News @ The GL@ZINE

Synseal is Officially Number One in Conservatories

Synseal is number one in conservatories. It’s official. Synseal has sold more conservatory roofs, and taken the top spot according to The UK Conservatory Report - 2005 Market & Forecasts.

'It’s been an interesting journey,' explains Nick Dutton. 'We started as a customer of the company we’ve now overtaken. There was massive potential of conservatories in the market, but there was a different market evolving and we thought we could play a part in that change. For many window installers conservatories were seen as an added extra, now they are part of an expanding product portfolio. As the replacement casement window market becomes saturated – according to the latest Pocket Marketing Book 83% of households now have double glazing – conservatories are the new core market.

'Homeowners are more discerning and demand more from installers, so we have responded by adding new products to keep our customers ahead in the market. In 2002 we launched the Shield roof to perfectly match our window suite. Soon after, the Global roof followed. Synseal seized the opportunity early on in the growth of the conservatory market and gave fabricators and installers the products right for the market. And we continue to add new products. Last year we added SynerJy blu – the fourth generation fully sculptured suite – in blue-white. This is a perfect match to the Global blue roof. So now we offer a complete blue-white conservatory system.

'And at Glassex we also exhibited our revolutionary low pitch conservatory roof in a box, Global 600. This new roof is specifically designed for the UK market with the 600mm (2ft) glazing centres perfectly matching standard UK window sizes, so it makes the overall structure easier on the eye and allows more light in too. The lines of the roof mirror the lines of the windows and doors beneath to make the whole building feel cohesive.

'We will continue to support our conservatory customers with new and innovative products. We believe that’s why we have reached the number one position. And we are delighted to have our top position confirmed by The Conservatory Report 2005.'

The UK Conservatory Report - 2005 Market & Forecasts published by Michael Rigby Associates.

UK Joins Germany as Poor Performer in Deceuninck Fiscal 2005

The Deceuninck Group has announced its 2005 results: the 10.6% increase in sales was much higher than expected at the beginning of the year. The increased cost of raw materials was largely compensated for and the operating cash flow was 84.3m euros, a rise of 12.7% on 2004. Pre-tax earnings rose vigorously (+32.5%), as did net earnings (+92.3%).

Total sales rose to 643.7m euro, mainly thanks to a strong second half in which the incease was more than 15% to 347m euro. In all Deceuninck's strategic regions sales growth was more than respectable, with the exception of the shrinking market in the United Kingdom and Germany. The one-off costs associated with conversion to the Zendow system, together with a number of other one-off projects and the higher than expected raw material prices during the last quarter, had a major impact on operating earnings. Extraordinary losses could be traced to bad debts and stock write-offs resulting from the move to the new window system.

Sales of window systems rose by 11.7% while those of building profiles and special projects rose by 2.5%. Their share of total sales is now 88.8% and 11.2% respectively.

A definite tendency can be discerned toward coloured and innovative building products with high added value. In 2005 several projects using the Cyclefoam sound wall were completed and the order book is also full for the start of 2006. The acclaim that met the launch, at various building fairs in Europe, of the Twinson wood composite products, is keeping expectations of demand in 2006 high. Deceuninck North America also expeds a very positive growth in the market for its wood composite decking now that the range has been expanded.

In Europe the price of PVC resin (index KI) rose by almost 2% on an annual basis after an increase of 30% in 2004. However, in the United States the CMAI index recorded an increase of 24% compared with 2004.

In Europe the rise of 20% during the fourth quarter, compared with the previous one, was higher than expected. The same applies to the unique increase of almost 40% in the United States during the fourth quarter in comparison with the previous one.

Stagnation of raw material prices at a high level is expected in 2006.

The operational cash flow (EBIPDA) rose by 12.7% to 84.3m euro. Deceuninck attributes this result to, amongst other factors, the organic growth in volume and the sales growth resulting from complete consolidation of Winsa. The evolution in the cost of raw materials over the last two years and the implemented price increases also explain this result.

EBIT before goodwill rose from 23.1m euro in 2004 to 30.7m euro in 2005, which represents an increase of 7.6m euro or 33%. This vigorous growth was partly attributable to a change in the IFRS rules, which no longer allow amortisation of goodwill since 1 3anuary 2005. Eliminating the goodwill amortisation would increase operating earnings before goodwill amortisation (EBITA) by almost 10% compared with 2004.

EBITA rose less quickly than EBITDA because of the higher depreciation and write-offs. The higher depreciation must be seen in the context of the large investments over the last few years. The write-offs relate to reductions in working capital and amount to almost 2m euros more than in 2004.

Investments in 2005 amounted to 57.48mn euro, representing 8.9% of sales. 72% of the invested funds were used for maintenance investment such as production of new moulds, and the replacement and expansion of the available extrusion iines. 28% went into exceptional investments, the most important of which were the start of production in Moscow, the completion of the warehouse in Calne, and the expansion of European wood extrusion capacity.

The Profine window profile group achieved 4% overall growth in sales in 2005 to 721.9m euros, the company announced on the first day of Fensterbau in Nuremberg.

The German-based group, which includes the KBE, Kömmerling and KME brands, said the 'main growth driver' was eastern Europe where the company’s turnover increased by 17.5% to E179.7m.

Chief executive Gerhard Sommerer said the uneven window market in Europe grew by 4.8% in 2005 and has been forecast to increase further by 5.5% and 5.3% in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

Benelux, Germany, Scandinavia and Switzerland, were the worst areas for Profine, with an overall 8.6% decline in sales to E185m. South-east Europe grew however by 6.4% to E119.8m and the rest of western Europe by 3.5% to E150.7m.

Production at Profine’s plant in Russia reached almost 23,000 tonnes in 2005 and is expected to rise to 40,000 tonnes in 2006 and around 60,000 tonnes in 2007. Land has been acquired in Romania with plans for production in the country.

Tessenderlo Group’s revenue improved by more than 4.2 % in 2005 compared to 2004 going from 2,062.9 million EUR to 2,149.5 million EUR. In the UK, Fairbrook was faced with difficult market conditions. The renovation sector in particular weakened in 2005. Tessenderlo Group nevertheless succeeded in maintaining business at the level of 2004, thanks to its distribution network.

The Rebit amounted to 67.4 million EUR in 2005 compared to 106.2 million EUR for the same period in 2004, a drop of 36.6 %.

Ebit decreased by 27.1 % resulting in a figure of 59.2 million EUR, after considering non recurrent elements of 8.2 million EUR such as the amortisation of the assets of some business units or provisions for on-going litigation.

The financial charges decreased markedly but apart from a profit from currency transactions they increased compared to 2004; this is explained by a steady increase in net debt during 2005, giving 428.9 million EUR against 351.5 million EUR at the end of 2004. Net gearing is 55.4 %.

The group's net result decreased by 34.4 % going from 53.6 to 35.1 million EUR.

Net cash flow amounted to 161.0 million EUR in 2005 against 195.6 million EUR in 2004, a decrease of 17.7 %.

Investments in fixed assets for the year were 172.5 million EUR, 47.7 million EUR of these being for the new electrolysis unit at Tessenderlo (BE) concentrating on membrane technology which will be operational in mid-2006. The whole of the project amounted to 86.5 million EUR at the end of 2005.

Group shareholders' equity after dividend distribution for 2004 but before the distribution for 2005 was 774.3 million EUR against 755.5 million EUR at the end of 2004; apart from the results some of this improvement came from the valuation of the dollar in the shareholder's equity of the American companies.

As regards PVC, the whole of the sector predicted that the positive trend of 2004 would continue but the amount of stock held, combined with a sudden fallback in local and international markets resulted in the first half year, in a rapid erosion of volumes, prices and margins.

This trend was reversed on the European PVC market in mid 2005 and demand recovered during the summer. Although this development involved an increase in prices and margins for PVC resin during the second half year, the 2004 level could not be met.

The PVC market also suffered from high and continually fluctuating prices throughout the year for oil and energy. All this has made it extremely difficult to maintain profitability at an acceptable level.As regards profiles, disappointing performances in markets in Great Britain and in Eastern Europe in 2005 led to extremely reduced growth. In addition the price of raw materials fluctuated greatly and we have not been able to recoup these from the sale price. The result was a drop in profitability for 2005.

In Great Britain, Fairbrook was faced with difficult market conditions. The renovation sector in particular weakened in 2005. Tessenderlo Group nevertheless succeeded in maintaining business at the level of 2004, thanks to its vast distribution network.

Eurocell Building Plastics took over the six distribution centres that Brunel Plastics, a distributor of PVC profiles for the construction sector, owned in the south-west of England. This expanded its distribution network to 70 centres.

Markets held up well in France and in Benelux. Wymar however performed less well in Eastern Europe particularly in the first half.

Chelsea Building Products (CBP) on the other hand benefited from a recovery in the United States market.

The 'pipes and fittings' business unit succeeded in maintaining volumes in the majority of market segments at an acceptable level. As the majority of the markets performed well, it was possible to recoup the increase in the price of raw materials from the customers. This has also led to a significant improvement in global profitability despite the mediocre results recorded in France.

In Benelux, the business of Dyka BV and Dyka Plastics experienced strong growth under the impulse of the strong contributions from the construction and the public works sectors.

In Poland, Dyka Polska had a quiet first half with business picking up in the second half.

Despite a bad year for the construction sector in Great Britain. John Davidson Pipes nevertheless succeeded in maintaining its performance at the 2004 level.

Outlook and dividend
In an economy that was not profitable for the group in 2005 some progress has nevertheless been recorded. This should be consolidated in 2006 with the expectation of the full effect of the saving plan of 30 million EUR. The first efforts were launched in January and confirm that the objective could be achieved.

Given the confidence in the recovery of the results the board of directors will propose a net dividend of 0.90 EUR at the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 6th June 2006 per ordinary share the same as for the previous year. The dividend will be payable on 9th June 2006 on presentation of coupon no 69. The net amount for shares presented with strips is 1.02 EUR.

Business at the beginning of the year was reasonably sustained. The results for the first quarter 2005 had benefited from a particularly favourable situation for PVC that reached a historically high level.
Therefore, the results of the first quarter 2006 will fall back compared to the first quarter 2005 without this being significant for the trend for the year.

Entries for GlazeKart on 5th May are just closing but there is a last opportunity for companies to enter teams of up to 4 drivers.

Event organiser Nick Moss confirmed, 'we have 16 firm entries and another 7 or 8 that are wavering on a decision so we are already in my target range of between 15 and 20 teams. We have a real mix of companies entered from all aspects of the industry but I would have liked to see more systems companies and more fabricators entered!!

' I am sending out team information and passes this week but there is an opportunity for some last minute entries before I have to confirm numbers to the caterer. Whatever happens, it is shaping up to be a really good event!'

Anyone wishing to enter a team at a cost of just £599 + VAT, inclusive of all karting, food and refreshments, trophies, amazing prizes and photographs/PR support, contact Nick now on 01386 710106 or nick.moss@walnutmotorsport.com.

GlazeKart is supported by Alcoa, Glassex and Swish Window & Door Systems.

First A-rated Window Achieved Using SGG PLANITHERM®

The race to develop energy efficient windows under the new window energy rating scheme (WERs) has certainly gathered pace and Saint Gobain Glass congratulates Tradelink for achieving the UK's first double glazed 'A' rated window. This new generation of commercially viable, energy efficient window is only made possible through the use of innovative high performance materials throughout.

'Unsurprisingly, the choice of low-E glass was an essential element in producing the 'A' rated window.' says Derek Dragten, marketing manager, Saint-Gobain Glass. 'The independent calculations showed that an equivalent DGU incorporating traditional hard coat low-E glass could not achieve the required energy index for an A rating.'

The simulations indicate that for a window with a 30% frame factor1, changing the inner pane from a traditional hard coated low-E glass to SGG PLANITHERM® TOTAL 1.1 will improve the energy index by more than 5 kWh/m2 /year. This considerable improvement is almost equivalent to that seen when changing the outer pane from float glass to SGG DIAMANT® (low-iron glass) and the effect becomes even more pronounced as the glazing area increases through innovative frame design.

It is the crucial balance of very low U-value and high solar gain that makes SGG PLANITHERM® TOTAL 1.1 the most energy efficient Low-E glass available under the BFRC energy rating scheme. This significant performance advantage is likely to evolve as continued product innovation leads to the launch of new PLANITHERM products, incorporating further improvements to this critical balance between U-value and solar gain.

SGG PLANITHERM TOTAL 1.1 is the latest addition to the SGG PLANITHERM family, Europe's best selling range of high performance low emissivity products from Saint-Gobain Glass. In the UK the window industry has been steadily moving away from using traditional hard coated low-e products, known to have an unattractive tinted appearance, towards high performance alternatives such as SGG PLANITHERM which offers considerable scope for differentiation thanks to its very neutral appearance and significantly better thermal insulation. 'SGG PLANITHERM TOTAL 1.1 is a truly innovative product, set to revolutionise the UK low-E market. Its unique coating is the worlds first 'single stock' high performance low-E glass. In addition to its superior appearance and thermal performance, SGG PLANITHERM TOTAL 1.1 is clearly also the low-E product of choice to achieve the highest possible window energy ratings'.

http://www.saint-gobain.co.uk/

Directors Steve Hacking and David Worden have over 30 years experience in the conservatory industry. When they joined forces to start up their own company, PVC Solutions, they knew exactly what they wanted from a conservatory roof system - and they found the solution in Global.

Between the two of them they have first hand experience of all the major roofing systems and agree that Synseal rivals everything that's on the market. ‘Global is a superb system,’ explains David. ‘And for installers looking for a complete conservatory system, nothing can beat Global and SynerJy.’

Steve agrees: ‘It's important to give our customers the right back up and support. I arranged to visit some installers on site on the first day of the installation of a Georgian conservatory. The base work was complete, so I thought I would meet up with them later in the afternoon. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at 4pm to find no-one onsite but the conservatory finished! When I called the installers they told me the 16m square conservatory was finished by 3.30pm and they started at 10am. Time on site is a major factor for all companies, and the fact that a team of installers can complete an installation in the day is impressive. Our customers were impressed too; when they arrived home their conservatory was complete.’

Tel: 01623 443 200

BBA, BPF and CAB to attend Energy Efficiency in Focus Seminar 10th May, Coventry

With a month to go, 152 delegates have already registered to attend the industry-wide seminar Increase your profits: Energy Efficiency in Focus, held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on 10th May. Confirmed delegates include leading media, systems companies, machinery and glass firms, fabricators and installers, architects and local authority specifiers, and many of the industry's trade associations including the BBA, BPF and the CAB.

Experts on the building regulations, energy efficiency and the window industry will speak at the seminar, sponsored by Edgetech IG Inc. John Palmer of FaberMaunsell will present the background and technical details of Part L 2006 on behalf of the ODPM, Dr Robin Kent of the BFRC will cover the Window Energy Ratings and Frances Galvanoni of the Energy Saving Trust will give an overview of the Energy Saving Recommended scheme, and how it can benefit fabricators and installers.

‘But it's not just about finding out the facts and listening to experts' views,’ says Andy Jones. ‘This is an opportunity for every company and organisation affected by the new legislation - whether specifier, fabricator, installer, glass processor or sealed unit manufacturer - to give their views on energy efficiency and Part L in a day of robust discussion.’

Gareth East of Saint Gobain Solaglas will detail the latest advances in high performance glass coatings, while Gerhard Reichert of Edgetech IG Inc. is to describe the world-wide phenomenon of warm edge technology. Tradelink's Jim Moody will give also give a practical case study example of bringing energy rated windows to market.

Register online at http://www.521621.com/seminars or contact Anne O'Connor at Edgetech on 02476 705570 to book your place.

The new Zoom conservatory roof system is now available as a Swish-approved product. The complete, easy to install system will give Swish Authorised Fabricators and Installers the ability to cope with 'any roof style imaginable' according to the company.

The system has been designed to cut down on components, meaning less time is needed to construct the roof and less stockholding is required.

Available in white, rosewood and light oak finishes, the Zoom roof can accommodate a range of glazing sizes in projections up to four metres and uses variable pitch connectors for a ‘super fast fit’.

Victorian & Georgian external radius end covers interlock with the ridge cover for improved weathering. Individual round Victorian and square Georgian internal covers offer enhanced aesthetics.

For improved drainage, the independent box gutter attaches easily to the wall plate bracket and is used with the standard eaves beam.

The range is complemented by a wide range of rainwater to box gutter adaptors, which accept a snap-on universal ogee rainwater systems to make fitting easier.

The Zoom exterior has the options of a plain curved ridge trim for contemporary properties and roof configurations calling for a modern look, as well as the star-cresting and finial for more traditional designs.

Marketing support for the system comes in the form of a component sample presentation case, a CD Rom and professionally-produced retail literature.

Swish Window & Door Systems' general manager Paul Lindsay says: ‘The Zoom roof gives Swish Authorised Fabricators and Installers a cost effective, fast fit solution to covering conservatories.

‘Zoom roofs are specially designed to be simple to use, save time and be incredibly fitter friendly, using modern components to deliver traditional and contemporary design.’

Tel: 01455 555330
Web: http://www.swishwindows.co.uk

While many companies in just about every sector of the market are having to struggle with a significant downturn in trade over the past 12-18 months, by contrast, door furniture to bevel bond adhesive and decorative glass products supplier UAP announces continuing increases in both turnover and profits.

Established 10 years ago, the company reported in June last year that it had enjoyed its best month trading ever. Six months later a delighted David Jennings announced that in only 2 weeks of December the company had achieved as much volume as in a typical full month's trading.

‘Many say that the industry is down as much as 30% and the quietest Glassex in years appears to confirm this. However, during the period May to December 2005 our profits were up 59% over the same period the previous year, on an increase in turnover of 33%.

David Jennings attributes UAP's growing sales to the company's efforts in providing good service. ‘From beginning to end, the customer is what it is all about.

‘We have continued to invest, and will continue to invest, to improve both our products and our service.

‘If we make savings on the purchase price we pass this on to the customer; if we improve a product and are able to supply it at the same price they paid previously, then we feel that we are living up to our customers own expectations of the UAP service. For it's not just about cutting prices, it never has been. It's about providing best value for money and then trying to improve upon it. Fortunately, this is where UAP excels as a company.’

UAP milestones during 2005/6

• On time in full deliveries every time
• Next day delivery on doorknockers and ancillary items anywhere in the UK
• The acquisition of Crystal Bevels
• The launch of Spanish Ice glue chip
• The launch of Salamander fire check products
• Continued development of Glassmaster Pro bevel adhesive products
• Anti-vandal letterplates
• The launch of Robo-Bevels
• Choice of fixings on all letterplates
• New Secure to View door viewers
• Oversized French Bevels for patio and French doors
• BSI 'hat-trick'
• PVD coated products

‘That's something for every month, plus a little bit more. That's what we do.’

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

OFT Refuses Credit Licence to Rotherham Home Improvements Trader

The OFT has refused an application for a consumer credit licence from Ideal Home and Improvements Ltd, a manufacturer & installer of kitchen, bedroom & bathroom furniture, also conservatories, windows & doors based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

Ideal Home and Improvements Ltd had its application for a licence refused on the grounds that a business associate of the applicant failed to deliver services with due care and supplied goods that were not of satisfactory quality in breach of the Sale of Goods and Services Act. The associate also failed to deliver services within a reasonable time and failed to return deposits when in breach of contract. He also contravened the Trade Descriptions Act and was a partner in a firm that incurred county court judgements for debt.

Another associate of the applicant gave false and misleading information to the OFT on the licence application which is itself a breach of section seven of the Consumer Credit Act.

In considering fitness, the OFT will take into account a number of factors including:

* any offence or conviction of violence or dishonesty carried out by the business or anyone involved in running the business
* failure to comply with the provisions of the Consumer Credit Act or other consumer protection legislation
* consumer complaints and how they are dealt with
* evidence of unfair business practice
* evidence of discrimination on grounds of sex, colour, race or ethnic origin.

Christine Wade, Director of Consumer Regulation Enforcement said:
'The business practices of these associates were unfair and improper and therefore it is inappropriate for the applicant to hold a consumer credit licence.'

The Smithers Group, an independent testing, consulting and contract research organization based in the US, announced today that it had closed a deal to purchase UK company Rapra Technology. The terms of the transaction were undisclosed.

The announcement ends weeks of speculation of the fate of Rapra Technology, which was forced into Administration on 8 March.

Rapra becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of The Smithers Group, which comprises Smithers Scientific Services, Smithers Quality Assessments, Springborn Smithers Laboratories and Synomics Pharma Services. Established in 1925, Smithers is a privately owned company, which specialises in providing technology and research-based services to a global client base.

Rapra’s 118 members of staff, employed at its head office in Shawbury, Shropshire and its Billingham site, transfer to the Smithers Group which already employs 500 people in the US and Europe.

Commenting on the company’s recent acquisition, CEO and President, Michael Hochschwender said, 'We are delighted that Rapra Technology has joined our portfolio of companies. We were particularly attracted to Rapra because of the synergy between its activities and our own. Like Rapra, we are also long established and independent. Its diverse range of analytical, testing, research and information services to the rubber and plastics industry complements our activities in the US. Rapra will provide a critical link to the UK and European markets, particularly in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors.'

Rapra Chief Executive Andrew Ward, who has led the company through an MBO to its most impressive trading year in 2005, said: 'I am pleased that this period of uncertainty is now over for both our customers and staff. Whilst the past few weeks have been extremely challenging for Rapra, we now put the past behind us and look to the future with renewed certainty.'

'Last year, we embarked on a strategic growth plan. The past couple of weeks have caused a slight hiatus in that plan, but we are now set to continue with the full support of The Smithers Group and look forward to bringing additional and enhanced services to benefit our existing and new customers.'

Supplies for Schmidlin UK have been secured after its Swiss parent was bought by a German firm.

The assets of Schmidlin Facade Technology were acquired by TSK troester Group. The new company will operate under the Schmidlin TSK name and has been in a position to re-start design and production activities on current contracts from Monday 20th March.

TSK Troester owns 50 firms in structural systems and raised access floors and other sectors.

TSK intends to develop the Schmidlin business so it can maintain its 'leading position in the facade industry'.

The TSK-Group, with over 20 plants in Germany is among the leading suppliers to the automotive-, train- and household appliance-industry. With more than 1000 employees in Germany and more than 3000 employees worldwide the TSK-Group is one of the 100 largest German automotive-suppliers in family possession.

Budget: an Environment Hit or Miss?

Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) Chief Executive Nigel Rees welcomed Gordon Brown's initiatives as far as energy efficiency was concerned.

In particular the enhancement of the DTI's Low Carbon Building programme with £50 million of further funding granted for the installation of microgeneration technologies in a range of buildings including schools, social and local authority housing, businesses and public buildings. As well as a proposed £20 million funding to help local authorities and others work in partnership with energy companies to promote and incentives energy efficiency measures to households.

However he expressed deep concern that the focus on energy efficiency did not go further and felt that the planned Climate Change levy rise was particularly ill thought out as the industry was already facing massive increases in energy prices. In addition he commented:

'Having spent some time lobbying Government to reduce VAT on energy efficient products it is disappointing that this has still not been recognised by the Chancellor. Such an initiative would create a level playing field for the industry by curtailing the activities of the cowboys in the construction industry, who do not pay any VAT, it would also reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the environment which would help the UK meet its 2010 energy saving targets and it would support the Government's work in the area of energy microgeneration. We will continue to work towards this goal.'

The first date for the Purplex Sales Masterclass and Business Supergrowth Seminars has been a sell-out. The two seminars will be held in Leeds on 12th April, and will be attended by trade fabricators, retail installers and conservatory companies. Andrea Richards, the seminar co-ordinator, explains ‘to ensure maximum results for the delegates we have kept numbers strictly limited at all the seminars.’

Sales Masterclass, the morning seminar, provides new cutting-edge tools and skills to improve the performance of even the most experienced sales people, while Business Supergrowth, the afternoon seminar, introduces powerful strategies to help companies grow and improve, even in todays difficult market.

The seminars are hosted by Purplex, the Window Industry Consultants, and are supported by leading systems companies and Industry figures.

There are still places available in Birmingham on the 11th May and London on 24th May, but they are selling out fast, so go online at http://www.purplex.uk.com to book your places.

This year's Commercial Vehicle Show at Birmingham's NEC will see the worldwide public debut of Volkswagen's latest model, the Crafter. Replacing the Volkswagen LT, the Crafter will be the biggest van in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' range and its arrival, in September this year, completes the renewal of Volkswagen's van line-up.

Dr Bernd Wiedemann, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand, will officially launch the vehicle with a short speech at 08:30 on the Volkswagen stand in Hall 4 on Tuesday 25th April, the opening day of the show.

The Volkswagen Crafter is designed and built to meet the ever-increasing demands of modern industry. It comes with a choice of four potent five-cylinder engines, delivering 88, 109, 136 PS or 163 PS. Each offers the twin benefits of fuel efficiency and low emissions. A six-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard, although an automated manual transmission will be optional.

The spacious cabin is ergonomically designed for comfortable and safe driving. Features include a dash-mounted gear leaver, good storage space and a driver's airbag fitted as standard.

The three wheelbases, four load compartment lengths and three roof heights highlight the Crafter's versatility, which is further enhanced by its availability as a panel van, chassis cab and double cab van. The Crafter has a maximum load capacity of 17 cubic metres, allowing the five tonne panel van to carry a weight of approximately 2,670 kg.

Visually more striking than its predecessor with strong lines, vertical clear glass headlights and robust side protection strips, the Crafter has a distinctive appearance and strong road presence. It is this strength and the Crafter's 'rock-like' characteristics that Volkswagen has adopted as a theme for its presentation of the new van at the Commercial Vehicle Show.

'Prepare to be rocked' is the slogan that will greet visitors to the show and, just outside the main entrance, a team of stonemasons will sculpt the Crafter's distinctive radiator grille out of a large rock during the three-day show. There will be five left-hand drive Crafters on the stand with a variety of wheelbases and bodies. The Crafter is due to go on sale in the UK in September when right-hand drive specifications will be available.

Although the Crafter will take centre stage, the Transporter and Caddy - including the Caddy DSG model - will also be on view.

The Commercial Vehicle Show runs from 25th to 27th April at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. For further information, visit http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk or http://www.newcrafter.co.uk or call 0800 717131.

Shepley conservatory roof division celebrates five successful years. Manufacturing over 50 conservatories per week using the Wendland system, Shepley roofs are BBA approved, prefabricated, and come complete with a manufacturer backed 10-year guarantee.

‘Whilst Shepley is well known for our market-leading range of PVCu windows and doors, more and more of our customers now cap it all off with a stronger, slimmer and easier to install roof’ comments Wes Clarkson, Shepley's conservatory roof sales manager. ‘From award-winning frames, built using Shepley's 20 years of fabricating experience, to the strongest roof and the finest finial, Shepley can offer the complete one-stop for conservatories’.

‘One of the main reasons Shepley conservatories is successful’, comments Pete Hollinshead, general manager of Shepley Conservatories, ‘is due to the strength and fitter-friendly conservatory roof that we offer. Through strong input from our customers, feedback from our staff and working in partnership with Wendland we have been able to improve aspects of the product, enabling us to offer one of the strongest roofs on the market’.

If you would like more information on Shepley's conservatory roof, including a product demonstration and prices please contact Shepley on 0161 339 2433.

Web: http://www.shepley.com

Lister’s latest figures show the company off to a good start this year with the first three months reporting window sales up by 8% on last year and March figures up by more than 13%.

Mark Warren, Listers MD puts the company’s success down to hard work and constant reappraisal of what they do. ‘We are never satisfied with what we are doing,’ says Mark, ‘Everything in the company is driven by a genuine desire to improve what we do and how we do it. It's this culture that keeps us so vibrant and ahead of the crowd. It's not just one or two people dragging the company along, it's the whole workforce pushing us forward to improve our business!’

Mark is very passionate about the involvement of his work force, and he believes that their empowerment is vital as the company continues to serve ever more customers. Lister was recently runner-up in the regional Business of Year 2006 Awards under the Investors in People category. The company was recognised for its achievements in employee relations and training.

Despite the downward price pressure in our industry, Lister says that it is known for the company’s high standards.

‘We can never be the cheapest in our area,’ says Mark, ‘Quality costs money. Our aim is always to be the best value for money. So we will always use the best machinery, the best profiles, the best locks and the best people to make our frames. And fortunately for us, this attracts some of the best installation companies around the region. They want reliability and quality, and that's what Lister is all about.’

Lister says that it stays away from cheapening its products and is also a stickler for making sure that the company never competes with its own customers: Lister doesn’t install its own windows and it doesn’t own any separate installation companies who do. In this way the company keeps the trade installer at the forefront of its mind and focus entirely on satisfying his business needs.

‘Supplying the needs of our customers is paramount.’ Mark points out. ‘For us to succeed, they have to succeed, so we are always looking for new ways to help them to sell more products, more easily and more profitably.’

Lister has now launched a new range of composite doors under the name of 'the Gallery collection'. This range was introduced at the recent Glassex exhibition at the NEC in March, and again the company has gone for a high performance and quality product rather than the ‘we're cheaper than you’ approach. Once again it seems to be paying off with interest and sales in the doors outstripping the company’s expectations.

‘In the short term it's harder to continually deliver quality, quality, quality, and not go down the 'cheapen it' route. But despite the hard work, we do it because we intend to be here in the long term,’ concludes Mark.

Tel: 01782 205605
Web: http://www.listertf.co.uk

Tradelink's individually fabricated conservatory roofs, pre-assembled to ensure the correct fitting of individual elements, are helping installers save thousands of pounds - that's according to new statistics.

Since starting to produce conservatory roofs using the Global system in December 2004, March based fabricator Tradelink has carefully analysed each and every sale, and the results make interesting reading.

During 2005, 99.16% of all roofs manufactured at Tradelink's dedicated 9,000 sq ft foot facility were delivered complete. Not one roof was incorrect in terms of dimensions, with only a couple missing secondary components such as end-caps or gutter parts. When it was identified that these parts were missing, they were all quickly despatched to ensure there was no hold up on site as it is site hold ups that are costing installers thousands of pounds every year.

According to Tradelink, the true cost of a conservatory roof can easily increase by 50% if the supplier misses a critical part of the roof assembly. Missing critical parts often mean a minimum of 1 or more often that not, 2 or 3 days additional installation period, with each day costing the installer.

‘We're very conscious of the hidden costs to the installer when erecting conservatories,’ commented Jim Moody, Tradelink's Managing Director. ‘Site delays due to missing components or inaccurately fabricated parts are costing installers thousands of pounds a year. The processes we have instigated at Tradelink effectively help us to eliminate site delays and we have the figures to prove it.’

Choosing the Global roof system was an instrumental part of Tradelink's conservatory roof success as the product offers huge on-site benefits in terms of ease and speed of erection. In fact, the system is so site friendly that a team can erect an average Victorian model within a day. The support from system manufacturer Synseal has also been nothing but superb with every single delivery of materials on time and complete, enabling Tradelink to offer a seamless service.

The company's new production and assembly facility is located adjacent to the company's existing premises in March, Cambridgeshire. Here the roofs are individually fabricated using state of the art automation and can be pre-assembled to ensure the correct fitting of each component before being dismantled and carefully packaged to avoid damage in transit. The facility is support by an in-house conservatory administration team, including a design office to offer customers detailed CAD drawings which can be used as a sales aid as well as for planning approval.

The conservatory roofs are part of an extensive and ever growing portfolio of products which include two window profile systems as well as HeatGuard, a range of insulated glazed units (IGU), and specialist products such as coloured doors.

The Ribble Steam Railway on Preston Docks, Lancs sent its supplier Kleentec an email concerning its glass cleaning and renovation products:

‘I just want to thank you for the excellent products you gave us and to tell you of an amusing incident that came about after I used your products on one of our shunting locos.

‘We have just recently completed a cosmetic repaint of our yard shunter ‘Stanlow No.4’ and the windows were particularly grubby having, as far as I can remember, never had a decent clean since we've had the loco (over 20 years). So utilising first the renovator and rust remover and then with the smear free cleaning solution, followed water repellent Glass surface Treatment, the glass looked better than new. So good in fact that with the side sliding windows shut you could easily believe they weren't there. Herein lies the incident...

‘Our Operations Director and Loco Superintendent was shunting in the shed yard when we noticed him stop the loco and come staggering off the footplate. On enquiring what the problem was he informed us that he had bashed his head on the side window. With it being so clean, at a quick glance he had presumed it to be open and had tried to put his head out but instead had hit the glass full tilt with the side of his temple. Seeing the funny side we all fell about laughing at his predicament as he tottered away cursing the super clean glass.’

You couldn't make it up if you tried!

Email: nigel@kleentecmarine.com