News @ The GL@ZINE

Heywood Williams Issues Trading Update

Heywood Williams Group Chairman, Roger Boyes (pictured) gave the following summary of 2005 and update on current trading: '2005 was a year of excellent progress for Heywood Williams. The future growth strategy was determined and the restructuring of the Group was completed, with the successful and rapid sale of the loss making Plastic Systems Division. In North America, LaSalle Bristol led the market in meeting the increased requirements of our manufactured housing and recreational vehicle (motor-home/caravan) customers following one of the worst hurricane seasons on record.

In 2005, profit before tax and exceptional items from continuing operations was up 25.3% to £9.4 million compared with £7.5 million in 2004 and diluted earnings per share, on the same basis, were up 49.4% to 11.5 pence.

Heywood Williams has significant strengths, which have been demonstrated through the successful restructuring process over the last two years and these are now being deployed to deliver growth.

The Group is now focusing on four areas of future development, namely:

1. Grow sales by leveraging our market leading positions in core markets and by continuing our history of the successful introduction of new products.

2. Reduce costs and further improve service by expanding global sourcing and increasing the speed at which new products come to market.

3. Seek opportunities to expand the Group’s late stage manufacturing operations which provide customers with products which, by their nature, need to be manufactured or finished close to the customer’s facilities.

4. Use the Group’s capability and expertise to grow by making selective, value enhancing acquisitions either to directly expand its existing businesses or to add other branded building product solutions to the Group. A stringent set of acquisition criteria has been established, with the emphasis on growing market shares, focusing on a limited number of markets and seeking sound opportunities with good management.

Current trading update

In the first quarter of 2006, sales in our North American specialist distribution businesses were ahead of our plans due to modest additional demand from our customers as they completed one-off hurricane relief recreational vehicles and refilled their retail inventories. All of this activity is now complete. It is likely that the gains in the first quarter will be partially offset by lower demand from recreational vehicle customers during the remainder of the year due to rising energy prices.

Our hardware distribution businesses in the UK/Europe have performed as anticipated in the first quarter of 2006. As expected, the hardware market in the UK has remained subdued. Sales in Europe continue to grow as we successfully expand our hardware range for timber and timber/aluminium windows.

The objective for 2006 is to deliver planned underlying growth by driving the implementation of our four areas of future development. The Group continues to perform in line with its plans. Going forward, the Board remains determined to deliver continued progress in the performance of the Group as a whole.'

UK Conservatory Report 2005: Market & Forecasts

The most up-to-date and in-depth study of the UK conservatory market 2005 has highlighted the need for customer satisfaction to become a priority for those companies that want to succeed and grow in this large market.

The UK Conservatory Report 2005: Market & Forecasts, by industry researchers Michael Rigby Associates, estimated the value of the UK conservatory market in 2004 as £2.3 billion. But this slipped 9% to £2.1 billion in 2005. The number of conservatory installations fell 8.1% from 306,000 in 2004 to 282,000 in 2005. The report also forecasts a flat 2006 before growth is resumed in 2007.

With conservatories still high on homeowners' wish lists and with significant potential for future expansion, the prospects for the industry look good. But with a more crowded and competitive market, conservatory companies must put the consumer first. This means offering not only market quality products at the right price, but a range of extras and options including accessories and after sales support, which the report also covers.

However, the level of complaints is high with over 60% of conservatory installers getting 1-5 complaints for every 20 conservatories installed. Furthermore, 24% admit to receiving more than 5 for every 20 conservatories installed, pointing to a poor level of customer satisfaction. With recommendations and word of mouth so important in generating new business this level of dissatisfaction must be holding companies back and affecting their profits.

A gap between PVC-U and timber conservatories is also identified. Although 'leaks' is the most common complaint for conservatories of both materials, timber conservatories receive a far higher number of complaints. Is this because customer expectations and prices are higher for timber, or do timber conservatories lag behind PVC in the development of satisfactory roofs?

The report, available now, is the most comprehensive to date, sampling over 1,100 companies and covering the widest range of issues yet. The UK Conservatory Report 2005: Market & Forecasts contains all the information you need on market size in volume and value, eight detailed routes to market, the low down on key players, and invaluable data on price, styles, shapes, colours and materials. Trends between polycarbonate and glass are reported in detail, and the study also analyses who does what in conservatory bases.

Michael Rigby Associates has been tracking the conservatory market for 10 years, and offer the clearest and most detailed picture so far with this latest update.

A wide range of topics are covered, including roofs, doors, security and accessories such as blinds and air conditioning, and priceless information on selling and industry structure. The report also identifies an important shift in the age profile of conservatory buyers.

The report is a one-stop-shop for businesses who want to be in the know about the UK conservatory market.

The 138 page UK Conservatory Report 2005: Market & Forecasts, with forecasts to 2010, is published by Michael Rigby Associates in two volumes. It is available now at £4,495 plus V.A.T. For a complete list of contents or to order your copy call Lucia Di Stazio on 01453 521621.

Former Eurovision winner Cheryl Baker has been chosen to head up a new multi million pound national television advertising campaign for Safestyle UK, the independent replacement window and door manufacturer.

One of the UK's most popular television presenters and 25 years since she and the other members of Bucks Fizz shot to fame with 'Making Your Mind Up', Cheryl is the latest in a string of high profile celebrities to host the successful Safestyle television advertising campaigns.

Cheryl will continue in the award-winning steps of other stars of stage and screen such as ‘I'm a celebrity get me out of here’ personalities Cannon and Ball and former Coronation Street favourite Ken Morley, as the face to sell Safestyle UK's replacement windows and doors.

Style Group UK Chief Executive, John Ross explained: ‘Our advertising has produced excellent results for the last twelve years and has been most instrumental in our phenomenal growth but like all successful campaigns you cannot stand still.

‘We believe this new campaign and image will quickly capture the imagination of our customers both old and new and strengthen our continued development in a very competitive marketplace. During the past 15 years Cheryl has consolidated her career in television hosting a huge variety of networked series and her warm relaxed approach and vibrant personality make her a natural choice for us as she is a favourite with audiences of all ages.’

The company has decided to implement a change in direction with a new but instantly recognised image of the ‘girl next door’ following a recent and extensive evaluation of its marketing strategy. The campaign will also continue to link in with new market research which will highlight the number and quality of all sales related responses relating to each individual advertising slot.

Born in Bethnal Green, East London, Cheryl first found fame with pop sensations Bucks Fizz. After winning the Eurovision Song Contest, the band went on to achieve 20 top-selling singles, including three number one hits.

Over the past years her popularity as a solo performer has gone from strength to strength, having presented numerous consumer, current events and children's television series, including 'Record Breakers', 'Eggs 'n' Baker', 'The Funny Side', 'Saturday Picture Show' and more recently traveling the world presenting Holidaymaker for The Travel Channel.

The first ever GlazeKart event, a new karting challenge for companies and organisations serving the window, door, conservatory, glass and curtain wall industries, took place at Daytona Milton Keynes on Friday, 5th May. The event, organised by specialist Walnut Motorsport, was a gruelling 3 hour endurance race for teams of up to 4 drivers on a 1.35km outside circuit using twin-engined racing karts.

The event was supported by Alcoa Custom Extrusions, Swish Window & Doors Systems and Glassex.

Despite some worrying long term forecasts the week before, the weather was glorious and helped to ensure that the on-track action was exciting and competitive, turning the day into a real festival of speed. 14 teams took to the grid representing a wide variety of company sizes and types. After 30 minutes of practice and qualifying it was obvious that there were some serious karting competitors out there! Sharing the front row of the grid were teams from Ultraframe and from injection moulding specialists Patterson & Rothwell, followed closely by Team Glassman from Glassman (NW). It was also obvious that there would be some evenly matched teams in mid-field and so it proved to be in the race itself.

A 3 hour race is a challenge in any conditions but in the warm bright day it was even more of an endurance. Team strategies played a strong part in the outcome, whether to go long per stint and risk a loss of concentration or whether to change more regularly and keep the drivers relatively fresh. From the outset Team P&R and Ultraframe battled it out at the front but Team Glassman kept in close touch, leading the rest of the pack. As predicted, there were also some close fought battles further down the field, most notably from LMC Metal UK, Swish, Team Super Spacer (Edgetech), Emplas and Team BM (Business Micros), who would all finish within three laps of each other after 3 hours - that's only a 2% difference between them all!

Team P & R and Ultraframe made the most of their three man teams and went long on each stint, each stopping just twice for fuel. Team Glassman continued to keep the two honest, showing that teamwork and consistent lap times payed dividends. They were unlucky when a 'minor off' forced a kart change which nearly cost them their third spot but, despite that and a lower fastest lap time than the two teams ahead and the fourth place finishers, they ultimately secured the final podium place.

Special mention should go to Alcoa who were less consistent than Team Glassman and took fourth place, but who set the fastest lap of the race overall in the closing minutes! Further down the field Glassex, 'Sapa Nova' and LMC Glass UK had their own private battle, with positions changing even in the last 10 minutes. Last, but certainly not least (they always got the loudest cheer from the crowd in the pits when mentioned on the commentary), were 'Go Girl Power', the team from Glass & Glazing Products.

The 3 hours seemed to fly by. On track stints were punctuated by a splendid barbecue and plenty of water and soft drinks. The intermittent commentary and television screens kept spectators apace on the latest changes in position and everyone agreed that the weather could not have been better.

Team P & R win a choice of first prize (worth around £1,000) from Walnut Motorsport's extensive range of corporate events. There were trophies and medals for the top three teams and some consolation champagne for the most improving team on the grid 'Go Girl Power' who reduced their lap times by no less than 7 seconds over the course of the race.

All in all, and judging by the comments, the first GlazeKart was a great day out and the hope is that it will become an annual industry event.

Results:
1. Team P&R - 149 laps
2. Ultraframe - 146 laps
3. Team Glassman - 143 laps
Fastest Lap - Alcoa (1:09.066)

For a full set of results, team fastest laps and an extensive photo gallery, go to the Walnut Motorsport website at http://www.walnutmotorsport.com.

Sapa Building Systems has announced that its Dualframe window system has been awarded a category 'A' Window Energy Rating.

Dualframe is the first and only aluminium window that has been awarded a rating under the Government-supported Window Energy Rating (WER) scheme and one of just a handful of windows that have achieved the highest and much coveted 'A' rating.

Hazlemere's Tony Beale (front) and Sapa's Mark Robinson (back left) receive the formal certification for the A rated Dualframe window from Simon Beer of BM Trada.

Sapa's customer Hazlemere Windows, submitted the high specification Dualframe window to BM Trada for rating and underwent external audit. The combination of glazing and high levels of thermal performance of the frames meant that the whole window achieved the highest rating possible. The high rating also means that the Dualframe window meets the requirements to qualify for the Energy Saving Trust's, Energy Recommended logo, which, along with the A rating, gives companies using the system a significant competitive advantage.

Sapa's Technical Director Mark Robinson commented: 'The WER scheme means that both we and Hazlemere can now promote our most energy-efficient products to the market place with the independent endorsement of the Energy Rating label which, crucially, is clearly understood by consumers. We worked closely with Hazlemere on this project as well as the company's glass supplier Holden Superseal and the spacer bar manufacturer Edgetech. Over the coming months we expect many more of our customers to follow this lead and submit our windows for rating.'

Web: http://www@sapagroup.com

Doncaster fabricator Direct Trade has achieved the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) Window Energy Ratings A to E on windows fabricated from WHS Halo's Eclipse (Chamfered) and Esthétique (Sculptured) system.

In doing so, the company is also the first WHS Halo fabricator to achieve a WER. Achieving the rating means Direct Trade's windows can now carry both the Energy Efficiency Recommended logo and the BFRC's own energy label.

Founded in 1998 by Steve Green and Mick Bowley, the company produces around 800 frames per week and manufactures windows, doors and conservatories for the trade.

Direct Trade Director Steve Green says of the WER achievement:

‘We recognise that Window Energy Ratings are the future of the industry's environmental positioning; and will similarly become an integral element of any company's sales and marketing strategy. Achieving our WER so quickly demonstrates our commitment to be in the vanguard of adopting innovation and adapting to changing market requirements - to the benefit of all our customers’.

Direct Trade also recently had its business performance recognised by appearing in the Sunday Times annual Fast Track 100 in December.

It was the second successive year the company had featured, and it was also the only business in the sector to have featured in the past two years.Kitemark accredited to BS 7412, the company fabricates both WHS Halo's Eclipse PCE chamfered suite and Eclipse esthétique five-chambered sculptured profile - having changed to the systems in the spring of 2005. It also offers the Global conservatory roof system.

Tel: 01302 880066
Fax: 01302 887070

A North East-based manufacturer of high performance PVC-u windows, primarily working in the new-build housing sector, has expressed its satisfaction with the BM TRADA Q-Mark Certification Scheme as a measure of its product performance and as a marketing tool.

After nearly a decade using the services of another certification body, H Jarvis Limited made the switch to the Q-Mark Scheme and says that it has seen its reputation and its business grow steadily.

The company produces a wide selection of window types, including French doors, utilising LB Plastics Sheerframe 6000 system. BM TRADA, working in conjunction with the test laboratories which are part of the same group, provide all the product assessment and auditing which are essential to achieving the benchmarks demanded by developers.

Managing Director, Dave Glendinning, recounts: ‘H Jarvis has been in existence since 1878 and operates from the Nottingham area up to the Scottish Borders, and from the East Coast across to Bradford and Barnard Castle. These days we produce PVC-u windows and concentrate on new-build clients.

‘We achieved our first certification against BS 5750 back in 1995. This was to become the first of a number of key milestones independently proving that our products perform to the standards we claim.

‘Since we have been with BM TRADA we have obtained BS 7950 and the Q-Mark for the Enhanced Security Window: on-going certification being essential for us to hold the Secured by Design licence. Housebuilders and the housing associations who manage a growing number of the homes they build demand Secured by Design specification as a matter of course.

‘BM TRADA has been first class, a really helpful and user friendly organisation to deal with. The service is well organised and they handle the testing/reporting side of things very well.’

Tel: 01494 569607
Email: qmark@bmtrada.com
Web: http://www.bmtrada.com

To celebrate the launch of Manhattan, Laird is offering one lucky person and their partner a chance to spend a weekend in New York.

New York with its famous skyline offers everything from superb nightlife, outstanding restaurants, museums and entertainment around the clock. See a show on Broadway, the empire state building, roller blade in central park or fly over the statue of liberty, the choice is yours*.

To enter simply answer the following question:
How many windows are fitted in the Chrysler Building in Manhattan, New York?
a) 2619 b) 3416 or c) 3862

Send your answer with your full name and company address by e mail to competition@lairdsecurity.co.uk.

'The Manhattan' is a newly designed window handle range launched by Laird Security Hardware.

Featuring a unique look, the Manhattan's design has been inspired by the elegance of ‘Art Deco’ offering a timeless elegance that will suit any home or conservatory.

For further information call 0121 224 6000

* Details upon request. No purchase necessary, closing date June 30th, 2006.

One of the industry's most widely known figures, Danny Basden, has joined Corby-based Plastmo fabricator, Quantum Windows as head of sales and marketing.

Danny joins Quantum with an impressive track record and believes that he has joined a company that has a huge and as yet untapped potential.

Danny comments: ‘We have a huge opportunity at Quantum with our impressive new facility and a work force that is both highly trained and motivated. We also have the benefit of a product range that is second to none and I am particularly excited about the Charisma vertical slider.’

Quantum has grown steadily over the last few years and is now capable of producing 1200 frames per week into the trade, commercial and new housing sectors.

Tony Britten, director, explains the appointment: ‘We have brought Danny on board to provide us with a more focused sales and marketing effort. Judging by the results so far, the bullish expectations for Quantum look more than achievable.’

Danny concludes: ‘The company is already successful in a number of markets, but I believe we have the opportunity to become a major player in these sectors. Installers looking for a company that can offer that little bit extra should look no further, we have a lot to offer.’

The Conservatory Factory has been voted best national conservatory roof supplier by the 23 branches of Window Fitters Mate.

Each branch manager was asked to vote for the best roof supplier and The Conservatory Factory was clearly identified as the winner within a number of other suppliers. Bob Lilley, managing director comments:

‘We are absolutely delighted with the award. As a long established BBA accredited fabricator we understand the needs of our customers including those of the branch managers at Window Fitters Mate. We will continue to address the needs of the branch managers as we do with all of our customers.’

‘Window Fitters Mate is perhaps unique in the fact that each branch can offer a number of different products for the installer and not just rely one supplier,’ commented Phil Davies, managing director.

‘Our branch managers have made a clear statement in their voting as they have the remit to choose between different suppliers. The Conservatory Factory consistently perform and this award is clear recognition for it.’

Bob Lilley concludes: ‘In a tight industry it is always nice to be recognised for our product quality and the ability to provide a benchmark for service. Our commitment to the customer is second to none and we will look forward to continuing our great relationship with Window Fitters Mate.’

Contact The Conservatory Factory:
Tel 01373 473900
Email: info@theconservatoryfactory.co.uk

Masterframe Windows Ltd is the first UK manufacturer to pass the rigorous testing required by BS 7950 for enhanced security performance for sliding sash windows. Established in 1988, the sash specialist has focused on developing vertical sliders to a level that sets a benchmark for the industry.

‘The fact that it has become the first manufacturer to achieve the new security standard is therefore not surprising. BS 7950:1997 has only recently been extended to cover vertically sliding sash windows,’ explained Chiltern Dynamics' Deputy Test Manager Vincent Kerrigan. ‘To pass, windows must undergo tests for manual manipulation; manual glazing removal; mechanical glazing removal; mechanical loading and a manual check.

‘This was by no means an easy standard to achieve, although it is both fair as well as rigorous. It is the first time in the UK that there has been a security test for sash windows, which by their very design have issues to overcome with regard to security.’

He commended Masterframe for the company’s 'refreshing' attitude to the whole test programme. ‘They didn't want a mere pass, they wanted to design a window that would comfortably meet the high standards of BS 7950 and ultimately Secured by Design (SBD).’ All ground floor windows and those easily accessible above ground floor must have the necessary test evidence to be fitted in SBD developments, which Masterframe can now claim.

Ray Rabett, Masterframe's Technical Director, comments: ‘We're delighted to get another industry first and achieving BS 7950 is a further endorsement that Masterframe's commitment to technical innovation and product development pays off for our customers and homeowners.’

Chiltern Dynamics presented Masterframe with the BS 7950 certificate at Interbuild.

For more information on:
* Chiltern Dynamics and testing to BS 7950:1997 telephone Paul Andrews on 01494 569800 or email vkerrigan@chilternfire.co.uk

* Masterframe: telephone Ray Rabbet on 01376 510410 or email ramon@masterframe.co.uk

Web: http://www.masterframe.co.uk

A top-scoring window fabricator with an impressive track record in the social housing market has switched to WHS Halo System 10 in a move designed to further develop the company's presence in the public sector.

Liverpool-based Burley Windows is already achieving outstanding resident satisfaction ratings of over 99% thanks to its commitment to tenant care and is hoping to expand and build on these strong foundations with the support of WHS Halo System 10, as General Manager Paul Atkins explains:

‘Burley Windows has been operating very successfully in the public sector arena for nearly 20 years and our client portfolio includes Liverpool City Council and a number of local RSLs, as well as NHS Trusts and education authorities.

‘However, in order to capitalise on the Government funding currently being invested in public sector dwellings, we needed to work with a profile supplier already recognised within this marketplace - and one that had the expertise, experience and product range to help us meet the increasingly demanding requirements of public sector specifiers.

‘WHS Halo was able to supply this complete package. System 10 is already specified by a wide range of public sector bodies. Plus, a number of local authorities with their own window manufacturing operations are using System 10 profiles, demonstrating System 10's pedigree in this arena.

‘Complementary approaches to resident consultation, employee training and environmental protection assured us that we could develop an effective working partnership with WHS Halo. And perhaps most importantly, WHS Halo was able to offer a high level of professional marketing support that would help us to better understand and secure new contracts in this evolving and highly specialist marketplace.’

Mike Stevenson, Sales & Marketing Director, Public Sector, for WHS Halo System 10, comments: ‘Burley Windows is already a real public sector success story and an ideal partner for System 10. The company has genuinely embraced the 'tenant is king' ethos and was looking for a supply chain partner that had the right combination of product, training and technical support to accelerate its public sector growth drive.’

Burley Windows recently achieved KPI scores well in excess of industry benchmarks for a programme of improvement works carried out on behalf of Berrybridge Housing Association. The company's 'nil-defects' policy meant that all window installations were completed first time, preventing any disruptive return visits and helping to generate tenant satisfaction scores of 99.33%.

Burley Windows is currently producing 450 windows per week at its new 52,000 sq ft fabrication facility, which is nearly three times the size of its former site. With the support of System 10, Burley Windows is also constructing a dedicated training facility that will provide staff, local residents and clients' tenants with learning and employment opportunities.

System 10 is currently specified by some of the UK's largest social housing providers and, according to WHS Halo's figures, one in five windows installed into public sector housing are System 10.

For further information on Burley Windows, please telephone 0151 222 6128.

WHS Halo:
Tel: 0121 749 3000
Web: http://www.system10.co.uk

Barnsley-based Thermal Window Systems has broken ties with its long standing systems supplier in favour of Kömmerling, as it prepares to expand its operations in the trade arena with the lead-free Kömmerling Connoisseur GreenLine system.

Directors Paul Hardcastle, Patrick Tighe and Kelvin Greaves founded Thermal Window Systems as a partnership in 2003, after a collective 60 years' experience of running major window companies successfully.

Thermal has built up a thriving window business serving the North of England trade frame market. However, the firm is hungry for further success nationally, offering an upgraded product range and highly competitive pricing structure, backed up by Thermal's excellent customer service.

Director Paul Hardcastle said, 'As a supplier of trade frames, we've gone from strength to strength because we know the market very well. We knew we'd have to change to a system at the quality end of the market which was respected in the trade, if we wanted to continue to expand at the same pace - The Kömmerling GreenLine system is the perfect solution.

'The strategy for the company's next stage of development is to cater for a diverse range of trade projects. We're now offering complete conservatory packages - that is: lead-free Kömmerling GreenLine frames topped with the Ultraframe classic conservatory roof system.

'Thermal will continue to supply technical support and our 'five days unglazed' and 'ten days glazed' guaranteed delivery service. So, for most aspects of the operation, it will be business as usual.

'Kömmerling has an excellent reputation within the trade community for being a quality system, which guarantees an excellent product every time. The GreenLine specification makes the frames colour-fast, keeping their shine for longer, meaning less maintenance for the householder - a feature which has proven to be a useful selling point for trade customers.

-Moving over to Kömmerling demonstrates that Thermal is taking the changing needs of the local trade market seriously,- Paul Hardcastle added.

For further information call Paul Hardcastle, Thermal Window Systems' point of contact on: 0122 629 4555.

Super-fabricator Whiteline uses a variety of tactics to market replacement doors and windows. ‘We have to give customers justifiable reason to replace their replacements’ explains Bryan Leach, Sales Director. ‘Thermal efficiency is important, but homeowners want to be as secure as possible. HOPPE's new PAS24 solution helps us do that by offering the perfect balance of security and style.’

Bryan also believes style is a great influencer: ‘White is still the most popular finish, but rising orders have pushed colours and woodgrain to 15-20% of our market. I can see this growing by 2-3% a year, along with silver and chrome finish handles which complement the coloured profiles.’

Whiteline has been using HOPPE handles for over a decade. ‘It offers good design, a good quality finish and the exceptional security that is demanded by today's consumer.’ says Bryan Leach.

Based in Eastbourne, Sussex, Whiteline is the South East's largest specialist trade fabricator of PVC-U windows and doors. It is one of the leading fabricators supplying the South of England, from the Bristol Channel across to The Wash. The company builds high specification doors using Kömmerling profiles. Finished frames are branded Goldline; a brand exclusive to Whiteline and it's customers. Whiteline manufactures around 400 frames a week, all with HOPPE high specification handles on the doors.

Tel: 01902 484400
Web: http://www.hoppe.co.uk

National fenestration contractor Radway has rewritten the record books on window durability following its success in subjecting several large Sheerframe 7000 system multilights to a wind load equivalent to the highest wind speed ever recorded on mainland UK.

Radway completed the testing as part of its ongoing compliance with BS7412 and the requirement to test windows to the recently modified BS6375 Part 1, the standard relating to the weather performance of windows. The BSI wind load destruction test simulated a wind speed of 173 mph, the same as a record-breaking gust recorded by the meteorological station at the top of Cairngorm - 3700 ft above sea level - in March 1986.

Testing its ability to manufacture windows to the very highest durability standard, Radway elected to subject the large Sheerframe multilights, which were well over two metres wide, in both tilt and turn and casement styles, to a 2400 pascals exposure under BS6375 Part 1:2004. Recent changes to BS6375 Part 1 restrict standard exposure categories to 2000 pascals, but add in 50 cycles of positive and negative pressure and a destruction test of 11/2 times the elected wind speed.

Surpassing the performance level expected of windows in the severe exposure category, the destruction test on the Radway window was to an incredible 3600 pascals, which translates into a wind speed of 173 mph.

John Park-Davies, Radway's sales and marketing director said, ‘This is a real breakthrough in window design and manufacturing. Such extreme wind loadings challenge window making skills and profile design to the maximum, not to mention the test rigs!

‘Succeeding in this most demanding wind load test provides no better illustration that all windows are not the same. It is vitally important that we test our windows to a level which can withstand anything that the British weather can throw at them, and in our case, in conjunction with L.B. Plastics we have succeeded in producing an organically stabilised, BS EN 12608 Class A approved window that can do exactly this.’

According to David Strang, product director at L.B. Plastics, specifiers in particular will be extremely encouraged by the outcome of this test:

‘Today's Sheerframe PVC window frames are likely to last into the next century,’ said David. ‘With predictions of global warming influencing rapid climate change with increased wind speeds, ultraviolet and rain, we have to look ahead and make our windows future proof.

‘Radway's achievement sets the new standard for PVC windows and ensures that public sector specifiers and housebuilders can be confident that the Sheerframe system is capable of delivering the highest performance solution to protect future generations.’

Ian Liddell-Grainger MP declared the new Bridgwater Window Store trade counter at the Showground Business Park officially open on Friday 28th April. The occasion was marked by the presentation of a plaque through - what else - a window.

The local MP was then given a tour of the premises by the managing director of parent company Epwin Group, Paul Hazel and the Window Store team including general manager Justin Davies.

Mr Liddell-Grainger welcomed the Window Store team to Bridgwater. ‘This is a flourishing industrial region of the South West, and I am sure this will be a great location for the trade counter. There is huge potential in this area for an outfit like Window Store, which can provide local tradesmen with an impressive range of products,’ he said.

Left to right - Richard Payne, counter assistant; Paul Hazel, MD Epwin Group; Mike Cahill, branch manager; Ian Liddell-Grainger MP

The new branch has been opened to celebrate 30 years of trading and is the 15th Window Store. The company is well known in the building and window installation trade across the South of England and Wales, for supplying competitively priced PVC-U products combined with friendly, knowledgeable service.

Managing Director Paul Hazel added: ‘This Bridgwater store is a new venture for us and we hope it will become a valuable asset to the town. We have already taken on local staff, and plan to employ more as the trade counter becomes more established and expands.’

Mike Cahill and his team are looking forward to welcoming customers through their doors at Unit 5, Festival Units, The Showground Business Park, Bridgwater. For more information visit http://www.windowstoreplastics.com or telephone 01278 420425.

REHAU has begun the conversion of its existing S719 fabricator customer base to the all new REHAU-Heritage vertical slider system.

The company announced the launch at the beginning of 2006 and can now offer nationwide coverage to trade and commercial buyers with most vertical slider fabricators already manufacturing in the new system and the remainder scheduled to make the switch over the coming months.

The new REHAU-Heritage is an evolution of the original S719 system's Heritage profiles and is designed to help REHAU retain its position as the most popular and widely specified PVC-U vertical slider in the industry.

It satisfies all the requirements of the commercial sector in terms of its extrusion in accordance with CEN A criteria, its ability to be fabricated to satisfy BS7412 and BS7950 and three chambered sash profiles which give increased thermal efficiency and weather performance.

Aesthetically, the new system retains the popular features of the original but has additional elements such as a traditional mechanically jointed deep bottom rail and also low level silver gasketry for improved sight lines.

For fabricators, it has some significant advantages such as a choice of 24mm and 28mm glazing units as standard, a patented 'fitter friendly' concealed fixing groove and the option to simplify fabrication where heritage details are not required by allowing fully welded sashes at the top and the bottom.

REHAU is exhibiting the new vertical slider to commercial specifiers at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) conference and exhibition taking place in Harrogate in June.

This however is just one element in the overall support package which REHAU is putting in place for fabricators which includes advertisements, marketing literature, PR and commercial sales support.

Tel: 01989 762600

In replacement window manufacturing where almost every frame and corresponding sealed unit are sized differently, current production management thinking is warming to the idea that batch assemblies are best avoided and that for maximum efficiency the 'one-piece flow' system, where each component or assembly is produced or processed at one workstation before moving on to the next, is the preferred method.

The so-called Lean Manufacturing approach offers a great deal of flexibility within the production process. This method simplifies window production by reducing sealed unit, frame and sash work in progress, creating level loads for window assembly lines, and eliminating stoppages due to shortage of IG units. The result is increased window throughput.

The i-3 concept from GED Integrated Solutions and its LeanNET software platform takes full advantage of the benefits of a Lean Manufacturing operation by integrating customer orders, reports, rush orders, frames, glazing, remakes, and deliveries.
LeanNET ‘ties it all together.’

GED Integrated Solutions is North America's leading manufacturer of fully integrated systems for glass cutting, washing, loading, Georgian bar fabrication, IG assembly, decorative glass solutions, and screen-printing.

With a pedigree reaching back over 30 years, having launched the first Break-Out Monitors for sorting cut glass into movable slot sorting racks, GED opened the market for computer-controlled glass cutting by offering increased control over production and reduced wastage.

Later, the company’s WinSystem 1 software helped complete the integration of the IG production process, ensuring better organisation in the factory and offering huge leaps in productivity.

The i-3 concept therefore draws upon the company's vast experience as an innovator in glass fabrication technology, creating a totally seamless solution to window fabrication alongside the possibility of fully integrating every facet of a plant's operation.

Coupled with LeanNET, i-3 achieves savings on sealed unit production costs of as much as £1 per unit.

In operation, the LeanNET suite of software products simplifies a variety of production processes.

Window Manager Software imports orders from the customer's existing order management software, nests the glass, creates/distributes machine files then prints labels and operator reports. Window Manager can be launched, operated and closed down automatically, without any human intervention.

RemakeNOW Software drastically reduces the time and cost to remake damaged units while Glass-On-Demand Software with its Real-Time views allows the production manager to quickly change the sequence of machine schedules to adapt to new orders, rush orders or changing window assembly demands, all from a single workstation.

The system automatically notifies if the number of staged schedules falls below a pre-determined margin. Management can also view the glass, Georgian bar, and Intercept spacer schedules in process or in queue at each machine or work area in the department.

If there is a problem, or a more efficient sequence available, the production manager simply creates a new schedule sequence using a simple 'drag & drop' function.

Glass-On-Demand automatically splits large schedules into more manageable
‘mini-schedules’ to improve production flexibility. The software also integrates to real-time optimisation on GED cutting tables via WinCut i-3 software configured as required.

Tempering Interface Software links a GED cutting table to any tempering system. It automatically re-nests the cutting patterns to efficiently fit the tempering bed, provides new unload instructions to keep all lights in the proper production sequence and automatically nests and transmits broken glass data to the GED cutting table for remake.

Contact:
Chris Wale, UK Sales Manager
Email: cwale@gedusa.com
Web: http://www.gedusa.com

Consolidated sales for the Saint-Gobain Group in the first quarter of 2006 came in at €9,745 million, compared with €7,633 million for the same period in 2005, representing a rise of 27.7% on an actual structure basis, and 24.1% at constant exchange rates.

The contribution of the Group’s acquisitions, net of disposals, accounts for a rise of 15.2% in Group sales. British Plaster Board (BPB), which has been included in the Group’s scope of consolidation since December 1st, 2005, recorded sales of €956 million over the first quarter.

Like-for-like sales advanced by €754 million, i.e. 9.1%, including BPB’s organic growth of 13.7%. Excluding BPB, the Group’s organic growth stood at 8.6%. Sales volumes rose by 6.5%, and sales prices by 2.6%.

Overall, all of the Group’s sectors and businesses saw significant advances in sales on a like-for-like basis. Growth is particularly strong in construction-related businesses (especially the Construction Products and Building Distribution sectors), which continued to reap the rewards of buoyant demand in the United States and Europe (except Germany). The Gypsum (BPB) and Insulation divisions posted organic growth of 13.7% and 14.6%, respectively, whilst sales in the Pipe Sector advanced 23.6% like-for-like, on the back of a significant upturn in export sales volumes.

The Group also benefited from its continued expansion in emerging countries, with a further 12.4% increase in like-for-like sales. In addition, most of its industrial end-user markets remained relatively robust.

These sales figures also confirm the Group’s ability to step up its price increases, against a background of higher cost of energy and certain raw materials. Prices are up significantly in most of the Group’s divisions, thanks to the increases pushed through during the second half of 2005 and the first quarter of 2006.

Finally, first quarter 2006 sales were favoured by a higher number of working days than in the same period in 2005. The benefit of this will be fully offset at the end of the first half 2006. Building Distribution experienced an 18.1% surge in sales, which, in addition to the favourable impact of the higher number of working days, is a result of the contribution of recent acquisitions to first quarter revenues, in particular Optimera and Sanitas-Troësch, and the strong organic growth posted by the sector’s main banners, namely in France and Scandinavia. Our British banners achieved moderate growth, whereas the German market has still not shown any sign of recovery.

High-Performance Materials reported sustained like-for-like growth of 6.0%, thanks to the substantial increase in sales volumes for Ceramics & Abrasives – which are still enjoying vigorous market conditions in manufacturing and capital spending in the US – and Reinforcements. However, the Reinforcements business is still suffering from the impact of low sales prices.

Flat Glass posted 6.6% like-for-like sales growth, thanks to a sharp increase in volumes, in particular on the construction market in both Europe and emerging countries. Due to the energy surcharge, sales prices for flat glass used in the building industry rose slightly on average compared with first quarter 2005. Like-for-like sales of automotive glass edged up slightly, thanks namely to solid growth in emerging countries. Packaging experienced organic growth of 6.0%, thanks to a strong price effect (+5.3%), which reflects the successive increases implemented in the US and Europe during the second half 2005 and the first quarter 2006.

The breakdown of sales by geographic area reveals, on a like-for-like basis, a very strong growth in France (+8.5%) and in the United States (8.8%). Other Western European countries also experienced an upswing (8.8% growth on average), with double-digit growth in Scandinavia and Southern Europe and moderate growth in Germany, which remains Europe’s worst performer. Emerging countries – particularly Asia and Latin America – remained buoyant, with organic growth of 12.4%, higher than the Group average.

Some 2,000 new claims were filed against CertainTeed during the first quarter 2006 (against 6,000 in the first quarter 2005). Approximately 4,000 claims were resolved (against 7,000 in the first quarter 2005). Therefore, the number of outstanding claims at March 31st, 2006 continued on a downward trend, standing at around 98,000, compared with 100,000 at December 31st, 2005. The average cost of claims settled fell to approximately US$ 2,400 per claim over the last 12 months (against US$ 2,800 per claim for the twelve months ending December 31st, 2005), due to a more favourable claim settlement mix.

Regarding the legislative effort to create a Federal asbestos trust fund, a Senate vote held in mid-February to waive a technical budgetary requirement failed to obtain the 60 votes needed to proceed to a debate and ultimate vote on the merits of the Bill. Although there are some continuing efforts to revive the Bill, the probability of success seems to be remote.

In the meantime, the publicity surrounding the broken asbestos tort system in the U.S. continues to prompt a number of States to consider and adopt medical criteria requirements and tort reform measures designed to reduce abuses of the system.

Although helped by a low comparison basis, the high growth experienced in the first quarter shows that the Group is well placed to achieve its objectives for 2006. These include operating income growth of between 23% and 25% at constant exchange rates (based on average exchange rates for 2005), as well as an 18% to 20% increase in net income excluding gains and losses on sales of non-current assets. The Group also aims to maintain strong free cash flow levels.

Revenue of the Tessenderlo Group improved by 6.8 % in first quarter of 2006, from 519.1m EUR to 554.6m EUR.

The rebit amounted to 10.2m EUR compared to 21.6m EUR for the same period in 2005, a drop of 52.8%. Despite the fact that the UK market continued to be depressed, revenue in Plastics Converting rose significantly in the first quarter, thanks primarily to the growth in profiles. The Plastic Pipes & Fittings activity also progressed well.

Sustained sales meant that all three businesses - Profiles, Plastic Pipes & Fittings and Compounds - in this business group achieved better results.

Outlook
The group expects the difficult picture to continue in the second quarter, due, in particular, to the ongoing oil price rises. It should, however, be possible to achieve an improvement in the second quarter as compared with the mediocre results of the second quarter 2005.

Savings plan
The savings plan of 30 million EUR was initiated in January 2006. In the business group Plastics Converting, the first saving measures are already taken. In the business group Chemicals, the analysis will be completed at the end of May so that the measures can be put into action as from June. The business group Specialities started the first analyses. The measures will be carried out as from September.

It is already possible to confirm that this minimum amount of savings can be achieved.

Comments on the Key Figures and Balance Sheet
The revenue increased by 35.5 million EUR (6.8%) during the first quarter of 2006 compared to the first quarter of 2005. This increase was mainly realised in the business group Chemicals (19.6 million EUR or 9.2%), more than half of which was in fertilizers, and the business group Plastics Converting (19.2 million EUR or 11.8%), more than half of which was in profiles.

The finance costs increased by 1.7 million EUR. The interest charges increased due to an increase in the borrowing position and a rise of the average interest rates in the first three months of 2006 compared with 2005. This increase includes also exchange losses (1.0 million EUR).

Capital expenditures (tangible) during the first three months of the accounting year amount to 35.5 million EUR, which includes 16.7 million EUR for the new electrolysis facility under construction in Tessenderlo (Belgium). As per 31st March 2006, the cumulative capital expenditure for this electrolysis facility amounts to 103.2 million EUR.

PPG Reports Record First Quarter Sales

PPG Industries has reported first quarter net income of $184m, or $1.11 a share, including aftertax charges of $23m, or 14 cents a share, for business restructuring; and $6m, or 3 cents a share, to reflect the net increase in the current value of the company's obligation under its asbestos settlement agreement reported in May 2002. Sales were $2.6bn.

In the first quarter 2005, PPG reported net income of $95m, or 55 cents a share, including aftertax charges of $91m, or 52 cents a share, for a legal settlement; and $5m, or 3 cents a share, to reflect the net increase in the value of the company's obligation under its asbestos settlement agreement. Sales were $2.5bn.

'For the 12th consecutive quarter we posted an all-time, quarterly sales record,' said Charles E. Bunch, chairman and chief executive officer. 'Supporting this revenue growth were our coatings businesses, which posted an all-time first quarter record, and our optical business, which increased sales by 20 percent and set the all-time record for any quarter. These results continue to demonstrate the success of our growth strategies.

'More important, our earnings per share were easily an all-time first-quarter record, reflecting our company's primary mission of generating profitable growth. Though energy and raw material costs are still high, we remain optimistic about overall economic prospects and our ability to continue delivering strong financial performance.'

Coatings sales increased $108 million, or 8 percent, as a result of higher volumes, especially in Asia, and improved selling prices across most businesses. These increases coupled with an increase in sales due to acquisitions were partially offset by the impact of weaker foreign currencies. Operating earnings were up $158 million due to the impact of an adverse legal settlement in 2005, and the benefits of the higher selling prices and volumes. These increases were partially offset by the negative impact of inflation, primarily raw material costs, and the impact of business restructuring.

Glass sales increased $11 million, or 2 percent, because of higher volumes across all businesses and acquisition-related sales increases, which were partially offset by the impact of weaker foreign currencies. Operating earnings were down $9 million due to the impact of inflation, primarily higher energy costs. These decreases were partially offset by manufacturing efficiencies.

SCHOTT Expects Leap in 2006 Sales and Profits

SCHOTT, the international technology group, continues to achieve growth. The company’s Management Board projects a double-digit increase in both sales and profitability for the current fiscal year 2005/2006. This growth can be attributed to strong core fields of business, such as household goods, specialty glass tubes and pharmaceutical packaging, but also solar energy, an extremely promising venture for the future.

For fiscal 2004/2005 that ended on 9/30/05, SCHOTT achieved sales of 1.925 billion Euros and more than tripled its earnings from 16 million to 54 million Euros. 'The modernization process that was introduced only two years ago is now yielding results. Today, SCHOTT is positioned to work more effectively, act in a more flexible manner and, most importantly, achieve substantially higher profits,' said Dr. Udo Ungeheuer, Chairman of the Board of Management at the company’s annual results press conference held in Frankfurt/Main.

SCHOTT is striving to further expand its position as one of the world’s leading technology groups in the fields of specialized glass and related high tech materials. To achieve this, the company will be investing the record sum of 325 million Euros in fixed assets during its current business year. Half of this amount will be invested in company sites inside Germany. The construction of two plants that will manufacture large format glass substrates for TFT-LCD applications in Ochang/South Korea and in Jena, continued expansion of capacities in the field of photovoltaic, increasing the importance of Mainz/Germany as a center of competence for glass-ceramic, as well as the establishment of a new manufacturing facility for specialty glass tubes at the Bavarian site in Mitterteich/Germany are but a few of the company’s most important projects.

SCHOTT also views establishing significantly greater presence in Asia to be of paramount importance. A large number of the company’s customers manufacture their products here at the same time that market conditions in Western Europe are showing recessive tendencies. SCHOTT currently operates 7 manufacturing sites, 9 sales offices and employs some 2,000 employees in Asia. 'By the year 2010, we will have increased the share that Asia has today in total group sales from the current figure of 17 percent to 30 percent,' Dr. Ungeheuer explained in describing the objective.

In addition to strengthening its existing core businesses, including household appliances ('Ceran' glass-ceramic cooktop panels and processed flat glasses), specialty glass tubes and pharmaceutical packaging (ampoules, vials and syringes), as well as components for the automotive industry, SCHOTT intends to systematically expand its presence in industries for the future, such as solar energy and high quality thin glass for use in flat screen display monitors.

SCHOTT is currently the only company in the world that offers products for use in all types of solar technologies, including photovoltaic, solar thermal for use in providing hot water and support for room heating, as well as solar thermal power plants that generate electricity centrally. Following the full acquisition of RWE SCHOTT Solar, the former joint venture in the field of photovoltaic, but also the receipt of orders to provide a total of 43,000 receivers for two solar thermal power plants located in the United States and Spain, SCHOTT has substantially improved its market position in the area of solar energy.

The technology group is also looking to assume a leadership position in the market for display glass that is currently experiencing growth all over the world. The company is known to be the only European vendor capable of producing up to 0.7 millimeter thin glass substrates from borosilicate glass that is free of alkali, using a float technique. Investments in hot manufacturing at the site in Jena will now reach 110 million Euros and result in 170 new jobs. An additional 90 million Euros is being invested in a processing center for display glasses in South Korea.

Fiscal Year 2004/2005: Annual Profit more than Triples

For SCHOTT, fiscal 2004/2005 was quite a successful year. Despite the fact that sales declined slightly to 1.925 billion Euros due to portfolio adjustments, revenues from core businesses either remained stabile or increased slightly. The decision to rigorously focus on high growth markets resulted in a substantial improvement in overall profitability. Net income for the year increased from 16 to 54 million Euros. This means the company succeeded in more than tripling its previous performance. The positive development of business also expressed itself in a substantial improvement in the company’s EBIT, which increased by 38 million Euros to 96 million Euros. Cash flow before taxes on profits reached 306 million Euros, a figure 9 % higher than in the previous year. It now represents 15.9 % of total sales. The group currently employs a staff of slightly fewer than 17,000 at sites all over the world. Nearly half of all company employees are based in Germany.

During the past fiscal year, investments in fixed assets increased by 28 % to 230 million Euros. With that, they exceeded depreciation by 55 million Euros. The company was also satisfied with having increased its equity-to-assets ratio by 4 percentage points to 33 %. 'Our solid financial structure provides us with the backbone we will need in order to continue along our path to growth at full speed,' Dr. Ungeheuer said at the annual results press conference.

Ahlsell Acquires a Leading Player in the Tools Machinery Sector on the Finnish Market

Ahlsell AB has concluded an agreement with privately owned company Kojaltek OY to acquire its operations. Kojaltek is a leading player on the Finnish market within the product sectors of tools and machinery together with other industrial equipment. The company has an annual turnover of about EURO 25 million and about 100 employees.

Kojaltek OY is a leading player within the product range of Tools & Machinery and other industrial equipment on the Finnish market whose main customer groups are within the sector of basic Finnish industry. The company, founded in 1970, is based in Uleåborg and has another ten establishments throughout Finland.

'This acquisition gives Ahlsell an entry onto the Finnish market for tools and machinery where we are establishing ourselves as a leading player. This move also strengthens our leading market position as a supplier of tools and machinery on the Nordic market. Apart from a strongly positioned and well-established company, we gain access to an interesting market where Ahlsell's wide product range can create new business opportunities', says Göran Näsholm, President and CEO of Ahlsell.

The company's current CEO and part owner, Reijo Viinonen, will continue to run the acquired operation under Ahlsell's head of Finnish operations, Mika Salokangas.

'With Ahlsell's resources we have good opportunities to strengthen our position on the Finnish market both geographically and locally', says Reijo Viinonen, CEO of Kojaltek.

This acquisition will make a positive contribution to the Group's operating result from 2006. The transaction is subject to approval by the Competition Authorities.

NGA Forms Technical Support Alliance to Provide Computer Network Services to its Members

The National Glass Association (NGA) has formed an alliance with Solid Systems, Inc. to provide its member companies access to an array of technical support services, automated data back-ups, Web and e-mail hosting, anti-spam and anti-virus support, and nationwide DSL service.

'The NGA has added these important components to its menu of member services based on valuable input from members of our National Windshield Repair Committee, who recognise the critical importance of reliable computer systems and support,' said Leo Cyr, NGA Vice President, Auto Glass Division.

The alliance will give NGA member companies - both large and small - access to the high-quality support team necessary to keep systems running efficiently and utilise emerging technologies. The services will be provided to association members at a substantial discount.

'Premier network services can substantially increase productivity and profit margins, but are cost-prohibitive for many smaller companies,' said Tim McDonald, founder and president of Solid Systems, Inc. 'We are proud that our alliance with the NGA puts these services within reach of companies of all sizes.'

'There is no question that the NGA's new technical support alliance brings significant value to our membership. It is yet another service we now offer that will help boost our member companies‚ bottom lines, and you can't get more valuable than that,' said NGA Vice President of Association Services David Walker.

Web: http://www.glass.org