Laird
Group - AGM Statement
Nigel Keen, Laird Group Chairman, said:'Before putting the resolution
to the meeting I would like to highlight some of the points I made in
my Statement in the 2001 Annual Report and Accounts and to say a few words
about current trading.
2001 represented the first full year's results since the major repositioning
of the Group carried out during 2000. The automotive businesses, which
represented over 40% of the Group's turnover, were sold at the end of
that year and with the acquisition of Instrument Specialties in August
2000, Laird Technologies became the global leader in electromagnetic interference
shielding. Almost half Laird's business is now in the electronics sector
while geographically half is in the USA and the Group has a growing presence
in Asia.
The benefits of this repositioning were overshadowed by the unprecedented
downturn and resultant destocking seen in the electronics industries and
the Group's exposure to the US economy.
However, the actions taken in 2001 and the further steps being implemented
during the current year are strengthening the Group and are ensuring that
Laird is well placed to take advantage of its important and leading market
positions. The rationalisation of manufacturing capacity and the expansion
of the Group's activities in the growing markets in Asia will not only
significantly reduce the cost base but will also increase Laird's global
presence to support the requirements of its international customers. These
changes do, though, have a cost and exceptional charges this year are
expected to be higher than those in 2001.
In my statement in the 2001 Accounts, published in March this year, I
reported that the trading environment remained challenging but that there
were signs of conditions stabilising and of destocking in the electronics
industries coming to an end. Although we still await a sustained improvement
in underlying market conditions, the Group has made good progress so far
in 2002.
Successes in penetrating key customer accounts, coupled with new product
developments and cost reduction programmes have resulted in an improved
operating performance compared with the second half of last year and an
outcome for the first four months of 2002 close to that for the same period
in 2001. Laird remains well placed to take full advantage of a return
to growth, especially in the electronics sector, when it occurs.
Foothold
in America hits Ultraframe's profit, but outlook is sunny
Ultraframe believes the dry weather and the continuing UK home improvement
boom is behind a surge in half-year sales.
UK sales at the conservatory roofs maker jumped 12% to £40.4 million
in its first six months.
The mild autumn and winter also helped sales, as last year record rain
fall deterred prospective customers while putting up structures in sodden
ground proved tough going.
But Ultraframe says sales have benefited from the raft of home improvement
advice on television and in magazines.
Chief executive David Moore says: 'It's a lifestyle choice and not just
about needing extra space.
Instead conservatories are being featured on TV home improvement programmes
and magazines, which say you need to bring natural light into your home.'
Mr Moore expects the trend to continue during the second half, while the
warmer weather would turn homeowner thoughts towards fitting a conservatory.
Overall, group turnover lifted 72% to £66.4 million, boosted by
the first full contribution from last year's £88.5 million acquisition,
US conservatory company Four Seasons.
Operating profits before one-off costs in the six months rose from £8.5
million last year to £11.2 million.
Pre-tax profits dipped from £9.1 million to £8.8 million on
increased interest payments (£1.2m) and goodwill amortisation of
£2m relating to the Four Seasons acquisition.
Tel: 01200 452229
Email: mailto:brochures@ultraframe.co.uk
Web: http://www.ultraframe.co.uk
Kyro's
Profit Doubled During January-March 2002
The net sales of Kyro Group for the period January-March was EUR 31.6
(36.1) million and the operating profit was EUR 3.3 (4.1) million, or
11 (11)% of the net sales.
Profit before taxes and minority interest doubled to EUR 4.4 (2.1) million.
Growth in financial and investment income in particular contributed to
the profit improvement. Net financial items for January- March amounted
to EUR 1.1 (-2.0) million. Profit for the period was EUR 2.6 (1.3) million.
Earnings per share were EUR 0.07 (0.03).
Kyro Group’s order book was at a good level on 31.3.2002, having
grown from EUR 71.7 million at the end of last year to 73.1 million.
On 31.3.2002, Kyro Group employed 478 (451) persons (Tamglass employs
446). The growth in the number of personnel as compared to the corresponding
period of the previous year is mainly due to recruitment for the Tamglass
factory in China, as well as added resources for the company’s product
development and after sales functions.
When convened on 20.3.2002, the Board elected Carl-Johan Numelin as Chairman
and Christer Sumelius as Deputy Chairman.
The current Board of Kyro Corporation was elected at the Annual General
Meeting held on 22.11.2000, and the members are: Lauri Fontell, Lars Hammarén,
Carl-Olaf Homén, Barbro Koljonen, Carl-Johan Numelin, Carl-Johan
Rosenbröijer, Christer Sumelius and Gerhard Wendt.
The net sales of Tamglass, which belongs to Kyro’s safety glass technology
business area, was EUR 25.0 (28.7) million for the period January-March.
Net sales during the corresponding period last year was exceptionally
high. The number of machine deliveries to North America during the period
under review was smaller than in the previous year.
Operating profit for the period January-March was EUR 2.5 (3.5) million.
The decrease was the result of a decrease in net sales as well as investments
in the factory in China, which is in its start-up phase.
The number of new machine orders at Tamglass grew during the period January-March,
compared to the same period last year. The company’s order book was
at a good level on 31.3.2002, having grown from EUR 47.6 million at the
end of December to EUR 49.5 million. The amount of sales offers outstanding
for Tamglass was at a high level at the end of March.
New orders during the period under review were focused on architectural
glass machines. The demand for safety glass machines for vehicles picked
up towards the end of last year and sales grew in the January-March period
from the corresponding period last year.
Tamglass’s sales in the new focus areas, South America and Asia,
increased significantly from the corresponding period last year. Demand
for safety glass machines was good in both China and Brazil. Uncertainty
in the world economy was apparent in the slow decision- making process
for investments, mainly in Europe and the United States.
Demand for the ProConvection glass tempering machine, intended for the
tempering of coated glass and introduced particularly for the European
and Asian markets in 2001, was good.
During the period under review, Tamglass also introduced the new SuperConvection
flat-tempering machine for coated glass into the US markets.
Roof
Lock - The Demand Starts Now
A new company in the conservatory industry, which claims a unique first
product, is currently building a UK network of accredited distributors
before production has even begun.
Aegis Conservatory Roof Systems has received hundreds of enquiries after
placing just two trade press adverts to announce production of 'the most
secure conservatory roofing system ever'.
Now managing director Jeff Smith is selecting a team of accredited installers
to distribute the unique Roof Lock system - weeks ahead of the product's
launch date.
'Conservatories represent one of the economy's strongest continuing growth
markets yet there has been no significant new breakthroughs in design
terms for years,' he said. 'Roof Lock is the next development that everyone
has been waiting for - not simply one that improves conservatory design
but which makes a real contribution to home security.
'Roof Lock is a genuinely unique innovation which uses six different security
devices interlinking to make a totally tamper-proof roof unit which is
actually more cost effective than a conventional roof.
'The trade has been quick to recognise the tremendous sales value in this,
together with a marketing support package that will generate more orders
and increase bottom line profits. We include incentives and promotion
initiatives, advertising, marketing and public relations material as well
as an Internet ordering facility and technical back-up ranging from computer
aided design to 3D modelling technology.'
Aegis goes into production this summer from its £3 million custom-built
production base in Denbighshire on the North Wales coast. Roof Lock will
be available only from accredited distributors 'who are being chosen to
match the calibre of the product'.
Further details will be available next month with a major trade launch
later in the year.
Dupont's
Benedictus Award won by Romantic Summer Pavilion in Burgundy, France
In the mid 1990s, an eighteenth-century folly near Avalon, in the Burgundy
region of France, was converted into a small summer residence for a Dutch
neurologist and his wife, an art historian.
Architect Dirk Jan Postel of Rotterdam was retained to build a laminated
glass skylight for the converted folly in 1997. However, while inspecting
the site with its owner, the architect accidentally discovered a former
gunpowder vault in a bridge land head. Enchanted, the client agreed to
transform the vault into a guest room.
The
result is an elegant and simple, laminated glass pavilion named 'The temple
of love' by the architect, which serves as romantic guest quarters to
the main summer residence.
Postel explained: 'We excavated 2.5 m of limestone to create an access
to the vault. The concept was to create a 'belvedere' (a pavilion for
the contemplation of nature, used principally in summer). The belvedere
is situated at the raised level of the former railway bridge, so there
was the potential to give guests extensive views to the river and beyond,
across the wonderful Burgundy landscape.'
Laminated glass used to 'extend the space'
Postel said: 'From the start, we wanted to avoid invasive construction
barriers to the views. We wanted to extend to the maximum the natural
space of the track and the bridge. We chose laminated glass to house the
pavilion because of the material's transparency and because it enhances
the beauty of the existing stonework. Laminated glass provides the best
safety and clarity. Importantly, it is the only type of glass with sufficient
safety and strength for the vertical glazing. The result is that the roof
too becomes part of the 'endless space' that you perceive from the inside.
You really feel that you are 'flying in space', that you are in close
communion with the nature all around you, which is exactly the effect
we wanted to achieve!'
The
goal of the design is to make the roof appear to be 'floating on nothing',
as the architect put it. Laminated glass was the material of choice in
order to avoid barriers and extend the space. The architect refused to
apply steel cross-bars for structural stability and found the solution
instead by fixing laminated glass panels directly into the ground. The
detailing is coherent, unobtrusive and minimal, and looks as though the
glass is cut directly into the stone. As well as structural strength,
laminated glass was chosen for its safety and clarity.
The pavilion's cantilevered roof consists of a timber stressed skin construction
weighing about 2,000 kg. Two laminated glass panels on either side carry
the roof's load. Lateral stability and the ground fixings are provided
by two laminated, toughened glass panels; each panel is 2.3 m high. Four
smaller side-panels of laminated glass contribute to rotational stability,
while four toughened glass doors give access to the pavilion and allow
for ventilation. A laminated glass hatch covers a manhole to the former
vault, providing light to the room below.
Postel said that one of the most difficult parts of the construction was
the roof, which was built first and raised above scaffolding which would
allow the glass perimeter to be built. The roof was carefully lowered
onto the glass to evenly build up the pressure of the construction.
The Rotterdam-based architect worked in association with an all-Dutch
team that included structural engineer Rob Nijsse of Velp, glazing firm
Alverre of Almelo and laminator Scheuten of Venlo.
The 2002 DuPont Benedictus Awards judges said: 'We were struck by the
poetic clarity in the new as juxtaposed against the old, dramatically
aided by the use of laminated glass as the total supporting structure.
The juxtaposition is carefully carved out, with great simplicity. We do
not know of a finer example of the use of laminated glass as a total structural
element.
'The absence of all interfering elements is interesting. It's a fine example
of historic preservation. There is a great clarity concerning what is
old and new; one could even call it minimalist historic preservation.
One aspect highlights and strengthens the other.'
http://www.dupont.com/safetyglass/lgn/stories/2101.html
Glass
Processing Machinery at Promac
Promac Glass Machinery has introduced Glass Processing machinery to complement
its range of Cutting and Insulating Glass equipment, which includes Horizontal
Washing and Shape Glass Cutting, (available with edge deletion if required).
Turin based TOMAS have appointed Promac to exclusively represent their
range of Straight Line Edgers, Drills and Double Edgers in the UK and
Eire.
Tomas
are an all round heavy engineering company, that for the last 50 years
or so have been building bespoke machinery for the Automotive Industry
at companies such as Fiat. The company decided over a decade ago to build
a range of glass processing machinery and using its heavy engineering
experience, a range of robust, innovative machinery was developed that
is totally produced in- house.
The Tom range of Straight Line Edgers are available with 4, 5, 6, 8, 10
and 16 spindles in fixed or variable mitre construction. Complementing
the edgers is the Tom 130 Drill available in semi-automatic or automatic
operation (including laser sighting and pneumatic lifting as an option).
The edgers can process glass from 40x40mm with a thickness from 3-50mm
dependent on the machine chosen. The Tom 130 Drill can also drill down
to the same glass size and from 4-50mm thick; it can also drill from 4-130mm
diameter holes.
The full range of consumable items consisting of Diamond Wheels, Polishing
Wheels/Felts, Drills, Dressing Stones, and Cerium etc for all types of
machinery are also being added to the extensive Promac Hand Tools and
Consumables Catalogue.
Contact: Steve Goble
Tel: 07973 704443
Email:mailto:saleswin@promac.co.uk
Web:http://www.promac.co.uk
Successful
Fire Door Seminar to be Repeated
BM TRADA Certification and Chiltern lnternational Fire will stage a one-day
seminar, Timber Fire Doors Explained, on 30" May 2002.
More
than 350 delegates have already attended events in this series and as
organiser Tom Gregory explained, 'After each event there is clear demand
for a further one. The day includes a full-scale fire test on two similar
doorsets, to demonstrate testing procedure and illustrate how seemingly
minor flaws in design, manufacture and installation incorporated into
one of the doors can have a significant impact on its fire resisting performance.
The seminars are aimed at manufacturers, installers, building control
inspectors, NHS fire officers/estate managers, contractors, architects
and property/facility managers.
The programme for the day will cover:
* the background to the regulatory requirements
* how fire doors are tested, assessed and certified
* how to install a fire door correctly
* design issues which make the difference between pass and fail
* introduction to BM TRADA Certification's Q-Mark fire doors scheme.
'Delegates appreciate that fire doors save lives as well as protecting
property. It's essential that they are manufactured, specified, installed
and inspected correctly in every circumstance,' Tom added.
The seminar will take place at Chiltern lnternational Fire's Hughenden
Valley test laboratory. The cost is £195 + VAT. For full details
or to book ring Tom Gregory on 01494 569812 or email mailto:tgregory@chilternfire.co.uk.
Web: http://www.chilternfire.co.uk
GAI
and ABHM in Merger Talks
The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers and the Association of Builders
Hardware Manufacturers have entered into discussions about a possible
merger.
Two negotiating teams, one from each organisation, have been meeting to
establish the viability of such a move.
While both organisations are active within the UK hardware industry, the
Guild is made up of both manufacturers and merchants and also represents
individuals in the industry. It is recognised for its education and technical
programmes.
The ABHM represents leading manufacturers and is very active in UK and
European technical work. Some ABHM members are also members ofthe Guild.
The aim is to establish a possibility of a single much stronger organisation
fully representative of the industry, giving it a much more powerful voice
with Government and other industry bodies. In addition such a merger should
bring added benefits such as greater financial stability; reduced duplication
of member services and a reduction in overheads.
John Planck, the Guild's President commenting said, 'While these negotiations
are ongoing, I believe this has to be the way forward for our organisations.
I do not believe that an industry like ours can sustain two representative
bodies these days.'
David Whitworth, speaking for the ABHM, agreed and added, 'There is a
synergy which we must harness as combining the strengths of each body
will create a much more powerful and influential representative organisation.'
No time scale has yet been placed on the negotiations although it is anticipated
that these will be concluded within a few months.
Conservatory
Companies Wound Up
Two Lancashire companies which sold substandard conservatories have been
wound up in the High Court. An associated company which supplied the machinery
used to build the conservatories was also wound up.
Cresting Products Ltd, Carlton Green Conservatories Ltd and Camway Engineering
Ltd were wound up in the public interest on 1st May 2002 following DTI
petitions.
The court found that:
- The companies had been run by disqualified directors through nominee
directors.
- The companies failed to keep proper accounting records.
- The companies' poor workmanship resulted in a large number of complaints
which the companies failed to resolve.
Cresting Products Ltd traded as 'Burnhouse Conservatories'until February
2001. Carlton Green Conservatories Ltd then began trading under the name
'Burnhouse Conservatories'. Cresting Products Ltd has been in voluntary
liquidation since 28th March 2001.
The Official Receiver was appointed liquidator of all 3 companies.
MPH
aims for the Trade market
MPH Windows, supplier of PVCu products, has built a reputation in the
domestic and new build markets, and is set to do the same in the Trade
market.
MPH
has been awarded the ISO9002 quality award and the BS7412 Kitemark and
has earned its credentials as a 'super-fabricator' by supplying many large
companies, including a number of national house builders such as Bryants,
Wimpey and McLeans.
MPH Windows produces over 1,000 frames a week using the Fersina and Spectus
window systems and state of the art CAD and CAM fabrication techniques.
The company has recently installed the CAT 500 and Multi-Fab 3000 cutting
and preparation machinery allowing the production of an additional 800
frames a week.
MPH Windows believes that it can also achieve success supplying to the
Trade. MPH Windows Trade Direct was launched 2 years ago and is already
a leading supplier to the Trade in the North West. This growth has been
driven by Director Greg Kane, who believes that now is a good time for
Trade Direct to begin to supply nationwide.
'Our increased capacity gives us the ideal opportunity to become a leading
PVCu supplier nationally. Our biggest strength in achieving this will
be our responsive fabrication service. We can deal with any order, however
big or small, without compromising our quality.'
Contact: Greg Kane
Tel: 01772-463694
Glaverbel
Group: Expansion in Spain in the Field of Rear-View Mirrors
Through the intermediary of its Spanish network, the Glaverbel Group has
just acquired an 85% stake in the Guardiola company, which specialises
in producing mirrors for cars (interior and exterior mirrors, including
sunvisor mirrors).
Guardiola has long had commercial relations with Miroiterie Hirtz, a French
subsidiary of the Group, which provides it with semi-finished products
for further processing to supply the Spanish market. After cutting and
fabricating, Guardiola supplies the mirrors to mirror-system manufacturers
who assemble the actual rear-view mirrors.
Under the present agreement, Guardiola will benefit directly from the
expertise and R&D activities of Glaverbel and Miroiterie Hirtz in
the field of mirrors. By acquiring control of Guardiola, Miroiterie Hirtz
confirms its position in Spain, the third-largest automobile market in
Europe.
The operation remains subject to the approval of the Spanish competition
authorities.
Tel: +32 (0)2 674 31 11
Email: mailto:corporate.com@glaverbel.com
Web: http://www.glaverbel.com
Public
Sector Demand Boosts the Commercial Glazing Market!
'2001 saw the British Commercial Glazing Market reach £1.79 billion.'
says Palmer in this latest report on the Commercial Glazing Markets. 'This
is the market which covers windows, doors, curtain walling and other glazed
products in offices, shops, schools, hospitals and other non-housing buildings.
While commercial offices continue to be the most important sector in the
market, work in education buildings is growing fast.'
In terms of number of window frames, the Private Commercial sector is
still below the boom days of the late '80s but the dramatic change has
been a 33% increase in Public sector volume over the past two years. '…and
the key here has been in educational buildings where we see a two year
increase of 50%, but even in the private commercial offices sector, the
market is the highest for ten years', says Robert Palmer.
Windows represent one-third of this market, with three-quarters of the
windows now installed in new buildings or extensions; while the renovation
volumes have changed little over the past five years. Aluminium, which
suffered badly in the '90s is now showing the strongest market share for
18 years. PVCu frames saw more modest growth between 1999 and 2001but
still reached a record high in this market. Wood (hardwood and softwood)
also made up some ground over the two year period but is still nearly
a quarter down on 1996.
The South of England accounted for 55% of the window market, far more
than would be expected based on its share of the economy as a whole.
In spite of doubling the installed value since 1995, Curtain Walling is
too closely associated with private sector Offices to gain greatly from
the increase in investment in the public sector, but Palmer reports dramatic
growth in its use in Education and notes significant increases in Industrial
and Leisure buildings. The report details trends in unitised and stick
systems and identifies the size of the structurally glazed market.The
other major change has been the strong increase in reclad work. Although
of a much smaller market size than aluminium, three quarters of PVCu curtain
walling is in reclad work with 62% of the usage replacing timber framing.
With growth in all the other applications, the real surprise is minimal
growth shown by the Shopfront Market. Palmer attributes this to the decline
in the major out-of-town shopping malls, with replacement installations
barely making up for the loss of new build work. Two-thirds of the shopfront
volume by area was in replacement installation last year. This is further
confirmed by Palmer's analysis of the job sizes where only 8% of last
year's market share was represented by jobs over £50,000 in value,
compared with one-quarter three years earlier.
Commercial Entrance Doors, though, grew by 23% in value since 1999; much
of this increase represented by higher specification: for instance, opening
gear for automatic doors, and also a continuing switch from single to
double leaf doors. But there was significant growth in numbers of doors
in the Education sector, now accounting for around one-third of entrance
doors and which has overtaken the market in shopfronts. Aluminium as a
leaf material has gained market share from 69 to 73% between 1998 and
2001. In 1993, wood claimed one-third of this market, now it is reduced
to only 12%, to the benefit of aluminium.
The popularity of atria is the main reason that Roof Glazing has risen
to the highest level since Palmer started recording this market in 1991;
values increasing even faster than volumes to reach nearly £90 million.
Palmer remarks that almost all sectors are finding roof glazing increasingly
popular except, curiously, education where usage has dropped over the
last two years.
A new section of the report analyses Storey Height Screens (other than
shop fronts) as being distinct from curtain walling, and representing
different structural conditions. Although aluminium framing is dominant
in this application, PVCu is also an appropriate material with over 25%
market share.
Further sections of this detailed 133 page analysis of the Commercial
Sector include summaries of the Aluminium and PVCu markets, and a detailed
review of each Building Sector, which, with the Economic Background, provides
the basis of the forecasts that are provided throughout the report. The
fine detail includes regional data and analysis of hardware, glazing and
window styles.
Like all Palmer's reports, this is not just a snapshot of the current
situation based on some 500 personal interviews, but a working document
with historical trends, explanations and assumptions spelt out in 101
tables and charts for the user; who is then well equipped to understand
and form their own opinion. With this research in hand, any marketing
plan for this industry may be well-founded.
The report is available direct from Palmer Market Research at £4250+vat;
a price that includes a personal presentation, and a year's hot line support
from Robert Palmer himself.
Contact: Robert Palmer
Tel: 020 8390 8131
Email: mailto:info@palmermarketresearch.co.uk
Web: http://www.palmermarketresearch.co.uk
The
Industry Takes up Mila's Trinity Challenge
The Trinity Challenge, the triple pronged sporting event that has become
the traditional sporting occasion for the UK window, door and conservatory
industry, has again received overwhelming support. With the golfing, karting
and football tournament being staged on Saturday 15th June, all of the
32 team places had been booked with weeks to go. The Awards Ceremony Dinner
has enjoyed an even faster take-up, also fully sold out.
Being held at various sporting venues in Northamptonshire, the Trinity
Challenge - which is co-sponsored by Hautau, KFV and Siegenia - has attracted
teams from companies from every facet of the industry, including systems
extruders, hardware suppliers and others including a number of fabricators
and installers, computer software suppliers, and specialist service companies.
Teams are invited to participate in the Challenge which enters its 4th
consecutive year with an impressive £9,000 in prize money to be
paid to the winners of each of three events: 6-a-side Football; Golf;
and Karting. The prizes, vouchers for sporting goods, are awarded to the
winners and participants of the individual events down to 8th place, with
the first three places in the overall competition also picking up serious
money. Win all four events and pick up £4,000!
Entry fees, which include two seats at the Awards Ceremony, are (per team)
£250 for all three contests, and for individual events £150
for football, £195 Karting and £185 golf. Additional tickets
for the Awards Ceremony are £20 per head. 300 guests are expected
to attend, making it one of the major social occasions of the industry.
The Trinity Challenge is non-profit making, with charges only made to
cover direct costs.
The day's sporting activities are celebrated afterwards at an Awards Ceremony
Dinner, at which a top after dinner speaker will provide entertainment.
Mila's Kelvin Green says that it adds a sparkle to competition within
the industry: 'Many of the teams come back each year, and everyone takes
it very seriously - it offers an extra edge to show professionalism and
competitiveness, and team spirit. But primarily it's fun, and provides
a great day out.'
Entry forms are available by contacting the Mila Trinity Organiser on
01327 872511, or through the web site at www.milatrinity.co.uk.
Nippon
Sheet Glass Cuts FY01 Group Net Outlook to Y1 Billion Loss
Nippon Sheet Glass Co. has revised down its profit forecast for the year
ended March 31 due to slimmer profits on its information technology products
and poor earnings at subsidiaries.
The company now expects to post a group net loss of Y1 billion, compared
with a profit of Y1 billion forecast in November. It left its sales estimate
unchanged at Y295 billion.
One of the firm's subsidiaries was forced to temporarily halt production
of glass panels for liquid crystal displays, reducing the parent company's
profit.
Delayed construction work is expected to cause another subsidiary, Isolite
Insulating Products Co., to book losses for last fiscal year, Nippon Sheet
Glass said.
PPG
Enhanced Performance Glazing Launched as Standard On Lincoln Aviator
Inside and out, the front door windows on the new Lincoln Aviator will
be like no other on any OEM-made North American vehicle. Designed and
produced by PPG Industries the laminated front door windows offer enhanced
security from the outside and a quieter ride inside.
The use of Safe and Sound windows by PPG on the 2003 Lincoln Aviator sport-utility
vehicle is the first time enhanced performance glazing will be standard
on a North American vehicle.
According to Ernest Hahn, PPG vice president, automotive glass, the PPG
windows take up to 20 times longer to penetrate than standard tempered
windows, and they can attenuate sound by up to 6 decibels.
'We worked with Lincoln to achieve a laminated window thin enough to fit
into the standard door channel while affording the enhanced security and
sound benefits,' Hahn said. 'The windows represent a technological breakthrough
because they are the thinnest automotive laminated side windows in commercial
production - less than 4 mm - allowing them to be a drop-in replacement
for standard tempered parts. As a result, Lincoln is able to provide its
customers with a highly desirable product without having to change door
construction.'
PPG produces the laminated windows at its Tipton, Pa., glass fabricating
plant. The windows are made with two pieces of heat-strengthened glass
laminated with a vinyl inner ply.
'It takes only about a second to break conventional tempered glass, while
these Safe and Sound windows provide enhanced security because they take
longer to penetrate,' Hahn said. 'They also reduce wind and road noises
for a quieter ride.'
Laminated windows enhance comfort for occupants in a vehicle by improving
thermal insulation against winter cold and summer heat, and block much
of the harmful ultraviolet rays from being transmitted into the passenger
compartment.
Hahn noted that enhanced side window security glass is one of the top
technologies in which consumers are interested.
'In a study commissioned with J.D. Power and Associates, consumers who
purchased or leased a new car in the last decade were asked their interest
in emerging technologies. Side window security glass tied for second place
with solar-reflective glass, with 86 percent expressing definite/probable
interest. These are two technologies in which PPG is a global leader.'
In addition to its automotive glass technology, PPG is a global supplier
of flat glass, fiber glass, coatings and chemicals. The Pittsburgh-based
company had sales in 2001 of $8.2 billion.
Titon
Profits Fall Due to Impact of Terrorism
Titon Holdings has posted reduced half-year profits. Interim pre-tax profits
fell by 17.8% to £702,000. This was mainly due to the US slowdown
following the September 11 attacks.
Sales rose by 3.9% to £7.46 million, although growth was slower
than expected.
Operating profits dropped 16.1% to £616,000.
The company says the UK window market was 'reasonably buoyant' in the
first quarter. In the US, the company's operation was affected by the
September 11 terror attacks.
But it says some signs of a recovery have been seen recently, and it hopes
to report an improvement by the year-end.
An unchanged dividend of 2.3p per share is being proposed by the board.
Source: www.ananova.com
Schott
Opens Processing Factory in China
German-based technology company Schott Glas has opened a modern processing
plant for flat glass and CERAN® glass ceramic cooktop panels in China.
Located in Suzhou, approximately 80 kilometers west of Shanghai, Schott
Home Tech (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Schott Glas,
employing around 90 people.
$US 10 million (11.1 million Euros) has been invested in the new facility
which is located on 13,000 square meters of land in the Suzhou New District
technology park, where over 550 European, American and Asian companies
are located including Siemens, Motorola and Sony.
The Schott factory was built and made operational within nine months.
Two production lines have been installed for the processing of flat glass
and CERAN® glass ceramic cooktop panels for household appliances.
The processing steps include cutting, grinding, drilling, screen printing
and tempering using advanced machinery and technology.
The processed flat glass is destined for the appliance industry for applications
such as hob tops, oven doors and freezer lids, while the glass ceramic
cooktop panels are being manufactured for both gas and electric cooking
appliances for Chinese and other Asian markets.
Through close cooperation with the appliance industry, Schott tailors
solutions for CERAN® glass ceramic cooktops with both electric and
gas energy sources to suit the cooking cultures of diverse countries.
With this investment in the world’s most populous country, Schott
is meeting the growing demand concentrated in the urban areas of Shanghai,
Beijing and the coastal region of Guangzhou. The market for household
appliances is growing at an estimated annual rate of 8 percent in China,
where discerning consumers are seeking new and innovative products, preferably
from foreign firms.
Through local processing capabilities, Schott is now able to provide faster
service to its Chinese customers. Schott sees itself as a partner of the
appliance industry and will work closely with manufacturers to develop
modern designs and applications for the Chinese market.
New
Door and Window Specifications in the Public Housing Sector
New information is now available from Windowbase on the Public Housing
Sector. Over fourteen hundred key housing specifiers are identified by
name in the April 2002 release of the Windowbase Housing Specifiers database.
Covering both Local Authorities and Housing Associations, this new edition
of the database summarises the types of material preferred, together with
specification details, the hardware, glazing, and quality standards required
by these key personnel.
The database provides details of the housing stock by each of the interviewed
767 Local Authorities and Housing Associations responsible for over 5.6
million dwellings in the UK; with an indication of how far the replacement
programmes have progressed and which are still actively replacing doors
or windows. Names and job titles of individual specifiers are also given.
Mike Davis of Windowbase says, 'Anyone trying to reach these specifiers
knows they're hard to pin down. It's our experience that they are very
busy people and so difficult to contact! Although we do give their office
telephone numbers on the database, we recommend that most will want details
by mail, so we provide all the addresses.'
Although the information is provided in some detail about doors and windows,
the specifiers are also responsible for the maintenance or new build specifications
of a range of other building products - from cladding to internal joinery,
from roof tiles to drainage.
To serve these markets, the data is offered as sets of mailing labels
for £380 or with follow up lists at £520. The complete database
is supplied under licence for an initial fee and monthly subscription
of £80 for a minimum of one year.
For downloadable demonstration data refer to the Windowbase web site on
http://www.winbase.co.uk
or, for a datasheet, fax 01706 759898 or
e-mail datasheet4@winbase.co.uk.
with your name & company address.
Contact: Mike Davis
Tel: 01706 644 308
New
Green Machine at Premier
Following its development of Purmelt®, a revolutionary water-based
priming system for PVCu profile foiling, PVCu extrusion specialist, Premier
Profiles, has invested in new laminating equipment to further increase
efficiency.
The new machinery, developed in collaboration with European machinery
specialist Lissek + Lissek, allows profile to be treated with Purmelt®
off-line before the foil lamination process is completed. The off-line
process improves line speed and helps reduce waste by making it easier
to maintain high levels of product quality.
Dave Mulholland, commercial director of Premier Profiles commented: 'Forthcoming
legislation will put pressure on extruders to become more environmentally
aware as traditional solvent-based primers are set to be banned under
health and safety regulations. Our solvent-free priming system supports
effective waste management, ensuring that Premier Profiles continues to
provide its fabricator network with high quality products while supporting
the environment.'
Tel: 01302 311200
Email: mailto:info@premierprofiles.ltd.uk
Deleted BBA Certificates from the glazing sector
A
list of deleted BBA Certificates includes the following companies from
the glazing sector:
90/2454 WHS HALO PVC-U WINDOW SYSTEM - Fairco McIlhagga Ltd (lapsed)
90/2455 WHS HALO PVC-U DOOR SYSTEM - Fairco McIlhagga Ltd (lapsed)
91/2623 PRIMO CO-EXTRUDED CELLULAR PVC-U CLADDING SYSTEM (lapsed)
91/2635 PRIMO CELLULAR PVC-U ROOFLINE SYSTEM (lapsed)
99/3593 SPECTUS PVC-U WINDOW SYSTEM - Rogers & Smyth UPVC Systems
Ltd (lapsed)
http://www.bbacerts.co.uk