The GL@ZINE News

Ultraframe Makes an Announcement re Four Seasons

'Ultraframe Plc reports that its wholly owned business Four Seasons has been the subject of an adverse jury verdict in the State of Ohio, USA. The case concerned a relatively junior employee of Four Seasons employed between December 2001 and May 2002, who had previously been employed by Patio Enclosures, the claimant in this case.

'The case concerned alleged interference with contractual employment obligations and alleged misuse of trade secrets. The trial court entered judgement on a jury's verdict to Patio Enclosures in the amount of approximately $8.6m.

'Post trial motions are in the process of being filed with the trial judge in the case, who has the option of reconsidering this judgment before concluding his involvement. Ultraframe has confidence in Four Seasons' position in this case and believes that challenge to the current judgment, by either post trial motions or alternatively on appeal, is well founded. Ultraframe believes that this judgment should be reduced upon review by the courts although this process could take some considerable time.'

According to papers filed in the Court of Common Pleas, Akron, Ohio on 26th August, Ultraframe subsidiary Four Seasons must pay Patio Enclosues the following:

1. For tortious interference with a contractual relationship: $20,000
2. Misappropriation of a trade secret: $2.6m
3. Punitive Damages: $6m

This comes to a total of $8.62m, or £4.8m.

Four Seasons has also been ordered to pay court costs, including four days jury expense.

Eurocell: Customers Can Still Buy Pinnacle 500 After Court Decision

Eurocell has taken advice from its lawyers and would like to point out the following with regard to Ultraframe’s recent press statement.

'When we launched our Pinnacle 500 roofing system, it was infact a competitive lean-to system, Eurocell did not, as Ultraframe’s statement reads, infringe design rights in the entire roof.

The protection offered by design right, has since expired, and to reflect this, Eurocell were ordered to pay only a fraction of Ultraframe’s huge legal bill.

More importantly, Eurocell was judged not to have infringed any of Ultraframe’s patents.

David Leng, Eurocell’s new Managing Director stated:
‘As a result of the recent court case Eurocell can continue to offer existing Ultraframe customers the Pinnacle 500 low pitch lean-to roofing system, as a direct replacement for the Ultralite 500.

As can be seen from Ultraframe’s recent profits warning, customers have been rejecting the Ultraframe offer in favour of more competitive easier to fit options like our Pinnacle range, or one of the other up and coming conservatory roof manufacturers. So our message is simple:

• If you have moved from Ultraframe to a new supplier and want a competitive lean-to roof - give us a call.
• If you would like us to quote for all of your conservatory business – ring 01773 842100.

Our new conservatory team is waiting to help you.

We offer excellent delivery, a matching range of window systems and trims, and a happy smiling service - all from our purpose made warehouses or from our extensive Eurocell Building Plastics depot network’

http://www.eurocell.co.uk

Robert Barr, Chief Executive of Heywood Williams Group PLC, said: ‘The first half of 2004 saw the successful implementation of a substantial programme of change designed to streamline and strengthen the group. Heywood Williams is now focused on its market leading businesses of specialist distribution of building products in the US and UK and the extrusion of plastic profiles in the UK. The group is now profitable on an ongoing basis and we continue to work towards delivering full year expectations. We are determined to realise the potential from our market leading positions as the group moves forward.’

Headline financials
• Turnover reduced mainly due to disposals to £194.2 million (2003: £278.3 million)
• Operating profit increased to £3.7 million* (2003: £0.6 million loss*)
• Pre-tax profit up to £3.1 million* (2003: £1.7 million loss*)
• Pre-tax profit after exceptionals and goodwill amortisation £2.7 million (2003: £3.4 million loss)
• Earnings per share 2.0p* (2003: 1.3p loss per share*)
* before exceptionals and goodwill amortisation

Results from continuing operations
• Turnover from continuing operations £156.7 million (2003: £152.6 million)
• Operating profit from continuing operations £2.4 million (2003: £1.5 million)

Recent developments
• Significant elements of the restructuring programme now complete
• Robert Barr, new Chief Executive, joined the group
• Bristolpipe sold for £15.4 million in the second half, removing volatile business with limited strategic fit
• Balance sheet strengthened, debt-free after Bristolpipe disposal
• Head office functions rationalised
• Operationally focused management team – returning Plastic Systems to profit is the no.1 priority

Read the rest of the Interim Statement Here:

IMI Reports Postive First Half, But Warns of PVC Price Impact and Makes No Provision for Cartel Fine

IMI has reported positive results the the first half of 2004, but while it awaits the possibility of appeal, has made no provision to offset the massive fine imposed upon it by the European Court last week.

The European Union has imposed a 222.3-million-euro (151 million pound) fine on Europe's main makers of copper plumbing pipes for fixing prices and dividing up the market. The EU's executive Commission said the firms, involving Sweden's Boliden, Britain's IMI, Finland's Outokumpu Oyj and units of Italy's SMI, ran a cartel in 1988-2001. British firm IMI's fine is 44.98 million euros.

An IMI statement says:
The European Commission has announced the imposition of a fine of Euro 44.98 million on IMI in relation to its former copper tube business, which was sold in 2002. IMI will assess the possibility of appeal following receipt of details of the decision.

IMI disposed of its plumbing fittings business in 2002 but also has a retained responsibility in relation to the European Commission’s investigation of the copper plumbing fittings industry. That investigation is at an earlier stage, with a Commission decision unlikely to be made before the second half of 2005.

Interim results made happier reading: Volumes in the core Building Products business of Polypipe were around 5% ahead of last year at £200m (2003: £191m) and order books remain healthy reflecting continued good UK demand for building materials. Elsewhere in Polypipe the picture is still patchy with Doors and Windows and Leisure Products suffering reduced demand, the European operations winning new business and new product launches in Civils going well. The major pressure on the Polypipe businesses is raw material prices and in particular PVC. The average price of PVC in the first half of 2004 was 25% higher than in the first half of 2003. Operational management are taking action to mitigate the impact on margins but inevitably operating profits have suffered and at £16.5m were some 9% lower than last year (2003: £18.2m).

Outlook: Raw material price inflation is continuing to impact costs and margins. The positive trend in underlying demand, however, should underpin progress in the second half.

Bovis Homes Announces Housing Market Back to Normal with 46% Pre-Tax Profit Rise

Bovis Homes Group has delivered excellent results during the first half of 2004. A substantial increase in pre tax profits has been achieved, continuing the strong momentum of the second half of 2003. The market is now showing signs of returning to a more normal level of activity following interest rate increases in recent months. The Group expects the profit generated in the first half of 2004 to provide a more balanced weighting between the first and second half year profits compared to that achieved in 2003.

The interim results for 2004:
* Pre tax profit increased by 46% to £67.2 million showing a 26% compound annual increase over the last five years
* Earnings per share increased by 45% to 40.1p showing a 25% compound annual increase over the last five years
*      Period end net borrowings of £5.5 million (1.1% gearing)
*   Annualised return on average capital employed increased to 24.9%
*      Operating margin maintained at 25.6%
*      Interim dividend increased by 21% to 6.4 pence net per ordinary share
*      Strategic landholdings increased to 23,053 potential plots after transferring 473 plots to consented landholdings during the first six months
*      Plots with planning consent at 10,796 plots (owned: 10,391 plots/controlled: 405 plots)

Commenting on the results, Malcolm Harris, Chief Executive of Bovis Homes Group PLC said:
'The Group has delivered a strong set of results for the six month period with further progress made relating to the objective of moving towards a more even weighting of profits between the half and full year trading periods.

The solid performance resulted in a high return on average capital employed and a positive operating cash flow of £79.7m. The period end net debt/equity ratio stood at 1.1%.

The new management structure announced on 2 August 2004 will provide the framework to enable the planned increase in volume to be delivered together with improved levels of quality, customer satisfaction and cost control.
Based upon current market conditions we are confident of the prospects for the Group for the full year.'

For the six months ended 30 June 2004 the Group achieved a pre tax profit of £67.2 million, representing an increase of 46% over the pre tax profit of £46.0 million for the same period in 2003. Earnings per share improved by 45% to 40.1 pence. The Group’s operating margin was 25.6%, in line with the first six months of 2003.

The increase in profits was generated from a turnover of £271.7 million compared with £190.6 million in the equivalent prior year period. Included in this year’s figure were land sales income and other income of £13.1 million compared with £9.3 million for the first six months of 2003.

As indicated in the Group’s trading update on 5 July 2004, the half year results were generated from a higher volume of legal completions than the prior year. In the first six months of 2004, the Group legally completed 1,252 homes compared with 950 legal completions in the same period last year.

The Group’s average sales price per unit increased to £206,500 for the current year compared to £190,800 for the comparable six months of 2003. This represented an increase year on year of 8.2%. The average size of unit legally completed decreased by 1.8%. Hence, the average sales price per square foot increased by 10.1%. This increase reflected changes in the mix and location of homes legally completed as well as house price increases year on year.

Dividends
The interim dividend of the Company will amount to 6.4 pence net per share, an increase of 21% over 2003’s interim dividend of 5.3 pence. This dividend will be paid on 26 November 2004 to holders of ordinary shares on the register at the close of business on 29 October 2004.

Management
Stephen Brazier resigned from the Board and the position of Group Operations Director on 31 July 2004. On behalf of the Board I would like to express my thanks to Stephen for his service to the Group and the Board. The Board now comprises four independent non executive directors and two executive directors. The two new and recently announced appointments to the operational board of Bovis Homes Limited, namely Mr Michael Black and Mr Alastair Thomas, will add strength and experience to facilitate the Group’s planned growth.

Market conditions
Housing market activity in the first half of 2004 was strong, continuing the favourable conditions in the second half of 2003. Since the end of June of this year, the housing market has begun to return to a more stable level of activity following interest rate rises in recent months. Increases in house sales prices are expected to moderate in the second half of 2004, generating price improvements at more sustainable levels. The fundamentals of the housing market remain solid. Despite interest rate rises to date, affordability is good with demand exceeding supply for new housing.

Prospects
The Group has focused on delivering sustainable shareholder returns and has applied its strategies consistently, utilising its landholdings effectively and maximising profit. Shareholder value has been improved by the Group’s continued emphasis upon enhancing returns through strong margins and high return on capital employed.

Style Group, the UK independent manufacturer and supplier of PVCu windows and doors has reported Group trading profits of £5.7m for 2003 – more than double the £2.7m reported for the previous financial year. During the same period retail sales of the Group reached record levels, exceeding £100m for the first time compared to £80.8m in 2002.

The Group’s trading profit for the year after taxation was £4,979,825 against £1,654,487 in 2002.

Launched in 1992 the Group has continued to expand in tune with customer’s needs and incorporates three specialist companies covering manufacture, trade supply and retail markets and is a national organisation with 38 offices, including a head office in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

John Ross, Style Group’s Chief Executive (pictured), reviewing the company’s 2003 performance stated: ‘Once again the Group has taken considerable steps forward to affirm its position as one of the UK’s top replacement window companies. Our Group trading profits represent bottom-line growth of over 100 per cent and this is a reflection of the effort made by the management in driving down our fixed and overhead costs. The Board continues to tightly manage its costs in the current year whilst still achieving real sales growth and 2004 promises to deliver further growth.’

Safestyle UK, the Group’s retail specialist, enjoyed significant growth in turnover in 2003, achieving £92 million, up from £73.5m and as a result doubled its profit performance to £2.3m against £1.0m the year before. Commenting on the establishment of the ‘Safestyle’ name as a national brand, Mr. Ross stated: ‘This has progressed well and the Board are planning to complete the national network of the business and the brand over the next two years. We have resisted opportunities to diversify and have remained highly focused on doing what we know best - producing and selling the highest quality yet competitively priced windows and doors. This is a strong, strategic policy I believe will ensure future growth and profitability for many years to come.

‘First class manufacturing and a strong retail brand remain the focal points of the Group’s business and it is this focus that led the Directors to the decision to dispose of its trading subsidiary, Sitestyle, in 2003. That subsidiary sold into the new build and commercial market but it had been unable to make any meaningful contribution to Group profits. After reviewing its trading performance it was sold successfully to a trade buyer on favourable terms to the Group.’

Mr Ross reviewed the performances of the two other companies within the Group – Windowstyle UK and Tradestyle UK.

Windowstyle UK, the manufacturing arm employing over 500 people, has continued to benefit from investment in new equipment enabling it to manage increased volumes for both Safestyle and Tradestyle. The average production of completed frames increased in 2003 by over 20 per cent from the previous year.

He commented: ‘Windowstyle is our manufacturing subsidiary. It traded well during the year and plans are now well advanced to extend its production capacity in anticipation of further growth to come. The Board intends to invest over £2.5m over the next 12 months in the Windowstyle facility at Barnsley, mainly from its own resources. Within the expansion programme, the company will install its own glass toughening plant, which should further assist the policy of cost reduction and increase manufacturing margins.’

Mr. Ross said: ‘This subsidiary also continued to grow and increase its customer base and the Board will continue to invest in this business both in terms of cash and personnel. The customer base has grown considerably in 2003 and the quality of its manufactured products has increased customer loyalty and repeat ordering.’

Mr. Ross summed up: ‘The Group is now an industry leader and the Board is aware it will need to strategically consider its position in the sector, where growth will come from and how to maintain its leadership position through good management and governance. Preliminary thoughts have provided a wealth of opportunities both in geographic growth and product growth and over the next two years the Group’s plans will evolve to ensure an exciting future for the shareholders, our employees and all those associated with the Style Group.’

Conservatory roof fabricator, Bolton based Rooftec fabricated a well respected system for five years, but has now switched to global. And after just three months of taking on the new system, fabrication has increased from 35 to 55 roofs per week.

Shaun Rosimus, Managing Director explains why Rooftec switched: ‘Our previous system was also a fitter friendly roof, but the market was getting more and more competitive and we needed to act fast to have a serious chance of competing. We wanted something we could sell to our customers, but also something that would be quicker for us to make. Having checked out several suppliers we opted for global. It offered the fastest fabrication time as well as the ability to become more automated, and as a result more organised on the factory floor. We now have a much cleaner and so more efficient factory floor thanks to global.

‘The aesthetics of global are also superb – it has a better, neater finish than our previous roof and as a result we are selling more. Three months ago we were making 35-40 roofs per week. Just three months later, since introducing global we are making 50-55 roofs per week. We are aiming for 80-90 roofs per week in the next two months, or next year at the latest. We are confident this is possible with global, and we have the capacity to achieve this. Dealing with Synseal has proved to be far superior to dealing with anyone else we’ve ever dealt with. The speed of action is excellent because decision making is so quick.’

Tel: 01623 443 200

The Network Veka 2004 Gobi-Kites Expedition was launched with a last-minute surprise when the team was told the Dalai Lama had sent his personal blessing for the expedition.

They had gone to the Mongolian Embassy in London expecting a send-off ceremony from Ambassador Mr Dalrain Davaasambuu. But they were left speechless when he produced three pieces of red string, known as ‘Blessing Cords’ which the Buddhist world’s spiritual leader had given him specifically for the adventurers.

He explained that he had recently met the Dalai Lama, who took a great interest when he told him of the expedition and asked for the gifts carrying his blessing to be passed on.

The Ambassador takes a lesson in kite-buggying from (l to r) Brian and Christine Cunningham, Kieron Bradley and Peter Ash, with a signed replica kite presented to him by the team.

Professor Brian Cunningham, 61, kite-buggying veteran Peter Ash, 34, and professional buggy designer Kieron Bradley, 30, backed by Prof. Cunningham’s wife Christine as first-aider and photographer, set off on Sept 1st. They aim to kite-buggy across 1,000km (650 miles) of some of the world’s most inhospitable desert terrain, in temperatures that can soar over 100¾F by day and drop below freezing at night. During the journey, they will traverse the country’s famous ‘Desert Of Dinosaur Bones.’

Network Veka is sponsoring the expedition as an endorsement of its motto: ‘Reliable in the Extreme.’

Managing Director John Ogilvie responded to the Ambassador’s welcome, saying: ‘As an organisation based on promoting integrity, endurance and independence of spirit, we feel in very good company with this adventure and also with Mongolia and its people.’

Prof Cunningham said after the reception: ‘We were deeply touched to receive the Blessing Cords from the Dalai Lama. We had no idea it was going to happen.’
A website, http://www.gobi-kites.com has been set up for the expedition and will carry regular news updates and pictures including reports sent directly via sat-phone from the desert.

Due to be completed in early 2005, Eurocell Profiles is well on the way to constructing a second window extrusion plant adjacent to the company’s Alfreton HQ. Connected to the existing Clover Nook building by a ‘sky walkway’ the new building will house some of the most modern and efficient window profile extrusion machinery in Europe.

What makes the building quite special is the fact that the structure has been modified to allow extrusion to take place on the first floor of the building, instead of digging underground into the soil – thus allowing Eurocell to take advantage of the natural slope of Clover Nook Road.

The ground floor (44,000 sq.ft) will house the granulation area, PVCu and maintenance stores as well as provision for goods inwards. The first floor (44,000 sq.ft) will house solely the extrusion machinery for window profile production. New offices will also be created, which will include an interactive product showroom, photography studio and meeting rooms as well as over 100 parking spaces.

‘The new factory represents a tremendous investment by Tessenderlo Chemie, our Belgian owners, of over £5 million. We hope to be the most modern, efficient company operating in the UK and we hope to build significantly on our market share of both window and conservatory sectors.’ said Martin Saunders, Sales Director Eurocell Profiles.

Eurocell has also added a photo link on tits website which shows a real time view of the construction taking place - visit http://www.eurocell.co.uk for more details.

Tel: 01773 842 100
Email: mailto:marketing@eurocell.co.uk

Despite reports of a flatter market so far this year for some in the window industry, UK Fasteners reports that its sales are well ahead.

David Ballinger comments: ‘Year on year sales are up by 16% which is due to existing customers ordering more, and more new business for the latest addition to our range, the next generation bi-metallic fastener. Because it brings together some of the best features available on the market, such as an optimum tip length and a locating collar under the head, fabricators and specifiers are snapping it up. Our customer base has increased by 19% compared with the same period last year. It's been a great year so far for us and our customers. With the expansion of our income and customer base we are able to reinvest more money into developing and improving our product range even more.’

Tel: 01242 577077

The Glazing Industry’s social event of the year, the GM Fundraising Gala Dinner, has had to put up the ‘Sold Out’ sign, six weeks before the event takes place on 9th October at the Palace Hotel in Manchester. Organiser, Gary Morton, commenting on the success of this year’s dinner said ‘We are delighted that once again the industry has voted with its feet to support GM Fundraising’s efforts to raise money for Hope House Hospice. The GMF team have worked especially hard to deliver an exceptional experience and I am confident that this event will be the best yet’.

Foremost among the charity auction lots is a beautifully framed picture of the late Bobby Moore holding the Jules Rimet Trophy surrounded by the ’66 World Cup squad.

Among the gifts donated by sponsors for the raffle are a ladies TAG Heur watch and another prize of jewellery valued at more than one thousand pounds. Foremost among the charity auction lots is a beautifully framed picture of the late Bobby Moore holding the Jules Rimet Trophy surrounded by the ’66 World Cup squad. Every player including Bobby and the late Sir Alf Ramsey has signed it, making this fully authenticated picture extremely rare. The unprecedented estimate for this lot means that anyone not able to attend the dinner can lodge a reserve bid in advance by emailing Gary Morton at mailto:gary@garymorton.co.uk.

The results of the FMB's latest State of Trade survey of the workloads of small and medium sized builders (SMEs) appear to confirm that an Englishman's home really is his castle. Eight out ten builders (81%) reported that workloads in the second quarter of 2004 increased or remained the same, with the strongest results in the private housing sector, where repair, maintenance and improvement work (RM&I) was slightly ahead of new housing work. In the non-residential sector, commercial new build was the strongest market.

A further increase in both workload and workforce numbers is expected in the third quarter of the year, with the same three types of work expected to provide the main impetus.

Said FMB director general, Ian Davis:
'It is clear that interest rate rises have not diminished homeowners' desire to upgrade their property. Analysts may be predicting a levelling off of house prices in the medium term, but a great many homeowners are demonstrating their continuing confidence by extending or enhancing their home.'

But while the private housing sector is surging ahead, work in the social housing sector, both new build and refurbishment, is static or falling. The negative balance (-21%) of higher and lower volume of work replies for new social housing is the weakest for four years. For social RM&I work it is exactly in balance - with a quarter reporting an increase, a quarter indicating a fall, and the remainder finding no change.

Geographically, the results are most positive in the North East, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which reported positive workload balances of 55%, 50% and 45% respectively. Only one region, Greater London, reported a negative workload balance (-29%). Just a quarter of respondents working principally in the capital reported an increase in work, while over half said their workload had declined.
After negative findings in each of the three previous surveys, the Eastern Region result this time is well ahead of the national one, with 95% reporting increased or maintained workloads.

All regions, with the exception of Scotland, expect a further increase in workload in the third quarter of the year - although there is more confidence amongst specialist contractors than general builders.

Emplas Commits to Further Market Growth with Complete 70mm Suite of Products

As part of the company’s aim to expand its presence in the commercial and trade markets, Northampton-based fabricator Emplas Window Systems Ltd is now offering windows and doors manufactured with the acclaimed Profile 22 70mm fully integrated system. Central to the 70mm suite is a new decorative ovolo sash window available in a range of finishes, developed in response to a fast increasing market demand.

Due to its enhanced appearance and better thermal performance, 70mm profile is not only favoured by the majority of public sector specifiers but is also becoming more popular with homeowners. Emplas believes that both the company itself and its installers will strongly benefit from offering the new 70mm range, enabling them to take full advantage of a buoyant commercial market. The new Emplas Feature ovolo sash window in particular – manufactured from a dedicated profile system recently launched by Profile 22 - is expected to gain a lot of attention from installers looking for added value sales opportunities. The new sash window is available in a range of finishes including white, antique oak, rosewood and white on wood grain to suit any style of home.

Designed in partnership with fabricators and offering a wide choice of finishes, sizes and glazing options, Profile 22’s 70mm fully integrated system has become widely recognised in the UK for its adaptability, elegant appearance and high performance. The suite was designed with four chambers rather than the three used with a standard 60mm system, providing around 20% greater thermal efficiency. Indeed, in recent tests, the pre-gasketed version of the system was confirmed to achieve a U value of 1.8 W/m2 deg K when used in conjunction with standard Low-E glass only, meaning that all Emplas 70mm windows and doors conform to the current requirements of Document L and Scottish Technical Standard Part J.

The decision to offer the 70mm system was taken by Emplas following a period of extensive growth and development, including the company’s recent move to a 45,000 sq ft purpose-built manufacturing plant and investments in new machinery and staff. Managing Director Kevin Johnson believes the company can only profit from an extended product range:

‘The market now wants and needs high quality 70mm products that can not only accommodate every specification requirement but also offer the type of thermal performance needed to conform to ever more stringent building regulations. Profile 22 is a proven system that is simple to fit and covers all window styles. Our portfolio of products is now very comprehensive – whatever is needed by the market, we can supply it. This can only lead to even greater success for our customers.’

Tel: 01933 674880
Email: mailto:info@emplas.co.uk.

Newstead Trade Frames trade showroom is proving popular with its customers. One enthusiast is customer First Glass in Dursley, Gloucestershire; another is Central Windows. In 1994, after 20 years as a glass and glazing firm, First Glass added windows, doors and conservatories as a result of customer demand. Tony Fitzgibbon, Partner of First Glass, shopped around for the best supplier and chose Newstead Trade Frames. ‘I received a warm welcome when I visited Newstead, and I was taken on a very impressive tour around the factories.

‘We have been with Newstead Trade Frames now for about three and a half years and the reliability and the help I get is fantastic,’ continues Tony. ‘Their ability to solve the odd problem has been excellent, they turn somersaults to get things put right. Everyone there is so easy to deal with which makes my job much easier. The new trade showroom is a really good idea. It is well laid out with plenty of information and availability of products. We are a small company so when we get a large potential customer, we have somewhere to take them to help us win the contract.’

Newstead has also opened a new super showroom for Central Windows. Having been supplied by Newstead for 18 months, Rob Francis Owner of Central Windows was invited to view the new showroom and was impressed, ‘It has everything we need to show customers our complete package of windows, doors and conservatories. Newstead is about 50 miles away from us, but it is definitely worth the trip to give us an edge on winning certain contracts and helping people make up their mind.’

Tel: 01782 641 642

Four years ago, Smethwick-based KEB Fabrications Ltd committed to Profitmaker, the sales, production and estimating software package designed specifically for the window, door and conservatory industry.

The right IT solution can empower a business, something that became increasingly apparent for KEB, a 1,300 frames-per-week fabricator focusing primarily on the commercial sector, as its business grew. Realising that the old way – a clunky DOS-based application – was no longer sufficient for the company’s expanding business, the change to Profitmaker was a big step for KEB, which employs nearly 100 people. For a high-volume fabricator like this, the wrong decision could have had major – and expensive – business implications.

KEB carefully considered the merits of three different packages before choosing Profitmaker Office. Now the company is running seven licences and feeling the benefits of the application’s highly customisable object-oriented open architecture and compatability with other business applications.

At current levels of profitability, KEB is convinced it couldn’t work effectively without the Windows 95-2000 compatible Profitmaker. The application – with its error-minimising single-point data entry for each process – links seamlessly with the shopfloor and KEB’s Pegasus accounting package as well as posting information to produce accounts and invoicing. The software produces a variety of management reports, customised to company needs, which help differentiate KEB in an increasingly technology-driven marketplace.

KEB general manager Neil Jones says: ‘Profitmaker Office has saved us time and money, makes running the business simpler and more efficient and enhances our manufacturing and accounting capability – and their technical support has been superb. We’re delighted!’

Tel: 0870 241 3089
Web: http://www.profit-maker.net

While the ‘Celtic Tiger’ does not perhaps roar quite so loudly these days, business in certain key industries in Ireland is still booming. Window manufacturing in Ireland is still doing well, and helping sealed unit manufacturers to keep up with demand is Oxfordshire based glass machinery manufacturer Exceldee.

Exceldee has supplied its machines to some of Ireland’s leading and best-known sealed unit manufacturers, including Munster Joinery, Weatherglaze, Wexford Glass, and Senator Windows. The latter three bought XB1 Ezeecut shape cutting machines, by far Exceldee’s biggest selling machine to date.

The XB1 is fully automatic, has a built-in optimiser, can easily cut 6,000 units a week and can be operated by anyone within a few minutes. The starter size model only takes up a little more space than a typical manual cutting bench and because it is designed to cut the stock sheets many of the smaller companies already use, there is no need to change any existing glass storage system or purchasing requirements. By simply replacing the cutting bench with a small cutting machine the disruption to business is minimal but the output increases enormously.

Munster Joinery was supplied with top of the range TopCut machines, for the highest speed and accuracy, six into the main Ballydesmond factory, and another in to the south Warwickshire factory. Fully optimised, by using simple prompts and diagrams a complete novice can learn how to enter and cut shaped items in a few minutes.

Exceldee is particularly proud of its connections with Munster Joinery. One of the greatest Irish success stories of the past twenty years, Munster joinery was set up and is still owned by two dynamic brothers, Donal and Patrick Ring.

The brothers started their joinery business in a small shed next to the family home close to the village of Ballydesmond. Today, the shed is gone and in its place is a factory employing close to a 1,000 people that supplies doors and windows all over Ireland and to Wales and England.

Margins are tight, but output is huge. The right machinery that can be relied upon to do its job consistently, day in, day out, is one of the key contributing factors to this success, and Exceldee is proud to have played its part.

Exceldee managing director Martin Gibson explained why he likes doing business across the water:

‘Business managers in Ireland like to tell you what they are achieving now, and where they want to be in a few years time. They like to show you around and introduce you to people in the factory. You can get to know the business if you are of a mind to. What it means to us is that when we have something that fits into their growth plans, we can say: ‘remember when you said…’ so the relationship becomes that much more interesting and dynamic.’

Exceldee’s product portfolio now extends to glass cutting tables from stock sheet sizes up to jumbo, loading manually by free fall or by loaders, with options for hydraulic tilt, conveyors, automatic sheet squaring, shape cutting and soft coat removal. A range of new glass processing and handling equipment, including their new X-Cut laminate cutting table, a new loader and a new tilt table has also recently been introduced.

‘This is not a company that tries to sell a customer more then they need, instead, Exceldee offers individual sound advice on what the best solution might be. With the aim of causing little or no disruption to the normal working day, installations are carried out at a time to suit the customer and we also provide good instructions on using their new machines, with a reliable service back up.’ adds Martin.

Tel: 01865 407 003
Email: mailto:sales@exceldee.co.uk
Web: http://www.exceldee.co.uk

UAP the supplier of decorative door furniture says that it takes customer servicing very seriously indeed, and this is endorsed by the company’s BSI status.

Every year UAP contacts a cross section of its customers to undertake a wide ranging survey on issues relating to product quality, servicing, delivery, and even its performance against competitors.

Customers were asked to rate their answers to the questions from 1 (poor) to 7 (excellent).

This year’s result gave an overall rating from customers of 6.22 out of the maximum 7 possible. In 2003 the average was 5.95, so the company has improved its offer to the market by 4.78 per cent which is a great achievement in only twelve months.

Says a delighted David Jennings (pictured): ‘The results are excellent, with almost every area showing very positive customer attitudes towards the company, its products and its servicing. It is noticeable that attitudes towards the products have improved even over last year’s previously good result, which I believe confirms that the change to the electrophoretic finish across all doorknockers has been well received. The increase in the door viewer range and the change over to Times Roman numerals are also viewed as positive.

‘Our delivery performance has come out very well (increase of 5.1 per cent), and this confirms our belief of the need to stock in depth, and deliver using a quality courier service is correct.

‘Communication is also excellent at 6.34 confirming the need to keep customers informed throughout the delivery process. Documentation is also very important and UAP maintains a high standard at 6.24.

‘There were very few comments from customers for improvement. Although the introduction of an on line ordering facility would be welcomed by almost half those surveyed, and updates by e-mail are positive initiatives to adopt.

‘All in all this is a very positive survey which shows that all departments are performing well. We now need to address some of the details

‘Our long maintained policy has been for continuous product improvement, but this is only part of the picture, as our survey indicates. UAP will not be found standing still.'

Tel: +44 (0) 161 763 5290
Email: mailto:uap@btconnect.com
Web: http://www.universal-imports.com

New World Developments says that the 25% increase in turnover, compared to last year, is a demonstration that the launch of the composite doorset, Apeer, has been a success. To help cope with the extra demand thedoor manufacturer has increased its factory operatives by 20%.

Apeer has been a best seller since Glassex and Interbuild and the New World team will also showcase this product at the Housebuilding Show in London’s Business Design Centre and the Building Exhibition in the RDS, Dublin, both in September. 'Requests for information have exceeded all expectations. We have already sent out over 10,000 brochures' says sales manager Alex Moore 'and fabricators have been lining up to buy Apeer display doorsets for showrooms.'

Apeer’s ‘pip’ detail gives the moulded designs a distinctive and traditional appearance and its patent pending features include the secure, triple-glazed glass unit. All Apeer’s glazed designs incorporate original glass patterns, created in-house, and its eight styles are manufactured with a matching integral framing unit for perfect fit and aesthetic appeal. Doors are available in a choice of black, white, blue, green, red, mahogany and light oak finish embedded into the GRP resin. Reinforced with aluminium and wood free, Apeer will not rot, bow, warp, crack, swell or shrink.

New staff have been allocated to both the sales and production departments and further staff increases will be needed as the business grows. 'With a single rebated version to suite with the double rebate, as well as fire resistant design available shortly' explains Alex 'we will be giving fabricators and homeowners even more entrance options'.

Contact: Linda Tomb
Tel: 028 2563 2200
Email: mailto:linda.tomb@nwd.uk.com
Web: http://www.nwd.uk.com

The new Working Time Directive (WTD) comes into force in 2005, and will affect businesses big and small. The Directive will restrict the weekly working time of ‘mobile workers’, so any company with a delivery network in place will need to review the hours its drivers are working. Shepley has started to prepare for this directive well in advance by putting in place distribution hubs across the country.
As well as the delivery fleet operating out of Shepley’s main site in Manchester, the trade fabricator has opened a new depot in Swindon with a second site earmarked in Luton.

‘Swindon is an ideal base to provide a good distribution service to the entire south-west and the south coast,’ comments Gary Torr, managing director of Shepley. ‘The depot is being used for shunting loads overnight which are then distributed by our south based drivers. With less ‘dead time’ spent returning to Manchester in empty trucks the new set up is obviously more fuel and time efficient, but more importantly it will allow our drivers to maintain productivity whilst complying with the imminent WTD. Our many South based customers benefit too from earlier deliveries in the day.

‘While many companies will be scrambling to implement the directive at the last minute, Shepley is already ahead of the game having worked on this project for nearly 2 years. We welcome the new directive as a step in the right direction for both our staff and customers.’

Tel: 0161 339 2433
Email: mailto:james.brisbane@shepley.com
Web: http://www.shepley.com

System 3 has selected Culligan International (UK), the Telford based water treatment specialist, to supply two reverse osmosis water treatment units to rinse glazing panels with demineralised water, prior to the production of hermetically sealed double glazed units.

Tap water drawn from the mains may contain hardness minerals, leading to the formation of lime scale which can leave unsightly marks on glass as it dries. Manchester based System 3, a manufacturer of double glazed window and door units for commercial and domestic applications, requires 30 cubic metres of nearly pure water every 24 hours, for the final rinsing process before its double glazed units are sealed.

Water purity is normally measured in parts per million. For the high levels of purity demanded at System 3, water purity has to be measured in terms of its electrical conductivity in microsiemens/cm. The target is between 10 and 20 microsiemens/cm and the system switches out if the level exceeds 40 microsiemens/cm. For comparison, Manchester tap water is recorded at approximately 220 microsiemens/cm.

The Culligan process draws mains water, which is filtered by reverse osmosis to remove all organic matter and impurities. At this intermediate stage the water is already 98% pure. This water is then pumped on demand through two ion-exchange resin filters and effectively ‘polished' to produce the purity required by System 3. At the final stage, the re-circulating water is passed through a UV disinfection unit to ensure it remains free from any bacteria. Once washed and then rinsed with demineralised water, the glass is blown dry before being hermetically sealed

Commenting on the installation, System 3's Dave Cope said: 'The new Culligan units have replaced 4 previous installations. They have improved the efficiency of the cleaning process and also improved our overall water management, with 75% of the total water used in the factory now remaining in the system due to the conductivity controlled recovery process for recycling the water.'

'Founded in 1984, System 3 has grown to become recognised as one of the leading manufacturers of high specification double glazed units for both commercial and domestic applications. Having invested heavily in the business and moved into a new 125,000 square foot factory within the last 5 years, System 3 is currently satisfying the demand for top quality double glazed units, manufacturing over 20,000 units per week.' added Dave.

Culligan1s Malcolm Keep concludes: 'We have worked with leading suppliers of double glazing washing machines to produce a cost effective and environmentally friendly solution for ensuring the glazed units are crystal clear.'

Alcoa to Re-Start Idle Capacity at Massena, NY Smelters; Long-Term Power Contract Needed

Alcoa announced on August 25th that it plans to re-start the partial production it idled at its two Massena, New York smelters in April 2003. The re-start, which will begin this week and is expected to take approximately three months to complete, is expected to generate 10,000 metric tons of aluminium this year. Upon completion, the two smelters will be operating at capacity.

'Various market conditions - including favourable short-term power availability and strong demand for premium products - warrant our taking steps to re-start the 24 percent of production that we idled last year,' said Alan Cransberg, Alcoa's President of U.S. Primary Metals. Alcoa is expected to hire approximately 45 people as part of the re-start effort, bringing total employment in Massena to approximately 1,310 people.

'While this re-start is certainly good news for the employees and the community at-large, we still have much work to do for the long-term future of the facility,' said Cransberg. 'Alcoa's Massena Operations is the oldest continuously operating aluminium production and fabricating facility in the western hemisphere. Modernisation is key to its long-term viability, especially at the East Plant given the nature of its technology, and is something we will immediately consider in conjunction with a long-term power contract with the New York Power Authority,' added Cransberg.

Massena Operations is the largest private employer north of Syracuse, contributing $250 million annually to the local economy in payroll, local purchases and tax payments. The East Plant was facing closure in late 2002, but a temporary economic incentive offered by NYPA and a joint labour-management restructuring effort allowed it to remain operating. In April 2003, production was reduced as a result of the continued low hydroelectric conditions (water levels) in the Great Lakes system requiring the purchase of higher cost replacement power and raw material prices.

Nelson Dube, Massena Primary Metals Operations Manager said, 'We are fortunate that our employees, United Steelworkers' union leadership, community leaders, elected officials and NYPA have all worked together in the past to solve the complex problems that face an aging facility. As we go back to full production, we will need the same group - and more - to work together to save the nearly 1,350 jobs here.

'NYPA has been and continues to be an important business partner for the Massena facilities,' Dube said. 'Back in late 2002, NYPA recognised that our employees had significantly improved our cost performance and profitability in areas we could control. Then NYPA stepped forward and worked aggressively with us on an agreement that allows them to meet their obligations to the citizens of New York while allowing Alcoa to continue to provide strong family wage jobs in the North Country. Due to improved market conditions, we began returning portions of the economic incentive to NYPA earlier this year while continuing to remain competitive.'

'Local 450A is very pleased that the restart will bring back jobs to the community. Hopefully, Alcoa and NYPA will sit at the negotiating table again and agree to a long-term contract that will benefit all involved,' said Steve Peets, President of USWA Local 450A. 'These re-starts are good news for the membership and the Community,' said Aluminum Brick and Glassworkers International Union President Emeritus Ernie LaBaff. 'Increasing production is always welcome news. I now call on both parties, Alcoa and the Power Authority, to complete negotiations as soon as possible, because low-cost power is the economy of Northern New York.'