Pilkington
MD Opens New HQ for Brownhills
Oscar
Boronat, Managing Director of Pilkington Primary Products Europe, has
performed the official opening ceremony for independent merchants and
processors, Brownhills Glass Company Ltd.
The
company moved into its new facility late last year following which it
has installed new state-of-the-art handling and processing machinery intended
to further increase the scope and efficiency of the company's product
range and customer service.
The 50,000-square feet operation, situated on a 3.8 acre site in Aldridge,
Walsall, West Midlands, has been acquired by Brownhills Glass in order
to cope with significant increase in demand for its products, especially
since the revisions to the Building Regulations last year.
Although glass merchanting still accounts for around 70 per cent of Brownhills'
business, the company has significantly increased it processing capabilities
by installing an Intermac CNC master bevel machine. This complements the
existing straight line polishing machines and drilling and arrissing equipment.
The company have also installed a Bottero automatic shaped cutting table
and also offer specialist laminated cutting.
Brownhills' merchanting operation includes a wide range of glass options,
from 2mm float through to 19mm, including Pilkington K Glass™ which
the company supplies in a wide range of sizes. A large demand for fire
resistant and safety glass is also satisfied by the company, whose customers
include a range of window, door and conservatory installers and manufacturers,
glaziers, shopfitters, exhibition stand builders and the general public.
Two new vehicles, including a further flat bed with crane, will soon supplement
a fleet of 12 specialist lorries. This, say the company's directors, is
a key part of the next day delivery service that has remained the cornerstone
of Brownhills' consistent growth since being established in 1979 by Robert
Laceby and Dave Jennings.
After opening the building, Pilkington MD Oscar Boronat commented: 'Brownhills
Glass reflects what is best about the UK glass industry. The company's
values remain traditional - high quality products, competitively priced
and superb service. Brownhills is run with a vision that always seeks
to anticipate needs, to understand and be prepared for new demands and
market opportunities however they may be driven.'
Web: http://www.brownhillsglass.com
Web: http://www.pilkington.com
New
Fabricator Goes Direct to Wendland
Direct
Roofing Products is the latest company to join Wendland's network of authorised
conservatory roof fabricators, as officially announced at Glassex 2003.
The Midland based business was started just one year ago by Mr S Sanghera,
who has many years of experience in the plastic automotive moulding sector.
Mr Sanghera decided to focus his entrepreneurial skills on the conservatory
roofing market in the light of the continuing boom in this buoyant sector.
His new business venture has proved successful, and within a short time
Direct Roofing Products had outgrown its original premises in Warwick.
Confident of continuing growth, a further £1 million investment
has recently enabled the ambitious young company to transfer its entire
operation to a 20,000 sq ft facility in Leamington Spa.
Jason
Earl (left) and Mr Sanghera, MD of Direct Roofing Products receiving their
Authorised Fabricator Certificate from Wendland's Director of Sales, Alan
Fielder
By joining forces with Wendland to fabricate the Styal roofing system,
Direct Roofing is able to offer a one stop shop for local installers,
and aims to become one of the premier Styal roof fabricators in the region.
Business Development Manager, Jason Earl, comments, 'The company's growth
since we opened our doors in 2002 has been phenomenal, and Wendland's
support has contributed to our success. We pride ourselves on product
quality and customer service and the ability to offer professional advice,
on site CAD drawings plus a same day product turnaround.'
Tel: 01452 722266
Web: http://www.wendland.co.uk
UAP
Achieves OTIF Record in Q1 2003, and Calculates a UAP Product is Fitted
every 20 Seconds
In
June 2001 UAP, distributor of decorative door hardware, passed its ISO9001:
2000 standard and became a BSI registered company. However as Sales Director,
David Clegg stressed, 'getting the accreditation is one thing, keeping
it and improving on it is another'.
Wendy
Jackson, Office administrator adds, 'It is my role to maintain the ISO
systems at UAP, and while we knew that we had good product quality, which
the BSI registration verifies, we wanted to provide a way of measuring
our service levels.
'In discussion with our QA Consultant, we decided that OTIF was the best
method. OTIF simply means, ‘On time in full’. It is a measure
of how often we get an order to the customer, on time and in full.'
On time means either to the standard three day turnaround or to the customers
required delivery date if it is longer than 3 days. In full means 100%
order completion with no shortages. The recent first quarter Audit undertaken
by Ferguson Quality Associates determined that UAP has an OTIF for all
stocked products of 98.1%.
David Clegg concluded, 'this measure independently proves that our customers
can rely on extremely high levels of service from UAP and it is a service
level which they can depend upon to run their own businesses.'
In
addition, UAP has calculated that on average one of its products is fitted
every 20 seconds in the UK.
John Cross, Sales Manager of UAP explains, 'when I was looking to join
UAP I asked a question, ‘how often is one of your products fitted
in the UK?' I was given a curious look, and then the md David Jennings
said, I don't know, you'd better join the company and find out.
'I subsequently found that our products have become more and more established
in the UK, three years ago we were having an item fitted every 45 seconds.
Now it is every 20 seconds. This shows our level of growth over that period
of time.
'We have also grown our product range during that time, and now sport
a full range of security chains, letterplates, shrouds etc to add to our
normal range.
'The problem I now have is that I am constantly asked whether the fitting
time has reduced, and I think in the future my sales target may not be
set on volume but on 'how often is one of our products fitted in the UK?'
perhaps I should have kept quiet.'
Products
illustrated: Lion Head Door Knocker; Scotia Letterplate
Tel: 0161 763 5290
Email: mailto:univ.imports@ukonline.co.uk
Web: http://www.universal-imports.com
Wilson
Connolly goes National with Premier Network
Premier
Profiles, has secured an umbrella agreement to supply its window profile
across all regional offices of national house builder, Wilson Connolly.
The arrangement, which will cover Wilson Connolly's nine regional offices,
from Wigan in the north to Fareham on the south coast, involves the supply
and fit of all PVCu windows via Premier Profiles' nationwide network of
regional commercial fabricators.
Of the 4,000 plus new homes scheduled to be built by Wilson Connolly this
year, over 50% will be fitted with Premier's Concept window and cavity
closer system.
Wilson Connolly said: 'With our house building operation covering the
whole of the country, we were looking for a profile supplier arrangement
that could deliver local service but with the technical expertise, quality
and reassurance of a national company.
'Premier Profiles is able to offer a standardisation of product and specification
and, importantly, has a strong fabricator and installer presence across
all our key regions, which it is prepared to underwrite in terms of product
guarantees. The umbrella agreement offers better service leading to quicker
completion of our properties, and the three way partnership benefits all
parties.'
One typical example of the regional fabricator network in practice is
on a large scale, rolling contract at 'St Crispin' in Northampton. On
the site of an old hospital, this high profile new homes development will
see some several hundred properties built over the next ten years, with
PVCu window installations being carried out by Premier Profiles' Midlands-based
fabricator, AJS.
BWF
Responds to Part M Consultation Paper
The
British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has largely welcomed the proposed
revisions to the Building Regulations Approved Document (AD) M, 'Access
to and use of buildings', proposed by the Government in a recent consultation
paper. These proposals only apply to non-domestic buildings. In
particular, the BWF sees this as a great opportunity to reconcile the
different documents and standards that already exist.
'Inevitably, some differences still need to be addressed,' said the BWF’s
Technical Manager, John Hedgecock. 'For example, methods of measuring
clear opening widths differ, with the proposed AD giving guidance only
to doors opening to 90°, whereas BS8300 allows for doors to be opened
through more than 90°
'Also, there appears to be a conflict on the actual size of the opening
width. The proposed AD Document refer to one dimension only - the
larger preferred opening width, whereas BS8300 refers to both minimum
and preferred opening widths. This, of course, can lead to the use of
preferred door widths which would be outside basic sizes of leaf core.
This would lead to buildings needing ‘specials’, with a corresponding
increase in building costs.'
BWF Members have also drawn attention to door operational loading forces.
While the suggestion is for these to be lowered, there is no explanation
as to how to overcome the forces and resistances exerted by fire and weather
seals, while still retaining their integrity.
There is also some concern over drawings in the paper indicating preferred
heights for glazing panels, which BWF Members see leading to potential
problems. In the first instance, they appear to clash with the location
of kicking plates (in relation to the top of the plate and the lower edge
of the glazing), and secondly, upper and lower glazed panels may intrude
upon the ideal positioning for handles and locking mechanisms in some
circumstances.
'We also need to be absolutely sure that directives about anti-reflective
glass comply both with existing standards on fire resistance properties
in doors and the cutting and glazing of apertures,' says John Hedgecock.
'Also, I suggest more attention needs to be paid to distinguishing between
single and double doors. At the moment, this doesn’t appear in the
consultation document.'
Given the complexity of the subject, the BWF feels the consultation paper
addresses most points in a way that will ultimately benefit the disabled,
whilst ensuring that the majority able-bodied members of the population
are not discriminated against in terms of ease of access and use.
Freefoam
Claims First in Offering 20 Year Guarantee
Freefoam
Plastics, roofline and rainwater systems' manufacturer, has launched a
20 year extended guarantee scheme.
Backed
by Freefoam's environmentally-friendly calcium zinc based formulation,
the new 20 year guarantee is an extension to the standard 10 year guarantee
and applies to all products and colours in the Freefoam range.
A web-based initiative, the extended guarantee is available on complete
Freefoam installations where no other brand of product was used. In brief,
if the roofline, cladding or rainwater job is completed using only Freefoam
products, the property qualifies for the extended cover against warping,
cracking, and very importantly, against discolouration (see full terms
and conditions online at www.freefoam.com)
Freefoam installations can be registered at www.freefoam.com
either by the registered installer or by the home-owner directly, and
a certificate is generated automatically if registration details are validated
by the system - log on for more details of how the scheme works.
'We've had a tremendous response to the scheme already and hundreds of
properties have been registered', comments Tony Walsh, Freefoam Managing
Director.
'Freefoam installers benefit from being able to offer something unique
to support their work, and home-owners have greater peace of mind that
comes from receiving confirmation of their guarantee direct from the manufacturer.'
Tel: 01604 759871 in the UK or 021 4911055 in Ireland
Seeking
Innovation and Imagination in the Plastics Industry
The Horners Award 2003 is now open for entries. This long-running, prestigious annual plastics award, jointly organised by the Worshipful Company of Horners and the British Plastics Federation (BPF), invites entries from companies who have a product, machine or process which has made an imaginative or innovative contribution to the plastics industry. Any product of outstanding design made mainly in plastics or a revolutionary advance in a plastics manufacturing process is eligible for entry. Entries must also have a proven record of commercial success in the UK.
The deadline for entries is Tuesday 15th July and the winner will be presented with the award by the Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor of London at the Annual Banquet of the Worshipful Company of Horners held at Mansion House in October.
The Horners Award 2002 was awarded to 3M UK Plc for their Paint Preparation System (PPS). Winning Entrant Steve Joseph commented: '3M was both honoured and delighted to receive the Horners Award for Plastics. Having the Paint Preparation System recognised by such a significant and prestigious award is extremely rewarding and also serves to highlight 3M's reputation for creativity and innovation.'
For an application form or further details, please contact Sarah Kelly at the BPF on 020 7457 5025 or email mailto:skelly@bpf.co.uk
£500million
Public Sector Window Contracts to Benefit from Kitemark Scheme
BSI
Product Services has launched a new Kitemark scheme to help raise the
standard of windows fitted in public and social housing, a market worth
more than £500 million annually.
The new Kitemark scheme is complementary to a specification published
by LAPFAG (the Local Authority PVCU Frame Advisory Group), and will ensure
that local authorities and Housing Associations attain best value from
their window renewal contracts.
The scheme for window manufacturers supports a detailed specification
for fully installed casement and tilt/turn window frames, and can be adopted
by an authority as the basis for a contract. Working alongside LAPFAG's
own specifications, the Kitemark will ensure that the specification, manufacture,
survey and installation of windows are to the highest standards.
BSI Product Services' Business Development Manager, Peter Brudenell said,
'This is a first for BSI Product Services as we have created a Kitemark
scheme to complement the LAPFAG specifications, which covers a complete
system from manufacture to installation. The specification has been prepared
working with specifiers and manufacturers to ensure that higher standards
of installation are achieved and ultimately so that Local Authority and
Housing Association tenants receive the products they have a right to
expect.'
Manufacturers awarded the Kitemark will have demonstrated an ongoing commitment
to quality and safety. The Kitemark, which is used in the UK and internationally,
is recognised by over 80% of the British public as the UK's most respected
quality mark.
The Kitemark scheme is unique having been prepared by the public sector
for the public sector. To become Kitemark certified, manufacturers must
be BS 7412 and BS 7950 accredited. Under the terms of the scheme, BSI
Product Services will audit quality management systems and manufacturing
methods on an ongoing basis.
For further details about the Kitemark scheme please contact BSI Product
Services on 01442 278607 or email mailto:product.services@bsi-global.com
Schott
Delivers 4.1 m Mirror Substrate for World's Largest Wide-Angle Telescope
Schott
Glas has just delivered a glass ceramic mirror carrier with a diameter
of 4.1 meters (4.5 yards) for the largest wide-angle telescope in the
world. This will operate from 2006 onwards under the name VISTA (Visible
and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy) – near to the VLT (Very
Large Telescope) in the Chilean Andes. VISTA's task will be to scan the
sky for interesting objects and so make a preselection for the VLT with
its four 8.2 m (9 yard) mirrors – adding yet another superlative
to the VLT's collection, as well as deriving science directly from VISTA´s
results. 'We're proud to be able to contribute to the fact that astronomers
can now see almost as far as the origin of our universe, back to the Big
Bang', commented Schott Chairman of the Board of Management, Dr. Leopold
von Heimendahl at the ceremonial presentation of the monolith weighing
over 5 metric tons (c. 5.5 tons).
Production of this mirror substrate represented a real challenge for the
Schott scientists and engineers in Mainz. The telescope's wide-field optic
required an extremely small curvature radius. The concave disk, shaped
like an overlarge dish, is made of a material developed by Schott called
'Zerodur', which for decades now has been the first choice for astronomers
all over the world. This is because 'Zerodur' glass ceramic is characterised
by an extremely low thermal expansion coefficient, almost zero in fact.
This is a very important property for use in telescopes, as it minimises
the time the optic device needs in order to adjust to changes in temperature.
By the time of its 'first light' in 2006, VISTA will have cost more than
32 million pounds sterling (46.7 million euros), financed by a grant to
a consortium of 18 British universities. The telescope is also the United
Kingdom's entrance ticket for the European Southern Observatory (ESO),
which now has ten European countries as members.
100
years of Schott mirror substrates for large telescopes
'Zerodur' glass ceramic is the standard for large astronomical optical
devices.
Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences. Stargazing fascinates scientists
and amateurs alike, although the human eye is very limited in its capabilities.
It was only with the systematic development of optical lenses by Otto
Schott that the first really powerful astronomical telescopes became possible.
Since distant stars shine so dimly in the sky, increasingly large optical
instruments were made so as to better see these tiny dots in the night
sky.
The first mirror substrate that Schott built for the observatory at the
University of Heidelberg in 1903 had a diameter of 0.72 meters (just over
2 feet) – impressive for that time. The imaging quality of this mirror
telescope was so good that it became famous around the world as the 'Waltz
Reflector', named for its sponsor.
As a result of this, Schott was commissioned to construct mirror substrates
of one to two meters (c. 1-2 yards) in diameter by such observatories
as Hamburg Bergedorf (1907), Berlin Babelsberg (1920), Tautenburg near
Jena (1949) and for Egypt's largest telescope (1963).
While optical glasses were originally used, followed later by a borosilicate
glass with a low thermal expansion, the invention of the Schott 'Zerodur'
glass ceramic represented a quantum leap in the development of materials.
In the decades to come, it would become the internationally recognised
standard material in the construction of telescopes.
This new material has practically zero thermal expansion, is easy to process
mechanically, and of very high chemical resistance – properties that
make it predestined for use in large astronomical mirrors. It was first
utilised in telescopes for the observatories at Calar Alto in the south
of Spain (1975) and for the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile
(1986).
The most significant milestone for 'Zerodur' so far was the production
of the world's largest one-piece mirror substrate for the 8.2-meter (c.
9 yard) Very Large Telescope (VLT) between 1991 and 1996. Yet this also
represented the end of the line for the ever-increasing glass-ceramic
monoliths, as the technical limits had now been reached. Subsequently,
a new approach was adopted for astronomical mirrors with even larger dimensions,
combining many hexagonal 'Zerodur' segments. Examples of these are the
two Keck telescopes in Hawaii with a diameter of 10 meters (11 yards)
and the 10.4-meter (34 foot) 'Grantecan' telescope currently under construction,
which is planned to go into operation next year on La Palma in the Canary
Islands.
Sentinel
Specified for Major Door Contract in Leicester
Sentinel
Doors has obtained one of the biggest single orders to date for its composite
doors - a 7,000 per year, three-year contract from Leicester City Council,
with an option for a further year.
The contract is the first phase of an eight-year programme to refurbish
26,000 properties in the city and will involve the supply of Sentinel‚s
600 Series composite doors for front and rear entrances.
Tendering for the contract was managed independently through the Eastern
Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO), who act as Procurement agents for
Leicester City Council. ESPO prepared the documentation and evaluated
the proposals.
Says Neil Bayliss of ESPO: 'This was one of the largest door replacement
contracts we‚ve managed and it attracted a lot of interest. From
the twelve suppliers who submitted proposals we selected Sentinel for
its combination of product and service quality, experience and price.'
Paul Lowe, contracts manager for Leicester City Council says he's happy
with the outcome: 'Using ESPO means we get the best supplier and the best
price without having to go through the tendering process ourselves. And
as Sentinel has worked for us previously, we know the people and the product.'
The contract will initially involve the supply and installation of fully
finished door sets but Paul Lowe says the city council's own direct service
organisation will eventually receive door leaves from Sentinel, which
it will complete and install. Sentinel's customer service team has supplied
a template for a 'Tenants Choice' leaflet, which allowed the council to
prepare its own in various language options.
Phil Mundell, Sentinel sales and marketing director, says the timing of
the Leicester contract is perfect, as the first phase of the recently
announced expansion of both manufacturing and assembly facilities at the
Llantrisant factory are now nearing completion.
Tel: 01443 229219
Shepley
Helps Installers to Make the Most out of the Growing Composite Door Sector
The
demand for composite doors is on the increase in both public and private
sectors with projected growth showing an increase of 171% from 1999 to
2004 compared to 23% for PVCu doors, according to Palmer Market Research.
Shepley will help installers tap into this growing market with its new
composite door.
Palmer attributes this growth to the importance placed on the appearance
of the entrance door by homeowners, and the increasing emphasis on security
(Private sector home improvements 2002).
With the issue of replacing replacements beginning to take effect, composites
present a great opportunity for installers to sell the next generation
of residential doors, especially with the growing uncertainty in the homebuyers
market and continued growth in home improvements.
Tim Walker, Shepley sales director, comments, 'We strongly believe that
overall the new composite door range outperforms all other systems for
build quality, security, durability, looks and value for money. The extensive
range is supplied unglazed and is available at a very competitive price
in our standard 2-week lead-time. We hope customers will find this of
benefit to their business'.
Shepley has also developed a new consumer brochure, designed to position
and help sell the door as a premium product, including a '6 easy steps'
guide making it simpler for consumers to make the right choice for their
property. A straightforward order form and pricing sheet accompanies the
sales leaflet, as well as a sample press release to assist installers
in generating PR from the launch. For more information contact a member
of customer services on 0161 339 2433.
Web: http://www.shepley.com
Alcoa
Grants in Mexico Exceed $1 Million in 2002
Alcoa
announced on 7th April combined grants from Alcoa Foundation and Alcoa
Fujikura Ltd. (AFL) in communities covering all six of AFL's Mexican operating
locations exceeded US$1 million in 2002.
More than 30 Alcoa Foundation investments were made in Mexican communities
ranging from:
• Supplying computer equipment to schools in Monterrey and Piedras
Negras;
• Support for construction of a new shelter for the Casa de Amiga
Crisis Center in Juarez;
• Development of a community park project in Acuna;
• Transportation to and construction for a shelter for homeless children
who have been abandoned or abused by their parents in Puebla;
• Expansion of an Alzheimer Center for patients and their families
in Torreon.
In addition to the Alcoa Foundation grants, AFL made grants and investments
in more than 20 projects in its communities, ranging from:
• The purchase of new ambulances in Acuna and Monterrey;
• Donation of 5,000 sweaters for kindergartners in Acuna in December;
• Vocational training and workshops for youths and adults with learning
or physical disabilities in Juarez;
•Scholarships for Technical University students in Piedras Negras;
•Rehabilitation of a sports complex for children in Puebla;
•Computer equipment for a shelter for orphaned and abandoned children
in Torreon.
In addition to cash grants provided by Alcoa Foundation and AFL, AFL employees
participated in 17 separate volunteer programmes - from painting and repairing
schools and community buildings, to reforesting, to rebuilding a property
used for horseback riding for therapy for the disabled - which raised
more than $50,000 in ACTION (Alcoans Coming Together In Our Neighbourhoods)
grants. Action grants recognise a team of Alcoans who provide a day of
service by providing a $3,000 grant in their name to the organisation
where they worked.
About Alcoa Foundation
Established in 1952. Alcoa Foundation is a global resource that actively
invests in improving the quality of life in more than 29 countries around
the world where Alcoa operates. The Foundation's grants address global
and local need in Areas of Excellence that include: Conservation and Sustainability,
Global Education and Workplace Skills, Business and Community Partnerships
and Safe and Healthy Children and Families. For more information about
Alcoa Foundation, visit alcoa.com, under Community.
Web: http://www.alcoa.com
Everest
Team Pulls Off Management Buy-Out
One
of Britain's most famous brand names, Everest double glazing, has been
the subject of a management buy-out in a deal worth £58m. The six
strong management team led by executive chairman Roy Eady has acquired
a 22 percent stake in the business that sees 3i exit completely, and provides
an exit for majority shareholder Brian Kennedy, who has reinvested a substantial
sum to acquire a significant shareholding in the new company.
Bank of Scotland Corporate Banking provided an integrated debt and equity
package to support the management team, and will take a minority stake
in the business.
The business has fared well under current management. During the last
year under Caradon ownership (1998) Everest's sales were £93.4m
and operating profit was £1.6m. Sales to year end October 2002 were
£111m with operating profit of £10.2m.
Roy Eady commented; 'Our sales and margin growth over the last few years
has been tremendous, in contrast to many of our competitors. We have been
able to invest in a substantially increased sales-force, adding 200 people,
and in a widened product portfolio. We are now in a position to harness
the flair and motivation of an equity holding management team. Current
orders are strong at £34m, and we are projecting just over £12m
operating profit in this f/y, with a business plan to show growth in sales
to £150m by 2006.'
Everest is one of the UK's best known brands, a position rooted in television
advertising of the 1980's when Ted Moult brought the phrase 'Fit the best,
fit Everest' to the screens of millions. The ads were created by ABM.
Ironically Everest has not been advertised on television in any major
way since 1986, but brand recognition is so deeply embedded that among
the company's prime target audience, recall remains at a staggering 98
percent. Currently Everest plays on this recall and uses response oriented
direct marketing as its major promotional tool, with over 20m mailings
going out a year.
Commenting on the deal, Frank Summers, Director of Integrated Finance
at Bank of Scotland said 'Everest is a strong business with a management
team who, despite operating in a very competitive market, have significantly
improved the business in the last few years. We look forward to working
in partnership with the team in the future.'
Plans for the future are ambitious and follow an already rapid range extension
including conservatories, intruder alarms, CCTV, garage doors, roofline
products, and traditional timber sash windows as well as the original
secondary glazing and the company's PVCu replacement windows and doors.
There has also been a move into the commercial sector with clients like
BAA and Havering Council, and the company has developed a competitive
finance offering (Everest HomeAccount). A range of new products that will
widen Everest's involvement in the 'Home Improvements' sector are under
consideration such as fitted kitchens, loft conversions, fitted bedrooms
and bathrooms.
Window
and Door Demand to Reach $31 Billion in 2007
Window
and door demand in the U.S. is projected to advance 4.9 percent per year
through 2007 to $31 billion, according to a new study from the Freedonia
Group. Strong growth in nonresidential construction expenditures will
support gains, offsetting a weak outlook for the large residential market.
The Cleveland-based market research sees several factors working to offset
the effects of the soft housing environment on residential window and
door demand. These include increases in average home sizes and the growing
use of value-added products.
Plastic windows and doors will continue to lead demand gains through 2007,
advancing 7.3 percent annually to $6.2 billion. Although growth will decelerate
from the historical pace as a result of growing market maturity, plastic
windows and doors will continue to gain market share at the expense of
metal and wood products, the study notes.
Growth will be bolstered by greater acceptance of these window and door
materials in new residential applications. Gains for products such as
fibreglass entry doors will be particularly strong over the forecast period
as these products are quickly increasing market penetration.
Despite the strong growth projected for plastic windows and doors, products
made from metal and wood materials will continue to dominate dollar value
demand through 2007. Of these two material segments, metal windows and
doors will offer the stronger growth prospects, rising 5.8 percent per
year through 2007 to $13 billion. These above-average gains will allow
metal to regain its position as the dominant window and door material,
following a weak performance in 2002.
The report states that this weakness, as well as the strength forecast
through 2007, is primarily a result of patterns in the construction of
industrial buildings, a key end use for metal products. Advances in metal
window and door demand will also be supported by a favorable outlook for
office and commercial building construction, which is also projected to
see a recovery in the coming years.
The $3,900 report, entitled Windows & Doors, is available by contacting
Freedonia at 440/684-9600 or visiting its web site at http://www.freedoniagroup.com
CertainTeed
Introduces New Window Product Line
CertainTeed
Corporation has introduced the Montclaire line of vinyl windows, designed
for the remodeller who wants to offer homeowners a window with good energy
efficiency and performance characteristics without breaking the family
home improvement budget.
Available in double hung and fixed models, Montclaire combines easy installation
and no-maintenance ease with fine vinyl extrusions and craftsmanship.
Montclaire also features a lifetime, limited warranty, including SureStart
protection, which offers full replacement in the unlikely event a manufacturing
defect occurs within one year of installation.
'Montclaire offers many exciting features and benefits for the remodeller,'
says Maria McDonagh-Forde, CertainTeed's Window Group marketing communications
manager. 'Its superior design and performance are sure to exceed their
expectations.'
The Montclaire design has slim lines, equal lites and complementary hardware
and will fit a home perfectly - every product is custom made in the exact
size specified. And Montclaire windows can be combined to create bow and
bay designs as well. There is also a choice of flat or sculptured grids
and color - white or tan. In addition, Montclaire windows can be combined
using CertainTeed's mullion systems.
Other features include an integral glazing system which bonds sash to
glass for a weather-tight seal and double weather stripping to block air,
water and dust while reducing noise. As an add-on option, Montclaire is
also is available with CertainTeed's Thermaflect Low 'E' glazing system,
which allows the windows to meet Energy Star guidelines for all climate
areas of the country.
CertainTeed Corporation is a leading North American manufacturer of building
materials including roofing, siding, insulation, windows and patio doors,
fence, decking, railing, foundations and pipe. The company is headquartered
in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and has approximately 7,000 employees and
more than 40 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States. The
company had sales of approximately $2.5 billion in 2002.
Web: http://www.certainteed.com
PPG
Industries reported on April 17th first quarter net income of $78 million,
or 46 cents a share, which includes aftertax charges of $6 million, or
3 cents a share, for the cumulative effect of a required change in the
accounting for asset retirement obligations, and $3 million, or 2 cents
a share, to reflect the net increase in the current value of the company's
obligation under the previously reported asbestos settlement agreement.
Sales for the quarter were $2.1 billion.
This compares with first quarter 2002 net income of $34 million, or 20
cents a share, including aftertax charges of $55 million, or 33 cents
a share, for restructuring and $9 million, or 5 cents a share, for the
cumulative effect of a required accounting change for goodwill and other
intangible assets. Sales for the quarter were $1.9 billion.
First quarter 2003 income before income taxes, minority interest and cumulative
effect of accounting change was $151 million. This compares with $84 million
for the same quarter in 2002.
'Our first quarter earnings benefited from stronger commodity chemical
prices, significant growth from new products in our optical business and
modest volume gains in most of our coatings businesses. The lack of last
year's restructuring costs contributed further to the improvement in our
first quarter results,' said Raymond W. LeBoeuf, chairman and chief executive
officer. 'Certain rising costs, however, absorbed about half of all of
these benefits. Principal among those rising costs were higher pension
and retiree benefits costs, which we knew going into this year. In addition,
as the quarter unfolded, already high energy prices soared even higher.
'For the remainder of the year, not only will we retain our commitment
to research and development, we will also remain committed to generating
cash and reducing debt while seizing opportunities to generate organic
growth.'
In the quarter, the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 143, 'Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,' were adopted,
resulting in a charge for the cumulative effect of an accounting change
of $6 million aftertax. This standard requires the company to recognise
asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred,
if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made.
Consistent with previous disclosures, first quarter 2003 earnings included
approximately $37 million, or 13 cents a share, of higher pension and
retiree medical costs compared with a year ago.
Coatings sales increased $72 million, or 7 percent, due to the strengthening
of foreign currencies and stronger volumes in the architectural, aerospace,
automotive original equipment and industrial businesses. Volumes were
up 2 percent with the largest increases in North American and Asian businesses
while European volumes were down about 2 percent. Operating earnings increased
$68 million primarily because of lower restructuring costs of $77 million
as well as improved volumes, increased manufacturing efficiencies and
the favorable effects of foreign currency translation. These were partly
offset by higher pension and retiree medical costs.
Glass sales increased $28 million, or 6 percent, on stronger volumes in
the automotive original equipment business as well as the strengthening
of foreign currencies. Operating earnings were down $14 million because
higher energy costs and higher pension and retiree medical costs more
than offset the benefit of higher volumes, lower overhead costs and improved
manufacturing efficiencies.
Tessenderlo
Group 1st Quarter 2003 Results
The
turnover of Tessenderlo Group, parent company of Eurocell and Vredestein
for the first quarter of 2003 amounted to 493.9 million EUR, i.e. practically
at the same level as that of the first quarter of 2002, which had amounted
to 485.0 million EUR.
•Result
share of the group: decline of 9.4 %
•Cash flow increases with 14.5 %
The group share of the net result went from 11.7 million EUR to 10.6 million
EUR for the corresponding period of last year, i.e. a decline of 9.4 %.
PVC has clearly improved compared to the very poor first quarter of 2002,
but the prices are still inadequate considering the major increase in
the price of ethylene at the beginning of this year.
The results of Plastics Converting are very close to those of the
first quarter of 2002, even if one noted a certain slowdown in the construction
sector.
Currently the company is not seeing any significant improvement in the
economic climate, and expects that the performances of the second quarter
will also remain below those of last year.
Are
Translucent Structures Possible?
Sheffield
Hallam is beginning to make a significant breakthrough in the future of
construction design with a concept for buildings made almost entirely
from recycled glass. The idea was masterminded by the University's Art
and Design Research Centre (ADRC), who have scooped a prestigious international
design award for their ground-breaking research into the possibility of
translucent structures - buildings that allow light to pass through them.
This exciting development means that in future we could see buildings
made from translucent material, which can be internally lit, creating
a spectacular visual effect. The material can take the form of any building
component including bricks, columns and lintels and has the potential
to replace anything that is made from reinforced concrete.
The
project, called 'Are translucent structures possible?' is led by Professor
Jim Roddis, Head of the University's Cultural Research Institute and Tom
Slater, Research Assistant (pictured), who have picked up first place
in the International Design Resource Awards (IDRA). This competition celebrates
new design ideas which use recycled and environmentally conscious materials.
Designers must create commercially viable, well designed products and
architecture from reprocessed and recycled resources. This year's competition
attracted over 250 entries from 24 countries all over the world.
It is the second year running for Jim and his team, who won the competition
last year with a revolutionary recycled glass product called TTURA, developed
by the School of Cultural Studies back in 2000.
This radical material is produced from waste glass from the automotive,
consumer and construction industries. It is an attractive, highly versatile
and durable composite made of 85% recycled glass, and can be used for
a variety of purposes including furniture and flooring. In March 2002
TTURA was used by artist Thomas Heatherwick to create a 'visually stunning'
urban space fronting Newcastle's Laing Art Gallery, named 'The Blue Carpet'.
TTURA is manufactured by Resin Building Products Ltd, Doncaster (RBP)
under licence from Sheffield Hallam University Enterprises.
Further information on TTURA is available on the website at: http://www.ttura.com