Ultraframe
Issues Trading Update for the Year Ending 26th September 2003
Ultraframe
Plc, specialist designer and manufacturer of conservatory systems in Europe
and North America, on 8th October issued a year end trading update, preceding
its full year results announcement on Tuesday 2nd December 2003. As announced
at the interim results, it is the Company's intention to make this update
a regular addition to its existing financial calendar.
Group
results
Overall, Group results for the full year have shown modest progress in
2003. Turnover on continuing operations for the full year was down by
1.3% on a constant currency basis, and in sterling terms by 4.3%, impacted
as at the interim stage by the depreciation in the US dollar exchange
rate. However, as expected, the Group has continued to make progress in
terms of gross margin, remains strongly cash generative and has finished
the year with a further significant reduction in gearing.
UK
In the UK, full year sales on continuing operations were in line with
last year, reflecting a slight drop in second half sales. Gross margin
improved both in the second half and for the year as a whole.
Full year sales of mainstream roof products, representing 80% of UK turnover,
were ahead of last year. However, during the second half there was evidence
of a softening market in big ticket home improvement expenditure and sales
were marginally down on the comparable period.
In the smaller but growing budget segment of the conservatory market,
competitive pricing pressure has intensified. As previously announced,
Ultraframe's new roofing system, Uzone, will be launched into this market
segment in October. Uzone is a complementary range extension aimed at
this younger, more price conscious demographic segment of the market.
North America
In North America, core sunroom sales, representing 98% of turnover, were
down by 1.2% on last year in dollar terms, against a slight increase in
the first half. As expected, dollar sales for the small commercial division
were down on last year, continuing the planned downscaling of this business.
Overall dollar sales were down 3.7% on last year, whilst reported turnover
fell by 11.6% reflecting an 8% depreciation of the US dollar over the
year. Gross margin for the year was well ahead of the prior year and the
second half saw even stronger progress in gross margin over the comparable
period.
While the underlying demand for sunrooms remains positive, progress has
been delayed by the extensively reported adverse weather conditions. The
unusually heavy snowfall at the start of the year was followed by exceptional
rainfall from May to July, exacerbating the installation backlog highlighted
at the interim results. The company is now making steady progress on servicing
this backlog, and the current order book is significantly ahead of the
comparable period last year.
Outlook
'In the UK, we expect modest sales growth in 2004 given the slower economic
outlook. The board remains confident that our highly innovative product
range, sales initiatives and operational efficiencies will allow the Group
to benefit from the good long term growth prospects in this market.
'In North America, expectations for an improving economic outlook in 2004,
the level of the current order book, together with the progress we have
made in strengthening our franchise network and continuing plans to expand
our Company-owned retail stores, give the board confidence for good growth
in 2004.'
Laban
Dance Centre Wins the Stirling Prize
The
Laban Dance Centre in Deptford, South East London has won architecture’s
most coveted award – the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Stirling Prize in association with ‘The Architects’ Journal’.
The Prize of £20,000 is awarded to the architects of the building
which has made the greatest contribution to British architecture in the
past year.
The
Laban building opened in February 2003 and was designed by the acclaimed
Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron. Laban is the largest purpose-built
facility for contemporary dance in the world; and one of Europe’s
leading, and largest, institutions for contemporary dance artist training.
Built on Deptford Creekside in South East London, Laban has been upheld
not only as a major new cultural landmark for London but also as a key
focus for the cultural, physical, and social regeneration of South East
London.
According to the judges, Laban has given Deptford a significant and beautiful
new landmark. The building is a singular and simple container, with a
double-skinned wall. This is constructed of a delicate external membrane
of coloured polycarbonate panels, devised in collaboration with artist
Michael Craig-Martin, concealing a utilitarian energy-saving inner layer
of insulation and translucent glass panels. At carefully considered moments,
the inner and outer worlds are more immediately connected by ambiguously
scaled, framed transparent panels.
The dance studios are pressed up against this external envelope and utilise
the exquisite coloured translucency of the walls to separate the plane
of the timber floors from the massive ribbed concrete soffits. The labyrinthine
quality of the internal circulation is dramatised by the high chroma of
the wall paint, darkly toned interiors, the interior lightwells and most
dramatically, the sculptural gloss black painted spiral stairs, one at
the front the other at the rear. The creative and inspiring world of dance
is matched by that of art and architecture.
The treatment of each side of the polycarbonate sheets (outer surface
translucent with UV-protective coating, inner surface coloured and transparent)
causes the skin of the building to transform according to sunlight and
direction of approach.
The
polycarbonate sheets act as a filter transforming sunlight into a flood
of coloured light. The inner translucent glass panels will blur this light
changing its character yet again, creating an ambient glow of colour which
will spill into the interior of the building. The combination of the polycarbonate
sheets and the inner glass panels will reduce the total solar transmission
and simultaneously keep the grade of light transmission high. The windows
are positioned close to the surface of the polycarbonate sheets, appearing
as reflecting pools of water on a coloured fabric.
Certain rooms have solid panelled walls with windows and others have solid
internal walls with no windows. These spaces will be seen as dark shadows
on the façade at night (when the internal spaces are illuminated)
giving the façade added depth.
'Designed by Herzog and de Meuron, the Swiss architect heroes of the munificently
populist Tate Modern, here is a building that is all things to all men,
women, dancers and architectural judges. Handsome, alluring, practical,
uplifting, inventive, an architectural gem in a run-down part of town,
the Laban is the bookies' favourite, and anyone can see why.' - Jonathan
Glancey, Guardian
Laban
beat off stiff competition from five other outstanding examples of British
architecture. The other shortlisted buildings were: Tiree Shelter in Scotland
by Sutherland Hussey Architects with Jake Harvey, Donald Urquhart, Glen
Onwin and Sandra Kennedy; Plymouth Theatre Royal Production Centre by
Ian Ritchie Architects; BedZed in Surrey by Bill Dunster Architects; 30
Finsbury Square in London by Eric Parry Architects; and Great Court at
the British Museum by Foster and Partners.
The Tiree Shelter (pictured right) is a viewing platform on an island
in the Outer Hebrides. It is essentially a telescope, that once entered
frames a fragments of sky, house, foreshore, beach and water. It draws
you down its channel immersing you in the timber of its bridge above the
scalloped rock face below, and protecting you from the wind on emerging
into the glass box at the end.
Study
Supports Case for VAT Reduction on RM&I
A
study carried out by Capital Economics for the Construction Products Association
supports the case for reducing VAT to 5% on all domestic repair, maintenance
and improvement work.
Commenting on the study, Construction Products Association Chief Executive,
Michael Ankers said: 'Reducing VAT to 5% on domestic RM&I has been
a long standing policy objective of the Association and, indeed, the rest
of the construction industry. Successive Governments have, however, ignored
calls for such a reduction and, as a result, some groups in the industry
have recently written to the Chancellor arguing for equality of VAT on
RM&I and new house building.
'The report by Capital Economics clearly concludes that the case for reducing
VAT to 5% on domestic RM&I is a strong one and can be justified on
its own merits without the need to balance this by the imposition of VAT
on new house building. As the consultants make clear, such a move would
be economically disadvantageous and politically unattractive – tending
to reduce the amount of new house building and increase the price of houses,
quite contrary to the Government’s political objectives.'
The Association has already discussed the findings of the study with Treasury
officials and Construction Minister, Nigel Griffiths, and will be using
the report to support its submission to the Chancellor in advance of his
Pre Budget Report later this year.
As Ankers pointed out: 'With the recent major change in policy by the
European Commission on this issue, and the increasing importance being
attached to improving the condition and energy efficiency of the existing
housing stock, there is no better time for the Government finally to provide
this financial incentive to house holders and, at the same time, help
reduce the unfair advantage of those working in the black economy'.
The
British Woodworking Federation backs CPA
The
British Woodworking Federation has backed the Construction Products Association’s
recent call to the Government for a reduction to 5% on VAT applied to
home repair, maintenance and improvement.
BWF Director Richard Lambert says: 'New homebuilding is at a historically
low level and is not going to relieve the housing shortfall in the foreseeable
future.
'We have to make the most of existing stock and reducing the cost of improving
houses and flats will help raise the quality of what the UK already has
and provide an important market for our Members’ joinery products,
including windows, doors, staircases and conservatories.'
Saint-Gobain
Vitrage Strengthens its Presence in China with the Acquisition of a New
Float Line
Saint-Gobain’s
Flat Glass Division (Saint-Gobain Vitrage) and its Korean partner Hanglas
proceeded on October 8th, 2003 to purchase a float line located in Qingdao
(Shandong province) in North Eastern China.
This operation was carried out through a joint venture company held in
majority by Saint-Gobain Vitrage and Hanglas, and Luoyang the current
owner of the float line holding 10%.
Qingdao's geographic position is very favourable for the supply of the
North-Eastern Chinese market – including Beijing – as well as
for exports.
Qingdao is China's third largest port and numerous daily connections with
Korea and Japan ensure a good quality service towards these countries.
This operation is an important landmark in the partnership between Saint-Gobain
Vitrage and Hanglas associated for their mutual development in North-East
Asia. It strengthens both partners' presence in China, the largest market
in the world for the production of flat glass.
In Nanjing, Saint-Gobain Vitrage and Hanglas jointly own a float line,
a patterned glass line and are currently building a coating line the start
up of which is forecasted for the end of this year.
With this new operation in China, Saint-Gobain Vitrage and Hanglas aim
to strengthen their position as leaders in the production of high quality
glass intended for the building and automotive processing markets.
Basta
Locks in New Equipment Foundry Upgrade
Basta,
the Wolverhampton manufacture of window and door fittings, has made a
number of acquisitions over the last few years - first came Worcester
Parsons in 1998, followed by the 'Conqueror' business in 2001 and more
recently the merger ofthe Shaw Product range into the product portfolio.
On the factory side, things have been happening too.
'At our plant in Ireland we have one of the best zinc diecasting facilities,
not only in Europe, but perhaps in the world', claims Kevin Norton CEO
of Basta - 'How can we claim this? We operate our machines faster and
have less waste than most companies involved in casting. This was confirmed
to us when we recently installed a fully automated Metal Delivery System
in the foundry.'
Basta has now decided to take this upgrade further. This next step involved
the ordering of a High Pressure Zinc Diecasting Machine complete with
a Process Monitoring and Control System, Automatic Component Extraction,
and an Air Cooled Conveyor System. The introduction of this system will
enable the company to produce a superior quality casting on a consistent
basis. The Company has an active development programme and continues to
design new products and processes in house. It is also exploring new finishing
technologies.
Tel: 01902 877770
Email: bgriffilths@bastaparsonsgb.com
Ecoline
Prepping Centre for Major Fabricator
A
major fabricator has purchased a state of the art Ecoline Prepping Centre
from Great Yarmouth based machinery manufacturer Stuga Limited.
The fabricator has been so pleased with a Flowline Cutting and Prepping
Centre installed by Stuga that the company decided to change the way it
manufactures doors and incorporate a Stuga Ecoline to carry out all door
preps automatically so that the Flowline can be turned over entirely to
windows as the company needs the highest possible window volume from this
machine to meet increased demand.
The uPVC door parts will be automatically cut on a Stuga Autocut saw centre
where they will be bar-coded during the normal labelling process prior
to being transferred to the Ecoline. The Ecoline operator only has to
pass the pieces over the bar-code reader and place them on the infeed
magazine from the where the machine will automatically load them and carry
out all preps including drainage, locks, hinges, letterboxes and ‘V’
notches. Where mechanical joints are required the Ecoline will also produce
the fixing holes in the frame. Fully prepped pieces are automatically
fed back to the operator so that he does not have to retrieve them from
a remote position.
‘The Ecoline like all machines from Stuga is British built and designed
for British window systems and can produce in the region of 300 doors
per week quickly and easily with top quality and consistency. This is
the way to really deskill door production.’ Says Stuga.
The Ecoline is fully equipped to carry out all window operations as well
as doors and can easily handle trickle vents and ‘Y’ preps for
reverse butts. On windows the machine can be expected to produce well
over four hundred windows per week.
This machine will be number eighteen to be installed in the British window
market.
Tel: 0800 169 5444
Email: mailto:sales@stuga.co.uk
K2
dealer Roof-Maker Ltd of Leicester has changed systems supplier. The company
has been selling two roof systems over the last five months and says the
decision to move to the new global roof system was down to its customers.
As one of the largest K2 dealers in the Midlands fabricating 30-40 roofs
per week, Roof-Maker Ltd has expanded rapidly since its inception over
two years ago.
Managing
Director Scott Nicholas has been specialising in making roof kits for
over 12 years and his Leicester based operation now turns over £2million
a year. 'Our strong customer base is used to the highest levels of quality
product and service. The move to global means we can offer an unbeatable
value for money product with superbly engineered product innovations.....
'We have a very strong customer base who we service at very high levels,
the move to global will allow us to offer an unbeatable value for money
product with well engineered product features,' says Scott
'We recognise future market leading products and we have no doubt that
global is set to take the conservatory market by storm. With many large
fabricators already making the move we wanted to be part of it' adds Scott.
'I was blown away when I first looked at the global system. It eliminates
unnecessary operations and components and stands conventional conservatory
design on its head mainly because it's installed from the inside rather
than the outside. Customers have enthused about the quality of this system
compared with others with its thicker sections and stronger fixings.'
The company claims to be able to offer customers an average cost saving
of £200 over its previous product selling prices. 'Within a year
we expect this product will be number two in the market place at least!'
concludes Scott.
Some of the global system features include:-
•Reduced gasket sightlines.
•Single large bolt fixing of glazing bars.
•Swing fit gutter system to prevent twisting and improve finish.
•Large capacity dual skin box gutter.
•Woodgrain foiled aluminium glazing bar top caps to prevent warping
in the sun.
Dorma
Grows by 8.1 Percent to € 663 million
Despite
the sustained weakness of its markets worldwide, the Dorma Group succeeded
in increasing sales during fiscal 2002/2003 (June 30th) by 8.1 percent
to €663.1m (previous year: €613.3m). This was announced by Dr.
Michael Schädlich, Chief Executive Officer of the Dorma Group (pictured),
during the Düsseldorf press briefing on the company's financial year.
The increase in revenues was largely due to a contribution to revenue
of around €74m emanating from the acquisitions of the previous year.
In organic terms, Dorma grew by 0.3 percent.
'The
weakness of the global market continues to hold us tethered. Yet despite
this and the fact that Dorma also had to absorb exceptional charges arising
from its 'Fit for Future' restructuring programme and integration of the
new Movable Walls division - as well as the negative affects of foreign
exchange fluctuations - we have succeed in holding our course towards
further growth,' emphasised the CEO.
'Once again we have had to deal with what amounts to a further 15-percent
revaluation of the euro in relation to the dollar,' Dr. Schädlich
continued. Against this background, earnings before taxes (EBT) rose by
6.5 percent to €27.7m (previous year:€26m). At 4.2 percent,
the return on sales therefore remained unchanged. The figure for cash
flow remained strong at €58.1m.
Negative forex impact due to strong euro
Dr. Schädlich reported that a significant shift in foreign exchange
rates had produced a distorted view, particularly in those countries in
which Dorma had achieved a healthy degree of growth as measured in local
currencies only to see this disappear once the figures were translated
into euros. 'Things even went so far that, in some cases, a de facto increase
in sales converted into a downturn when expressed in euro,' explained
the CEO, citing the South America region as a case in point: Measured
in local currency, this zone produced an increase in sales of 11.6 percent,
but when converted into euros, the figures showed a collapse in revenues
of -25.6 percent compared with the previous year. The results for fiscal
2002/03 were also influenced by the fact that the acquisitions of the
previous financial year were consolidated this time for a full twelve
months rather than a stub period.
Worthy of particular note, the CEO said, are the positive revenue developments
(in euro, after adjustments for acquisition effects) in the Gulf region
(+10.4%), Australia (+7.1%) and the Emerging Markets (+6.1%) including
large parts of Eastern Europe, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.
By contrast, the company recorded a downturn in South America (-25.6%),
North America (-15.9%) and Central Europe (-5.6%) including in particular
the core market Germany which, due to its high weighting, also significantly
impacted on the Group's overall results.
Focusing on integration and restructuring
One of the main challenges facing the Group in the year under review was,
in the words of the Chief Executive Officer, the integration within Dorma's
various national company groupings of the new Movable Walls division,
this largely comprising a German and an American corporation that were
both newly acquired in the previous year.
The company again put the brakes on its outgoings by continuing and expanding
its 'Fit for Future' cost-cutting programme introduced in the previous
fiscal year. The onset of the implementation phase with well over 500
individual national and international measures had, said Dr. Schädlich,
already significantly impacted on the cost situation. Dorma calculates
the potential savings at €24.6m. Of this figure, only a small portion
had so far been realised in the year under review. 'However, all the relevant
decisions have been taken and the activities concerned will now be initiated,'
confirmed the CEO.
The consolidation process involving the Movable Walls division also had
an impact on the number of employees at the Group during fiscal 2002/03.
Dorma's average workforce in the year under review numbered 5,590, representing
an increase of 477 over the previous year. As of June 30th the workforce
was 5,534, approximately 200 fewer than the figure 12 months previously.
'Capital expenditure decreased by €7.9m and, at €30.2m, stands
at what can be regarded as a normal level following several years of heavy
investment activity,' explained Dr. Schädlich. Meanwhile, total assets
showed only a slight decline due to foreign exchange effects and loan
repayments. The equity ratio was increased to 51.0% (previous year: 48.2%).
Summing up, Dr. Schädlich proclaimed fiscal 2002/03 in general terms
as a year in which Dorma can look back to its achievements with some satisfaction
while being aware that, given the nature of the markets, those achievements
were bound to be modest.
Outlook
'We feel that, although there are some early signs of an economic recovery
on the horizon, there is currently still little chance of any great upturn
in activity in the construction sector or in demand for our products,'
declared the CEO.
And he went on to say: 'We intend to follow a clearly defined course directed
specifically to targeted cost reductions and increased efficiency.'
However, Dr. Schädlich also added that Dorma was very much conscious
of the fact that an over-emphasis on cost-cutting could undermine its
solid basis for entrepreneurial success. The company will therefore be
energetically pursuing its development programmes 'while at the same time
stepping up its sales activities in order to make the most of the opportunities
arising from any market revival.' By sharpening its focus on the essentials,
Dorma intends to remain a reliable and stable partner for its customers
even in these present times.
The
Gl@zine Wins the Uzone Challenge
The
Ultraframe Uzone challenge involved a room full of journalists and three
conservatory roof kits. Ultraframe claims a time of ninety minutes for
this new roof to go up. The Industry press put this to the test in three
teams. The first of the seven boxes that contained the new Uzone roof
were ripped open, and battle commenced.
After about seventy minutes, the judges deliberated and the champagne
went to The Gl@zine's Tony Higgin and Jonathan Brind from Glass and Glazing
Products magazine.
In second place was John Cowie from Window Industries, Davinia Murphy
from Window Fabricator and Installer and Danny Wright. Last was Terry
Smith of Professional Builder magazine and Dominic Bentham from Glass
Age.
Web: http://www.ultraframe.com
Alcoa's
Income From Continuing Operations Rises 40 Percent Over Previous Year's
Result
Alcoa
reported on 7th October third quarter income from continuing operations
of $283 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to $229 million,
or $0.27 per share, in the second quarter. This quarter's results were
a 40 percent improvement over income from continuing operations of $202
million or $0.24 per share in the third quarter last year.
Net income in the third quarter was $280 million, or $0.33 per share,
up 30 percent from the $216 million, or $0.26 per share, in the second
quarter, and up from $193 million, or $0.23 per share, in the third quarter
of 2002. Both income from continuing operations and net income are measures
recognised by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
'We achieved a double-digit increase in profitability despite traditional
seasonal weakness in the automotive and European markets,' said Alain
Belda, Chairman and CEO of Alcoa. 'Strength in the alumina market and
continued focus on productivity and cost control helped deliver the most
profitable quarter in two years. As business conditions improve, we are
well positioned to drive greater profitability.'
Market Overview
Sales were $5.3 billion, up 3 percent over the third quarter of 2002 and
down 3 percent on a sequential basis. A robust alumina market helped the
company reach its highest level of third party alumina shipments since
the first quarter of 2001. Stronger aluminium prices overcame weaker metal
shipments, due in part to the disruption at the Alumar smelter in Sao
Luis, Brazil. The building and construction and commercial transportation
sectors both showed improvement, while European industrial and North American
automotive markets demonstrated typical seasonal weakness.
Driving Cost Savings
The company's margins improved from the previous quarter to 20.8 percent,
their strongest level in two years. Sales and administrative expense fell
12 percent in the quarter with lower spending across the board.
The company achieved $23 million in cost savings in the quarter and has
now achieved $964 million toward its $1 billion cost savings goal set
for the end of 2003. The company remains on track to meet that challenge.
The third quarter tax rate of 22 percent includes tax benefits associated
with the expiration of a prior international audit period. The tax rate
for the fourth quarter is expected to be 30.5 percent.
Strengthening the Balance Sheet
The company has reduced its debt by nearly $1 billion in the past 6 months,
cutting its debt-to-capital ratio by 460 basis points. The debt-to-capital
ratio now stands at 38.8 percent, 160 basis points lower than the close
of the second quarter.
The substantial improvement in the balance sheet was driven by improved
profitability, lower working capital, tight control on capital expenditures,
and the closing of a previously announced acquisition in South American
operations, primarily the facilities of Alcoa Aluminio S.A. in Brazil.
Capital expenditures were below last year's level by approximately 33
percent and ran at 70 percent of depreciation.
The fourth quarter will show additional improvement as asset sales are
completed. The recently completed sale of the company's Latin American
PET packaging business will be reflected in the fourth quarter, and the
company continues to pursue its previously announced divestiture of non-core
businesses. Proceeds from those sales will be used primarily to pay down
debt.
Expanding Low-Cost Facilities
In the quarter, Alcoa continued to seize opportunities to improve its
low cost position as a supplier of primary metals and alumina. The company
took steps forward on two low-cost greenfield smelter projects, signing
memoranda of understanding in both Bahrain and Brunei. It is moving ahead
with brownfield alumina expansions at its facilities in Pinjarra, Australia
and Suriname.
In addition, the company continued to drive costs down at its U.S. smelters
and approved the expansion of a mine operation at Rockdale, Texas that
will be a source of low-cost power for its smelter there.
Janex
Supplies Doors and Windows for Government's £250 Million Key Worker
Accommodation Initiative
As part of the government's £250million starter home initiative, Janex, supplier of Scandinavian windows and doors, has won a £100,000 contract to supply Berkeley College Homes' key worker accommodation with aluminium clad windows, flat entrance and internal doorsets for its Sandgates project in Chertsey, Surrey.
Peter Watson, Sales Manager, of Janex, said: 'Berkeley College Homes chose Janex to supply the windows and doors as they have been using Nordic products for the last ten years and are confident that these products are the most reliable for their projects.'
Janex has been chosen to supply tilt and turn aluminium clad windows finished in white. The windows provide high insulation values through the use of timber as the primary window material. The timber has good aesthetics and also gives the window a traditional look.
The aluminium acts as a ‘suncoat’ to protect the timber from the degrading effects of the sun as well as shielding the timber from rain and moisture. Aluminium cladding can be unclipped, using the correct tools, and replaced in sections or as a whole should the window be damaged or vandalised.
Flat entrance doorsets, fire-rated to 30 minutes, with a birch laminate finish will be supplied as well as factory painted internal Janex Swedoor doorsets. All doorsets will be supplied factory fitted with non-projecting ironmongery.
The
88 flats are built under government's initiative to build affordable accommodation
and house 10,000 key workers – teachers, policemen, firemen, nurses
and other essential staff – over a three-year period.
All Janex’s products comply with security requirements set by the
police 'Secured by Design' initiative. Compliance with these requirements
ensures the ability of Janex windows and doors to resist forced entry.
Janex is a supply chain partner and supplies traditional high quality Scandinavian products that are suitable for replacement projects or for new build developments. With the ability to deliver large quantities of windows and doors as precision made systems to local authorities and social housing projects throughout the UK, Janex guarantees a quality product with genuine certification.
Lloyds
TSB Corporate Helps Nationwide Windows Expand
After
17 years in business and operating in a highly competitive market, Rugby
based Nationwide Windows is expanding with the support of its bankers,
Lloyds TSB Corporate.
Nationwide
Windows UK Limited has banked with Lloyds TSB Corporate since it was first
launched and the company firmly believes that, with the Bank’s help,
it will successfully achieve its growth targets.
Lloyds TSB Corporate’s Relationship Manager David Southall has worked
closely with the company. He has helped the company’s management
team formulate its growth strategies, has helped ensure that the company’s
internal processes are sufficiently robust to support expansion plans
and has acted as an informed friend and sounding board, challenging and
testing new ideas and marketing strategies.
Nationwide Windows UK manufactures windows, doors and conservatories,
originally for its sister company Future Homes Ltd. The two companies
merged and now operate under the Nationwide Windows UK brand.
Nationwide Windows serves three distinct markets: Retail, Trade and Commercial
where it supports Local Authorities and Housing Associations. The Commercial
arm of the business is enjoying particular success having won major new
contracts with Kirklees Metropolitan Council and Walsall Housing Group.
'We are delighted with our recent success,' says Nationwide Commercial
Director John Whalley. 'These have given us the confidence to invest further
in our business and to improve our efficiency. The company is now planning
to expand from its existing premises and to recruit new staff. We currently
produce in excess of 600 windows, doors and conservatories each week and
will increase capacity to 800 units a week in the near future.'
Nationwide Windows expansion programme has already started. New machinery
has been installed and planning permission won for a substantial extension
to the production site.
John adds, 'Lloyds TSB has backed the purchase of our new machinery with
some very competitive loan packages. The bank also assists us with the
day to day smooth running of our business through its computerised Banking
System - Lloyds Link.'
Lloyds TSB’s David Southall works closely with the business’
management team. He says, 'Nationwide Windows is very successful thanks
to the hard work and vision of the people leading it. They have the courage
to manage risk and the energy and desire to diversify and grow new markets.
We are pleased to be helping Nationwide ensure their plans come to fruition.'
‘Vantastic’
– Safestyle’s 150 New Vans Keep the Lead
A
new fleet of 150 transit vans will hit the road between now and Christmas
to ensure Bradford-based Safestyle UK Limited meets its ever-increasing
window of opportunity.
Safestyle, supplier of PVCu windows and doors says it has witnessed phenomenal
growth since it was established in 1992. Sales have risen sharply - now
reaching almost £2m weekly - and the demand has placed increased
pressure on delivery as well as fitting.
Safestyle’s
Transport Manager Les Jones with the keys to the first of 150 new vans
that arrive between now and Christmas.
Chief Executive, John Ross, came up with the answer. ‘An order of
this size in today's economic climate is somewhat unusual but I feel it
is vital to portray the right image. We have been in the industry for
more than ten years and have always worked hard to emphasise that, unlike
some of our competitors, we are here to stay with the best products and
the most impressive back up for fitting and delivery.
‘This new fleet will undoubtedly help us keep ahead of the field
by meeting the demand for the latest products delivered on time.’
Safestyle's transport manager, Les Jones, is no less enthusiastic. ‘Once
an order is placed for new doors and windows it has always been a priority
to manufacture and deliver as promised. To achieve this we need our vehicles
on the road and not in the garage. I am expected to have at least 96 per
cent of our vans up and running on any one day, which is a very demanding
target. Replacing the existing fleet will help us achieve our goals and
make sure we remain in the lead, miles in front of our competitors.’
New
Milestone for Quality Mark - Good Builders Register hits the 500 Mark
Figures
released last Thursday show 500 firms are now on the Government-backed
Quality Mark Scheme, designed to promote good builders and help homeowners
avoid the rogue traders.
The latest figures also show that in addition to 500 firms now accredited
to the Scheme, there are 765 companies going through the assessment process
and the website has registered 126,312 hits to date from the public.
Recruitment continues apace, as the only Government-backed national register
of approved firms working in the home improvement market is being unveiled
to thousands of firms in the North West of England during October and
November via a series of trade launches. This enhanced enlistment drive
aims to deliver a step change increase in membership.
Construction Minister Nigel Griffiths said:
'I am delighted we have reached the 500 milestone with Quality Mark and
many hundreds more firms are queuing up to join the Scheme. The attraction
is obvious not only is it free for most firms to join, it offers them
considerable business benefits.'
A special hotline on 08000 328 018 has been set up for firms to book free
places at the next wave of Quality Mark evening launches. The eight enlistment
events being held over three weeks in the North West are at some of the
most prestigious venues in the region and include:
* Monday 27th October - Reebok Stadium, Bolton
* Tuesday 28th October - Carlisle Racecourse
* Wednesday 29th October - The Moat House Hotel, Chester
* Thursday 30th October - The City of Manchester Stadium
* Monday 3rd November - The JJB Stadium, Wigan
* Tuesday 4th November - Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
* Monday 10th November - De Vere Hotel, Blackpool
* Tuesday 11th November - Park Hall Hotel, near Preston
Representatives of 200 - 300 firms at each event will get details of how
Quality Mark works, why it is good for their business, industry and consumers,
together with an insight into what is included in the simple but thorough
checking process for Scheme membership.
Designed with the home improvement market in mind, Quality Mark works
by placing contact details of independently assessed and accredited firms,
which reach the required standard, on a single national register. This
is accessed free-of- charge through a national call centre or via the
internet at http://www.qualitymark.org.uk
UAP
Customer Survey Report 2003
Part
of UAP’s commitment to its customers is to appraise on a regular
basis what the customers think of UAP and its products.
In 2002 a mail-based survey was sent to customers with a reasonable response
rate. Whilst this response was adequate to draw some conclusions the company
felt that a larger sample was required in the 2003 survey. Consequently
the company decided to use a tele-marketing based survey, during the industry
quiet period of July.
The decision was made to randomly select customers. The same questions
were asked using a script and the same person was used to ask the questions.
To ensure impartiality a UAP member of staff not connected in any way
with this product group and customer base was used to ask the questions
and record their answers.
The customers were given the option to remain anonymous or have their
details recorded on the questionnaire. Customers were asked a series of
questions and they were asked to rate the company between one (poor) to
seven (excellent). All sections were answered.
If a question was not relevant to that customer then they would record
n/a (not applicable). For example a question may not be applicable because
the customer had not used a particular service, or did not buy those products
etc.
The report analyses the findings of the questionnaires and compares, where
possible, this years findings with last year.
The analysis has disregarded any n/a answer for purposes of calculating
the averages.
Overall this is an extremely positive survey indicating a very high level
of customer satisfaction across all aspects of the business. A lot of
comments were recorded that are very positive indeed, such as ‘excellent’,
‘very good service’ etc
Comparison with the 2002 survey show all areas of the company showed improvements
with customer communication and rating against the competition being most
marked.
UAP feels this is a very good result and the company is targeted to improve
the position even further over the next 12 months.
A copy of the survey is available on request.
Tel: +44 (0) 161 763 5290
Email: mailto:uap@btconnect.com