club - it will proactively help installers build their business'
Once fully trained the PERC installer is supported by both his regional distributor and Deceuninck in the development of his business.

SHREWSBURY SEAMLESS GUTTERING GAINS FIRST PERC APPROVED INSTALLER ACCOLADE IN THE UK

Shrewsbury Seamless Guttering is the UK's first PERC accredited installer of Deceuninck's Deeplas range of PVCu roofline and cladding products. The Shropshire based company went through Deceuninck's highly stringent PERC training academy, fulfilling the necessary quality installation requirements to achieve this nationally recognised accolade.

Shrewsbury Seamless Guttering was approached by Deceuninck's distributor for the Midlands, Alltrim Plastics. Shrewsbury Director Simon Tipper had been looking for an 'approved' scheme as part of a long term business development strategy. PERC fitted the bill in terms of the range and quality of the Deeplas products, the hands on training, and the PERC marketing support aimed at both the local market and a wider national audience.

'I was keen to find something that would set my company head and shoulders above the rest,' said Simon Tipper. 'PERC fitted the bill as it gave independent endorsement as to the quality of our work. So far our customers have been very enthusiastic. For them product quality is guaranteed through the BSI accreditations. Now they have the reassurance of the PERC scheme, and can be sure that quality products will be fitted with quality workmanship.'

'Shrewsbury Seamless Guttering is the ideal PERC participant,' added Deceuninck's Home Value Divisional Commercial Manager Mark Ridgewell. 'It demonstrates a total commitment to quality, and developing its business through being the best at what it does. The success Simon and his fitting teams have seen so far indicate the fundamental need in the market place for a scheme such as PERC.'

Contact: Mark Ridgewell, Deceuninck Ltd
Tel: 01249 816969
Fax: 01249 815234
Email: deceuninck.ltd@deceuninck.com
Web: www.deceuninck.com

Industry 'lacks enthusiasm for debate', says Cotswold

Cotswold Architectural Products is disappointed with the window industry's lack of enthusiasm for debate, after an attempt to generate a rolling discussion forum fell on deaf ears.

The window hardware manufacturer is seeking to instigate an ongoing forum (to be known as 'In Your Perspective'), where central issues, new regulations and different perspectives could be discussed, and had invited leading industry representatives to participate.

'Debate of these issues should be fundamental to making progress within the industry,' explains Iain Morgan. 'We deliberately targeted key industry players in the hope that this becomes a fruitful discussion that finds solutions to problems, ultimately giving the end-user the best possible product for their purpose.

'Due to the lack of response from those asked to take part, though, we've had to postpone the go-live date for the forum,' he says.

'This is a genuine attempt to be pro-active and responsible. Our industry is affected by a number of pieces of legislation, and it's undergoing constant change. We need to have our say when it comes to new standards, like the egress legislation.'

Morgan believes that industry consultation is vital if new regulations are to be seen as workable and realistic. 'We have to contend with so many different regulations today both from Westminster and Brussels. We can only identify areas that we're worried about if we decide to talk to each other - we need to work together.'

Following the first invitations, which elicited responses ranging from 'I simply don't have time', to 'We're not interested', Morgan is giving it one more go. 'I know everyone is busy, but this is about the future of our industry. We hope to have feedback on egress windows, in particular top-hung egress, as the first of our forum issues.'

Anyone wanting to take part in the forum - on egress or any other issue - should contact Melissa Wilkin, Keep in Touch, on 01242 528877.
Contact: Iain Morgan, Cotswold Architectural Products
Tel: 01242 233993
Fax: 01242 221146
Email: imorgan@cotswold.clara.net
Web: www.cotswold-windows.co.uk

ALSTOCK GROUP BECOMES ARP

Following the company's purchase of Aluminium Roofline Products' manufacturing facility in Portsmouth, Alstock Group - the holding company for Mustang Gutter Systems Ltd - has changed its name to ARP (Aluminium Roofline Products) Group to reflect the growing variety of roofline products it can supply.

ARP's fabrication plant produces pressed, extruded and die-cast sectional aluminium systems and houses its own powder coating facility. The acquisition of the plant by Alstock in early 2001 was followed by the company's move to purpose built manufacturing premises in Leicestershire four times larger than its previous facility to allow for future growth potential.

Already a well-known brand in the construction marketplace, ARP's bespoke fascias, soffits and guttering systems have provided design solutions for a number of commercial, local government and new build contracts over the past 15 years.

The company's integration with Alstock - and in particular with Mustang Gutter Systems Ltd, purchased by Alstock in 1996 - will create major new opportunities to increase the sales of aluminium roofline and rainwater products in the UK, says Sales Director Feargal O'Connell:

'With the recent changes in building regulation BS EN 12056 Part 3 meaning that gutter systems must have not only more capacity but greater design flexibility, aluminium roofline products offer a far more versatile solution for both new build and refurbishment projects. With both Mustang's seamless aluminium gutters and ARP's design experience now under one banner, ARP Group is in an excellent position to capitalise on the extensive design possibilities of aluminium within the UK construction industry'

Contact: Feargal O'Connell, ARP Group
Tel: 01743 448691
Fax: 01743 441697
Email: sales@mustang-gutters.co.uk

SECURISTYLE WINDOW HARDWARE IS SECURED BY DESIGN

Securistyle, the UK's leading window hardware manufacturer, has renewed its Secured by Design licence thereby reaffirming its commitment to the crime reduction initiative it helped to establish in 1989.

Nick Haskins, Securistyle's national specifications sales manager, said: 'Perception and fear of crime is becoming increasingly prevalent and homeowners need to be reassured by the window industry. The careful selection of window hardware plays a simple yet crucial role in the creation of safe and secure windows. At Securistyle we actively work with specifiers and fabricators to drive up the security and safety standard of windows, through our on-going product development programme and series of CPD certified technical briefing sheets, best practice guides, and seminars as well as through our renewed commitment to Secured by Design.'

Securistyle recently took part in the 'Designing Out Crime' seminar organised by Derbyshire Police Constabulary, which was chaired by Superintendent Bowler and attended by public and private sector specifiers, surveyors and architects.

Crime prevention officer Police Constable Richard Burgess said: 'The seminar was designed to improve the security of properties by raising awareness of issues such as the vulnerability of doors and windows to forced entry by burglars. Seventy per cent of burglars gain access through windows at the rear of properties. We can help to reduce this figure with the help of companies such as Securistyle, who focus on producing safe and secure window hinges, handles and locking mechanisms, which can contribute to the overall security of a window.'

The guarantee that a window reaches the highest security and safety standard is its conformity with a number of British Standards. Securistyle recommends the specification of windows manufactured from high quality components and tested to BS7950, the standard relating to enhanced security for casement windows. This standard is central to the Secured by Design scheme.

Nick Haskins added: "A secure and safe window comprises good design coupled with good fabrication, and fitted with a complete suite of system designed hardware."
Securistyle products meeting the Secured by Design standard include the Excluder locking mechanism, the Excluder ancillary device, the Defender hinge, and the Viscount and Virage handles.

All Securistyle technical literature and seminar information can be obtained by contacting Maria Fatica in the Specification Sales Team office on 01242 221200.

TWENTY ONE TODAY

Stuga CNC Systems is pleased to announce that it sold the twenty-first Flowline
Sawing & Machining Centre to Plus Plan fabricator Nova Group of Altrincham, Cheshire. Coincidentally this was the twenty first sale in twenty-one months of selling this unique British product.

Stuga claims that the Flowline is the best selling fully automatic sawing and prepping centre in the country and carries out all sawing and machining operations including drainage, gearbox, trickle vent, upstand removal, friction stay first fixing hole, security wedge positions,'V' and 'Y' notching, all door preps including letterboxes and hinges and all forty five degree and ninety degree cuts, as well as arrow heads. Many other functions are possible and there is no limit to how many different profiles can be worked in any order with no setting required. The Flowline also 'V' notches on both sides of any profile, a necessary function on UK windows that is sometimes overlooked.

Stuga claims to have the best service record of any machinery company in the market and believe that this can be proven with considerable genuine references.

Nova chose Stuga after eight years of excellent service from their Stuga automatic saw centre and are currently seriously considering purchasing a second Flowline as soon as the first machine is fully operational.

The Stuga software team will take care of all software issues for Nova, including the full installation of the link to the office software.

Nova Group Chairman, Ian Sproston, claims that a significant factor in their decision to order from Stuga was the fact that they will take care of everything from order through to handover, leaving the company free to get on with its daily business.

UPDATE!
Kommerling fabricator Whiteline Group is investing in two new Stuga Flowline Sawing & Prepping Centres. Whiteline have already had one Flowline for over a year and chose more of the same for another major investment. The two machines will be installed during March and April. Stuga have now sold twenty seven Flowlines and are just starting the installation of Flowline twenty at Deceunink fabricator D.W.L. Ltd in Kent.

Contact: Steve Haines, Stuga CNC Systems
Tel: 01455 554203
Fax: 01455 558367
Email: stuga@eurotec.org

Tested Under Extreme Conditions

The humble fastener may only be a small part of a fabricator's working day, but in many respects it's one of the most critical. Manufacturing windows and doors using screws that aren't up to the job can result in, at best, products falling apart, and at worst, injury or even death. Specifiers and fabricators have to get it right first time, every time. That's why UK Fasteners commissioned a series of tests undertaken by independent laboratories (UKAS accredited) on their magnetic self-drilling Marutex ® Magnum screws.

Now over two years into the three years programme, results are impressive to
date with no corrosion and ease of removal with a screw driver.

Managing Director David Ballinger comments: "Making in-roads into new markets is rarely smooth, and next generation products like Marutex ® Magnum have had a tough time convincing a conservative industry of their benefits. To prove what we already know, we put the product to the toughest tests available, one undertaken by DERA (The Defence Evaluation Research Agency) on behalf of the Royal Navy. These tests go way beyond normal salt spray testing.”

Attached to plates fully submerged in the sea off the Dorset coast, the screws are being tested for corrosion resistance and ease of removal from the plates after submersion over a period of three years. With the excellent results so far and final quarterly tests imminent, UK Fasteners are confident of getting the Royal Nod. "These tests will add further credibility to a product which has already gained BBA certification and a 20 year £20 million insurance backed warranty, enough to put any specifier's mind at rest," adds David. Complete results of these tests and others currently in progress will be published soon. Watch this space!

UNIFIX GIVES FOCUS TO SPECIALIST DIVISION

Unifix, the independent supplier of fixings and tools to the building industry is enjoying significant growth in the area of major national accounts and Public Utilities.

The 'Specialist Division' within Unifix concentrates its efforts on satisfying the requirements of numerous blue chip companies in addition to the traditional public utility sector. During this financial year to June 2002, the division, led by Marc Jacobs, will contribute well in excess of £2 million of profitable sales to the group's turnover.

Recent tendering successes relating to both competitive pricing and high quality product, has resulted in the division now supplying more than 200 councils and local authorities, in excess of 60%of all HM Prisons, plus numerous educational establishments. Marc Jacobs comments 'the infrastructure within our group lends itself to supporting the requirements of these sectors, from the tendering process through technical product appraisal to next day delivery nationwide, and I am confident of achieving substantial growth for the foreseeable future'.

Contact Marc Jacobs, Unifix
Tel: 0121 609 0099.
Fax: 0121 609 4253
Email: marketing@unifix.com