Putting
the ‘Fun’ into Fundraising
The
GM Fundraising team has announced a series of events for 2006 commencing
with the return of the glazing industry's premier social occasion, the
GMF Gala Dinner on 17th June at The Palace Hotel in Manchester. This year
the event has been themed around ‘The Movies’ with each table
selecting and dressing in the style of a particular film. Every penny
raised from the event will go to the children at Hope House Hospice, which
provides palliative care for children with terminal conditions and support
services for their families at sites in Shropshire and North Wales.
GM
Fundraiser, Gary Morton explains, ‘We pride ourselves on making every
Gala Dinner better than the last. For the 2006 event we intend to create
a lavish movie premier theme with top quality food and entertainment.
We want the diners to play their part by dressing in the style of their
chosen film. In addition, there will be a number of very exclusive auction
lots, some spectacular raffle prizes and one or two surprises on the night.
An excellent evening is guaranteed’. Tables of ten cost just £1195
and discounted accommodation rates have been agreed with the venue. To
reserve your table, contact Gary Morton by email at gary@garymorton.co.uk.
The annual GM Fundraising Golf Day will take place at Tewkesbury Park
Golf Club on 31st August. The main event is a Team Stableford competition
for teams of four, with the best two scores on each hole to count. There
will also be Nearest-the-Pin holes, Longest Drive holes and a Putting
Competition. An Awards Dinner with entertainment and a charity auction
and raffle will follow the golf. Potential competitors should contact
Dave Broxton by email at dave.broxton@britespot.co.uk.
Finally, following on the success of last years sponsored cycle ride from
John O' Groats to Lands End, GM Fundraising is looking to recruit riders
for a ride from The Eiffel Tower in Paris to Blackpool Tower. Dubbed "The
Tower to Tower Ride", the event will take place over a week, from
10-16 September. Potential riders should contact Gary Morton by email
at gary@garymorton.co.uk.
Further information on all these events can be found at http://www.gmfundraising.co.uk.
Lupus
Capital Acquires Schlegel Building Products Division
Lupus
Capital plc agreed on Friday, March 3rd, to acquire the Schlegel Building
Products Division from Unipoly.
Schlegel Building Products makes environmental sealing systems for windows
and doors, printer and copier cleaning systems, and specialised automotive
components. In the fiscal year 2005, Schlegel had world wide gross sales
of £69 million, up £7.2 million on 2004.
Lupus Capital plc is a specialist investment vehicle and a publicly quoted
company on the Main List of the London Stock Exchange. It is run by Greg
Hutchings and a team of highly experienced and successful industry professionals.
For 15 years from 1983, Greg Hutchings ran Tomkins, the large UK conglomerate
driving a growth in profits from £1.6 million to £500 million.
With Lupus, Greg intends Schlegel being the foundation for a Building
Products portfolio of businesses.
The current Schlegel Management Team, led by CEO Ian Pawson, will continue
to run Schlegel Building Products and indeed has personally invested heavily
in the new company. 'This, amongst other factors, will ensure that the
our customers continue to receive outstanding world class products and
service,' says Ian.
'Schlegel has a very strong brand and market positions which we will seek
to build on by further increasing sales to existing customers, exploiting
new market segment opportunities and instigating new product development.'
Tel: +44 1462 815500
Web: http://www.schlegel.com
Having
a Bay-Bee Just got Easier
Eurocell
Profiles Ltd, the manufacturer of PVC-u, has been awarded a LANTAC (Local
Authority National Type Approval Confederation) approval certificate by
Amber Valley Council.
The certificate was awarded to Eurocell's Bay-Bee the newest addition
to its conservatory family. The Bay-Bee, a compact conservatory, has been
launched as an alternative to French or Patio doors, it is easy to install
and is more aesthetically appealing than standard doors, creating space
and light, whilst not encroaching on garden space.
Bay-Bee is subject to Building Regulations control if it is replacing
an external window or door in a property. The LANTAC certificate effectively
means that Eurocell has already had the product passed by Building Regulations,
so although the local council still have to give approval, if the Bay-Bee
is installed in line with installation guidelines then it will pass Building
Regulations without the need for detailed drawings to be submitted.
LANTAC is the only organisation in the UK, which specialises in developing
fast track routes through regulatory procedures for standard building,
modular buildings or building systems.
Eurocell Managing Director David Leng commented: ‘This is an important
step for Eurocell. We are always trying to ease the path for our customers
through what can be a time consuming and costly process. The LANTAC certification
offers many advantages for our customers including significantly reducing
workload and cost implications and also cuts down on the amount of work
the relevant council has to do in order to pass each Bay-Bee installation.
‘So selling and installing the Bay-Bee couldn't be simpler - with
a detailed installation guide and endless ‘sell-up’ points against
the average Patio/French door our customers are in a strong position to
make the most of what Bay-Bee has to offer.’
To find out more and for information on current special offers please
call 01773 837490.
Newstead
Hosts Exhibition on March 16 and 17
'We've
decided to hold a two day exhibition,’ comments Newstead's Managing
Director Adrian Locker, ‘to demonstrate the depth of Newstead's product
range.’
In addition to Newstead's already extensive range of windows, doors, conservatories
and building plastics, installers will be able to see first hand its energy
efficient C rated window, the Global 600 roof and a range of Permacell's
PVC-UE cellular profiles, all being launched at the exhibition at its
Stoke-on-Trent headquarters.
Adrian continues: ‘Customers tell us that using Newstead as a one
stop shop saves them time and money, and generally makes their lives easier
leaving them more time to install and sell. And our groundbreaking Selling
Made Easy (SME) scheme really does make it easier to get leads and win
more business at better prices. We couldn't do that over the phone or
by visiting them so we are holding this exhibition.’
For more information call Newstead on 01782 641642.
Business
Micros to Sell Logikal Software in UK
Business
Micros, which says that it is already the leading supplier of software
solutions to the commercial aluminium sector, has announced a new agreement
which looks set to further strengthen its position in this marketplace.
The company has agreed an exclusive deal with the specialist German software
house ORGADATA AG to sell its LogiKal programme in the UK.
LogiKal is an easy to use CAD-based system designed to meet the software
requirements of commercial fabricators. Fast and capable, it can be tailored
for both mass door and window production, as well as curtain wall and
bespoke architectural specifications.
Popular
in the UK since its launch in 1999, LogiKal licenses have previously only
been available in the UK through ORGADATA AG direct. However, Business
Micros will now take over those existing licenses as well as having the
exclusive rights to market the system alongside its existing product portfolio.
Dean Hodges, Business Micros' Commercial Manager (pictured) who was instrumental
in creating the partnership between both companies, is enthusiastic about
the deal. He says: ‘LogiKal fits neatly into our product range alongside
our own user-friendly Evolution software. They target different sections
of the market and as such enable us to offer a software solution for virtually
any size or type of fabrication business.’
ORGADATA AG believes the deal is good news for customers too. Karsten
Tiemeyer, the company's representative in the UK, said: ‘Business
Micros is the leading UK supplier and has all the skills and resources
necessary to support existing LogiKal customers as well as generating
new sales.
‘We have selected the company as our partner in the UK because it
has a complementary product range and a dynamic team who we believe will
sell and service the software well.’
Business Micros will be represented at Interbuild in April on the ORGADATA
AG stand where customers can find out more details about the deal and
see demonstrations of the LogiKal product.
The addition of LogiKal to its product range coincides with the announcement
by Business Micros that its original Quest software programme for the
aluminium sector will be phased out by the end of 2006, although it will
continue to receive full technical support from the company.
Tel: 01452 857852
Email: commercial@businessmicros.co.uk
£1m
Investment Opens Door to New System 10 Composite Range
Following
a £1m product development programme, PVC-U profile manufacturer
WHS Halo has unveiled an extensive new collection of composite doors,
designed to meet the very latest security, design and construction challenges.
All 48 door designs in the new System 10 composite range are made to measure
and feature a double rebated door for superior strength and thermal/ acoustic
insulation. The new range satisfies both the PAS 23 weather performance
and PAS 24 security standards, and is also 'Secured By Design'.
Plus, the new composite system also meets Parts M and N of the Building
Regulations, thanks to low and ultra low profile thresholds and 4mm toughened
glass to BS6206 Class A.
Mike Stevenson, Sales and Marketing Director, Public Sector, for WHS Halo
System 10, comments: ‘We were experiencing increasing demand from
customers and clients for a composite door that would not only offer all
the durability, insulation and aesthetic benefits of a conventional composite
system but one that could also be manufactured using more modern methods
of construction, whilst maintaining a very traditional appearance.
‘Having already designed and extruded PVC-U profile for composite
doors for over a decade, WHS Halo was perfectly placed to build on this
knowledge and experience and develop a complete composite system.
‘The resulting range is fully compatible with our existing System
10 window and door profiles, all of which have been designed to satisfy
the many rigorous standards placed on the products installed into today's
homes.’
The composite range includes a choice of six different door styles, available
in six colours and two woodgrain effects. The coloured doors use 'through
colour' skins for enhanced protection against marks and scratches. Doors
are supplied with multi point locks as standard and can be personalised
with decorative glass and door furniture options.
Tel: 0121 749 3000
Web: http://www.system10.co.uk
AG
Glass Invests in Edgetech's Super Spacer®
AG
Glass has started 2006 with a massive investment into Edgetech IG Inc's
warm edge Super Spacer® for its state-of-the-art insulated glass unit
production. Established over 20 years ago and operating from a 70,000
ft2 manufacturing facility in Barnsley, AG Glass says that it is the second
largest single site IG manufacturer in the UK. Manufacturing 21,000 units
a week, the company's network of fabricators include some of the industry's
biggest names.
AG Glass's Managing Director, John Spiby, comments on his company's decision
to add Super Spacer to its manufacturing process: ‘We firmly believe
that true customer service includes keeping abreast of market developments,
listening to what customers believe will help them exploit new trends,
and then reacting quickly to help them stay ahead of their competition.
It was this thinking in particular that cemented our decision to invest
in a third line, a state-of-the-art fully automated Super Spacer application
TSS® line from Lisec. This investment will enable our customers to
get ahead of the competition by offering the most energy efficient windows
available.’
Tel: 02476 705570
Padiham
Glass Ltd Invests in Super Spacer® with Forel Line
Lancashire-based
fabricator Padiham Glass Ltd has extended its factory by 10,000 ft2 to
house a state-of-the art fully automated Forel line. The line is part
of an ongoing investment programme into Edgetech's warm edge Super Spacer®
which includes new premises and plant worth £2 million. The programme
began two years ago but this latest £1 million investment has added
the finishing touches to the strategic expansion plans.
Jeremy Kemp, Operations Director at Padiham, explains the difference this
investment will make to the company's future: ‘We started looking
at warm edge technology three years ago, but back then you could only
apply it manually - the technology was not available. But with our new
fully automated Forel machine and premises of 35,000 ft2 we are ready
to go full steam ahead. Our manufacturing capacity will increase to 900-1000
units per shift. It's exciting times for Padiham as we look towards the
future. We are even considering a second line in the next 24 months. We
want innovations that give our customers even more of a competitive edge
and Edgetech is very much part of that. We have always had an excellent
relationship with the company and Edgetech has been instrumental in the
changes we are making, providing consistent, reliable support.’
Tel: 02476 705570
Abbott
Group Wins Taylor Woodrow Manufacturer Award
While
many companies claim to be market leaders in the new housing sector, the
Abbott Group says that it has proven just that by winning the manufacturer
of the year award at the prestigious Taylor Woodrow Supplier Awards 2006.
Taylor
Woodrow is one of the UK's major house builders and these awards were
designed to recognise those suppliers who most enhance the company's reputation
and overall business performance. The Abbott Group has manufactured, supplied
and installed PVC-U Windows and Doors at a number of Taylor Woodrow developments
across the UK, using a wide range of products supplied by parent company
Plastmo Profiles.
Jim Wakefield, sales and marketing director comments: ‘we are absolutely
thrilled with this prestigious award from Taylor Woodrow. It reflects
a commitment not only from the management team but from the entire workforce.’
The Abbott Group has invested heavily in management systems, training
and a new customer care charter in order to enhance the service offered
to the national house builders. Jim concludes: ‘this award reflects
the best ever results from our recent customer satisfaction survey, enhancing
our reputation as the window and door supplier of choice to the house
building sector.’
Securistyle
‘Defends’ Market Leading Position
Two
more of the best selling domestic window hinges, all manufactured in the
UK, have been redesigned and enhanced by maker Securistyle Ltd.
The Defender Standard and Restricted hinge ranges have been improved during
phase one of the company’s £5 million investment programme
over five years, which has seen 80 per cent of its product range redesigned.
The range is the only one on the market to meet the full requirements
of BS7412, on very large top hung vents.
The enhanced Defender Egress friction hinge was launched last year with
improved weathersealing, smoother closure, and greater stability.
Nigel Thompson, Sales Director, Securistyle Ltd, commented, 'The changes
we have made to the Defender range will help them retain their position
as market leaders. We are committed to ongoing product development to
ensure that all our products are ahead of any regulation changes in the
market place, and are the best they can be.
'The best choice for quality windows, the Defender standard hinge, and
the Defender Restricted hinge for child safety, now have enhanced weathersealing,
greater adjustment for the fabricator, and an increased carrying capacity
on 20” and 24” top hung vents.'
All Securistyle Defender friction hinges come with a 'no quibble' 10-year
guarantee and are available in 430 ferritic, and 304 austenitic stainless
steel for enhanced corrosion resistance.
For more information on all Securistyle products please call Maria Fatica
on 01242 221200 or visit the website at http://www.securistyle.co.uk.
Top
Gear - Roger Takes Charge of DHF Industrial Door Group
Roger
Gear, managing director of Mercian Industrial Doors, has been appointed
chairman of the Industrial Door Group within the Door and Hardware Federation
(DHF). Numbering almost 100 members in its ranks, the Industrial Door
Group is the largest specialist grouping within the federation.
Mr
Gear said the main challenge facing members of the Group is the amount
of European legislation now in force that directly concerns industrial
door and shutter makers. He pledged that his group would provide advice,
help and support to member companies who are having to tackle this new
challenge.
'A whole raft of new legislation is now in force, covering health and
safety, certification and environmental issues, and more regulations covering
fire are due to be implemented shortly,' said Mr Gear.
'Trying to understand and implement the new rules is a complicated, confusing
and costly process for individual industrial door and shutter companies.
'Quite rightly they are looking to their federation for support. The Industrial
Door Group will help them understand the new rules. And then we will help
them to implement systems which will not only ensure they are working
within the legislation, but will also provide them with a commercial business
edge over their competitors who do not have the support of the DHF.'
Roger Gear took over the helm of Mercian Industrial Doors in the West
Midlands in 1993 and it now has operations in the South East, Nottinghamshire
and Wales. Shortly afterwards he took the company into membership of the
Door and Shutter Manufacturers’ Association (DSMA), the forerunner
of the DHF, and he has been an active member ever since. He was chairman
of the DSMA from 1996 to 1999.
The Industrial Door Group represents suppliers of all types of industrial
doors including rolling shutters, sectional overheads, folding shutters
and rapid roll doors. The aims of the Group are to promote members’
products to specifiers, provide information to specifiers and members
on current best practice in design, manufacture and installation, promote
quality systems and encourage product certification.
Tel: 01827 52337
Web: http://www.dhfonline.org.uk
Andersen
Launches New Self Cleaning Window Package
Andersen
Windows, one of the world's largest wood window manufacturers, says that
it has launched a new all inclusive windows and patio doors package designed
to give the builder, architect and end user even better performance and
value for money.
One
of the key features of this deluxe package is Andersen's new High Performance™
Low-E4™ self cleaning glass, which is being supplied as a standard
across the popular 400 Series range, and hence at no additional charge.
‘This Low-E4™ self cleaning glass incorporates a durable layer
of titanium oxide (TiO2), which is completely self activating through
exposure to sunlight - a huge benefit to the end user, reducing the build
up of dirt and grime and saving time and money spent on cleaning,’
says the company.
‘This low maintenance coating, also retains the colour and reflectivity
of standard high performance glass, without the tell-tale artificial brightness
of some types of self clean glazing.
‘Furthermore, the soft coat Low E4™ argon filled double glazed
units offer some of the lowest U values on the market, easily exceeding
current Building Regulations.’
As part of the new package, new Low-E4™ windows and patio doors will
be delivered complete with a factory applied disposable protective film
on the inner and outer glass surfaces, thereby reducing the possibility
of construction site damage, handling marks or ghosting from product labels.
In addition, the Andersen range will continue to offer all the beauty
of natural wood on the interior, combined with the low maintenance benefits
of its Perma-Shield® protective system on the exterior, which does
not chip, rot or blister.
‘With the introduction of new High Performance™ Low-E4™
self cleaning glass and film protection, as standard and at no extra charge,
Andersen is presenting one of the most compelling value added window packages
on the market, with superb benefits for the builder, architect and end
user alike,’
said Jim Lawrie Chief Executive of Black Millwork in the UK and Ireland.
Andersen currently offers a range comprising more than 200,000 different
shapes, sizes and colours of windows and patio doors, as standard sizes
in addition to made-to-measure options. The range is BBA certified and
comes with a warranty: 20 years on the glazing and 10 years on the window
itself.
Tel: +44 (0)1283 511122
Email: info@blackmillwork.co.uk
Web: http://www.blackmillwork.co.uk
AV
Technology Testing Assists with New Building Regulations
AV
Technology Ltd (AVT), the European noise and vibration prediction consultancies,
is testing new and converted buildings for sound resistance in accordance
with amendments to the building regulations.
Testing and research has shown that separating walls and floors which
should be capable of providing satisfactory levels of sound insulation
did not do so in practice. In December 2002 major changes to Approved
Document E of the Building Regulations were published, these came into
effect on the 1st July 2003 and call for sample pre-completion testing
of separating walls and floors prior to handover to ensure that designed
performance is achieved in practice.
The sound testing consists of two separate tests. AVT firstly measures
the construction's resistance to the passage of impact sound. This is
achieved by placing a tapping machine on the floor of the specimen under
test and measuring the level in the receiving room underneath. Secondly,
the construction's resistance to the passage of airborne sound is measured.
This is achieved by placing a known steady source of noise on one side
of the wall or floor, and measuring the amount transmitted to the neighbouring
room to determine how much noise the wall or floor resists.
The measurement procedure used to determine the airborne sound insulation
and the impact sound insulation are in accordance with the ISO - 140 series
of standards.
To carry out the tests AVT uses a range of instrumentation including a
Real Time Frequency Analyser, a Noise Source and a Tapping Machine. All
AVT equipment is maintained within the AVT equipment management system
and regularly calibrated against AVT UKAS controlled standard instruments.
Each instrument is used with the preamplifier and microphone allocated
to it within the AVT Noise and Vibration Equipment Register which is part
of the company's ISO9001 Quality Management System.
Noise and vibration divisional manager Alan Matthews said AVT has been
carrying out the testing since the regulation amendments came into effect
in July 2003.
‘AVT has considerable experience in conducting the airborne and impact
sound insulation testing that is required through the building regulations.
We pride ourselves on our quality of service and are fully ISO 9001:2000
accredited.’
Mr Matthews adds, ‘We are able to mobilise at very short notice to
ensure a fast efficient service.’
Web: http://www.avtechnology.co.uk
Conzzeta
up 13.8% in 2005: Mainly Due to Bystronic
In
2005 the Conzzeta Group increased its revenues from CHF 1,013.8m to CHF
1,153.4m, a rise of 13.8%. The highest growth rates were recorded by the
Sheet Metal Processing Systems (Bystronic) and Glass Processing Systems
(Bystronic glass) business units. In the reporting year, the companies
belonging to Conzzeta Holding generated 78.4% of their sales abroad.
Adjusted for acquisition and currency influences, the increase in consolidated
revenues amounted to 9.3%. The operating result (EBIT) rose disproportionately
by 28% to CHF 66.8 million (previous year: CHF 52.1 million). As a result,
the EBIT margin increased to 5.7%. Group profit amounted to CHF 63.6 million
(CHF 45.0 million). This figure includes extraordinary revenues from the
sale of property, as well as higher financial income. The Board of Directors
is proposing an increased dividend.
The 2005 business year saw some important realignments for the Conzzeta
Group, some of which will only take effect in the current year. The sale
of the remaining construction-related activities, namely Swiss Lack Group
and Prebeton SA, marked the conclusion of a strategic change of course
that was initiated seven years ago. The decision to purchase the US company
Cox Automation Systems and develop the automation business led to the
creation of the Automation Systems business unit.
The global economic climate improved considerably in the course of the
2005 business year. Above all in the second semester, there was a clearly
discernible recovery in the investment climate and consumer confidence.
The sharp rise in crude oil prices did nothing to dampen the growth dynamics.
The industrial business units of Conzzeta Holding, led by Sheet Metal
Processing Systems, Glass Processing Systems, Automation Systems and Sporting
Goods, were able to take advantage of the economic recovery in the form
of substantially increased sales.
Sheet Metal Processing Systems
The largest business unit, Sheet Metal Processing Systems (Bystronic),
reported marked revenue growth, with an increase of 11.6% to CHF 490.0
million. This figure includes the new sales companies in Great Britain
and Sweden which were first consolidated on January 1st, 2005. On a comparable
basis, adjusted for acquisition effects, the growth amounted to 6.5%.
After starting 2005 with new orders running at a low level, the order
volume showed a marked improvement towards the end of the year. Above
all in Europe there was a massive increase in sales. The Group's presence
in key markets was further strengthened through the opening or acquisition
of new sales companies in Korea, Great Britain and Sweden.
Glass Processing Systems
The most vigorous sales growth was achieved by the Glass Processing Systems
business unit (Bystronic glass). The increase of 27.4% to CHF 196.5 million
can be attributed above all to the rise in sales of systems for automotive
glass manufacture and the securing of a major order from Hungary. From
a geographic standpoint, the biggest sales increases were in North America
and Asia. The acquisition of the Canadian start-up Intra Product Development,
which gives Bystronic glass access to a new technology for cost-effective
manufacture of PVC windows, was particularly noteworthy. The establishment
of a subsidiary in Russia signaled the Group's entry into a further important
market.
Foam Materials
The course of business at the Foam Materials business unit, which operates
under the FoamPartner umbrella brand, was marked by the massive hikes
in some raw material prices, a gratifying performance by the industry
segment and declining demand in automotive lines. Thanks to the improved
business climate in the final months of the year, the business unit's
sales reached CHF 135.2 million, slightly higher than in 2004. Although
sales price increases and measures to reduce costs were implemented and
are already proving effective, it was not possible to fully offset the
effect of the higher raw material costs. At the Leverkusen site in Germany,
the newly installed reticulation facility for the manufacture of open-cell
foams came on stream; and a joint venture was started in China with the
German company Otto Bock, which is active in the same sector.
Coating Materials
Following the sale of the Swiss Lack Group to Akzo Nobel of the Netherlands
with effect from January 1st, 2006, the Coating Materials business unit
is reported for the last time as an autonomous business unit of the Conzzeta
Group. The unit's revenues rose 5.7% to CHF 113.2 million. Schmid Rhyner
AG, which specialises in print finishing products, returned stable sales
figures of CHF 31.6 million. As of March 1st, 2006, the business activities
of Siegfried Keller AG (noise control products) were sold to Ampack AG.
Despite the slight downturn in sales, Siegfried Keller reported a marked
rise in earnings.
Recommended
cash Offer by Linde for BOC
Linde
AG, Wiesbaden/Germany, has agreed to make a pre-conditional offer to acquire
the entire share capital of The BOC Group plc, Windlesham/UK, for 1,600
pence in cash per share. The board of directors of BOC intends to recommend
BOC shareholders to accept the offer.
The making of the offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of European
and US competition authority clearance pre-conditions and the offer is
subject to the requisite approval of BOC's shareholders and the English
Courts. Given the complementary product portfolios of both companies,
Linde expects that the pre-conditions can be satisfied. Linde currently
anticipates this will occur by the end of May 2006. If the pre-conditions
are satisfied by that time, the transaction is expected to be completed
in the third quarter of 2006.
Following the acquisition, Linde will be one of the world's leading industrial
gases and engineering groups with combined gas and engineering sales of
approximately Euro 11.9 billion.
The funds necessary for the acquisition will be provided under a credit
facility entered into with Commerzbank AG, Deutsche Bank AG, Dresdner
Bank AG, Morgan Stanley International Limited and The Royal Bank of Scotland
plc.
The credit facility will be refinanced through a combination of a capital
increase in an amount of Euro 1,4 to 1,8 billion, hybrid capital (1,2
to 1,6 Euro billion), the issue of bonds, bank loans and the divestment
of selected activities. It is Linde's intention to maintain an investment
grade rating for the combined group.
Bumper
Order Book for a Firm which Exports 75% of its Output
A
bumper order book means a York firm is looking forward to a record-breaking
year for business.
Sheppee International, which is based at Elvington, has introduced a batch
of top appointments to boost sales and productivity in recent months and
says that its hard work is already paying off.
But what makes it even more of an achievement is that three-quarters of
the firm's production goes overseas.
Managing director Jeff Yoward said: .This is literally the best the order
books have ever looked and I am really pleased with how things are developing.
'Considering that 75% of what we make here goes for export I think it's
a fantastic achievement.'
The firm has just delivered an order to a brewery in the Philippines worth
£270,000, which is the latest in a string of high-value orders.
The company is doing particularly well in the Far East, Russia and India.
'That's because Sheppee International has earned a worldwide reputation
as a manufacturer of production line equipment for the glass industry.'
said Jeff Yoward . 'Our products are widely acknowledged to be at the
cutting edge of technology so customers from around the globe regularly
seek advice from us for their manufacturing problems. '
14 years ago the firm was brought out of insolvency by, among others,
Mr Yoward and now employs 40 people and has a turnover of £2.8million.
Jeff added: 'To an extent we do specialise in what we do but our reputation
has been hard-earned and is matched with excellent products and aftersales
support.
'Everyone here works hard and I'm very optimistic about what 2006 will
bring.'