Planet
Announces Intention to Float on AIM
Planet PVC Group has announced it is looking to dramatically accelerate
growth via new franchised operations followed by a Stock Market flotation
on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Nationally the company is
aiming to install 135 conservatories a week this year, growing to 200
installations by 2005, which will firmly establish it as the largest conservatory
installer in the UK.
Preston-based Planet, owns and runs state of the art facilities, manufacturing
windows, doors, roofs and conservatories. From a standing start in 1995,
Planet has grown to a 16 outlet, £50 million turnover business,
employing over 500 people. It is forecasting a £70 million plus
turnover for 2004/05.
There are 13 franchises and three company owned showrooms up and running
and Planet are looking to bring another 35 franchise operations on board
to achieve 90 per cent coverage of the UK. Planet will be exhibiting at
Glassex 2004 at stand E20 in Hall 8.
'If you are a large established independent retailer or fabricator with
a £1 million plus turnover who want to become part of the UK's largest
conservatory installer and still retain ownership and control of your
business, you need to be talking to Planet – and quickly, says Dean
St John. 'There are just the 35 remaining franchise operations and once
they’re gone – they’re gone.'
Each franchise will be allocated exclusive rights to market under the
Planet name in a defined postcode sales area. Currently the postcode areas
available are; BD, BH, BS, CF, CH, CM, CT, CV, DE, DN, E, GU, HU, IP,
KT, LE, LL, ME, MK, N, NE, NG, NN, NP, NW, OX, PO, RG, RH, RM, S, SA,
SE, SS, ST, SW, TS, TW, W, YO, DL&DH, CA&DG, DA&BR, SL&TW,
SP&BA.
The conservatory market in Britain is valued at around £1.5 billion
and Dean makes no bones about his ambitions for Planet. He puts it simply:
'We’ve already achieved our aim to be the market leader,' he says.
'By next year we will have substantially increased production, have all
our franchises on board and we’ll be looking to a flotation on AIM.'
Call Allan Mitchell, Franchise Recruitment Manager at Planet to talk about
this fantastic, but limited opportunity on Mobile: 07970 209101 or at
the Planet head office on Tel: 01772 648800, or visit our web site www.planetpvc.co.uk
or visit Planet at Stand E20 in Hall 8 at Glassex 2004.
How
do you Produce a Sealed Unit only Touching the Glass Three Times?
Tradelink has invested a total of £1million to move the company
forward and continue its successful growth rate. A large proportion of
this investment bought the company a semi-automated Bystronic Lenhardt
line to apply Edgetech’s Super Spacer® bar, the first one of
its kind in the UK. Every 30 seconds a sealed unit comes off the line
(Edgetech is on Stand No F087).
‘Automation
is so important when it comes to sealed units,’ explains Bruce Morley,
Sales and Marketing Director of Tradelink. ‘The less you need to
handle the units, the less room for error and damage. The fewer people
involved, the better the quality of the sealed unit. The glass only needs
to be handled three times from beginning to end with the Lenhart line.
And one of these times is when the sealed unit is delivered to the customer.
'Installers
can choose from a lot of trade windows', continues Bruce. 'Many have 28mm
sealed units, shootbolts and 70mm profile, so it’s important for
trade suppliers to differentiate themselves and offer something special.
Having grown to 1400 frames per week, we wanted to extend its service
and offer sealed units too.
‘We wanted to take control of the sealed unit process so our customers
receive the same levels of quality and reliability they have come to expect
from our frames,'
‘We all know about Part L and that all replacement windows must meet
a u-value of 2.0 in England and Wales. Everyone has achieved this or just
below at 1.9. We also know that sooner or later the regulations are going
to get tougher and will probably go down to 1.8 in the near future. With
argon gas and Edgetech’s Super Spacer® product our windows achieve
1.5. That makes our sealed units 21% more efficient than our competitors.
And the real bonus – it is a cost free upgrade. We’ve taken
a massive leap forward and given our customers a massive competitive edge,
and we’ve done it for no extra cost.
NB: Did you know... Since Edgetech began, it has supplied 1billion ft
of Super Spacer®. That’s enough to go around the earth almost
8 times.
‘And because the no-metal, all-foam formula of Super Spacer blocks
the heat escape path and provides one of the best thermal performances
in the industry,’ says Andy Jones, Edgetech Sales Manager for UK
and Ireland, ‘it’s kinder to the earth too. Edgetech can provide
a typical saving of 0.2 on an overall window’s u-value. That’s
the difference between 2.0 and 1.8.’
Tel: 02476 363614
RE-FLEX
Performance Glass Goes Global
Roof-Maker
Ltd a Global roof fabricator in Leicester is now offering the new performance
glass called RE-FLEX to all its customers. Roof kits can now be delivered
with hand measured 'Glass Packs' thanks to a new package from Sky-Vent
Ltd (Stand A058).
The
photo shows a p-shape style roof supplied fitted with the RE-FLEX glass
product for maximum performance.
'Glass is fast becoming the popular alternative to polycarbonate for conservatory
roof glazing and we felt we were missing out on potential profit.' said
Scott Nicholas Managing Director. 'RE-FLEX is an amazing new product with
the ability to retain warmth, reflect solar heat, improve sound insulation
and all with an easy clean coating. It has a subtle blue tint to reduce
glare and promote a 'feel good factor' but is still able to give good
light transmission. We are now offering RE-FLEX with all our glass roof
kits on a 7 day delivery promise'
'With the growing trend towards glass in conservatory roofs other over
priced performance glass on the market was out of reach for most project
budgets, RE-FLEX is a cost effective solution.' added Scott.
'RE-FLEX uses hard pyrolytic coating technology to keep up to 75% of solar
heat out whilst preventing heat loss at the same time. This new product
is not just a solar control glass to reduce heat build up on sunny days
but a 'smart' glass for keeping in the heat in the cold winter days, it's
'easy clean' external coating reduces the need for cleaning and keeps
the glass looking fresher. The subtle blue tint promotes a 'feel good
factor' while still providing excellent light transmittance and good visibility.
Ensuring all year round comfort without the need for expensive blinds
or window films, RE-FLEX is the perfect complement for any modern day
conservatory package.'
Tel: 0116 269 6297
Congratulations
to Sarnafil Roof Assured 60th Installer Topline
Topline
is the 60th Sarnafil Roof Assured registered installer. Topline is exactly
the sort of progressive company that is fully prepared to develop the
potential for maintenance free flat roofing (Sarnafil is on Stand E060).
‘We see the market for PVC-U flat roofing much in the same position
as that for PVC-UE fascias and soffits five years ago’, enthuses
Managing Director John Osbourne. ‘Having started out as a window
and conservatory company we shifted our focus when we identified roofline
as the new boom market. We are now a major roofline specialist in the
Midlands. But the market for maintenance free fascias and soffits is maturing
and the products are becoming mainstream. When this happens the householder
is ripe to a redirection of focus. As a company we are committed to growth
– there is massive market potential in flat roofing and Sarnafil
Roof Assured installation represents a major retailing opportunity.’
Topline has done some flat roof felting to a high standard, but insurances
have been soaring because installation requires use of a naked flame.
‘Felt is old hat too’, comments John. ‘You are essentially
using one biodegradable material to protect another – wood; an ineffective
protector to protect something that becomes ineffective when wet. Our
primary aim is to take people out of the maintenance loop – fit and
forget.
'We have been very impressed with the Roof Assured package from a training
point of view – it was one of the factors that attracted me in the
first place. The back up is fantastic – they are very approachable,
helpful and genuinely interested. Exclusivity cuts down on competition
and gives us the chance to develop an area to the maximum. We are looking
forward to a very profitable future with Sarnafil Roof Assured.’
Tel: 01603 748985
Email: mailto:andy.ball@sarnafil.co.uk
Former
Pilkington European Marketing Boss Launches Consultancy
Stephen
Lipscombe, who for the last eight years has developed and shaped Pilkington’s
image and marketing services throughout Europe, including the launch of
Pilkington Activ™, has now launched his own operation to offer similar
services to other organisations.
His company, Logic Chain Marketing Communications, has been formed to
provide marketing and technical communication planning and campaign expertise
to clients primarily within the glass, glazing and associated industries.
Services will include the review and audit of existing marketing operations,
the development of corporate and company image, and the development of
communications plans at both strategic and tactical levels.
Having implemented a range of activities and services for Pilkington including
the company’s web site and E-Commerce operations, technical product
and software CD ROMs, and CE Marking fulfilment throughout Europe, Lipscombe
will offer similar services to others through Logic Chain. Strategies
developed by Logic Chain on behalf of clients may then be fulfilled through
established specialists, with services including market research, creative
and web design, public relations, production of electronic and paper-based
marketing materials, and exhibition design and build.
Lipscombe commented: ‘After more than 25 years in a number of marketing
and commercial roles in top level consumer and business-to-business environments,
I now have the opportunity to offer my experience to others, and to enjoy
a broader variety of challenges. Top level marketing need not be the exclusive
domain of large corporations.’
Contact: Steve Lipscombe
Tel: +44(0) 1744 737767
Mob: +44(0) 7834 181061
Email: mailto:logic-chain@supanet.com
Sliding
Sash Sales Double at KAT UK
KAT
UK has announced that sales of its VS vertical sliding sash window products
have more than doubled over the last year.
The company attributes this growth to a policy of product innovation and
development, and a proactive marketing focus on the new build market.
The traditional design of the windows, combined with the most up to date
technical features, and the inclusion of a quality cavity closer system,
have made it a popular choice particularly among smaller, independent
building companles.
'Because we are a niche manufacturer we work more closely with our customers
and have a very flexible approach allowing us to undertake smaller and
more unusual building requirements,' said KAT UK's VS Product Manager
Katie Bancroft. 'Our arched sliding window is particularly sought after
at the moment, and the hardware range which is now suited has been considerably
improved since the window was first launched by KAT UK three years ago'
Increasing popularity in the independent house building market also makes
the KAT VS window suitable for fabricators looking to grow their own penetration
into this new build area. Through using KAT's niche manufacturing service,
window fabricators are able to increase their own product portfolio to
building companies, marketing themselves as a single source for a variety
of premium quality sliding window designs and patio doors.
Tel: 01625 439666
Email: mailto:sales@katuk.co.uk
Web: http://www.katuk.co.uk