Synseal's
Grand Opening Success
The
Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP for Ashfield and Secretary of State for Defence opened
Synseal's new manufacturing and warehouse facility on Friday 7th February.
BBC Radio Nottingham kicked off proceedings at 8am broadcasting an interview
with Gary Dutton, Chairman and Founder of Synseal. The broadcast highlighted
how Synseal has been making a significant impact on the UK's window industry
over the last few years and is now one of the largest local employers.
The
event was attended by key suppliers, local businessmen as well as the
trade press and local newspapers and radio. The story was also featured
on the BBCi website and Ceefax.
Gary Dutton and the Rt Hon Geoff Hoon both made speeches before cutting
the ribbon and touring the factory and warehouse. Gary Dutton spoke of
the growth Synseal have achieved. 'After many ups and downs and some reinventing,
Synseal Extrusions Ltd is now the largest independent company in the industry.
Over the last three years we have grown from 160 to 500 staff, 80,000sq
ft to 400,000sq ft and £30m to £52m turnover.
'Synseal is still true to its simple but effective founding principles,
namely: people being our prime resource and finding out what the market
wants and not arrogantly assuming we know best'.
Rt Hon Geoff Hoon highlighted that Synseal was a great success story and
went on to congratulate Gary Dutton on building such a good business.
Schott-Glaverbel
Acquires Flat Glass Processing Company in Turkey
The
joint venture Schott-Glaverbel B.V., owned 50/50 by the special glass
manufacturer Schott Glas (Mainz, Germany) and the flat glass manufacturer
and processor Glaverbel (Brussels, Belgium), has acquired the Turkish
flat glass processing company Orim with retroactive effect from 1st January
2003.
This company, which now trades as Schott-Orim, is one of the leading Turkish
manufacturers of screen-printed and toughened flat glass products for
the white goods industry. This includes glass for oven doors, control
panels and refrigerator shelves. In addition to its headquarters in Istanbul
it has a production plant in Bolu and another in Cerkezköy. Orim
employs 345 people and in 2002 it made sales of EUR 26 million.
With its new facilities in Turkey, Schott-Glaverbel is reacting to its
customers' expansion in the growth regions of south-east Europe and the
Middle East, in line with its policy of being close to its markets.
The Schott-Glaverbel joint venture was set up in 1989 to develop, manufacture
and sell processed toughened flat glass products for applications in the
white goods industry. In 2002 its sales reached EUR 150 million. With
its new acquisition in Turkey it now comprises nine operations employing
a workforce of around 1,750 people in the UK, France, the Netherlands,
Italy, Spain, Brazil, Sweden and Malaysia.
Dopag
(UK) Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dopag AG of Switzerland. It is
a specialist fluids handling company offering a wide selection of equipment
and systems, engineered to meet the needs of both hi-tech companies and
traditional manufacturing industry.
The range includes high precision metering, mixing and dispensing machines
for use with a diverse range of single and plural component fluids, such
as adhesives, sealants and greases, for use in almost every conceivable
industrial application.
An experienced design and engineering team operates from the Company's
new facility in Hartlebury, located between Worcester and Kidderminster,
to the West of Birmingham.
The Company is able to offer material testing and performance trials to
both end users and material manufacturers in order to ensure the suitability
of equipment for specific materials and tasks.
Contact: Bob Jones
Tel: 01299 250740
Email: mailto:bjones@dopag.com
Web: http://www.dopag.com
Velux
Operates Round the Clock with Bohle
Production
at Velux, the roof light company, is operating around the clock thanks
to advanced glass processing technology from Bohle. Velux has now purchased
six Bohle twin-belt arrissing machines to take a fine but critical grind
edge off glass before assembly into roof window units.
A
well-prepared arrissed edge is not just a requirement in toughened glass
production as Bohle UK Managing Director, Gary Dean, explains, 'Increasingly,
high performance glass types, such as low-e and solar control glasses,
plus glass installed in 'high demand' locations such as roof lights, suffer
breakage arising from stress at the edges of the units. These stresses
find an easy break from raw cut edges that may not have been cleanly cut
or at a true 90 degree angle.'
Arrissing the edges of the glass before normal manufacture results in
a huge reduction in subsequent on site or installed unit breakages. 'Certainly,
since Velux has installed Bohle's innovative twin-belt arrissing machinery,
they have reported a significant saving in potential costs from damaged
glass,' adds Gary.
Bohle is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of glass processing machinery,
tools and accessories. It offers an extensive profile of products for
this sector, from drilling and polishing machines to cutting wheels and
suction lifters, as well as bespoke solutions.
Further information on Bohle's machinery collection is available by calling
freephone 0800 616 151.
Web: http://www.bohle.ltd.uk
Everwhite
Takes Quantum Leap in Production - 200 New Product Roll-Out for 2003
EverWhite
- manufacturers of PVC UE building products and systems - has announced
a 'quantum leap' in production with the launch of the largest range of
new products in the company's history.
Facilitated
by Everwhite's completion in April of a £1.7million factory extension,
the new products will be rolled out throughout 2003, commencing in May
with a total of 200 new components introduced.
Additions to the line-up - available only through Everwhite Appointed
Distributors - include new items in the Bullnose and Ogee Edge ranges,
a new Ogee range, window trims, a wider catalogue of black and rosewood
foils as well as corners and joints. Products will be available in a range
of whites and foils.
Tony Crutcher, Sales and Marketing Director (pictured), said: 'This is
a quantum leap in production facilities and products. We are expanding
our factory to over 80,000 square feet enabling us to introduce over 200
new products over coming months.
'Our aim is to establish Everwhite as the UKs leading independent PVC
UE supplier through a broadened product range that meets the full needs
of the installer market. We anticipate a major increase in outlets through
supplying an ever-expanding network of independent distributors.'
Extruders of fascias, soffits, cladding board, window sills, architraves
and accessories, Everwhite employs 75 people at its South Wales manufacturing
base. Last year the company was awarded the BSI Kitemark, in addition
to its existing achievement of BS EN ISO 9002 Registration and BBA certification.
Contact: Tony Crutcher
Tel: 07967 162026
Email: mailto:sales@everwhiteplastics.com
Web: http://www.everwhiteplastics.com
Siegenia-Aubi
is one of a Kind
Window
and door hardware and ventilation manufacturer, Siegenia-Aubi Ltd, has
supplied a unique hardware solution for a domestic conservatory in Portsmouth.
When
it came to finding a manufacturer who could supply the hardware for folding
sliding concertina doors that had to allow for the movement of a portable
Jacuzzi, Portsmouth-based fabricator, Absolute Windows & Conservatories
Ltd, knew that only Siegenia-Aubi's FS-Portal door hardware would do.
Says Wayne Richards of Absolute Windows & Conservatories Ltd, 'FS-Portal
is the only door hardware that could provide the flexibility required
for this installation. We were challenged to provide a door with no threshold
to enable the Jacuzzi to be moved easily in and out of the conservatory.'
He adds, 'We knew that Siegenia-Aubi were the only hardware manufacturer
that could provide the hardware solution we needed!'
FS-Portal fittings allow complete door opening, with special holders to
secure the folding sashes when the door is open. This maximises natural
light and ventilation and provides access through the full opening. There
is also a tilt and turn sash option, offering both ventilation and security.
A single profile set means either top or bottom running can be selected
for the door. Standard fittings offer a minimal threshold height with
the no-threshold option allowing even easier access. Four-wheeled bogies
with high precision bearings provide a smooth sliding action, allowing
sashes to be moved easily, silently and securely.
Siegenia-Aubi regional sales manager, Lee Adams, says, 'Folding sliding
doors have become an increasingly popular way to make the most of space
in an innovative way in a wide range of applications ranging from balconies,
terraces, conservatories and swimming pools to entrance halls and offices.
These doors open far wider than conventional French or patio doors and
offer more flexibility in both domestic and commercial applications.'
Tel: 024 7662 2000
Email: mailto:si-uk@siegenia.com
Web: http://www.siegenia.de
The
Whiteline Group Confirms Growth and Market Position
The Whiteline Group, the South East specialist trade fabricator of PVCu
windows and doors, reports that after significant investment into the
company, the company has grown its market position and share once again
over the last year. To ensure the company has the skills in place to continue
this successful drive forward, Whiteline confirms a number of recent appointments
to its board of directors.
Mike Youldon, former group development manager has been promoted to commercial
director, Peter Hand with over 20 years of senior sales and marketing
experience is now sales & marketing director; Brian Tester, former
head of accounts, is now financial director and Alan Thrower, head of
IT, is now IT director. All four, newly appointed directors have held
senior management positions in the company for over seven years.
Mike, Peter, Brian and Alan are joined by Robin Funnell, production director;
Bryan Leach, managing director of Whiteline PVCu and chairman Tony Hughes.
Tony comments: 'As a direct result of increased business, the company
invested £1 million in 2001 and £1.5 million in 2002 in new
equipment, premises and improvements to existing facilities. This has
resulted in increased production and our product offering and an improvement
in delivery to five days unglazed and ten days glazed. We are committed
to improving our service to our customers further still and by strengthening
our internal staff base, we are please to make these promotions to our
knowledgeable and loyal staff'.
Further still, Whiteline confirms the creation of a new division, manufacturing
Ultraframe conservatory roofs. Alan Clarke of Whiteline had been promoted
to managing director of this, new project.
Tel: 01323 723724
Email: mailto:sales@whiteline.ndo.co.uk
Web: http://www.whitelinewindows.com
Conservatory
roof system supplier, Versatile approached PST in 2002 looking for a software
solution that would allow the company to design conservatory roofs using
its roofing profiles. Unlike other roofing systems, Versatile uses GRP
profiles. This means its roof can cope with a wide variety of styles and
geometric designs, including lanterns.
PMR-3D, conservatory software provided by PST, is already used by many
of the leading conservatory system companies to produce full sales, fabrication
and installation information. It was therefore a natural choice as all
existing styles could be catered for.
At the start of each project with a new client PST draws up a strict time
schedule. Working closely with a new client, a certain amount of time
is allocated to setting up the roofing or sidewall system. Key milestones
are laid down. These milestone maybe the programming and testing of Victorians,
valley connections, roof vents, or lanterns. At the time specified, both
PST and Versatile can expect a working version of the appropriate objective.
For Versatile, one of these key milestones was lanterns. The ability to
design a lantern has always been possible within PMR-3D. Producing correct
fabrication data eg, cutting lengths, ancilliaries must be tailored to
the Versatile system.
The key cut off date for lanterns is Glassex 2003.
Either visit PST (Stand A040) or Versatile (Stand A100 ) to see how they
both did.
For further information regarding software integration projects into the
conservatory, glazing and portal frame industries contact Alastair Breckon
at PST.
Tel: 0114 221 7070
Email: mailto:info@pstonline.co.uk
Web: http://www.pstonline.co.uk
Strong
Sales Growth and Stable Profitability for UK Construction lndustry Reveals
New Report from The Prospect Shop
'The
Construction sector in the UK has seen strong sales growth of 22.4% between
1999 and 2001, with the average company recording sales of £28 million
in 200l. Pre-tax profits however have grown by 44.2% with the average
sector company showing a profit of £1.27 million in 2001.' reveals
a new publication that provides a financial overview of all major sectors
across the UK and their performance over a three year period, 1999-2001.
The report, entitled 'UKplc- A Financial Analysis of Corporate Britain'
and published by The Prospect Shop, is a new 400+ page study that provides
users with a unique and comprehensive financial overview of all the major
sectors across the UK and their performance over the three year period
1999-2001. The report provides a complete overview of the collective financial
returns of many thousands of leading UK-based companies and delivers analysis
on three distinct hierarchical levels for easy performance comparison.
The top level, UKplc, is compiled from the aggregation of 22 industry
sectors, which are in turn made up of a total of 140 industries.
Financial Snap Shot of Construction Sector 1999-2001
The sector as a whole remained strong during the analysis period, with
most industries within the sector (seven included in the report in total)
able to show year on year improvements. Every industry experienced positive
sales growth, none saw a contraction.
Comparing sector performance among the entire twenty two sectors covered,
the Construction sector holds fourth top position for sales growth and
third top position for profit growth during the 1999 -2001 period.
Comparing industry performance within the sector, Building Construction
shows the highest average sales turnover of£46.4 million for 2001,
although Plumbing shows the highest sales growth rate for the period of
29.9%. Building Construction also has the highest average pre-tax profit
figure at £2.3 million and the highest average pre-tax profit growth
rate at 52.6%.
So how does the Construction Sectors' Performance Compare with that
of the average leading buslness in the UK, namely 'UKplc'?
The report findings reveal that the average leading business in the UK
- or 'UKplc' grew by 19.4% to reach an average sales turnover of£38.9
million while pre-tax profit growth slumped by 22.9% and the average return
on capital slid from 4.8% to just 3.1%. However, although the economic
return of ' UKplc' dropped there was no significant difference in efficiency
or liquidity ratios over the 1999 -2001 period under review.
So whilst average sales growth for the Construction sector was just a
little faster than that of UKplc and the average pre-tax profit margin
marginally healthier, average profit growth for the Construction sector
well out-performed UKplc.
Report Price: £495 plus £4.95 p&p per hard copy, £450
plus VAT per electronic format
Tel: 020 8481 8720
Email: mailto:info@theprospectshop.co.uk
SFS
Sets New Records in Hinge and Fastener Sales
Fastener
manufacturer SFS intec has reported a 20% year-on-year increase in sales
of austenitic fasteners and major growth in door hinge sales.
The Leeds-based firm says the success is due to the continuing trend towards
austenitic-only specifications in the social housing market, and the resultant
uptake of the products by window fabricators in both the retail and commercial
sectors.
Says Mike Mortell, divisional director of SFS' UK and Ireland operation,
'Despite knocking campaigns by those unable to provide total austenitic
solutions, the quality message has clearly got home to fabricators and
specifiers alike. The launch of a new audit scheme, which helps specifiers
ensure that they get the best performing products, is also securing the
market dominance of austenitic fasteners.'
SFS has developed its partnering relationships with some of the industry's
biggest players, and its investment in supply chain provision is paying
dividends, especially in Ireland where now 80% of its sales are supply
chain related.
With its new adjustable door hinge ranges also taking an increasing market
share, the company plans to expand its hardware involvement during 2003.
According to Nigel Wood, hardware product manager, the growth in french
door sales has been a major factor in the success of SFS' 2D and 3D adjustable
hinges. 'As customers become more educated, they become more discerning
and the aesthetics of the hinge product play a more critical role. The
discreet SFS hinge range has certainly seen us win over business from
traditional flag hinge manufacturers and provided us with an excellent
platform from which to develop further our hardware range'.
The company also has major production plants in the US, France, Italy,
the Czech Republic and Switzerland.
Tel: 0113 208 5500
Email: mailto:bric@sfs.ch
Remploy
Supplies Self-Cleaning Glass for Oldham Housing Renovation Scheme
Two
of Oldham council's housing schemes, currently being renovated, are to
benefit from self-cleaning glass, being supplied through Remploy Metro
Windows.
Crossbank and Summervale Houses to the north of the town are the first
in Oldham to be fitted with Pilkinton ActiV™, a new form of glass
which is chemically coated to use the sun's rays to break down and loosen
dirt, then causing rainwater to 'sheet' down and wash the; surface. The
special glass is being installed in all public areas, ensuring the windows
remain spotless and eliminating the need for costly cleaning in the tower
blocks.
Remploy
Metro Windows was formed when the council's PVCu window fabrication was
bought by Remploy, the UK's largest employer of disabled people. Now a
partnership agreement between Remploy, Regency Glass, contractor Emmanuel
Whitaker and the council's housing operator First Choice Homes, is bringing
many benefits to the community, including such innovative developments.
Manager of Remploy Metro Windows, Simeon Wood, says: 'Since Remploy bought
the council's window making business, we have introduced a number of initiatives
aimed at ensuring local people continue to receive the best possible service.
This is another development that will make a difference to the lives of
tenants, whilst encouraging everyone to take a pride in the council's
social housing stock.'
Remploy Metro Windows was officially opened by environment minister and
local MP Michael Meacher last November, who praised the work of the company
and its association with First Choice Homes. Remploy is also involved
in the environmentally conscious recycling of plastic windows back to
a reusable form of base materials, and has recently launched a pioneering
scheme in the town aimed at offering UK-wide professional training in
window and door installation so that people can become involved in their
own social housing regeneration projects.
IMI
plc, the major international engineering group, recently announced its
preliminary results for the year ended 31st December 2002.
Sales
2002 - £1612m
2001 - £1642m
Results before rationalisation & restructuring costs *
Operating
profit from continuing businesses
2002 - £146.0m
2001 - £138.8m
Profit before tax
2002 - £131.5m
2001 - £126.1m
Rationalisation & restructuring costs
2002 - £32.2m
2001 - £44.6m
Profit before tax
2002 - £74.3m
2001 - £86.4m
Borrowings
2002 - £173.5m
2001 - £345.3m
Gearing
2002 - 33%
2001 - 70%
* Before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items
* Operating margins improving
* Another excellent cash performance
* Borrowings halved
* Maintained dividend of 15.5p for full year
Full results available here as a PDF
Securing
the Nation's Treasure
When
Sir Arthur Gilbert bequeathed his extraordinary collection of decorative
arts to the British people, he did so on the understanding it would be
safeguarded forever. Recently opened to the public, the collection is
under Abloy Security's lock and key.
Being
responsible for one of the country's most important art collections can
be a daunting prospect, especially when that collection is valued at over
£100 million. The resting place for such an important national treasure
must therefore not only reflect the cultural potency of its content but
must also be accessible and secure.
The Gilbert Collection, which contains a complete anthology of micromosaics,
an extraordinary range of gold and silver and one of the world's richest
gatherings of gold snuffboxes, was donated to the nation by the late Sir
Arthur Gilbert in 1996. The collection commanded the most auspicious surroundings,
and in May 2000 the doors of the South Building of Somerset House - the
collection's permanent home - opened to the public.
Timothy Stevens, Director of the Gilbert Collection, explains 'London’s
newest museum of decorative arts has proved extremely popular attracting
over 300,000 visitors since it opened. We are responsible for an important
part of the nation's heritage so security is paramount. We therefore required
a variety of showcases that would show the collection at its best and
locking systems that would protect not only the cases but also the building.
We chose Abloy Security because it has a proven track record in providing
museum security.'
With over 800 objects and 100 showcases, successfully securing the Gilbert
Collection in Somerset House was a demanding task. Mid Beds Locksmiths,
an approved Abloy Centre, was the appointed architectural ironmonger and
project locksmith, working closely with the Gilbert Collection, Somerset
House Trust and Abloy Security. Andy Burr of Mid Beds says one of the
biggest challenges was integrating the huge variety of modern locking
systems into the Georgian setting. He explains: 'The challenge was to
integrate these modern locking systems into a grade-one listed building
meeting both the conservation, aesthetic requirements and the expectations
of the security officers.'
The diverse range of display cases, many commissioned exclusively for
the collection, also represented a major challenge, as many of the cases
had to be individually specified. 'The cases designed by Click are wall-mounted
and very modern - quite different from the Goppien cases which are much
larger, measuring up to 7ft2 and 6ft high.' To contend with the numerous
permutations, the specially devised system proved ideal for such a complex
project.
Sir Arthur Gilbert, who was born in this country and emigrated to California
in 1949 at the age of 36, said: 'The collection had become part of my
life... [and] should be returned to my country of birth.' His generous
gesture is being safeguarded by Abloy.
What’s
Your Outdoor Gear Worth?
Have
you ever stopped to think about the value of your outdoor property? The
reality is that most people would be surprised at the total value of items
such as bicycles, lawnmowers, workbenches and power tools that are stored
in their sheds and garages. Unfortunately, these items are easy targets
for opportunist burglars as they can be removed quickly and easily turned
into cash.
Yale has conducted extensive consumer research to develop new Anchor locks
to secure valuable property outdoors. These high quality Anchor locks
comprise of wall, floor and shed mounted robust steel anchors with concealed
fixing points for to prevent tampering. When used in conjunction with
Yale padlocks and steel cables they provide excellent defence against
outdoor crime. All Anchor locks have been tested to Yale’s Global
Performance Standard – based directly upon pan European CEN standards
and subjected to stringent corrosion tests to guarantee their ‘weather
reliability’.
Choosing the right Anchor lock and accessory for your needs is simple.The
new range is presented in vibrant, consumer-friendly packaging and has
Yale’s unique security grading of blue for basic security, green
for general security and red for high security. The packaging also details
the ‘weather reliability’ of each product through a corrosion
rating bar. High security Anchor locks are even accredited by Secured
by Design as ‘Police Preferred Specification’.
Tel: 01902 366911
Email: mailto:info@yaleuk.com
Ultraframe
has made sourcing its Ultralite 500 'roof in a box' lean-to conservatory
roof even easier through new distributor The Building Plastics Supply
Group Ltd
The Building Plastic Group is a successful and rapidly growing building
plastics distributor in the East Midlands. The head office in Derby is
one of four depots that make up the company, with the others situated
in Burton, Chesterfield and Nottingham. Plans for expansion include a
specialist roofing company opening in spring 2003.
Elements of the group have been trading for around five years and it covers
Derbyshire and North Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, South
Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire & the wider West Midlands.
Apart from Ultralite 500, the group offers the full range of building
plastics, roofing and ancillary products at its four trade counters.
Ultralite 500 PVC has recently been made even more fitter friendly to
make it easier to install. The sequential components of an Ultralite roof
have been more logically packaged to come out of their boxes in the order
they're needed - saving time and thought on site. This is combined with
a colourcoded schematic that correlates to the instructions in a new easy-to-follow
installation guide
.
Peter Smale, Building Plastics Supply Group Director, commenting on the
decision to take Ultralite 500 said, 'Our reason for stocking Ultralite
500 is because the product is recognised industry-wide and has excellent
after sales support. Sales have got off to a good start, and we're looking
forward to them growing in the months ahead'.
Tel: 01200 452375
Web: http://www.ultraframe.com
HM
100 Helps Portsmouth Company Produce its own IG Units
Business
has boomed for a south coast window company to the point where it has
decided it no longer wishes to be reliant on outside suppliers for its
insulated glass units, turning instead to Tremco for the products and
technical back up needed for a switch to in-house production.
Gosport Window Systems was established three years ago on the Quay Lane
lndustrial Estate and has expanded rapidly, working in the trade, retail
and commercial sectors. Now it has set up Gosport Sealed Units to tum
out not only enough high performance glazing to meet its own needs, but
also for outside customers.
At the heart of the production story is the use of Tremco's HM 100 hot
melt sealant which offers both economy and simplicity for small to medium
size producers of IG.
The Production Manager for Gosport Sealed Units is Mr Peter Flooks, who
comments: 'Tremco is a very well known name in the industry and its hot
melt product offered the easiest method of production for us to get started.
So far Tremco HM 100 is proving to be very good and gives a really quick
turnaround.'
The company is operating a conventional 4-brush line with a glass washer
and is buying in Pilkington K glass in standard sheets to cut itself.
Tremco assisted with the purchase and commissioning of the appropriate
application equipment to use Tremco HM 100 and now Gosport is fully capable
of producing up to 750 sealed units per week.
While the majority of the firm's output is concentrated on producing 24
mm units, it has also found there is no disruption to the process when
customers want 28 mm or even 14 mm units.
Tremco's HM 200 offers low moisture vapour transmission and good UV resistance.
Solvent free, it is based on butyl rubber and exhibits very good flow
characteristics, helping to guarantee ease of working and a long life
seal.
Tel: 01753 691696
Glass
UK Unveils Europe's Largest Laminating Bench
Europe's
largest glass laminating bench has been installed at Glass UK's Ickenham,
Middlesex headquarters, enabling the company to manufacture the largest
oversize laminated toughened double-glazed units on the continent.
The bench, which measures 8m x 3m, has been built by Glass UK under the
direction of Production Manager Neil Sharda and has already been used
to manufacture the largest toughened double-glazed unit ever installed
in the UK, a 5.9m x 2.4m glass roof ordered by sister company Metal UK
for a
bespoke conservatory in West London. 'The bench allows us to manufacture
4m x 3m sections using UV resin or up to 8m x 3m in two-part catalyst
resin,' comments Sharda.
Alcoa
and Alcoa Foundation Report 2002 Combined Community Investment Highlights
with 'More Than Money' Strategy Worldwide
*Combined
Giving of More than $34 Million Worldwide
*50 Years Of Community Investments with Events in 135 Communities
*Heightened Focus On Employee Engagement in Alcoa Communities
*Announcement of Global Social Venture Initiative for NGO Sustainability
Alcoa and Alcoa Foundation announced on February 25th combined community
investment highlights for 2002, which included $34.7 million in combined
giving in Alcoa communities worldwide. Other highlights included a global
celebration to kick-off the Foundation's 50th anniversary, a 100% increase
in employee engagement in Alcoa communities, and the announcement of a
global Social Venture Initiative to help Non-Governmental Organisations
(NGOs), or nonprofit organisations, to be more effective and financially
sustainable.
'In this challenging economic climate, we believe it's important to continue
to invest appropriately in our communities. Our investments move beyond
money to include our expertise and many skills and our products,' said
Alain J. Belda, chairman and chief executive officer of Alcoa.
Grantmaking for Alcoa Foundation for 2002 totalled $17. 2 million. The
Foundation made over 1,900 grants in 29 countries around the world in
2002 as part of an overall strategy to globalise giving in a growing number
of Alcoa communities worldwide. International giving totaled $6.2 million,
and continued to represent a growing portion of the Foundation's grantmaking
portfolio: 36% of total giving, which is more than double what it was
two years ago.
50 Years and Counting
The Foundation kicked-off a yearlong celebration of 50 years of community
investing with employee engagement activities and celebration events in
135 locations around the world. The events ranged from planting trees
in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, to painting a community center in Portovesme,
Italy, to convening grantees and honouring employee volunteers in Pocos
de Caldas, Brazil. The anniversary has been widely recognised by community
leaders, heads of state, the U.S. Congress and the media.
Increasing Employee Engagement
In 2002, Alcoans volunteered in their communities in increasing numbers,
more than doubling their activity from 2001. As part of its ACTION (Alcoans
Coming Together In Our Neighborhoods) programme, Alcoa recognised 234
teams of ten or more Alcoans who provided a day of service to an NGO in
their community with grants of $3,000 per team, totaling $702,000. That
compares to 110 ACTION grants in 2001. In addition, Alcoa launched its
Bravo! programme company wide and recognised 437 individual Alcoans for
their volunteer work with NGOs around the world with grants of $250 to
each of those organisations.
Improving NGO Sustainability
As part of its anniversary, the Foundation launched a global Social Venture
Initiative, designed to help improve the effectiveness and sustainability
of NGOs. The Initiative will launch this year with a forum of international
experts in social venture/enterprise that will be shared with NGOs in
Alcoa locations around the world via a live webcast. The forum will be
followed by a Request for Proposal process inviting NGOs in Alcoa communities
to submit plans for social venture/enterprise in their own organisations,
and an eventual sharing of ideas and best practices on this topic across
Alcoa communities.
'It's a new day for NGOs around the world. They are under increasing pressure
to do more with less and we are working to provide them with the resources
to meet community needs for the long-term,' said Kathy Buechel, president
of Alcoa Foundation. 'Their needs go beyond money to include expertise,
employee involvement, products and other resources and we've extended
our community investing to meet these needs.'
Support for Higher Education
Alcoa continued its support for higher education with $1.1 million in
grants to 29 universities in the U.S., which represent Alcoa's partnerships,
support diversity and foster global connections with these institutions.
International Disaster Relief
As part of its ongoing support of disaster relief in Alcoa communities,
Alcoa Foundation provided grants to aid with flooding in Brazil, hurricane
devastation in Jamaica, flooding and wildfires in the U.S. and France,
typhoon damage in South Korea, and Australian victims of the Bali tragedy.
In addition, Alcoa continued support for victims of the events of September
11th, 2001 in New York through the Alcoa Relief Fund.
Aluminium by Design
Aluminium by Design: Jewelry to Jets continued its run throughout parts
of the U.S., Canada and Europe. This groundbreaking presentation was the
first major museum exhibition to explore how aluminium has inspired creativity
and sparked innovation in design for the past 150 years. In 2002, the
exhibit travelled to The Wolfsonian in Miami, the Cranbrook Art Museum
in Detroit, and The Design Museum in London. Plans for 2003 include exhibitions
at Art Media at the Hotel Wielemans in Brussels February-May, and Cite
des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Paris June-November.
About Alcoa Foundation
Established in 1952, Alcoa Foundation is a global resource that actively
invests in improving the quality of life in more than 29 countries around
the world where Alcoa operates. In addition to community grants addressing
local needs, the Foundation provides global grants focusing on five Areas
of Excellence, including: Global Education in Business, Engineering, Science
and Technology; Business and Community Partnerships; Conservation and
Sustainability; Safe and Healthy Children and Families; and Skills Today
for Tomorrow. For more information about Alcoa Foundation, visit http://www.alcoa.com
under 'Community.'
Technal's
Windows Installed Off-Site for Flagship Liverpool Scheme
Construction
of Liverpool's first five star hotel is now well advanced, following the
arrival on site and installation of the prefabricated concrete panels
containing more than 200 aluminium casement windows from Technal.
The
fully glazed fixed light windows from Technal's FXi46 range were fabricated
by Airedale Glass and Glazing in Leeds and installed into the panels off-site
in a factory in Cambridgeshire, improving accuracy, quality and significantly
reducing the build time. The 8m long pre-finished white acid etched panels
were then craned into position on site in Liverpool.
This highly innovative method of construction, which is also being used
for the adjacent 30-storey tower, has reduced the time required to build
a weathertight structure, and removed the requirement for external scaffolding,
brick cladding and blockwork trades. The panels are also designed to remove
visible joints in the hotel bedrooms.
The ten-storey hotel is part of the £55m flagship Beetham Tower
development on the site of the former St Paul's Eye Hospital - the largest
building project currently underway in Liverpool, which is due for completion
in Spring 2004.
Designed by Aedas AHR, developed by the Beetham Organization and built
by Carillion, the tower will provide 126 apartments and 9 exclusive penthouses.
This is the tallest new residential building in the North West and will
be linked to the 200-bedroom Radisson SAS hotel.
Airedale Glass and Glazing won the £1.5m contract for the scheme
in partnership with architectural aluminium systems specialist, Technal.
Airedale will fabricate 1,800 sqm of Technal's MC facetted curtain walling
and 330 FXi46 casement windows for the hotel and the tower.
The windows for the apartments use a specially adapted heavy duty section
to meet the wind loading requirements for the tower. The system was tested
at Technal's UK product development centre in Leeds and achieved in excess
of 2000 Pa for wind resistance and 600 Pa for water tightness.
The FXi46 window is part of Technal's recently expanded and fully integrated
FXi casement suite. Available in a wide choice of configurations and three
module sizes - 46mm, 52mm and 65mm, FXi uses a highly efficient flush
polyamide thermal break to deliver enhanced thermal performance to meet
the current Building Regulations. The system can be inserted into curtain
walling or used as punched hole, composite or ribbon windows.
Web: http://www.technal.co.uk