Kings of the Road:
Synseal fleet clocks up 1.8 million miles a year

Synseal's phenomenal growth has been well documented over recent months. New products like the Shield Conservatory System, new customers, and 19.5% more sales to existing customers compared with the same period last year, have underpinned the company's multi-million expansion programme.

'It's quite simple really', comments Nick Dutton, Sales and Marketing Director. 'To maintain the high levels of service, quality and innovation that existing customers enjoy and new customers expect, we needed to boost our manufacturing, warehouse and distribution infrastructure. Hence our decision to extend our Sutton-in-Ashfield site from 74,000 ft2 to 281,000 ft sq2 set in 24 acres. We also needed to expand our fleet of trucks to deliver increasing numbers of products to an increasing customer base.'

Vince Irving, Logistical Director comments: 'With more fabricators in Great Britain using Synseal than any other system, we need to ensure every delivery is on time and complete. To achieve this we normally have seventeen trucks on the road at any one time, clocking up around 35,000 miles a week, getting on for 2 million miles a year. Synseal's commitment to passing on cost savings to our customers by being better at what we do, is also reflected in our logistics. It is vital that our distribution network operates smoothly and efficiently, with no extra unnecessary miles added onto our customers' bills.'

http://www.synseal.com

New Plimsoll Analysis reveals
healthy market growth in 2002

The UK Windows & Doors market is set to grow at a healthy 3.9% in 2002, according to a just published analysis from Plimsoll.

This will only be good for some, as this growth will not be seen across the entire industry. Studying the latest figures from the largest 1000 companies in the Windows & Doors industry, market analysts Plimsoll revealed that almost a third of the industry may not see growth at all and could lose 9.2% of sales on average this year.

Adding to their distress almost two thirds of these companies saw profits fall in 2001 and almost 37% are currently loss making. Despite these factors very few reduced staff and only 52% made attempts to reduce their asset base.

So who is set to keep grabbing market in 2002? Plimsoll's First Edition names 429 companies that shared an astonishing 14.7% growth last year. Within this group an exciting 107 companies individually increased sales by a minimum of 28.0% last year! Many of these high growth companies are quite large. In fact, 10 of them make up part of the largest 100 companies in the UK Windows & Doors industry.

Plimsoll has named some of the highest market share earners. Listed below are the current top 10 in the Windows & Doors industry. (Order of listing corresponds to overall size of company, largest to smallest.)

% Growth Company
209.0% HAMSARD 2064 LTD
29.7% EVEREST LTD
31.2% A C YULE & SON LTD
90.2% SCHMIDLIN (UK) LTD
35.7% SYNSEAL HOLDINGS LTD
33.3% GRIFFIN WINDOWS LTD
80.8% CONTANO HOLDINGS LTD
29.1% A G S (HOME IMPROVEMENTS) LTD
28.5% BURLES GROUP PLC
69.8% SMART HOLDINGS LTD

Fortunes will certainly change in the coming year as competitive pressure grows to secure market share. In analysing the largest 1000 players in the Windows & Doors industry through the graphical Plimsoll Model, the individual strengths and weaknesses of every company are revealed.
David Pattison, Senior Analyst at Plimsoll, "I don't think directors realise how necessary it is to know how other companies in the market are performing. Quite honestly every director must factor in competitive behaviour into their own company thinking. Plimsoll hopes to put this revealing information in the hands of the decision maker."

Priced at £305 this comprehensive 1150-page publication reveals to busy managers easy to spot trends in performance over the last 4 years. Order it now by calling Plimsoll on 01642 626400 and receive a 5% discount and free next day delivery.

http://www.plimsoll.co.uk.

Planet launches conservatory franchise network

Planet, the North Wests' leading conservatory installer has announced its intention to roll out nationally, using a network of franchisees selling into exclusive marketing areas. Planet Franchising Ltd has been established to mount a major franchisee recruitment campaign in 2002.

Based on a highly successful pilot franchise in Haydock, Merseyside, and with 3 new franchisees already added in the last past two months, Planet intend to offer to existing independent fabricator / installers the template that has driven Planet to market leadership in conservatory sales in the North West.

Planets' aim is to develop the business so that a flotation is possible by a target date of March 31st 2005.

lndividual franchisees at the time of flotation will be guaranteed a purchase of their business at a predetermined price.

This means that franchisees will have two very attractive options; retiring on the proceeds or continuing in the business, with substantial personal wealth.

John Beaty, previously MD of Planets' retail arm has been appointed Franchise Development Director. His target is to appoint 40 franchisees who will each service an initial population catchment of 500,000, defined by postcode areas.

"Our experience and negotiations with prospective franchisees to date show we have a very appealing offer for established independent conservatory, window and door businesses, with up to 6 installation teams. These companies appreciate our package of better trade margins and tight control systems for sales, building, installation and most importantly, finance" says John, "and crucially, the exit strategy we're offering on flotation means they can add significant value to their business, exceeding anything they could hope to create as a purely local player."

He adds, "Planet Haydock has shown we are committed to developing our franchisee's business and not just selling them products. They have been delighted with their first full year's trading performance at £1.6 million. Haydock is on target to finish their second full year on £2.5 million! They have shown that by applying Planet methods, a franchisee can enjoy a cash positiVe business, good profit performance and lots of satisfied customers.

"Our growth since setting up in 1995 has been phenomenal. Retail turnover to the end of March 2002 is on target for £10 million, with Group sales approaching £18 million. The combination of a very successful retail sales approach and the use of proven systems to control every aspect of the build and install process is driving us forward. Unlike the traditional double glazing doorstep sales method, we use a large indoor showroom, showcasing fully built, lifestyle themed conservatories with trained professionals on hand to advise customers." says Dean St.John, Chairman of Planet. "With massive volume discounts from our suppliers and complete quality control of manufacturing via our own state of the art factory, we are now installing over 1600 conservatories a year.

Over the past twelve months, a pilot franchise operation in Haydock has demonstrated the viability of using the franchise method to grow our business. Our mission is to cover 90% of the UK and dominate the middle market for conservatories by March 2005." adds Dean.

A major direct marketing promotion starts in January 2002 to develop the network together with a new 12 page Franchise brochure.

Contact: John Beaty

Telephone 01772 452225

Email: johnb@planetpvc.co.uk

HW PLASTICS - Macclesfield grows, Gloucester goes

HW Plastics Limited has announced a multi-million pound investment in its manufacturing facilities at Macclesfield and Scunthorpe, together with a major restructuring of its operations.

HW Plastics is a UK manufacturer of PVC Window Profiles and Cellular PVCUE Building Components.

As a result of this programme, its Macclesfield site, already one of the largest extrusion operations in the UK, will be expanded and by the end of March 2003 will produce all the Company's window profiles. The Gloucester factory will ultimately close.

The Scunthorpe factory will tjecome the centre for cellular PVC production, producing components for the window trim, cladding and roofline markets. A 40,000 sq. ft. extension will be constructed and the extruders currently producing in Congleton transferred to Scunthorpe.

Congleton will become the headquarters of the Company and the manufacturing centre for post extrusion operations such as foiling.

A spokesperson for HW Plastics stated that 'this was a further indication of HW Plastics commitment to maintaining its market leadership position. All our brands Spectus, HW Systems, Kestrel and BCE are selling well and we need additional facilities to meet this growth. In addition, we recognise the market is becoming increasingly competitive and we are ensuring we maintain our position as a low cost and efficient manufacturer of the products we sell.'

This latest investment follows the construction of a 170,000 sq, ft. state of the art warehouse and distribution facility at Trentham Lakes, Stoke-on-Trent, during 2001. This began operating on 2nd January 2002, providing an even better service to customers

Although there will be some redundancies the Company stated that it hoped to minimise these by transfer of personnel between its manufacturing sites.

LB Plastics backs Hull's Awards scheme

For the second consecutive year, Sheerframe systems company L.B. Plastics has backed Hull's drive for excellence by sponsoring the council's Towards Service Excellence Awards scheme.

The programme is designed to encourage excellence in all aspects of Kingston upon Hull City Council's service to its residents and culminates in a major awards dinner at the city's Guildhall. L.B. Plastics, whose Sheerframe window systems are widely used in council, private domestic and commercial properties in the city, have once again sponsored the Employee ofthe Year category, as voted for by a member ofthe council's staff.

Says L.B.'s Sheerframe product director David Strang: 'Councils across the UK have played
a leading partnership role in improving fenestration for their tenants. It is rewarding to see councils like Hull apply the same quality approach to their service provision and we are delighted to play our part in their continuing drive towards excellence.'

Most recently in Hull, Sheerframe fabricator Vulcan has successfully completed a £1.1million contract to replace curtain walling and windows on the main seven storey block of Hull College, using Sheerframe 7000 co-extruded profile in what was the city's biggest single window contract.

The council's own window fabrication plant, Hulltec, is currently delivering a major Sheerframe window replacement programme for many ofthe council-owned homes across the city.

SFS in major expansion

Window fastener and door hinge company SFS has become the world's largest manufacturer of fastening systems for key industrial markets following the acquisition of Construction Fasteners Inc in the US. The company is also changing its name fiom SFS Stadler to SFS intec and focusing its UK business growth from its Leeds headquarters.

As well as being the brand-leading fastener supplier to the window industry in the UK, SFS is a major piayer in the UK roofing fasteners market.

On 1st January 2002, SFS acquired 100% of the Construction Fasteners Inc. business and took over the management of CFI in the USA and Canada. This represents a major step forward in the US market for the Swiss-owned SFS Group, and will also provide opportunities to extend the product and service package in the UK and Europe.

The Swiss-owned Group has expanded fourfold between 1985 and 2000 resulting from an increasing spread of activities into new markets and customer groups. In order to clearly establish its own corporate identity, the industrial activities ofthe SFS Group will now be known under their own separate trademark. Beginning January 2002, the industrial sales and production facilities world-wide will operate under the name SFS intec.

Although the name is new, SFS's commitment to its customers remains as it has always been stated in its corporate model, "Achieving customer benefits through close co-operation, customer focus, and technical competence."

In Spring 2002, SFS intec will be bringing together all its UK operations under one roof at its recently established £6million factory, office and warehouse complex in Leeds which already houses the company's window fasteners business. Roofing operations will move from Cheltenham to Leeds.

Sales of austenitic stainless steel fasteners into the windows market continue to grow as specifiers and fabricators increasingly recognise the guarantee against corrosion that they provide. Since the launch ofits hinge range two years ago, SFS has made major inroads into the door hinge market and is currently working with a number of systems companies on the creation of bespoke hinges for individual profile systems.

AC YULE TAKE THE HIGH ROAD

With the revised Document L of the Building Regulations having a dramatic effect on the UK window industry, but particularly the home improvement sector, VEKA fabricator AC Yule is very keen to ensure that its customers are fully prepared for the changes when they take place in April 2002. Anticipating any issues that might be raised as a result of the new rules, AC Yule took to the road with the VEKA Big Rig mobile exhibition unit to visit its customers and local specifiers to ensure they are all fully aware of the changes, and are able to ensure full advantage is taken of what the company see as an opportunity, rather than burden.

In an intense but very worthwhile schedule the AC Yule roadshow visited locations that included Newcastle, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Sessions were split into specific presentations for architects, main contractors and surveyors, and another for installers and glaziers to deliver clear messages to each sector.

The presentations included VEKA's Colin Davidson discussing how VEKA has prepared itself for Part L, and how its Matrix system will perform in respect of the lower U values. John Weir Technical Director of the Glass & Glazing Federation then discussed the key issue of Compliance.

AC Yule is well placed not only for its products to comfortably comply with the more stringent insulation requirements demanded by Part L, but also to ensure that the changes are correctly interpreted and applied in each sector. The company is one of the UK's premier glass processor and architectural aluminium fabricator, with integrated facilities that include full frame fabrication manufacturing, together with glass processing and sealed unit manufacture. The company also manufactures its own fire resistant glass Tempa Flam.

Bryan Yule Managing Director commented 'We were delighted to get out and meet people face to face at the various locations. The roadshows proved very successful with over 300 delegates attending. All feedback received has been very positive and we feel it was an excellent way in showing the capabilities of AC Yule's KeepHEAT range of insulated glass units.'

Mark Rogers, VEKA's Sales & Marketing Director commented 'We were delighted to support AC Yule with the roadshows which I believe illustrates the significant importance VEKA gives to the new regulations. Everyone concerned put in a tremendous effort to ensure the events were successful and indeed visitors comments have reflected this.'

http://www.acyule.com