K2
Tees Up Customer Conference
Conservatory
roof manufacturer K2 has released details of its customer conference,
which will be held at the prestigious Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland on
February 11th & 12th 2004.
K2’s
existing trade customers will be invited to the event alongside retailers
to view the latest product launches from K2 and network with colleagues
from across the industry. Amongst the highlights of the event will be
a gala dinner at the Hotel hosted by a celebrity speaker and an opportunity
to win a Lotus Elise sports car in a free prize draw.
Product and sales and marketing support programmes on Wednesday 11th February
will be followed on Thursday 12th by an opportunity to play a round of
golf on Gleneagles’ championship courses, or enjoy other activities
such as shooting or fishing.
Comments Marketing Director at K2, Iain McInnes: ‘When we decided
to hold a customer conference we wanted to make it something really special
and believe that we have designed an event which will provide delegates
with an enjoyable taste of industry leading innovation within a world-class
environment. The event will not only be an introduction to our latest
product enhancements, it will reveal where we are going in terms of driving
innovation for the industry, as well as providing an entertaining social
event.’
Amongst the product launches at the K2 Customer Conference will be the
Aspire System, a 35mm system developed in response to market demand and
this will be backed by full marketing support as well as sales and installation
training.
Over
35 new product enhancements will also be showcased at the event, highlighting
the emphasis that K2 has placed on helping both fabricators and installers
to save time. Amongst the key product enhancements on display at the event
will be the Eaves Beam, Half Ridge Wallplate, Mini Portal System and a
new Jack Rafter.
Away from K2’s product innovation, the company also intends to unveil
two major marketing initiatives at the customer conference, highlighting
the event’s theme of partnership. Iain McInnes continues: ‘K2
recognises that our dealer network and the support of installers are crucial
to the success of our business and we want to return that support with
substantial and targeted marketing investment. These new initiatives will
remain under wraps until the conference but we are confident that, once
we can release details, they will demonstrate our commitment to providing
tangible benefits to both dealers and installers.’
Email:
mailto:enquiry@k2conservatories.co.uk
Web: http://www.k2conservatories.com
The
Market for Private Sector Home Improvements to 2007 (Windows, Doors, Conservatories,
Secondary Glazing)
Key
points from the 2003 edition:
• The total British market for windows, external doors and conservatories
in the home improvements sector is now £4.1 billion at installed
values, in the base year of 2002.
• Window replacement of replacements is increasing (now 20% of all
replacements are replacing windows that have already been replaced.) Nonetheless,
the conservatory market is where the growth has been in recent years.
• Palmer suggests that traditional extensions by builders - requiring
planning permission and more stringent building regulation approval -
are being supplanted by conservatories.
• Forecasting windows markets to 2007, Palmer sees a gradual slow
down in window replacements due to the continuing saturation of the replacement
market. He expects softwood to benefit with pre-finished windows, although
warns that such growth may be restricted by limited finishing capacity.
• This year the report is published in three volumes; with volume
1 providing key information on the direct sell market, and volumes 2 &
3 the detailed findings, commentary and forecasts for all the home improvement
products and sectors.
What’s
significant
• 73% of the stock of owner-occupied houses have had windows replaced
and now window replacement has 'ceased to be aspirational'says Palmer.
• PVCu windows grew to 88% share of all installations
• Hardwood increased by 9% to the highest level for eleven years,
reflecting a fall in both softwood and aluminium windows.
• There was a continuing trend towards independent trade fabricators
of PVC-U windows, with the trade fabricator volumes increasing by 8% against
the fall by retail fabricators of 9%.
• Woodgrained PVCu windows now account for 14% of the market with
recent growth coming from light woodgrain.
• Hardware, too, is covered. Shootbolts increased their share of
the market further to just under two-thirds of all casement windows.
• Conservatory markets continued to rise to reach a new high of £1.63
billion installed value (Ignoring base work). But capacity problems will
reduce future growth.
• The external door market maintained the shift, shown in new build,
towards composites with an increase of 38% and, Palmer predicts, a further
200% increase in the next four years.
• Sliding patio doors continue to lose ground to hinged french doors
which grew by 4%.
• The market for secondary glazing continues to shrink, by an annual
rate of around 12%, but is still worth some £30 million p.a.
What’s surprising
• The Builder’s sector moved in the opposite direction to the
market as a whole in that PVCu and hardwood windows fell by 6% and 14%
respectively, while softwood grew by 15%.
• The analysis includes a survey of the most popular types of window
configuration. Casement windows increased the number of lights per frame
by 10%, but Palmer remarks that the new build sector (covered in another
report) has nearly twice the number of opening lights per frame!
• Retail fabricators outperformed trade fabricators in the manufacture
of PVC-U sliding patio doors, unlike windows and entrance doors.
• There was an unexpected trend in conservatory styles, with Victorian
conservatories declining and lean-tos increasing.
• Conservatories of wood construction declined by 7%.
Report
Format
Palmer’s latest reports are designed for easy analysis with:
• Executive summary
• Main topics and key points are now bulleted for easy assimilation
and adjacent to the tables and charts to which they refer.
This Report comes in three volumes, comprising:-
•250 pages
•18 sections
•160 tables of numeric and statistical data,
•71 charts illustrating the trends and comparisons.
How do I get hold of it?
Price £5,050 + VAT which includes 3 report copies, direct from:
Palmer Market Research
31 Victoria Road
Surbiton Surrey KT6 4JT
Tel: 020 8390 8131
Fax: 020 8390 9833
Email: mailto:info@palmermarketresearch.co.uk
Web: http://www.palmermarketresearch.co.uk
New
Space and a New Face at Solaglas Birmingham
Changes
are underfoot at Solaglas Birmingham with the recent installation of a
new glass trade counter at the Witton premises. A shrine to the Solaglas
Marketing Department, the office is furnished with glass samples and information
on the full Saint-Gobain Glass range.
‘It was a natural move for us and the timing couldn’t be better’
said Alex Peaty, Business Development Executive for the Birmingham businesses.
‘Our recent investment in new float and laminated edge-deletion tables
is allowing us additional capacity, increased cutting quality, better
service delivery and a much-awaited ability to improve our responsiveness
to customer needs even at our busiest times’
(L-R)
Alex Peaty and Sue Hubbard from Solaglas Birmingham
Both trade and retail sales via the counter have been on a steady increase
since the doors opened in October but a new venture is also afoot looking
into the New Year. The Trade Counter will also be the home of Solaglas
Express, a new service offering rapid turnarounds for cut-size laminates
particularly for the Shopfitting and Emergency Glazing markets.
And a new face too! Sue Hubbard joins the Birmingham team from within
the Solaglas Group. With her extensive glass product knowledge and years
of experience in the glass industry, Sue will be the main contact for
both Trade, and Solaglas Express sales. Contact Sue on 0121 326 1930.
Glass on display is from Saint-Gobain Glass’ Vanceva range of coloured
laminates.
Glassex
Throws Down the Challenge to Installers: Are You the Best in Britain?
Britain’s
window and conservatory installers will have the opportunity to test and
demonstrate their skills through a new competition taking place at Glassex,
and which is designed to find the Glassex Installation Team of the Year.
The event is designed to offer some light-hearted fun and action at Glassex,
although a more serious aim is to promote excellence amongst both private
and public sector installation specialists. Winning teams will be presented
with trophies, in addition to a number of valuable prizes that range from
power tools to a day at a racetrack. However experience has shown that
the accolade of Glassex Installation Team of the Year will offer the winners
the most valuable prize.
The ultimate prize will be awarded according to a team’s ability
not only to fit windows quickly and accurately, but to do so whilst overcoming
a number of pre-determined problems put in their way.
Teams will be asked to install flat and bay windows, a residential door,
and a build a conservatory roof, using rigs where appropriate. Four teams
will compete each day, sixteen teams in total throughout the event. Teams
will be judged on speed, finish, and health and safety issues, in addition
to issues such as site housekeeping and appearance.
Entrants must have five years’ industry experience, Fensa approval
and relevant NVQ qualifications. A daily winner will be declared based
upon each team’s combined score for each stage of the competition.
At the end of the last day there will be two additional prizes –
for the best conservatory score of all 16 entrants, and for the best combined
door and window score of all 16 entrants.
Steve Redman, Event Manager for Glassex, believes that the Glassex Challenge
will offer visitors excellent fun, whilst demonstrating real-world skills:
‘Glassex may be a serious business-to-business event for an industry
that continues to grow and develop. But it should also be an opportunity
to mix business with a little pleasure; we want to put some entertainment
into Glassex, whilst still offering a serious purpose.’
Further information, including an online entry form, can be found on the
Glassex web site at http://www.glassex.com,
or by calling Claire Shilling on 020 8277 5533 or email mailto:claire.shilling@emap.com
GP&T
Generates Good Mix of Leads for FGI
The
first GP&T Show saw Float Glass Industries (FGI) welcome an impressive
number of visitors to its stand, a third of which constituted quality
leads covering a cross section of industry requirements.
Interest varied from core processed glass products to more specialist
areas such as toughened glass for partitioning and balustrading as well
as volume bespoke processed glass for display cases, fridges and kitchen
worktops. The company was also able to talk face to face about the recent
restructuring and investment into the latest Tamglass ProConvection™
furnace and three new cutting tables.
For one potential customer this means FGI can now demonstrate the required
level of capability and resource to tender for their prestigious business.
And having not exhibited at a trade show for several years, gave FGI the
opportunity to re-establish contact with past customers.
‘We had a consistent flow of visitors. Not only did people come to
see us because they knew we were exhibiting but also the exhibition provided
the ideal venue for meeting new faces and catching up with old friends,
‘commented Commercial Director, Alan Nichols. ‘All in all it
was a good Show with a good mix of exhibitors displaying both the technical
and artistic side of glass which was complemented by a broad spectrum
of visitors.’
Tel: 0161 946 8000
Web: http://www.floatglass.co.uk
Lean
Manufacturing for a Lean Service
Newstead
Trade Frames has recently invested £1 million in new machinery.
The company has bought an SV800 corner cleaner, a Rapid MFC2000 saw and
machining centre, a six-head welder and five vertical assembly lines from
window and glass machinery specialists Promac. But to ensure it continues
to provide the top quality service its customers are used to, the trade
fabricator has kept all its old machinery in case things go wrong.
‘We’re
all aware that any machine, whether it’s your personal computer or
a piece of machinery in a factory, is rarely 100% reliable,’ says
Paul Baker, Operations Manager of Newstead Trade Frames. ‘Things
go wrong. But any forward thinking company has a back-up plan. Which is
why we’re still using our old machinery alongside the new, so that
if we do experience any problems, our customers service won’t suffer’
Often when trade fabricators label themselves as a one-stop shop it means
they offer customers windows, doors and conservatories. Newstead Trade
Frames go one step further and offer customers a range of other products
too. ‘We are currently applying the finishing touches to our larger
Building Plastics and Materials Division,’ explains Peter Wilcox,
Managing Director of Newstead.
‘The division has been purpose built for our trade customers. It
offers a wide selection of products ranging from tools, and building materials
to drainpipes, gutters and even sand and cement. The division includes
a new trade counter to ensure we continue to offer an efficient service,
despite the expansion. We also have an expert team on hand to offer advice
and any technical assistance installers may need.’
Tel: 01782 641 642
Flowline
Runs ‘Rings’ Round the Competition
Deep
at the heart of the Stuga Flowline Cutting & Prepping Centre is a
distinctive rotary tooling head system unique to this machine, known as
‘The Ring’. When the Flowline was first designed Stuga looked
carefully at the competitions’ machines to try to learn how they
could be improved upon. It could be clearly seen that most could be gained
by having a system of rotating tooling heads that could be freely programmed
to present tools at any angle around three hundred and sixty degrees in
order to give the machine total flexibility for the complex design of
British window systems.
The ring system on the Flowline allows the cutter bit to be presented
to the workpiece at a precise and variable angle so that complicated drainage
operations can be more easily and accurately carried out by changing the
entry angle to suit any set of circumstances. This way the Flowline can
often carry out upstand removals that other machines cannot. These variations
in angle are made by small changes in the software using a simple menu
system.
This rotary tooling system also means that any preparation or PVCu profile
can be added to or modified at any time in the future without the need
for re-tooling, as a simple software change will send the right tool to
the right place as required. In fact it is not uncommon for a complete
profile suite to be added by a programmer visiting site for a couple of
days. The Flowline can run as many profiles as the fabricator requires
by simply adding more software and these can be run alongside the established
systems as they do not need to be removed.
Mechanical changes are never needed. Additions/changes of locks, vents
etc. are a phone call away.
The Stuga rotary tooling head can also ‘Y’ or ‘V’
notch on both sides of the profiles simply and quickly. This feature is
not possible on some competitors’ machines but customers are not
normally told until installation that they have to put some profiles on
the machine the other way round in order to achieve these notches when
required; the Flowline does it as standard and on fully welded internally
glazed British window systems this is always necessary. If the profile
is woodgrain foil on white it cannot be done by reversing the profile.
The ring system is built from standard components used on machine tools
in other industries and the well proven design makes it very reliable
offering years of trouble free service. Forty two Flowlines are now installed
and fully operational in the UK.
Tel: 0800 169 544
Email: mailto:sales@stuga.co.uk
Web: http://www.stuga.co.uk
Roof
Window Concept wins Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Awards 2003
On
9th December this year’s winners of the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Awards were honoured. The winners include Keystone Lintels Ltd, based
in Cookstown, who created a substantial sales increase by diversifying
into new and lucrative markets. They partnered with the University of
Ulster and, with engineering graduate Cormac Diamond, developed the expertise
for a new product range of roof windows.
Through the partnership, a new product, a mid hung roof window, was designed,
developed, tested and successfully launched. The company then developed
a whole product range, which ensured that in the first year alone sales
by its new subsidiary Keylite have gone from zero to £2.5million,
60% of which are exports.
Engineering
graduate Cormac Diamond, the award winning roof winner of Keystone Lintels
Eithne Kelly, General Manager of Keystone Lintels commented: ‘At
the moment we are now 20% ahead of our turnover target, which we’re
absolutely delighted with.’
Professor Dennis McKeag of the University of Ulster said ‘The idea
was to launch a product from scratch so that at the start nothing existed
except an idea. Keystone have actually taken 15% of the Irish market and
30% of the Northern Ireland market in the first six months of trading.
It’s an absolutely superb result’
At the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Awards Event (previously known
as the TCS Awards) held at One Great George Street, Westminster, London
SW1, the exceptional success of six other knowledge transfer partnerships
were also recognised. Each one involved a business benefiting from the
input of expertise from university academics.
Awards were also presented to six talented graduates who have been identified
as ‘Business Leaders of Tomorrow’. Jacqui Smith MP, Minister
of State for Industry and the Regions, and Deputy Minister for Women and
Equality, presented the Awards.
The seven award winning partnerships each participated in TCS (the Teaching
Company Scheme) and were identified as the best that completed successful
TCS Programmes in 2002. Both partners in each Programme gained significant
benefits, as did the graduates they recruited as TCS Associates.
Securistyle
Urges Fabricators to Support Innovation for Long Term Success
Ahead
of four new product launches in the first six months of 2004, window hardware
manufacturer Securistyle has hit back at pundits who claim that the window
industry has a bleak future and that product prices must continue to plummet.
Securistyle is adding its voice to a wave of hardware manufacturers including
SFS intec and Siegenia-Aubi, who believe that investment in product development
is the key to continued growth in the window market. They are urging fabricators
to support such innovation by paying a little more for the benefits they
receive from the enhanced products.
Securistyle managing director Paul Cook says: ‘We are in no doubt
that the window industry has a very bright future and has by no means
reached saturation. That’s why we continue to invest in innovative
new products. In the first six months of 2004 we are set to launch more
housings for our successful Excluder lock, a new handle and three new
hinges. One of the things that is holding back our industry is the activities
of so-called industry pundits who are intent on talking down future opportunities
and preventing innovative products from commanding the premium which their
benefits warrant.’
Securistyle has recently announced record sales figures having experienced
an average growth rate in sales of 10% for the past three years. The company
puts its success down to the strength of the brand and the quality of
the design, manufacturing and marketing teams behind it.
Paul Cook adds: ‘Hardware manufacturers must innovate to prosper
but this does come at a price for the manufacturer, the fabricator and,
ultimately, for the end user. Our experience is that specifiers, particularly
in the public sector, are actively promoting high quality products which
demonstrate Best Value i.e. those products that offer reduced whole life
costs. Forward-looking fabricators, systems manufacturers and specifiers
are working with us to promote such benefits and it is they who will share
in our future and continued success.’
He concludes: ‘An industry that does not invest in developing new
products will stagnate and surely this is a price none of us can afford
to pay.’
Tel: 01242 221200
Web: http://www.securistyle.co.uk
Peter
Richards Group Revitalised as Part of Merseyside Initiative
A
Merseyside manufacturing company which faced closure nearly ten years
ago has marked another year of unprecedented success by investing in state-of-the
art technology to meet the demands which will stem from Liverpool’s
award of European Capital of Culture.
Furthermore, the £150,000 investment by the Birkenhead-based Peter
Richards Group – which manufactures high quality architectural glazing
solutions to the construction industry - will now secure the future of
its 30 staff and lead to the creation of further jobs.
The turnaround in the fortunes of Peter Richards Group – which began
as a small glazing shop selling to the public in the early 1970s - is
a testimony to the hard work and dedication of the directors and workforce.
The current buoyant state of the construction industry in the North West,
especially with Liverpool’s award of European Capital of Culture
in 2008, has lead to the continuing expansion of Peter Richards Group
– a far cry from the late 1980s when the company faced closure.
The introduction of the machinery - a Mecal Pioneer 3 Machining Centre
and a Mecal Automatic Double Mitre Saw - is expected to increase output
by approximately 25% and add an additional £1million to the company’s
turnover. The purpose of this multi-operational computerised machining
centre will be to prepare, cut and drill the architectural sections with
great accuracy, quality and speed. This will result in increased production
through a more streamlined process.
Training in this new machinery has meant several members of staff visiting
Mecal’s headquarters in Milan, Italy. The production process will
be further advanced by the integration of a software system which has
been developed by Technal which provides a seamless interface starting
from the estimating office to the drawing office and finally to the CNC
within one compatible programme. Diagnostic support is provided to the
CNC through direct internet access to Mecal’s headquarters in Italy.
Some of the projects that PRG have been associated with that have won
awards include Cavern Walks in Liverpool, the bus terminal at Birkenhead
and B&Q stores.
‘This investment is a positive statement about the future of the
company and testimony to the hard work and commitment of all the workforce
at Peter Richards Group,’ said Paul Price, Peter Richards Group’s
design director, adding: ‘This state-of-the art technology allows
us to meet the demands of a full order book as well as keeping us competitive
in our industry.’
Tel: 0151 647 8544
Sky-Vent
Limited in Birmingham sold over 15,000 roof vents last year and had no
comebacks on leaky vents.
'We are that confident with our product that with the new S type pre-glazed
lids we guarantee the vent won't leak!' says Alan Hudson Uk sales manager.'That's
an industry first and no other conservatory roof vent on the market can
make this claim' added Alan.
The company says that the proven track record of trouble free fitting
is down to the aluminium lid design and a dedicated PVCu outer frame.
Sky-Vent features dedicated sections for 16mm, 24/25mm and 32/35mm glazing,
with out the use of click in beading and packers to adapt profiles. The
no beading design guarantees against water penetration and allows the
vent to be compatible with any roof system available on the market today.
Available in any colour along with Mahogany, Lightoak and Rosewood woodgrain
foils, the brass, chrome and electric openers complete the package.
The 10 year guarantee promises to replace and refit any pre-glazed S type
roof vents that can be demonstrated to leak.
Email: mailto:sales@sky-vent.co.uk
Allerton
Windows becomes HW Plastics 100th AIMS Signatory
HW
Plastics has announced that Allerton Windows of Bootle, Merseyside has
become the 100th company to sign up to the Approved Installer Membership
Scheme Initiative.
Allerton
Windows is an established company with over 30 years experience and prides
itself on being the largest local independent replacement windows, doors,
conservatories, porches and roofline products company in the Northwest.
It employs 50 staff and fabricates between 250 and 300 bespoke units per
week at its factory in Bootle. The company has also opened a new office
and showroom in Bromborough, Wirral.
With Allerton Window's guiding principles being 'Superior quality, unbeatable
price, exceptional service', it is able to achieve these principles by
manufacturing products using HW Plastics HW 70 window & door system
profile.
A full range of ancillaries and accreditations ensure that HW 70 mmets
the needs of commercial, domestic and even new build market sectors. Paul
Kyriakides, Marketing Manager at Allerton Windows says about AIMS 'HW
Plastics, Approved Installer Membership Scheme offers real benefits to
us as a company. When coupled with the support offered by HW Plastics
we are able to provide our customers with quality products and peace of
mind at the same time'.
The benefits of scheme membership ensures that the enquiries received
by Allerton Windows from the general public are answered with confidence.
This confidence only helps facilitate an increase in the number of enquiries
and helps to boost 'demand pull' sales. For the consumer, the scheme operates
in conjunction with the DTI's Quality Mark initiative, which aims to create
a register of approved domestic contractors. The Quality Mark is the Government's
stamp of official approval for all domestic contractors such as Allerton
Windows.
It is gained through inspection by an independent accreditation organisation
ensuring that the business conforms to stringent performance criteria.
HW Plastics makes sure that only the most reputable companies, that is
those with the Quality Mark, bear its own mark of quality - membership
of AIMS. The AIMS mark will therefore guarantee the consumer high quality
PVCu windows, doors and conservatories, in the absolute certainly of quality
workmanship and real value for money. HW PLastics says that AIMS membership,
in conjunction with the DTI's Quality Mark, is increasingly becoming the
benckmark by which consumers will chose an installer.
Bank
of Scotland Business Banking helped Aluplast Launch its UK Operation
Lutterworth-based
aluplast, an international manufacturer of PVCu window profile systems
for the double glazing market, has extended its UK operation by acquiring
Plus Plan, an established PVCu extrusion specialist as we first reported
in The Gl@zine on 24th June (read the original story here).
The seven-figure deal has been funded by Bank of Scotland Business Banking.
Bank of Scotland Business Banking funded the acquisition of Plus Plan,
which employs 70 people and provides aluplast with 12 plastic extrusion
production lines in the UK. The acquisition enables the company to manufacture
two sizes of parts used in the construction of PVCu windows, and bolsters
the organisation’s manufacturing operation.
aluplast currently has a manufacturing presence in Russia, Poland and
Germany, and this deal is part of the organisation’s strategy to
set up further companies in all the major European countries which have
their own manufacturing operations.
Phil Duncombe, Managing Director of aluplast (UK), said, ‘Bank of
Scotland Business Banking has worked closely with us to build a finance
package that was flexible and realistic. Thanks to the acquisition we
will shortly have 14 extruders to increase manufacture of window parts.
This investment is helping build our operation in the UK, and will go
a long way to improving our current position as a top-five organisation
in our sector.’
Paul Belfield, Associate Director of Bank of Scotland Business Banking
Coventry, said, ‘We recognise that when businesses need capital they
also need a quick answer and quick decision, so we worked hard to deliver
a realistic solution. We liaised closely with aluplast to understand its
business and helped inform the organisation’s development plan.’
The UK is the second largest market for PVC windows in Europe, representing
a third of all installations.
Tel: 49 7243 77420
Email: mailto:info@aluplast.de
Web: http://www.aluplast.de
Cabot
Corporation and GE Plastics Plan to Develop Lexan® Thermoclear®
Sheet with Nanogel® Translucent Aerogel
Cabot
Corporation, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, announced
recently its intention to work with GE Structured Products to jointly
market a Lexan® Thermoclear® multi-wall sheet filled with Nanogel®
Translucent aerogel.
Manufactured exclusively by Cabot through a patented process, Nanogel
Translucent aerogel is a lightweight, nanoporous insulation material that
when properly installed can deliver increased thermal insulation and light
transmission levels between two and four times higher than alternative
products currently available in the marketplace.
Lexan Thermoclear sheet, produced by GE Structured Products, is an impact
resistant, energy saving, multi-wall polycarbonate glazing material that
features a proprietary surface treatment which provides superior resistance
to the degrading affects of UV light.
According to Bernd Springler, commercial leader, GE Structured Products
Europe: 'Bringing our two world-leading technologies together to create
a Nanogel filled Lexan Thermoclear sheet, will result in a new and exciting
product for the construction industry. It is expected to be an extremely
strong panel ideally suited for building features, such as translucent
roofing or wall elements that offers outstanding light diffusion and thermal
insulating properties.'
James Satterwhite, building and construction marketing director of Nanogel
at Cabot Corporation said, 'Nanogel filled Lexan Thermoclear multi-wall
sheet will allow architects substantially greater design freedom, allowing
a wider scope to maximize natural light to ‘museum light’ quality,
and at the same time meet the increasingly lower U-values (higher R-values)
required by building insulation regulations. We see Lexan Thermoclear
multi-wall sheet with Nanogel aerogel as a breakthrough product that will
stimulate innovation in building design.'
According to NASA researchers, aerogels are the 'worlds most insulating
solid material.' Nanogel is a waterproof translucent aerogel that can
be produced in a range of particle sizes to optimise appearance and fenestration
performance. Importantly, in a 25mm section panel, Nanogel delivers up
to 40% light transmission and provides thermal insulation as low as 0.8
W/m2-K Value. Furthermore, it also provides an improved acoustic insulation
of up to 5 dB.
Lexan Thermoclear multi-wall sheet with Nanogel is expected to bring a
wide range of benefits to building applications. These include:
* The use of larger panels for significantly improved light diffusion,
without shadows and without the need for sunshades.
* Reduced energy costs due to significantly improved thermal insulation.
* Improved comfort due to better sound dampening.
* Superior aesthetic effects when viewed from either the exterior or interior
of a building.
Tel: +49 69 3052 2102
Email: mailto:donald_beck@cabot-corp.com
Web: http://www.cabot-corp.com
Masco
Corporation Announces New Common Stock Repurchase Programme and Declares
Quarterly Dividend
Masco
Corporation has announced that its Board of Directors has authorised the
purchase of up to 50 million shares of its Common Stock in open market
purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. This authorisation
replaces the Company's existing programme under which approximately 34
million of the 50 million shares previously authorised had been repurchased.
The Company had approximately 465 million common shares outstanding at
the end of the 2003 third quarter.
Masco Corporation also announced that its Board of Directors has declared
a quarterly dividend of $.16 per common share payable on February 9th,
2004 to shareholders of record on January 9th, 2004.
Web: http://www.masco.com
Andersen
Expanding Fibrex Extrusion Operation
Andersen
Corp. has broken ground on a new 150,000-square-foot extrusion facility
in North Branch, MN. Producing lineal window and door components
made with Andersen’s Fibrex wood/plastic composite material, the
new facility may also be used to perform other in-line and post-extrusion
operations required to supply other Andersen plants with ready-to-assemble
parts.
'We are experiencing growing demand for the products of our traditional
business, as well as Renewal by Andersen,' reports Maureen McDonough,
a spokeswoman for the Bayport, MN, based company.
'We use components made of Fibrex in both product lines.'
When fully staffed, the new facility is expected to employ 135 people.
Andersen will transfer an existing 40-person extrusion workforce from
its location in White Bear Lake, MN, which will continue to serve as one
of the window and door maker's research and development facilities.
'The close proximity to our manufacturing plants in Bayport and Cottage
Grove, a construction-ready site, the availability of a good workforce,
and a competitive cost were all important factors in our decision to relocate
this facility to North Branch,' noted Jim Humphrey, Andersen president
and CEO at a recent press conference held with Minnesota Governor Tim
Pawlenty.
'Andersen has built a reputation as an outstanding employer and corporate
citizen,' added Pawlenty, 'and I’m pleased that we were able to keep
them in Minnesota.'
Hunter
Douglas Announces Share Buy Back Programme
Hunter
Douglas announces that it will institute a Share Buy Back Programme. The
Company intends to buy up to EUR 50 million of its common shares within
the next 12 months on the market; depending on market conditions.
The controlling family will not sell shares to the Company under this
programme. The objective of the programme is to optimise the Company's
capital structure. The funds will come from the Company's own liquidity
and any shares purchased will be cancelled.
The share purchases will qualify under the Withholding Tax Free Facility
provided under the Dutch Dividend Tax Act.
The Company has no specific plans to initiate further buy-backs. Should
market conditions and the company's liquidity be favourable to share buy-back
programmes in the future, these buy-backs would be subject to Dutch Withholding
Tax.
The ABN AMRO Bank will act as the agent for the Company in executing this
programme.
Hunter Douglas is a world market leader in window coverings and major
manufacturer of architectural products. The Company has its Head Office
in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and a Management Office in Luzern, Switzerland.
For the first nine months of 2003, the Company reported sales of EUR 1,248
million and net profit of EUR 84 million.
The shares of Hunter Douglas N.V. are traded on the Dutch and German Stock
Exchanges.
Home
Depot Acquires Window Installation Firm
The
Home Depot of the USA has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Atlanta-based
RMA Home Services, Inc. The company has been an installation service
provider for Home Depot since 1998 and has 20 branch offices across the
U.S. Terms were not disclosed.
According to Home Depot, RMA is the nation’s third-largest installer
in the approximately $7.9 billion replacement market for windows and siding.
The company, which installs products manufactured by Simonton Windows
and others, has consistently ranked among Home Depot’s most-highly
rated installers in terms of customer satisfaction, it is also noted.
'The acquisition of RMA will streamline the order process, ensuring more
consistent execution, higher quality and enhanced customer satisfaction,'
says Frank Blake, executive vice president, business development and corporate
operations.
'It also furthers Home Depot's expansion into installation services, which
is a key growth strategy for our company.'
Upon closing, RMA and its approximately 985 employees will be part of
Home Depot’s At-Home Services group, the business unit that provides
home installation services for its 'do-it-for-me' customers.
Home Depot currently experiences annual sales growth in this category
of about 40 percent., it reports. The building product and home improvement
retailer’s At-Home Services group currently provides installation
services in more than a dozen categories, including windows, siding, roofing,
interior and exterior doors, interior shutters, garage doors, garage door
openers, sheds, landscape pavers, water heaters, power generators, kitchen
cabinets and countertops, and a full range of flooring products.
In September, Home Depot also acquired IPUSA, a nationwide contract installer
of roofing. Founded in 1978, Atlanta-based Home Depot is said to be the
world's largest home improvement specialty retailer and the second largest
retailer in the U.S., with fiscal 2002 sales of $58 billion. The company
employs approximately 315,000 associates and has 1,644 stores in 50 states,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, eight Canadian provinces, and Mexico.