News @ The GL@ZINE

Ultraframe Plc has announced preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 30th September 2005. The group has also appointed Rothschilds to undertake a strategic review to explore options 'to maximise shareholder value'.

Turnover was down to £96.7m (2004: £118.2m), profit before tax £4.5m (2004: £12.0m), but after goodwill amortisation and exceptionals there was a loss of £8.5m (2004: £3.6m pretax profit).

The Group results for 2005 reflect the changes undertaken to meet the demands of a particularly challenging market environment. This resulted in an improved operating performance in the second half and a full year profit before tax, goodwill and exceptional items in line with the Board's expectations.

In the UK, the trading environment has remained very challenging. In response, management has introduced new product and marketing initiatives, worked more closely with customers to retain and build key relationships, and pursued opportunities for operational efficiencies.

North America returned to operating profitability in line with the turnaround plan. Good sales growth in Company-owned retail stores demonstrates market potential but offset by sales decline in the franchise network, mainly due to franchise deletions.

Cost reduction plans delivered Group-wide savings of over £5m in 2005 as planned.
Net cash outflow before financing of £4.5m, after the cash cost of exceptional items of £4.8m. Net debt increased to £11.1m, representing gearing of 18.2%.

Statutory results reflect an exceptional item charge of £10.1m, including abnormal litigation costs of £6.5m net, redundancy costs of £0.8m and a provision of £2.8m attributable to potential product rectification in North America.

In view of the current trading environment, the Board is not proposing a final dividend for 2005.

The rate of decline in operating performance is expected to moderate during 2006.

Rod Sellers, Chairman, commented:
'These results reflect the tough UK market conditions, which are likely to remain so in the near term. We continue to focus the UK business on long term market trends and to position the Company to defend and build its market leadership. We are pleased that the US business has returned to profitability as a result of the business turnaround plan and is well positioned to build market awareness and take advantage of the potential the US market offers.

'The board believes that the actions we have taken to date, particularly on efficiency and cost, have protected the business from the worst of the difficult environment and maintained our market leading position. Despite the underlying strength of the business, we cannot escape the reality that the Group's performance remains disappointing. Against that background and given the outlook, particularly for big ticket spending in the UK, the Board has taken the decision to appoint advisers to conduct a strategic review. It is too early to speculate on the outcome of that review, but we will keep shareholders fully informed of progress over the coming weeks and months.'

Vanda Murray OBE, Managing Director, Ultraframe (UK) Ltd: 'Ultraframe UK is pleased with what we've achieved in partnership with our customers and suppliers in this, a difficult year for the industry. We are confident that the strategy we are following is right. This year has been one of consolidation as we have rebased our business and established firm foundations for our future.

'Our vision is one of an agile, customer focused organisation, delivering value added products and services to all our customer groups. Our partnership with our customers and suppliers is critical to our success and it is vital that we continue to work with them over the coming months towards our common goals.

'This is a normal part of the remit of any plc board and as such, it's much too early to speculate on the outcome of the review. It's important to state that it is business as usual for the UK business. We have a clear strategy which is delivering to our expectations. We are self financing and cash generative and this year achieved a healthy Return on Sales in challenging competitive and consumer conditions.

'Our ongoing commitment to innovation means that we have an extensive product portfolio that meets the needs of all our customer groups. We have already significantly reduced our costs and improved productivity and are repositioning our business for the changing market conditions. I am confident that Ultraframe UK will continue to work with our employees, suppliers and customers to ensure a strong future for our business.'

Synseal Scoops First Place in Construction Marketing Awards 2005

Synseal has won the Best Small Budget Campaign (under £25k) category of the prestigious Construction Marketing Awards 2005, presented during a ceremony in London at the end of November. The cost of the winning direct marketing campaign came in somewhat under £25,000 - in fact, the total bill was £480, including postage!

Nick Dutton, Sales and Marketing Director, comments: 'It was one of the toughest categories with more finalists than most, so we are of course delighted to scoop the prize for what was described as an innovative and outstanding use of direct marketing. The campaign came about last April, when we got reliable information that a well known multinational building materials company was about to announce the closure of its UK subsidiary systems company to import products from across Europe. We instinctively felt their customers would see the resulting uncertainty as an opportunity for change. We also knew we had to act quickly which, with our style of management, we were able to do.

'We decided on a direct marketing postcard campaign, sending a series of seven postcards - one a day for seven days - aimed directly at the 150 customers affected. Our first postcard reached the targeted customers' desks before the multinational had informed them of their intentions. The remaining series of cards went out daily and were followed with a phone call to fix appointments with members of our sales team.

'The results show that direct marketing doesn't have to be expensive to be effective. It's all about seizing opportunities and acting fast with the right message to a highly focused target audience. Receiving the CMA Award for Best Small Budget Campaign is recognition we had not anticipated when we planned the campaign and went into action. In addition to winning the award and the recognition that brings, the main gain for Synseal, at the time of writing the award entry, was six new customers with an annualised value of £2.3 million - a 4792% return on investment. Since then even more have made the switch.'

Tel: (01623) 443 200
http://www.synseal.co.uk

K2 says that business is booming for its North American operation, K2 USA. The stateside company has recently become the preferred supplier of roof systems to Patio Enclosures Inc - one of the largest manufacturers and installers of conservatories, sunrooms and solariums in the US and Canada.

Patio Enclosures Inc, which sells its own branded systems through a retail chain of factory stores and franchises in 45 different locations, switched to K2 USA from another supplier.

The company says that securing the business of this new and large-scale customer is just the latest chapter in K2 USA's on-going success story. Despite the fact that conservatories are still a relatively new concept in North America, the company has been fabricating in the US since 2000 - a time when most other roofs were imported and not of the right quality.

Specifically, roof systems employed on the other side of the Atlantic must conform to stringent planning regulations in order to demonstrate that they can withstand the huge variations in temperature and weather conditions that are commonplace in some regions. In addition, installations tend to be larger and as such require additional structural support.

Recognising these considerations and especially those relating to climatic extremes, K2 USA worked closely with one of the America's most reputable structural engineering firms to ensure its products are approved for use in 48 US states - a process that even entailed seismic testing for intended conservatory installations on the West Coast!

Thanks to this meticulous approach and the overall quality of K2 USA's products and services, the company is making a huge impact in the emerging North American market by offering consumers a tried-and-tested roofing system which they can trust. At the same time, it has also shared its knowledge with K2 in the UK, meaning all K2 products offered in Great Britain now benefit from an increased understanding and expertise in providing greater structural stability.

Speaking of these developments, Bob Schneider (pictured), Chairman of Patio Enclosures Inc, said: ‘We are delighted to be collaborating with K2 USA. In our opinion, the K2 roof system is way ahead of the competition and offers homeowners a stylish finish with uncompromising standards of quality and safety.

‘I'm sure it will prove to be a great business decision all round.’

Pilkington Activ™ self-cleaning glass has made a further television appearance, with The Gadget Show featuring this product in a recent episode. Screened on October 31st 2005, the programme led with a demonstration of the self-cleaning capabilities of Pilkington Activ™, compared with ordinary glass, and proved that the product truly does what it claims.

To demonstrate to the viewing public the properties of Pilkington Activ™, an experiment was conducted in the studio under UV light that actually showed dirt falling as a sheet from the outer layer of the glass when quantities of water were poured over the glass. The coating breaks down and loosens dirt that has settled on the glass and also ensures that rainwater covers the surface evenly, preventing unsightly streaks. Proven to last the lifetime of the glazing itself, the coating will not rub or wear away.

Pilkington Activ™ continues to work even on cloudy days and at night, significantly reducing cleaning and maintenance costs for all home and commercial applications. The product is increasingly being specified as a low-cost, low-maintenance alternative to conventional glazing, with the Gadget Show the latest to recognise the value to the domestic market by making cleaning windows an old fashioned concept.

Deceuninck fabricator Rugby Windows of Sapcote in Leicestershire is now beginning to enjoy the fruits of a major investment in machinery in the shape of a Stuga Flowline-3 cutting and prepping centre.

Owner Ron Borman has built this successful business up over many years and was concerned about the major technological leap he was about to make, but thanks to Stuga he had no need to worry as his shiny new machine was in full production in three weeks from delivery with minimal worries of any type.

Part of the contract to supply the Flowline to Rugby Windows entailed Stuga undertaking to fit the machine onto a floor with two levels and into a building not designed with the fitting of large machines in mind. Stuga sent an engineer to assess the factory and machine location and the result was specially constructed legs for it to work on the two different levels. With Stuga being a British engineering company this was achieved reasonably easily.

On arrival the machine was 'shoehorned into place' with the expertise of the Stuga installation team really coming into play. Ron had made major changes to the building in the weeks prior to delivery and this helped the smooth entry of the machine to its pride of place.

Rugby Windows does not claim to be a massive fabricator but the Flowline has revolutionised production with window parts pouring off smoothly and quickly whenever the company needs them.

The machine has more capacity than the company needs at present but costs of manufacture have already been reduced and there is plenty of spare capacity for future expansion. Rugby Windows’ customers are already noticing the improvement in quality and consistency of the windows created by the Stuga Flowline and this is one more reason why that extra capacity may come into play before too long.

Ron Borman looked at several different cutting and prepping centres before choosing the Stuga but after visiting the company's headquarters in Great Yarmouth he realised it was a family owned business just like his own and that together with the fact that the company was based here in this country the decision seemed obvious.

For further information please call Stuga free on 0800 169 5444 or call Rugby Windows on 01455 274747.

Email: sales@stuga.co.uk
Web: http://www.stuga.co.uk

GlazeKart, the recently announced industry karting competition, is all set for the starting grid. Organiser, Nick Moss of Walnut Motorsport confirmed that the response to the launch announcement has been tremendous.

‘We've had over 20 companies expressing an interest in entering a team and we're ready to announce some exciting developments,’ he said. ‘First of all I can confirm that the date and venue are now fixed. The 3 hour endurance race will take place on Friday, 5th May at Daytona Milton Keynes, the events starting at 3.00 pm and finishing around 9.00 pm.

‘We are delighted to announce that Alcoa Extrusions have agreed to sponsor the team hospitality, providing the drivers with teas, coffees, soft drinks and a barbecue. We are also pleased to confirm that Swish Window & Door Systems will be an associate sponsor and will have an involvement in the event, as will Glassex. In fact GlazeKart will have its own dedicated stand at the exhibition in March!

‘Although only a small presence, GlazeKart should create quite a stir at the show, being an unusual product for our industry! It also comes at a time when there is very good news about Glassex and the growing number of companies planning to attend this year, so hopefully we can be part of that positive momentum. 2005 hasn't been the easiest year for many in our industry; I hope Glassex will signal the start of a much better market environment in 2006.

‘We have a maximum number of 30 team places available for the event on May 5th, but, if we get even more interest we will explore the possibility of holding another GlazeKart later in the year.’ The fee for entering a team is just £599 + VAT. Event details and entry forms are available from Nick on 01386 710106 or at nick.moss@walnutmotorsport.com.

‘I have also decided to organise another karting competition for those who are really keen on developing their experience of the sport,’ Nick continued. ‘In the autumn we will be holding a unique new team event using race prepared 100cc 2-stroke TKM engined karts. It will be a very unusual format with 7 races during a full day of karting in which each of the four team members will all be involved in at least 3 races. It will be open to all companies in the UK construction industry and is tentatively called BuildKart. The costs are a little higher with fees of £799 + VAT but the GlazeKart winning team will be given the option of a free entry!

‘BuildKart will also be open to qualifiers from some of the other industry events we are planning for 2006. These include CladKart for the roofing and cladding industry and PlumbKart for those from heating and plumbing!'

For the latest information on GlazeKart visit the dedicated pages on Nick's website at http://www.walnutmotorsport.com

Now in its third year of manufacturing conservatory roof glass, Cervoglass™ continues to build up a strong portfolio of products. Here, Managing Director Graham Price discusses some problems within the market, as well as a new product he has in the pipeline.

‘With a wide range of products on offer to meet a variety of customer needs and requirements Cervoglass™ is able to cater for most conservatory requirements.

‘As people are starting to see the benefits of glass conservatory roofs instead of polycarbonate, it is simply a question of educating the customer about the benefits of glass roofs emphasising the properties and qualities that make glass the preferable option, in terms of aesthetics, acoustics, comfort and efficiency.

‘A big problem in the glass conservatory roof market at the moment is that some customers are being misled. Conservatory and window companies offer solar controlled, Low E and even self-cleaning glass from their suppliers to the customer, but only once the glass is installed does it become apparent that the glass has none of these properties, or very little.

‘This kind of thing is disastrous, not only for the end user, but for the suppliers of quality conservatory roof glass as well. It gives the industry a bad name and it is very easy for people to do, as it is difficult for customers to tell the difference between different types of glass.

‘Cervoglass™ is trying to find a solution to the problem to ensure that the customer knows they are getting what they have paid for. We have thought about a certificate that could be supplied with the glass or perhaps, as toughened glass is branded, we could included something on the marking, which clearly identifies the specifications of the glass. When purchasing roof glass we strongly recommend that you ask for a technical data sheet to back up the product that is being supplied and request a sample.

‘At Cervoglass™ we pride ourselves in the fact that we are a BSI registered company, that manufactures and tests all our products in house, with a lead time of 5-7 days delivered direct to site or factory premises nationwide.

‘With a U-value as low as 1.2, it reflects up to 75% of solar heat and transmits 63% of light. It even has an easy clean coating for low maintenance cleaning, Cervoglass™ is one of the products we are really proud of. It effectively reflects solar heat and glare in the summer and reduces heat loss in the winter. There are five products in the range, CervoSol Bright™, CervoSol™, CervoCool™, CervoBright™, and CervoTint™; each offering distinctive features designed to meet all performance, appearance and budgetary requirements. We even recommend Cervoglass for side frames, especially if the conservatory is south facing.

‘We have also been working together with major glass manufacturers for some months now to develop a product that will be the UK's first self cleaning, solar controlled roof glass. It is on the market from the beginning of December and we will be exhibiting at Glassex in March 2006.

‘For a brochure or further information on our Cervo range, contact our Sales team on 0151 523 7070 or fax to 0151 522 6606.’

Darby Glass's sales and marketing director, Chris Roberts (pictured), has expressed his concerns that the reputation of the industry is in danger of suffering damage, following what he feels are 'over the top' performance claims made by conservatory roof glass suppliers.

‘Here at Darby Glass we have first-hand experience of manufacturing roof glass for a supplier, who then marketed it claiming a higher spec.

‘It seems to me it's a basically dishonest attempt to get a foot in the door of potential end-user customers. They are then presented with a sales pitch that reveals the advertised glass is, in fact, either a lower spec than advertised, or is the right spec but much more expensive than the end-user appreciated.’

Chris Roberts also claims that some specs currently being advertised are only achievable with technology that has only just come onto the market. Consequently, as with many new processes, the output is very expensive.

‘So,’ says Roberts, ‘it's only when the end-user contacts these suppliers that they are informed roof glass matching the performance figures used in their advertising can be as much as £120sq.m., and they don't supply glass of this quality anyway.’

Inevitably, Chris Roberts cites Darby's Roof Glas, launched earlier this year, as a typical product open to possible abuse. The company's claims for Roof Glas - such as light transmission, solar factors and U-values - are, he says, all documented and verifiable. Darby even provides a heat lamp as part of a kit to demonstrate its performance claims.

‘We take great care to ensure anyone for whom we manufacture only uses our technical data as part of any advertising or publicity,’ confirms Chris Roberts. ‘I think that as an industry we should be looking toward some binding acceptance by suppliers that they will only use performance data that matches the products they are advertising. That way, customers will have confidence that the industry's products do what we say they do, without the need to unravel any confusing double-talk.’

Tel: 01724 280044
Web: http://www.darbyglass.co.uk

Roofmaker Ltd, the specialist conservatory roof manufacturer, recently relocated to larger premises as part of a £1.4 million development programme.

The investment in premises and plant include a 20,000 sq ft factory and a 30 metre semi automated glass unit production line to enable in house manufacture of Reflex, performance glass for conservatory roofs.

The move to manufacture all units in house has been supported by customers who are also enjoying the benefits of the new Reflex units using Super Spacer products.

Scott Nicholas, Managing Director of Roofmaker explains: ‘We first saw Edgetech Super Spacer at Düsseldorf, at a time when 90% of our units were made using aluminium spacer bars.

'The innovative warm edge technology gave us an insight into the future and we immediately recognised what could be achieved with Super Spacer - at no extra cost compared with standard aluminium spacer bars.

'The success of Roofmaker has always been down to product innovation and production efficiency which is why Super Spacer fits the bill, and now our units have improved U-values, superior sound insulation from traffic and rain, and drastically reduces condensation.’

Andy Jones, Sales Director and General Manager of Edgetech UK and Ireland comments: ‘Roofmaker has shown that Super Spacer has no limits. Its flexibility and precision means that the benefits are not limited to windows, but roofs as well.’

Tel: 02476 705570

Queen's award winner Alumet Systems, based at Southam, Warwickshire was recently chosen as the subject for a documentary to be shown on South Korean television. The company has also just landed its first overseas contract.

On November 18th, the staff at Alumet were visited by a film crew and reporters from Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) to record the 60 minute long documentary programme on Health and Safety issues in the Construction Industry.

Alumet was selected for the documentary because of last years Queens Award for Enterprise success and the Glazing Industry's Health and Safety Award.

Filming and interviews took place in the offices and factory at Alumet Senator House facilities before moving onto one of Alumet's live sites at Grace Academy, Solihull where Alumet is installing the windows and curtainwalling for Taylor Woodrow Plc.

SBS intends to use Alumet as a shining example of best practice Health and Safety in the UK, the documentary will compare the UK construction industry with Japan and South Korea. It will be broadcast on SBS television on 10th December 2005.

• Alumet has also recently landed its first overseas contract.

Alumet will design, manufacture and install the Alucobond rainscreen cladding for PCG Group on three residential towers known as the Tradewinds development on the seafront in Gibraltar (pictured below).

The client on this prestigious project is Taylor Woodrow, with whom Alumet are GOLD status supply chain partners.

http://www.alumet.co.uk/

Masco Windows Group to be Headed up by Clay

Masco Corporation has announced that Clay Kiefaber, 50, has been appointed Group President of the Architectural Coatings and Windows Group.

Kiefaber joined Merillat in 1989 and has been Group Vice President for Masco's Builder Cabinet Group since 2004. In his new role, he will assume responsibility for Behr, Masterchem, Milgard Manufacturing, Watkins and the U.K. Window Group. He assumes many of Masco Group President Chuck Dowd's responsibilities, as Dowd moves toward retirement in 2006. Kiefaber will report to Masco President and Chief Operating Officer Alan Barry.

Kiefaber holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Miami of Ohio and a master's of business administration degree from the University of Colorado.

'One of our key goals is setting up the growth of the next generation of management,' said Alan Barry. 'I know that Clay will play a key role in our future success.'

Headquartered in Taylor, Mich., Masco Corporation is one of the world's leading manufacturers of home improvement and building products as well as a leading provider of services that include the installation of insulation and other building products.

Tudor Glass Out of the Blocks with Activ™ Blue

In the first week of the launch of Pilkington Activ™ Blue, the new self-cleaning and solar control conservatory roof glass, Tudor Glass of Bury in Greater Manchester sold three conservatory roofs with the product installed. Tudor Glass is a well established sealed unit manufacturer and has been trading since 1985. ‘We have always used Pilkington glass in our operations,’ comments Steve Simpson of the company. ‘The demand for the Pilkington Activ™ Blue is now increasing as the value of the glass becomes better known and we are supplying more and more units to meet demand.’

Pilkington Activ™ Blue has been specifically developed to maintain the appearance of conservatory roofs while at the same time, keep interiors cooler. The glass has an aesthetically pleasing ice blue tint and offers the self-cleaning properties of the Pilkington Activ™ brand, with the addition of solar control properties and good light transmission. Providing performance for the lifetime of the conservatory roof, Pilkington Activ™ Blue significantly reduces solar gain within the structure.

The glass is available from stock and can be processed and manufactured into sealed units without the need for special handling or installation. There is no limited shelf life or requirements for edge deletion and the product can effortlessly and easily be combined in units with other glasses.

For the growing glass conservatory roof industry, Pilkington Activ™ Blue offers a high performance glass that adds visual appeal as well as offering a practical solution for facilitating cleaning on hard to reach roofs, keeping them free from mould and other typical organic contamination.

Spanning the Seas

Proving that Sash UK's reputation for quality really has gone global, the Yorkshire based company recently received an enquiry all the way from Iceland.

The conservatory company, based in Iceland's third largest community of Hafnarfjordur, contacted Sash UK last month, in search of an exceptional specification of conservatory and portal. Prior to this enquiry Sash's most Northerly customer was based in the Faroe Islands. But with a reputation for setting industry standards in the UK, it would seem that Sash's quality has won appeal even further 'up north' than its hometown of Grimethorpe, Barnsley!

Just one example of the impressive structures that Sash's portal division has produced. This was for a reputable customer in Pittsburgh, USA

‘It's a tremendous endorsement for Sash that a company based in Iceland has chosen Sash conservatories and portals, confident that they can withstand the inhospitable weather conditions they experience there. And they're not the only ones. We are also quoting for a portal project near Lake Ontario in Canada. It speaks volumes about the quality and durability of our product’ commented David Ruzicka, Joint Managing Director at Sash UK Ltd.

But it isn't just the cold weather benefits of Sash UK products that has been recognised outside the UK. In warmer climes, Sash's conservatory business with a Cypriot company continues to grow. A visit is planned for early next year to extend the trading relationship between the two companies.

‘The recent enquiries and developments are testament to the success Sash continues to enjoy on the export side of the business thanks to the continued hard work of the Sash team. The only problem is that, with meetings scheduled all over the globe for 2006 I don't know what to pack first, my factor 15 or my woolly hat!’ joked David.

Tel: 01226 719997
Web: http://www.sashuk.com

Everglade Scoops Top Showroom Award

Everglade Windows Ltd has won a special award for the showroom at its new £3m factory.

Following its move into the 43,000 square foot factory in Perivale, Middlesex, Everglade set up a dedicated 2,000 square foot showroom featuring its full range of products, including Kömmerling GOLD and Connoisseur PVC-U windows, doors and conservatory products, and hardware.

‘Although the showroom is aimed mainly at our own retail customers, commercial specifiers also find it useful,’ says Managing Director Vinod Gopal.

In addition, the showroom is open for trade customers to bring their own domestic end-user buyers to see the products in situ. ‘Our network of installation customers who don't have their own showroom, say that for the first time their customers can now see how their finished conservatory and installed windows and doors will look.’

And Everglade's PVC-U systems supplier, the Kömmerling brand, felt the showroom qualified for its coveted showroom award. Vinod Gopal is pictured here receiving the special ‘Showroom of Excellence’ plaque from Kömmerling's National Sales and Marketing Manager, Dan Whalley.

‘With the replacement window industry reaching saturation point as far as the lower quality end of the market is concerned, it's important that customers can appreciate the high quality of Everglade's finished windows,’ says Dan Whalley. ‘When people come into this showroom they quickly see why Kömmerling manufacturers and installers do not get involved in ridiculously low-price offers that ignore quality and customer benefits,’

And Vinod Gopal says the showroom actively demonstrates what is available at the top end of the industry, and will open up new opportunities as the UK market becomes saturated with low-price, low quality windows. ‘Everglade customers are in the upper end of the market, where there will always be a demand for top quality windows. We felt it was important for our showroom to reflect that quality.’

Since the successful launch of Celutex in the summer of 2005, Celuform has been talking about the patented technology that has made possible the manufacture of the latest PVC-ue textured cladding product.

As part of an international collaboration with New Zealand company Dynex Extrusions, Celuform has been granted the licence to use the company's patented embossing process in northern Europe, which allows a random 3D surface to be created on cellular plastic.

The company says that the result is a unique, more authentic finish that looks and feels like real wood.

‘It's know-how more than anything, and the practical application of knowledge - there are no new or magical ingredients involved,’ says Len Meredith, technical manager, ‘We are using this patented embossing process instead of the traditional foiling method.

‘The expertise that Celuform personnel have built up over many years is crucial’ adds Ian Crisp process development manager. ‘The skill is more on the mechanical side than anything - actually getting the Celutex texture on the product’.

‘The key to the process is in the embossing procedure and using techniques that fly in the face of all current technological thinking. We just couldn't achieve the same end result using the more traditional technology and processing.’

Celuform believes that this is a first for Europe – ‘as far as we know there are no other companies using this technique to create such a natural surface on cellular plastic in our markets,’ says Ged Ferris, marketing & export manager.

Celutex Shiplap cladding has a woodgrain appearance with a matt surface allowing greater versatility and more possibilities for design expression on external cladding and weather boarding projects.

The development process was more involved explains Andy Jarrett newly appointed Operations Director also part of the development team ‘In addition to the new surface effect we simultaneously developed new tooling technology in order to produce the correct substrate, the double shiplap board aids installation underpinning our commitment to providing PVC-ue solutions.’

Dynex Extrusions, specialist in plastics technology is New Zealand's leading producer of extruded plastic profiles, and offered the technical capabilities to develop products for almost any industry or application.

The technology co-operation agreement signed by both companies will inevitably lead to more innovations in both markets in the future. Celutex is the first of many products that Celuform will be bringing to market very soon, using this technology.

The Kent-based company supplies stockists throughout Europe and the UK.

Tel: 01622 719199
Web: http://www.celuform.co.uk

Alcoa Building & Construction Systems (BCS), producer of architectural systems and products including curtain walls, windows, doors and aluminium composite material, announced yesterday that it has selected Saatchi & Saatchi NY as its agency of record after a review. The Agency will handle a business-to-business effort to unify Alcoa BCS' portfolio of brands and products globally. Saatchi & Saatchi NY will manage this process internationally, and will utilise various offices in Europe to manage the transition and create tailored local market communications. Alcoa BCS is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

'We are excited to work with an acclaimed network like Saatchi & Saatchi because we share the same spirit of innovation. We look forward to working with our new partners to refine our international brand strategy and to strengthen our brands that are recognised around the world in our industry,' said Kimberly Ferro, Director of Marketing, Alcoa BCS. Alcoa BCS key brands include Kawneer®, Reynobond® and Reynolux®.

Mary Baglivo, Saatchi & Saatchi NY's CEO added: 'Alcoa BCS is a pioneer in creative and innovative aluminium architectural systems and products. We are delighted to be partnering with the company to further build its brands.'

Alcoa announced on November 28th the start up of its third expansion at the Alumar Consortium located in Sao Luis, Maranhao-MA, Brazil. When the 100 new pots of the expansion are up and running, plant capacity will total 440,000 metric tons per year, a 17% increase over current capacity.

The start-up is taking place in two stages: 48 of the new pots will operate in the first stage with the remaining pots starting up in March 2006. The total expected incremental production in 2006 is approximately 50,000 metric tons.

This project is within the original timetable and budget, with an excellent work safety record. To date, there have been approximately three million man-hours worked without a single lost work day accidents. This first stage of the expansion was built in only 13 and a 1/2 months, which is a record for projects of this nature.

The expansion of the Alumar Consortium's aluminium plant is part of an investment plan that Alcoa Aluminio is implementing for its primary metal production operations in Brazil, totalling US$1.6 billion, which also includes the implementation of a bauxite mine in Juriti, PA (state of Para), doubling of the alumina refinery in Sao Luis, MA (state of Maranhao) and modernisation of the aluminium smelter in Pocos de Caldas, MG (state of Minas Gerais).

For aluminium production, the Alumar Consortium is formed by Alcoa (53.66%) and BHP Billiton (46.34%); and, for alumina refining, the Consortium is formed by Alcoa Aluminio S.A. (35.1%), Abalco S.A. (18.9%) - both subsidiaries of Alcoa Inc.- BHP Billiton (36%) and Alcan (10%). When the current expansion is fully operational, Alcoa will increase its stake in the Sao Luis aluminium production operation to 60%, representing approximately 264,000 metric tons per year.

Quinn Glass Joins EWS as Rail Partner

Quinn Glass, the container glass manufacturer, has started using the rail freight services of EWS, Britain's largest rail operator, between Widnes and Mossend.

Quinn is delighted with the speed at which EWS responded to its request to run services from the North West to Scotland and expects to build on the success of the initial trials by developing regular rail services from Widnes to Scotland and the South.

Potentially, thousands of lorry movements could be removed from Britain's roads each year, as Quinn builds its client base for filling as well as manufacturing their bottles.

Quinn Glass recently invested £300million in a state of the art container glass manufacturing plant at Elton in Cheshire, which will be the largest of its kind in Europe and the first with an integrated filling line. The plant will provide a comprehensive glass packaging and filling service for the drinks industry and will have the capacity to produce in excess of 1.2 billion containers per annum.

To fully develop the road and rail interchange options, EWS is working closely with Quinn to achieve its aspiration of making Elton a rail-connected site, which would remove the need for lorry movements between Elton and Widnes. EWS will project manage the development through to completion.

Peter Fitzgerald, Sales and Marketing Director for Quinn Glass said: 'I am delighted with the responsiveness of the EWS team in developing trial services between Widnes and Scotland. This change to the Quinn Glass supply chain arrangements is an important development as we grow our container glass manufacturing capability at Elton.'

Gordon Flear, National Business Manager for EWS said: 'I am extremely pleased to welcome Quinn Glass as a customer of rail. Quinn's commitment to moving its products with EWS clearly demonstrates the potential for rail in the carriage of non-bulk product and shows that there is scope for rail growth in the palletised goods market.'

Web: http://www.ews-railway.co.uk

Supply chains are crucial. Just ask BA. Earlier this year its dispute with Gate Gourmet nearly brought the whole business to a standstill. Business relationships can be hard to maintain. But the benefits of long term stability far outweigh the risks and short term gains to be had from changing suppliers frequently. ARP has benefited from one such relationship with Hydro Aluminium, one of the world's largest manufacturers of aluminium which has supplied ARP for over 20 years.

David Winsper, UK Sales Manager at Hydro Aluminium UK Ltd, says: ‘We've been fabricating and supplying aluminium for more than 85 years and know how important good relations are. ARP needs consistently high quality aluminium for the Mustang® continuous guttering system. And because of our long association with ARP we are able to ensure the company gets what it wants, when it wants it. Like any long term relationship, the longer you are together the better you understand your counterparts' needs.’

ARP's Managing Director, Jim Muddimer adds: ‘Our relationship with Hydro Aluminium has helped us remain a reliable source for installers. The pace of business can often put a strain on relations, but our customers benefit from our stability. We are, and can continue to be, relied upon to deliver the high quality that has set us apart from our competitors.’

Tel: 0116 2894400
Web: http://www.arp-ltd.com

Linde joins United Nations' Global Compact

Linde AG has joined the Global Compact initiative established by the United Nations. The Global Compact represents a global alliance of organisations whose aim is to cooperate with private business to safeguard human rights, ensure labour standards, encourage environmental responsibility and to combat corruption.

With this move, Linde AG has expressed its commitment to the ten principles of the Global Compact. 'This understanding is also reflected in our own corporate principles on corporate responsibility,' explained Prof. Wolfgang Reitzle, President and CEO of Linde AG. 'Our principles compel us to act responsibly in terms of our employees, society in general and the environment - worldwide, in every division and at every site.'

Within the network of the over 2000 companies who have joined the Global Compact, Linde will continue to advance the issue of corporate responsibility and will use the opportunity for international exchange in order to ensure that its engagement is as effective as possible. The common objective, in addition to profit-oriented trade, is to manifest the principles of social responsibility and environmental protection, and thus to achieve sustainable globalisation.

The principles and objectives of the Global Compact can be found at http://www.unglobalcompact.org. Information on corporate responsibility is available at http://www.linde.de.