ASA
Complaints into 'Part L' advert Upheld
Following
complaints from five window systems companies, a trade press advertisement
on behalf of Synseal Extrusions Ltd was investigated by the Advertising
Standards Authority. The complaints were upheld.
Complaint:
Veka plc, Permacell Finesse Ltd, Abbott Group Ltd, Epwin Group and HW
Plastics Ltd objected to a trade press advertisement, for windows, that
claimed 'Just as the industry becomes accustomed to '2.0 U-Value FENSA
regulations', 1.8 will be required in England and Wales in 18 months time
...'. The complainants challenged the claim.
Adjudication:
Complaints upheld
The advertisers explained that building regulations set standards for
the thermal transmittance of windows; they explained that thermal transmittance,
which was the amount of heat that passed through a structure when the
air temperatures on either side differed by one degree, was measured in
U-values, which were expressed in units of Watts per square metre per
degree of temperature difference. The advertisers said building regulations
for England and Wales required PVC windows to have a U-value of 2.0. They
asserted that the Energy White Paper, published in February 2003, proposed
that new building regulations, which required a U-value of 1.8 for PVC
windows, should be introduced in 2005. The advertisers conceded that the
Government was still consulting on the proposed changes and had not yet
decided whether to change the U-value requirements for windows. The Authority
considered that the claim '1.8 will be required in England and Wales in
18 months time' was misleading and asked the advertisers to ensure that,
in future, their advertisements did not imply that proposed changes in
legislation had already been made.
Why
are the Windows Cracking on the Gherkin?
In
an article in The Guardian on 27th November, journalist Alok Jha asked
the above question, unfortunately answering it with: 'No one is actually
sure, although there are theories'.
Some
25 out of over 5,000 panels of glass on the Swiss Re headquarters (the
'gherkin'), in the City of London, have been replaced because of the appearance
of cracks. Skanska, the company building the 40-storey tower, is now checking
the integrity of the remaining glass panels.
The Guardian spoke to David Moore of the Society of Glass Technology,
who said 'the most likely cause of the problem is that the glass was damaged
in transit or that it cracked during the recent cycle of hot and cold
weather'.
The article continued: 'But there are also inherent problems with toughened
glass such as that used in the gherkin - or 'cigar' as some prefer to
call it - that can't be ruled out. One is 'glass cancer'. Stephen Ledbetter,
a glass expert at Bath University, says this happens when nickel sulphide
crystals form in the glass during manufacture. The crystals exist in two
different sizes depending on the temperature of the glass. When toughened
glass is made, crystals initially take on the smaller shape, but over
time they revert to the larger shape and, in expanding, cause the glass
to crack.
'Moore says that glass cancer was responsible for the cracks in the roof
at another high-profile glass building - the Eurostar extension at Waterloo
train station.
'According to the builders, replacing the cracked panels on the gherkin
will take up to eight weeks. They say it will not affect the opening of
date of the building (at which time the first of the office workers will
move in), which is scheduled for the middle of December'.
Vista
Group has Successful AIM Debut - Santa did fill his Boots!
Vista
Group plc, manufacturer of PVC door panels and composite doors, announces
that its Ordinary Shares have been admitted to trading on the Alternative
Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange and opened at a premium
of 5.5p from the placing price of 95p.
A total of 15,382,116 Vista Group plc Ordinary Shares were admitted to
trading, giving a market capitalisation at the Placing Price of £14.3m. Vista
Group (originally named Readymatch plc and changed to Vista Group following
the EGM on 18th December 2003) was formed in July 2003 as a cash shell
to attract companies and businesses which were seeking admission to trading
on AIM.
The Company raised £1.1m before expenses by way of an offer for
subscription which closed on 3rd November 2003. To fund the expenses of
the acquisition and the admission to AIM the company has raised a further
£253,000 before expenses by way of a placing.
In November 2003 The Company acquired the entire issued share capital
of Vista, a manufacturer of PVC door panels and composite doors.
Keith Sadler, Chief Executive of Vista Group, commented:
'The placing, has been successful and admission to AIM will now enable
us to develop the business more rapidly and start to realise its potential.
Our experience and research demonstrates that our markets are expanding
both in terms of volume and value. We believe that demand for Vista's
products will be partly driven by new build in the UK, however the most
significant growth has been seen in the home improvement and social housing
markets, where our products are ideally suited to these markets because
of their durability, higher security and low maintenance.'
Synseal
Extrusions Ltd has revealed itself as the mystery exhibitor taking the
prime spot by the front entrance at this year’s Glassex. The systems
company is returning to Glassex to exhibit its Global conservatory system
– a roof for all systems. It will launch many new developments to
the Global roof, one of which will be the new blue white conservatory
roof.
‘We’re returning to Glassex because we’ve got something
new to talk about. People who visit our stand will see how quickly the
Global roof can be installed,’ explains Nick Dutton, Sales and Marketing
Director of Synseal Extrusions Ltd.
‘We wanted to give everyone the chance to see for themselves that
all the good reports about Global, since its launch 10 months ago, are
true. We will also offer visitors a chance to rest their feet with our
representatives on hand to answer any queries.’ Global is Synseal’s
second conservatory roof, and the company says that the combined success
is fast pushing the systems company towards second position in the market.
Tel: 01623 443 200
Web: http://www.synseal.com
The
Market for Replacement Windows & Doors in Social Sector Housing to
2007
Key
points from the 2003 edition
• Local Authorities and Housing Associations spent £384 million
on external door and window replacement in 2002
• This represented an unexpected 8% growth in value over the previous
year, in spite of a decline of 5% in R.M & I construction output in
this Sector.
• Expectations for the full year 2003 suggest that the volume will
be around 4% greater.
• In spite of the transfer of dwellings to Housing Associations,
the Local Authority replacement programme is still nearly three times
the size of the Housing Association total.
• Softwood windows, which had been in recent decline in this market,
actually increased by 27% in volume.
• The growth in Entrance doors was shown in plastic composites and,
particularly, in PVC-U and timber engineered materials, while ‘traditional’
wood declined significantly.
• The increasing security needs leading to higher specifications
has nearly doubled the installed price of doors since 1990. (see chart)
• The strongest growth in both product ranges was in Midlands and
Wales region, followed closely by the South of England, while the North
of England and Scotland remained virtually static.What’s significant
• Growth in this market depends on the rate of dwelling transfers
from local authorities to either housing associations or local authority
owned Arms Length Management Organisations. Transfers to housing associations
reached a five year low in 2001/02 but then shot up to a record high in
2002/03.
What’s surprising
• PVC-U Window frames under-performed the market growth, but still
reached a record annual high in terms of volume in this sector, because
of the continued enthusiasm by local authorities, who fabricate some 26%
of the frames used.
• Softwood, however, showed growth for the first time in three years,
and is attributed to the switching of some housing associations to this
frame material. Hardwood, in contrast, fell by nearly one-half of the
previous year’s volume.
• Factory finishing of softwood windows continued to grow and now
represents some 92% of all softwood usage in this sector.
• Casement windows reversed their fall in this sector, rising to
the highest percentage share in five years., with vertical sliders and
horizontally pivoted windows showing the greatest decline.
• Espagnolette hardware took a surprising increased share, mainly
at the expense of lockable cockspur fittings.
• External Door values have continued to increase faster than the
volumes, with the installed value increasing by 11% in the past year.
This is a trend that has continued over the past 12 years (see chart).
Increased specifications – and the popularity of newer composite
constructions are seen to be the main cause of this trend.
Report Format
• Palmer’s latest reports are designed for easy analysis with:
* Executive summary
* Main topics and key points are now bulleted for easy assimilation and
adjacent to the tables and charts to which they refer.
• This Report comes in one compact volume, comprising:-
* 78 pages
* 4 sections
* 46 tables of numeric and statistical data,
* 15 charts illustrating the trends and comparisons.
Price £1,350 + VAT which includes 3 report copies, direct from:
Tel:
020 8390 8131
Email: mailto:info@palmermarketresearch.co.uk
Or, for more details, visit http://www.palmermarketresearch.co.uk
Where
Have all the Windows Gone?
There
is a Black Hole at the heart of UK window statistics. Many more tonnes
of PVC go in to extruders than come out as windows and doors. Does it
all go to waste? Or are we making more windows and doors than published
figures indicate? Where does it all go?
The PVC-U Window Profile and the PVC-UE Cellular Foam Profile Industry
in the UK & Ireland are the latest reports from Michael Rigby Associates.
Both reports hold detailed information on the window and foam markets
in 2002, as well as depth analysis of growth forecasts from 2003 –
2007.
New to these editions:
‘The Black Hole’ – a new section in the Window report that
carefully calculates the total UK production of windows, doors, conservatory
window units, conservatory roofs and cills.
The Cellular Foam Profile report looks at twin wall board for the first
time.
Both reports also hold key information on companies’ consumption
and use of raw material, who’s growing and who’s not, numbers
of extrusion lines, production yields, financial performance of key players
and an updated environmental review.
Last year both the window and foam market saw increases in volume compared
with the previous year. The window market expanded 8% in tonnage processed
compared with 2001. Year on year value was also up. The foam market saw
an increase of 7%.
Window market forecasts reflect increasing levels of saturation and most
players expect prices to fall notably by 2007. In contrast the foam market
is expected to grow at a healthy rate with a forecast volume in 2007 some
22% higher than 2002.
The reports make useful reading for anyone who works with PVC-U window
systems or PVC-UE cellular foam building products, or related markets.
They can be used to help prepare business and marketing plans, make sales
forecasts and take sensible and informed decisions.
For more information on these reports or to purchase a copy, please contact
Lucia Di Stazio on 01453 521 621.
£1
Million Manufacturing Investment for Planet
Planet
PVC Group plc, the UK installer of conservatories, windows and doors,
has announced a one million pound investment in the latest state of the
art manufacturing technology at its 42,000 sq ft Walton Summit manufacturing
site.
Walton Summit, near Preston will now be the dedicated plant for Planet
Retail with its Marathon Place facility concentrating on the growing demands
of its franchise network. Overspill demand at peak periods will be rotated
between the two plants.
Walton Summit now replicates the successful machinery configuration at
Marathon Place and gives each facility around 800 frames per week capability
on a single shift.
Dean St John, chairman of Planet PVC said the company is the first in
the country to have in operation all of the latest technical advances
on the RAPID Cutting and Cleaning Centre. ‘This additional capability
gives us more resources and facilities to ensure we continue to deliver
what our customers want.’
The company installs around 90 conservatories every week and a £50
million turnover is predicted for this year. ‘Our aim is to be the
market leader,’ says St John. ‘By next year we expect have increased
production and to be installing 135 conservatories each week.’
Tel: 01772 452225
Web: http://www.planetpvc.co.uk
Status
Management Secures Future Growth
Status’
commitment to the successful future of its fabricators’ growth is
reinforced by the new management team that is now officially in place.
General manager Chris Foreman is joined by a new operations manager Bob
Howe, and a face familiar to many in the industry, Kevin Warner, who is
taking on the role and responsibilities of sales and marketing.
Pictured
l-r: Kevin Warner, Chris Foreman, Bob Howe.
‘Status
has taken on 30 new customers this year, and we are in the process of
finalising plans for a major new product launch for 2004. Strong management
is a key component in maintaining past successes, and ensuring they continue
with our forthcoming product strategy,’ commented Chris Foreman.
‘Between us we bring a useful blend of inside industry experience,
external commercial experience, and meticulous management and operational
expertise to take Status into the next generation of growth.’
Tel: 01457 875731
Email: mailto:sales@status-systems.co.uk
Web: http://www.status-systems.co.uk
BPF
Windows Group Conclude 2003 on a High Note
The BPF Windows Group Marketing Committee raised a toast to a very successful
year at the final meeting of 2003 held in Norwich just before Chrstmas.
Work carried out included a 6-month project to design a new Windows Group
website, which was finally launched in November.
'We are all very pleased with the outcome,' commented Peter Hayes, Chairman
of the Marketing Committee, 'Early traffic statistics show the number
of users is growing and, so far, the environmental section appears to
be the most popular. We will continue to promote the website in 2004 to
those within the industry and also the public as a major part of our commitment
to promote PVC-U products.'
Continuing in its mission to contribute to society and the environment
by promoting responsible development of the plastics windows industry,
the BPF Windows Group made the decision this year to ally itself to the
Government’s Quality Mark Scheme.
Designed with the home improvement market in mind, the Quality Mark Scheme
works by placing contact details of independently assessed and accredited
firms, who reach the required standard, on a single national register.
During one of its quarterly meetings earlier this year, the Group invited
Allan Wheeler from the DTI to give a presentation to members on the benefits
of the scheme.
The next project to be approved by the Group Management Committee (GMC)
was the production of a CPD seminar, designed to proactively promote the
benefits of PVC-U to the industry. Architects, Housing Associations, Local
Authorities and Universities are just some of those who will benefit from
this initiative. Work is still ongoing and it is anticipated that the
project will be concluded sometime during the first quarter of 2004.
Overseeing
the work of the Group as a whole is newly elected Chairman of the Windows
Group John Ogilvie, Managing Director of Network Veka (pictured).
On taking over the Group John commented 'I’m looking forward to working
with dedicated and committed colleagues from the industry as well as full
time BPF staff in helping the PVC-U industry address important current
and forthcoming issues.'
He also added enlisting new members to the Group as an important goal
for the forthcoming year to further strengthen representation within the
industry.
Major systems supplier SCHÜCO International added strength to the
group this year by joining in January.
A SCHÜCO spokesman commented on their membership: 'The future will
bring many new challenges to the PVC-U window industry in Europe by way
of regulation and legislation and membership of the BPF Windows Group
helps keep us fully informed of and involved with these ongoing developments.'
The Marketing Committee will meet in the first quarter of 2004 to discuss
the Group’s activities in 2004.
Software
house, Windowlink, has relocated to larger premises in the centre of Cirencester.
The new offices provide much-needed extra space for the company, which
has enjoyed substantial growth over the past three years, and also offer
scope for further expansion in the future.
A
three-storey Grade II listed building, Windowlink’s new premises
will provide spacious accommodation for all aspects of the business, from
sales and finance, to technical support and development. There are also
plans to create dedicated areas for each of the different functions, such
as training rooms and conference facilities.
Windowlink’s move from rural Wiltshire is expected to bring benefits
all round. Windowlink receives customers for project meetings and training
courses on a regular basis. Set in the heart of the Cotswolds the historic
town of Cirencester has excellent local facilities and is situated close
to motorway and other transport links. Windowlink also believes that by
relocating to a larger employment catchment area it will be easier to
recruit additional, well-qualified staff to cope with continued growth.
Commenting on the move, Barrie Ryan, Windowlink’s Commercial Director,
says, ‘It will be much more convenient both for staff and customers.
We like to look after our visitors and with a wide range of options on
our doorstep we’ll be able to provide customers with the very best
software and the very best hospitality.’
Tel: 0870 7701640
Web: http://www.windowlink.com
Z.
Bavelloni Invests in Brazil in Order to Further Strengthen its Position
Z.
Bavelloni, a Glaston Technologies company, has acquired the brand and
product rights of Makivetro in order to further strengthen its position
in Brazil. The operation widens the product range of Z. Bavelloni and
further strengthens customer service in South America. Z.Bavelloni and
Makivetro will sell each others' products. Makivetro's products will be
be sold under the company's existing brand all over the world through
Z.Bavelloni's international organisation.
'This operation will provide new growth opportunities for Glaston Technologies
companies Z. Bavelloni and Tamglass as well as Makivetro. Tamglass already
has a machinery factory in Brazil and it has achieved a strong position
as the leading safety glass machinery supplier in the market area. Cooperation
of these three companies offers great customer benefits for the entire
glass processing industry in Brazil', says Dino Bavelloni, President of
Z. Bavelloni.
'After careful evaluation of the ongoing development of the glass processing
industry, we decided to start cooperation in order to develop our business
further. Makivetro is in a good financial situation, but for an entrepreneur
it is an important possibility to be involved in a global successful group',
says Ezio Cabib, the owner of Makivetro.
Brazil provides an interesting growth potential for glass processing machinery
manufacturers. Industrial infrastructure is similar as in the developed
countries. This makes Brazil an interesting country in which to manufacture
machines. Tamglass has already manufactured safety glass machines successfully
for three years in Brazil.
Makivetro has been operating for 27 years in Brazil and it has production
facilities of 2400 m2 in Sao Paolo and it employs 40 people. The company
delivers 60 machines every year and is dedicated to after sales services.
Makivetro has been an important supplier and partner to the Brazilian
glass processing industry by offering products manufactured locally and
representing foreign companies for products not manufactured in Brazil.
Therm
Appoints New Managing Director
Managed
growth has been the key to the success of South Wales based toughened
glass specialist Therm Tempered Ltd since Cavan Crowley bought the business
in 1992. Then the turnover was less than £1 million and a steady
expansion saw that grow to £7.5 million by 1999.
With the support of 3i, a programme of major capital investment in the
the last few years has enabled Therm Tempered to grow substantially to
a current turnover of in excess of £13 million in this financial
year.
None
of this has been possible without a similar investment in a strong management
team. Richard Jones FCCA joined the company in 2000 and was appointed
to the board as Financial Director in January 2002. Kevin Jones, a member
of the Chartered Management Institute (MCMI), joined the company as Operations
Director in January 2003. Both in their thirties, Richard and Kevin have
brought valuable expertise to their particular areas of responsibility.
Now, with the appointment of a new Managing Director, Neil Blewitt, the
Therm senior management structure is complete.
Neil, at just 43 has considerable management experience at the highest
level. He has a B.sc. (Hons) degree in Materials Sciences and worked as
Plant Manager for a large company producing specialist materials for the
aerospace, chemical engineering and electronics industries before becoming
General Manager. His experience includes working with UK, European and
multi-national companies in senior management positions and as Managing
Director and joint-owner of an £11 million company based in the
UK and Germany. For the past two years Neil has been a Management Consultant
working for a variety of companies carrying out a range of tasks such
as acquisition negotiations and strategy, training, business strategy
reviews and general business advice.
Bryn Williams Therm non-executive chairman commented: ‘The Board
at Therm has been considerably strengthened in the last few years by the
recruitment of Neil, Richard and Kevin. They bring with them good experience
from other sectors and high levels of skill and professionalism. With
Cavan`s experience and Knowledge of the glass industry this will ensure
that Therm is well placed to service our customers needs whilst continuing
to grow and develop the company.’
As an Investor in People, the management team at Therm places great emphasis
on employee development and satisfaction and this is underlined by the
recent appointment of an HR manager.
Therm Tempered says it is a company confident in its own abilities, clear
on where it wants to be in the future and now has the management structure
in place to achieve this expansion.
Pechiney's
New Board of Directors after Alcan Takeover
On September 12, 2003, Pechiney's Board of Directors recommended Alcan's
offer to its shareholders. Most of Pechiney's shareholders contributed
their stock to the offer, and Alcan to date has secured over 93% of share
capital.
Further to this operation, Pechiney's Board of Directors ended Jean-Pierre
Rodier's term as Chairman & CEO of Pechiney at its meeting today.
The board noted the resignation of François Ailleret, Etienne Davignon,
Jean-François Dehecq, Germaine Gibara and Baudoin Prot.
Out of the twelve seats that comprise Pechiney's Board of Directors:
• Six people take up office straight away: Yves Fortier, Travis Engen,
Geoffery Merszei, Daniel Gagnier, David Mc Ausland and Christine Morin-Postel.
• Six people who are already Pechiney Directors remain in office:
Jean-Paul Jacamon, Yves Mansion, H. Onno Ruding and the three Directors
previously elected by employees (Gérard Bouvier, Antoine Nordberg
and Tony Zanello).
Travis Engen, Alcan President & CEO, was appointed as the new Chairman
& CEO of Pechiney.
At the meeting, Pechiney's Board of Directors voiced its deep gratitude
to Jean-Pierre Rodier for the work he had done at the head of the Group
since 1994. Jean-Pierre Rodier oversaw Pechiney's privatization, the reduction
of the Group's debt and the restoration of its competitiveness through
the Challenge program and, from 2002, the setup of the Pechiney Continuous
Improvement System, which has generated €228 million in savings in
less than two years. Under Jean-Pierre Rodier's chairmanship, in 2000
Pechiney returned to a policy of growth in its three core businesses:
primary aluminum, aluminum conversion and specialty packaging.
TGI's
Bendable Warm Edge Spacer Bar
German-based
TGI has recently launched its warm edge spacer bar on the UK market. This
new product is made of high quality plastic polypropylene - known for
its low heat conductivity. The plastic is covered on the outside with
an extremely thin metal film which acts as a gas seal. Because of the
fineness and the design of the metal film the transfer of heat is reduced
to a minimum. TGI has managed to combine the advantages of both materials.
An important feature of the TGI-spacer is that all common widths (8, 12,
14, 16, 18, 20 mm) are easily bendable and processable on all standard
bending machines. Furthermore, the TGI-spacer can be bent in a cold state
thanks to its special material and design. Hence no major re-tooling is
required.
TGI is a subsidiary of the Technoform group, which is already known in
the UK for polyamide thermal break of aluminium window frames.
Marco
Hülsbeck
TGI Glass Insulation Systems GmbH
Dormannweg 48
D-34123 Kassel
Tel: +49 561 9583-112 Fax: +49 561 9583-121
EMail: mhuelsbeck@technoform.de
www.tgi-glass.biz
A
British Partner for Britannia Windows
Stuga
CNC Systems specialises in cutting and prepping machinery and is proud
of the company’s track record in meeting the needs of fabricators.
Stuga says it often comes in contact with fabricators that have a similar
work ethic to themselves concentrating on customer satisfaction and developing
relationships over a period of time to the benefit of everyone involved.
One such company was Britannia Windows of Clevedon, Somerset.
Britannia was successfully developing its business in the South West of
England when the company approached Stuga to discuss an interest in the
Flowline Cutting & Prepping Centre, which it had recognised as being
likely to fulfil its needs of a significant move into automation to allow
the company to develop its business quickly whilst maintaining consistency
and quality in production.
At this time the Flowline was nearly one year old and six had been built
and installed but the machine had never been used with pre-gasketted profiles.
Britannia was using the Legend 70 system from Permacell Finesse with the
fully extruded low line gaskets on all profiles and the question was whether
the Flowline could handle this but as a result Stuga offered to develop
the machine to do it. Britannia visited the Stuga manufacturing plant
at Great Yarmouth in Norfolk and after seeing the engineering facilities
decided that Stuga was likely to be the right company to work with on
this project, not least because it was another British company and was
here in this country.
The machine was delivered six weeks later with new adaptations and tests
began. There followed several weeks of on-site development but in a reasonable
time the Flowline was able to produce all cuts on the Legend system exactly
as originally planned. This proved that Britannia was right to choose
Stuga as their partner for cutting & prepping equipment and the Flowline
is now helping the company achieve its ambitions of being one of the top
trade fabricators in the west of England. The machine can cut and prep
over six hundred windows and doors per week with quality, accuracy and
consistency and since then another forty machines have been built and
installed by Stuga throughout the United Kingdom, many running pre-gasketted
profiles. Britannia has invested a total of £800,000 in new production
equipment in less than two years.
Contact Steve Haines at Stuga on 0800 169 5444 or Hayden Rushton at Britannia
on 0800 652 8855.
Traditionally
flat roof replacements have been distress purchases. Thanks to the materials
that make up the Sarnafil roofing system, replacing a flat roof can become
a lifestyle choice too. Sarnafil Roof Assured (SRA) has opened up the
world of balconies, patios and roof gardens – green roofs as they
are known - to home owners who want something different, and installers
who want to sell dreams and added value.
‘We recently installed a roof garden balcony on the back of a 1930s
three bedroom semi-detached house’, comments Kevin Hodge, Owner of
Weston-super-Mare based County Flat Roofing. ‘The location was ideal
– a flat roof sitting on top of a kitchen extension over looking
the garden. Installing a roof garden or balcony that needs to be able
to bear weight is more complex than installing a straight forward roof,
but the benefits are great. It allows us to make an aspirational sale,
something for a homeowner to enjoy giving us more potential for higher
margins. The owner is delighted with her high rise balcony patio. She
has had iron railings fitted around the edge, and plans to fit a metal
staircase to the outside for easy external access.’
Contact: Andy Ball
Tel: 01603 748985
Email: mailto:andy.ball@sarnafil.co.uk
Janex
Supplies 1200 Doors to Barnet Hospital Project
Janex,
the UK supplier of Scandinavian windows and doors to the construction
industry, has partnered with Europe's biggest construction company, Bouygues
UK, to supply Scandinavian internal doorsets for the new £40million
Barnet General hospital in London.
Janex also partnered with the UK supplier of ironmongery, Thomson Brothers
Group, to bring a total door solution to this customer.
Alex Brown, managing director Janex Group, said: 'At Janex we always strive
to deliver a total solution to our customers and it was following a comment
made by our customer, about the difficulties contractors face on site
when installing doors, that led us to seek out a true partner to provide
the door ironmongery in projects where we supply Scandinavian door sets.'
'Now we can supply a total door solution – doors ordered are engineered
to suit the ironmongery that will be delivered at the same time to site.
This makes the installation much easier and less expensive for our customers.'
Janex supplied four types of doorsets to the Barnet General Hospital project
- fire-rated doors, to both 30 and 60-minute resistance; acoustic doors,
with a value of 44dB; X-ray doors and wet-room doors. All are supplied
with a laminate finish. Janex recommended to the contractor that PVC be
used for lippings in such a high impact environment adding durability
and less maintenance in the future.
The doors are test reported for cold smoke control and impact resistance
for long term maintenance and are supplied with a factory finish paint
system. Janex products have genuine certification and are tested to at
least six times the British Standard requirements, as the demands made
by Scandinavian regulators are much greater than in the UK.
Janex has been working as a supply chain partner since the company was
founded almost 10 years ago. Alex Brown continues: 'Many companies talk
about vertical integration, but we believe that to truly succeed, you
need to partner with your suppliers, understand their strengths and weaknesses
and take their strengths to the market place. This relates to customers
and suppliers.'
One of the many reasons that Janex was selected for the Barnet Hospital
project, is the company’s ability to deliver in large volumes –
the company through its supplier partnership has the manufacturing capability
of 10 factories in Scandinavia including Europe’s biggest manufacturer
of doors.
Janex believes that competitive tendering should be replaced with long
term relationships such as partnering and prime contracting. Partnering
is based on clear measurement of performance and sustained improvements
in quality and efficiency.
Alex Brown continues: 'The Egan report pushes the concept of the true
supplier partnership. Regular service level meetings with clear benchmarking
objectives are the best levers to ensure continuous improvement on quality,
service and cost efficiency. During these meetings we are able to design
out cost, duplication of work and develop very strong communication lines.
This is our winning formula to ensure strong strategic alliances.
'We chose to partner with Thomson Brothers Group to provide the ironmongery
for our doorsets because we found in them a company with similar ideals
to Janex. They are like minded people whose focus is the customer, and
the ability, like us, to deliver a quality product in large quantities
to tight deadlines.
'It is our view that as suppliers we have to add value and integration
to the supply chain. By working closely with our customers and being market-driven
in this way, the Thomson-Janex joint venture aims to act as the eyes and
ears of the industry and to continue to bring new solutions to our customers.'
Janex was founded by Norwegian Jan Skaara, as a supplier partnership in
Scotland ten years ago. Jan recognised an important market in the UK for
high quality, high performance Scandinavian timber windows and doors.
He initially set his sights on Scotland, where the weather conditions
can be similar, but not as extreme as the harsh Scandinavian climate.
The company expanded into England and bought over Swedoor UK two years
ago, to continue its drive to provide quality products to the construction
industry. The company has enjoyed remarkable growth following a real demand
for Scandinavian building products and was recently recognised as a Gazelle
company by BusinessAM.
4-Way
Mountys get the Load Sorted for Celuform Stockists
HGVs
delivering Celuform PVC-ue products now feature Moffett Mounty forklifts.
Celuform drivers unload and stack windowline products exactly where they
are needed, leaving stockist staff free for other tasks.
'As far as we know, we are the only PVC-ue supplier to provide a dedicated
delivery service from factory to stillage,' says Neil Wallace, Celuform's
warehouse and distribution manager.
'To make unloading as quick and easy as possible, we have invested in
specialist 4-way Moffett Mounty forklifts that are specially designed
to handle lengths of fascia, soffit and cladding. They convert to side
loaders in seconds, which makes them perfect for handling long loads,'
he continues.
'The other great thing about the Mounty is maneouvrability. It is brilliant
on the smallest site and locations where access is restricted.'
Tel: 01622 719199
Web: http://www.celuform.co.uk
Guyson
- The Cost Conscious Choice
Recently
installed into Richmond Adult Community College in South-West London was
this Guyson Euroblast® GL6 blast cabinet variant. The machine is equipped
with the facility to etch flat plate glass and via a removable turntable
also allows larger items of glass or stone sculptures to be blasted in
a conventional manner.
This dual facility gives enormous flexibility for colleges, universities,
schools and even industry to gain maximum opportunity for a varied client
base to use the same blast machine; art, craft, engineering and maintenance
groups can all benefit from the one machine installation. Critical buying
points in these days of justifying expenditure in hard pressed markets.
The cabinet is designed to take large sheet glass with a continuous felt
lined entry slot around the top and sides of the machine - which is sealed
during blasting, and a removable support roller mechanism that transports
the sheet glass smoothly through the machine. Etching takes place inside
the sealed cabinet and can be undertaken by either the model 900 gun which
delivers high media flow for etching large surface areas or at the flick
of a switch select the smaller model 400 gun which is ideally suited for
intricate etching, stencilling or cleaning.
For blast finishing or surface texturing on larger items of glass or stone
sculptures the sheet glass support mechanism can be quickly removed and
the items placed on the polyurethane coated turntable; perfect for use
with glass or non-metal substances to prevent marking. Large armholes
give the operator maximum flexibility for reaching areas inside the cabinet
and the foot operated pressure trigger for the blast guns allows both
hands free for object and gun manipulation.
Finishing the specification is high quality internal lighting, coupled
with efficient dust extraction allowing excellent operator visibility
and a sealed perforated floor sieves out any oversize contaminants such
as investment from jewellery or glass castings to prevent media flow problems.
The full range of Guyson products can be viewed at http://www.guyson.co.uk
and to see courses offered by Richmond Adult Community College or view
their online gallery access their website on http://www.racc.ac.u