Veka
Benchmarking Survey Rates the Company No.1
In
the wake of recent consolidation within the UK PVC-u window systems market,
Veka plc believes it is best placed to take advantage of resulting new
business opportunities. The company's optimism is supported by results
published in the recent 10th Anniversary edition of the Annual Benchmarking
Study, which reveals that Veka has, once again, been rated first overall
and first for value for money by UK fabricators.
The Annual Benchmarking Study, published since 1995 by industry specialist
Reputations Plus Ltd, is regarded as the definitive performance measure
of the UK's top 34 PVC-u systems suppliers, with around 400 fabricators
asked to rank companies in the order of who they perceive to be the best
performers in each category. In the 2003 report, Veka achieved Number
1 status with fabricators both overall and as a value for money supplier.
The company's progress since that date is such that the recent 10th Anniversary
Report shows a sustained performance in both respects, with Veka retaining
its Number 1 position over a year onwards.
Aside from these major achievements, the recent survey reveals a number
of other notable successes for Veka plc. These include a powerful brand
presence within the UK, with over 90% of total respondents recognising
the Veka brand, making the company one of only eight achieving this level
of UK brand recognition. The company's brand strength as viewed by its
customers is also voted the highest out of all seven Premium Sector suppliers
listed. Veka is also widely perceived as gaining market share, with nearly
20% of fabricators reporting this perception, whilst existing customer
loyalty to Veka also remains consistently high, at around 80% in both
2003 and 2004.
Mark Rogers, Veka's Sales and Marketing Director, has used the study for
many years as a supplementary measure of improvement in addition to the
company's own quality systems:
'The Benchmarking Study is an excellent tool for judging how the key systems
suppliers are perceived in the market place. Whilst we are confident of
our own strengths, it is often difficult to see yourself as others see
you. However, the most recent findings are very encouraging, and support
our faith in the way we do business and the lengths to which we will go
to assist our fabricators.
'While we recognise that there are improvements we can still make - and
we will continue to strive to be first in every one of the survey's individual
categories - we are delighted with the results, which prove that we are
in a very good position to prosper in the current market conditions.'
G
05: Kall Kwik and Wegoma Take Over from Promac and Ritec Buys the Champagne!
As the deadline day for entries passed the organisers for the G 05 awards
welcomed two new event sponsors on board. Kall Kwik Window Machinery and
Wegoma GB have pledged their support to the awards scheme for the glass
and glazing industry, and filled the gap left by departing sponsor Promac
Group.
They join an already impressive list of companies getting behind an event
is keen to highlight the good work that companies do to make their businesses
better, at a time when the industry is coming under increasing scrutiny.
Other event sponsors include, Ultraframe, Aluplast, WHS Halo, GGF, Pilkington
Activ, FENSA, Emap Maclaren, Synseal and Laird Group, while supplementary
sponsors are Ritec (Champagne Reception) and Darby Glass (Table centres).
Glass specialists Float Glass Industries will be supplying the trophies
for the Gala Presentation Dinner, being hosted by Bradley Walsh.
Ritec says that it is delighted to be sponsoring the Champagne Reception
at the G 05 Awards, as it gives Ritec a chance to thank the industry for
its support and to raise a glass to maintaining high standards throughout
the glass and glazing business in the future.
The reception provides the perfect bridge between the GGF’s Annual
Convention and the Awards themselves, which reflect areas of excellence
and achievement across all sectors of the industry. With its firm commitment
to developing solutions for glass surface protection, it is appropriate
for Ritec to be involved as the company's ethos is also based on quality
and keeping standards high.
Stephen Byers, Managing Director, says, 'As pioneers of 'non-stick' surface
technology with our ClearShield system that converts ordinary glass into
Low-M (Low Maintenance) Glass, there is a clear symmetry for us being
involved in the G 05 Awards which recognise industry innovation. We are
pleased to take the opportunity to sponsor this get-together for the trade
and are looking forward to toasting its ongoing success and future development.'
Tables for the event are on sale and can be purchased on line at www.g-awards.com
New
Ministerial Team at the Department of Trade and Industry
Secretary
of State Alan Johnson announced on 13th May the responsibilities of the
new Ministerial team at the Department of Trade and Industry. He said:
'This is a strong team of Ministers to take forward our objective of creating
the best climate for business success.
'I am delighted to welcome Barry Gardiner, Alun Michael, Meg Munn, Ian
Pearson and Malcolm Wicks to the Department. They bring a wealth of expertise
and skills which will be invaluable to the new team.
'I am also pleased that Gerry Sutcliffe and Lord Sainsbury will be remaining
in the Department.'
Ministerial Responsibilities:
Secretary of State
THE RT HON ALAN JOHNSON: SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Overall Responsibility for the Department
Ministers of State
THE RT HON ALUN MICHAEL: MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY AND THE REGIONS
Responsibility for Enterprise, growth & business sectors (including
construction), strengthening regional economies, Small Business Service,
Social Enterprise, E-commerce, Communications and Information Industries,
GM issues
IAN PEARSON: MINISTER FOR TRADE (JOINT WITH FCO)
UK EU Presidency, Europe and World trade policy, UK Trade and Investment
(UKTI), the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD)
MALCOLM WICKS: MINISTER FOR ENERGY
Energy issues, Sustainability & the environment, Security of energy
supply, Fuel poverty, Nuclear security and export control, Corporate Social
Responsibility
Parliamentary Under Secretaries of State
LORD DAVID SAINSBURY: MINISTER FOR SCIENCE AND INNOVATION Science &
Engineering, 10 year investment framework for science & innovation,
Office of Science and Technology (OST), Research Councils, Knowledge Transfer
& innovation, Technology Strategy, Patent Office, National Weights
and Measures Laboratory (NWML), Bioscience (excluding GM), British National
Space Centre (BNSC)
GERRY SUTCLIFFE: MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Responsibility for Extending competitive markets, Maximising potential
in the workplace, Corporate & insolvency activity, Employment Tribunal
Service and ACAS
BARRY GARDINER: MINISTER FOR COMPETITIVENESS
Shareholder Executive (including Royal Mail), Companies House, Better
regulation; supports Ian Pearson on Export Credits Guarantee Department
(ECGD); supports Alun Michael on Small Business issues
MEG MUNN: DEPUTY MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITY
Reporting to the Rt Hon Alan Johnson on equality issues, and to the Rt
Hon Tessa Jowell (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport) on
women's issues
Web: http://www.dti.gov.uk
Quality
Roofing Systems £900,000 Relocation Due to Expansion with Creation
of 30 New Jobs
Quality
Roofing Systems, QRS, is set to double its work force over the next 18
months following its £900,000 relocation to new 16,000sq ft purpose
built premises on a flag ship business park in Hartlepool. Established
in 1999 by current directors David and Elaine Buttery, QRS’ turnover
of £2.6 million in 2004 is on target to double by the end of 2005.
QRS Director Dave Buttery explains the move: ‘Since switching to
Synseal in 2004, we have enjoyed fast growth across our national trade
customer base for both the Global roof, and our own exclusive aluminium
powder coating roof system Allure, developed in conjunction with Synseal.
As a conservatory roof fabricator at the quality end of the market, we
needed a top quality manufacturing facility to match, and space to grow
even more. The £900,000 investment will allow us to do just this.’
Nick Dutton congratulates QRS: ‘It’s fantastic to see quality
companies like QRS investing in the future, especially at a time when
less forward thinking firms are battening down the hatches and finding
it hard to grow. The winners will be firms like QRS who tool up for growth
and offer something a little bit different like the Allure system.’
Tel: 01623 443 200
Web: http://www.synseal.com
UK
Industry told to Expect Higher Polymer Prices
EuPC
president David Williams has said the UK industry should expect higher
levels of polymer prices in future.
Speaking in a conference at the Plastics Design and Moulding event in
Telford, UK, Williams said: 'We have to recognise that inflation has been
low for polymers – we have had a low level. In the 1960s the price
of polymer was about £200 per tonne; in past couple of years £600
per tonne; now it’s about £800 per tonne.'
Williams was speaking at the first breakfast briefing of the show, 'Changing
the face of the UK Plastics Moulding Industry'.
One of the most important decisions the industry could make was 'who not
to trade with', he said. 'The most important thing a business can do is
pick winners and question taking on work that isn’t in your field.'
Conservatory
Outlet Develops National Dealership Network
A
Yorkshire conservatory manufacturer is establishing the first network
of conservatory dealerships across the country.
Synseal Synerjy fabricator Conservatory Outlet, the manufacturing division
of Yorkshire installer West Yorkshire Windows, will offer partners the
established Conservatory Outlet brand, a complete marketing package, leads
generated through the company’s established internet campaign and
online presence at http://www.conservatoryoutlet.com,
and assistance in everything from managing installations to establishing
showrooms and training sales staff.
Companies
coming on board will also benefit from the larger buying power that the
Conservatory Outlet network exerts within the industry. In return, partners
will order all their frames at some of the most competitive rates in the
industry from the Conservatory Outlet manufacturing plant.
West Yorkshire Windows was established eleven years ago with £200
by brothers Andrew and Matthew Glover and now achieves a turnover in excess
of £6 million.
Managing Director, Matthew Glover, said: 'We want to help businesses which
are hungry for growth but feel they need a bit of assistance to get there.
When we began, nobody could advise us on how to build and develop a successful
conservatory company.
'Nobody knew about effective marketing or generating more leads, the internet
was in its infancy and its potential hadn’t been explored. As we
have developed, we have built up a wealth of knowledge and experience
in all aspects of running a successful window and conservatory company,
and we know what it takes to make the leap between one or two installations
a week, to 20 or 30.'
'We believe we can increase a small company’s volume of sales and
average order value, while supplying fantastic buying rates on frames,
glass, roofs and ancillary items. Potential Dealers will benefit
from increased sales and more importantly improved profitability,' added
Andrew Glover.
The Conservatory Outlet network has already established a partnership
with Orion Windows in York and Harrogate. Orion now order all frames with
the Conservatory Outlet factory in return for using the established Conservatory
Outlet brand and following up leads in the Harrogate and York areas created
through the Conservatory Outlet internet, radio and TV advertising campaign.
A spokesman for Orion Windows said: 'Many companies who want to manufacture
their own products don’t have the experience or capacity to manage
the process properly.
'Conservatory Outlets have been manufacturing their own products for three
years and have the machinery, expertise and capacity to meet our extremely
high demands. At a time when the market has experienced a major downturn,
we have experienced an increase in sales, since becoming a Conservatory
Outlet. We are now regularly selling up to 15 conservatories per week
from our two showrooms.'
Andrew and Matthew Glover are particularly interested in developing dealerships
in areas bordering West and North Yorkshire, and intend to develop 20
dealerships over the next two years.
'In the long term, we see a network of individually owned businesses,
working together through the country, sharing ideas and all under the
Conservatory Outlet umbrella,' said Matthew Glover.
Any company interested in developing a relationship with the Conservatory
Outlet network can contact Matthew or Andrew Glover on 0800 026 44 55
to discuss the scheme further and arrange a site visit to learn more about
the services on offer.
http://www.conservatoryoutlet.com
Solvay
Signs Agreement to Sell Industrial Foils Business to Renolit
Solvay
has signed a memorandum of understanding with Renolit A.G. aiming at the
sale of its entire Industrial Foils business, active in the production,
marketing and sales of plastic foils and sheets to Renolit. Both parties
will now enter into exclusive talks and intend to finalize the transaction
before year end, pending relevant regulatory approval and social procedures.
The agreed price for the transaction is EUR 330 million. This proposed
transaction does not include Solvay’s rigid plastic foils activities,
whose sale to Ineos was announced last January.
The Industrial Foils of Solvay are mainly present in Europe with 9 plants
located in 8 countries, but also in the United States with one plant located
in Commerce (California) as well as in China and Brazil through two joint
ventures. The products are intended for a variety of applications, including
medical supply, swimming pools, furniture, construction, stationary, automotive,
as well as different consumer goods niches. Solvay’s Industrial foils
generated a total turnover of about EUR 470 million in 2004 with 2 200
employees.
The operation would enable the Industrial Foils to join a Group which
considers plastic foils as a core development area, and for which the
Solvay Industrial Foils activity represents a source for coherent diversification
and reinforcement.
'The Solvay group’s priority is sustainable, profitable growth in
selected areas of pharmaceuticals, chemicals and plastics,' explained
Aloïs Michielsen. 'Meeting those objectives in the industrial foils
business required a major strategic evolution,' said Michielsen. 'We are
very pleased to see this activity joining Renolit, a worldwide player
in the plastic film business,' he added.
'Solvay’s Industrial Foils are for us an essential platform of development
which would contribute to the coherent business diversification, leadership
and growth strategy of Renolit,' explained Dieter Dengl, chairman of the
supervisory board of Renolit AG. 'The activities we intend to acquire
are complementary to ours, in terms of business portfolio, geographical
coverage and expertise, to the benefit of our customers,' he added.
Solvay
is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters
in Brussels. It employs some 30,000 people in 50 countries. In 2004
its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 7.9 billion generated by its three
activity sectors: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay is listed
on the Euronext 100 index of top European companies.
http://www.solvay.com
Renolit A.G. is an international leader in the manufacture of high-quality
thermoplastic films for the purpose of surface finishing and for other
technical applications. This independent family-run business, which has
been setting benchmarks for quality and innovation for over 50 years,
now employs a workforce of 2,300 employees at its16 subsidiaries. The
Renolit brand enjoys a worldwide reputation for technical expertise, modern
product design and customer-orientated service.
http://www.renolit.com
New
Showroom and Customer Loyalty Scheme from FCD
Door,
window and conservatory installers throughout East Anglia now have access
to state of the art showroom facilities in Bury St. Edmunds, courtesy
of Status Systems trade fabricator, Frames Conservatories Direct. Speaking
at the launch of the new showroom at the company’s recent Open Weekend,
Sales Director Alex Howell stated:
‘The new showroom features a comprehensive range of chamfered and
zendow window products from Deceuninck Status, as well as four full size
conservatories, inline sliders, vertical sliders, composite doors, PVCu
doors, bays, porches, fascia, soffet and guttering. Our trade customers
will have unrestricted access to the showroom during business hours and
out-of-hours we will provide access by appointment. It is a fantastic
resource that will undoubtedly help our customers win more business’.
Following the recent expansion of it’s Sudbury manufacturing site,
production equipment was relocated, allowing the new showroom complex
to be developed in FCD’s former manufacturing unit. The showroom
is attractively paved throughout, equipped with a wide range of complementary
furniture and features a children’s area with TV, PS2 and toys.
The showroom launch coincided with the unveiling of Frames Conservatories
Direct Trade Loyalty Scheme, which offers trade customers £50 cashback
for every trade introduction.
Commenting on the scheme, Alex Howell said, ‘Despite having a busy
retail operation, we undertake not to pitch against our trade customers
and we remain loyal to our customers. The cashback offer is simply a tangible
reward for our customers to spread the word about Frames Conservatories
Direct’.
The company fabricates Status Systems window, door and conservatory products
and serves the whole of East Anglia and the South Midlands, predominantly
supplying installers and builders.
Tel: 01457 875731
Email: mailto:info@status-systems.co.uk
GAP
Increases Door Panel Production to Over 2500 per Week
GAP,
Europe’s fourth largest door panel manufacturer, has announced it
has increased production of panels to over 2500 per week and is on target
to up production to 3000 per week in the next few months. The company
attribute this growth to both new and existing customers.
John Harrop, Door Panel Production Manager, explains how increasing numbers
have not compromised quality:
‘To stay ahead of this growing demand, while ensuring customers the
highest level of quality, we have robust systems in place to monitor production
performance at each step of the process.
'Everyone on the shop floor is accountable for their part of the process
which is probably why we are consistently hitting 98% of orders complete
and on time. We even count it as late if a customer fails to order a door
part because we see it as our job to go back to the customer if we think
something is amiss.’
Contact: Mark Simm
Tel: 01254 682888
Email: mailto:marksimm@gap.uk.com
Ritec's
Low-M Solutions on Target with Specifiers
Ritec's
solutions for glass surface protection proved of particular interest to
architects and interior designers who visited the recent Surface Design
Show held at the Design Centre, Islington.
This
was especially pleasing as specifiers are not always aware of the potential
issues affecting materials like glass, both during and after installation.
Discussions included interior as well as exterior applications, from intricate
decorative displays and shower screens through to large curtain walling
projects.
Ritec, pioneers of 'non-stick' surface technology, displayed its ClearShield
range of products, which include ClearShield Glass Protect, ClearShield
Sandblast Protect and ClearShield Shower Protect, as well as application
machinery. The ClearShield system converts ordinary glass into Low-M (Low
Maintenance) Glass, and can be either applied in the factory or onsite
to existing glass if required.
Also on display was the company's Ritecoat system, designed to renovate
and protect aluminium, stainless steel and power-coated surfaces. Surfaces
treated with Ritecoat look like new for longer and reduces cleaning frequency.
Stephen Byers, Managing Director, says ‘We had many visitors come
onto the stand who expressed considerable interest in both ClearShield
and Ritecoat. In particular, architects who specify glass wanted to talk
to us and they are exactly the kind of person we were aiming by exhibiting
at the show.’
As well as the core architects and designers, Ritec was impressed at the
quality of the diverse selection of visitors looking for solutions to
specific problems with glass or other surfaces. Steve continues, ‘We
were also pleased to welcome high-level technical people from major organisations
looking for surface renovation and protection solutions, as well as chartered
surveyors and building consultants interested in knowing more about our
products.
‘All in all, it was a very successful show for Ritec, giving us the
ideal opportunity to explain the benefits and applications of our unique
and innovative technologies to a wide variety of audiences.’
Tel: 020 8344 8210
Web: http://www.ritec.co.uk
New
Storage and Despatch System Aids Ebor Customers
Ebor
Equipment has rationalised the storage and despatch of accessories, parts
and consumables for the glass/stone industry clients with the introduction
of two vertical storage carousels.
These two huge towers carry all the stock items that previously covered
hundreds of square feet of floor area, helping Ebor make more efficient
use of the company’s warehousing space.
However, the efficiency doesn’t stop there. As well as compressing
the storage space, the system also speeds up product retrieval and improves
stock management.
The new storage machines have greatly improved efficiency in order picking
with their mechanical and electronic operation. The excellent ergonomics
inbuilt within the system provide fast retrieval times.
The system also brings with it accurate control, as input and retrieved
stock is accurately recorded. So at any time Ebor’s current stock
levels can be viewed on screen.
The whole operation brings benefits to Ebor customers through the speedy,
efficient delivery of parts accessories and the secure knowledge that
stock items are actually in stock.
Web: http://www.ebor.co.uk
The
Manchester Charity Networking Event
The
Manchester Network Day, being held on Friday 21st October 2005, is a charity
walk with a difference in that it involves what at best will be a fairly
gentle stroll around 2-3 miles of Central Manchester. The difference is
that it will involve the great and the good from every niche and sector
of the glass and glazing industry and, with the help of some carefully
planned - and some not so carefully planned - stops along the route in
a variety of drinking establishments to cater for all tastes, is intended
to create a unique networking opportunity for everyone taking part. Whether
it is business, or pleasure, or that ideal combination of both that would
be the perfect result of this worthy expedition, participants are invited
to join Mike Crewdson
to raise his target of £20,000 PLUS! for Gary
Morton's GM Fundraising organisation, and in turn of course the Hope House
Hospice for Children, one that has, in effect, become the industry's adopted
charity.
The fund raising principle behind the Manchester Network Day is simple:
each participant must raise, or simply contribute - a minimum of £500
to take part. If more than one person is attending from one company, this
may be less per person. The walk will be organised in groups of eight
- the perfect number for initial networking - which groups will intersperse
as the day progresses. Of course, anyone simply wishing to make a contribution
may send in a cheque, made payable to 'GM Fundraising' and posted to Mike
Crewdson at Radius Plastics which is sponsoring this event.
At the end of the course, during the evening a number of activities to
suit all tastes will be available to continue the activities, and indeed
festivities, and indeed to cement the many relationships that will have
been made during the day.
In order to ensure that the charitable donations reach Hope House in full,
participants will of course be expected to fund their entertainment and
sustenance during the event, including overnight accommodation.
Tel:
01744 889900
DEM
Window Solutions Establishes Strong Future for Eclipse
Since
joining WHS Halo in 2004, the last year has seen DEM Window Solutions
of Barnsley go from strength to strength. 'Establishing a secure fabrication
business in difficult trading conditions has been a credit to the team
here' states managing director Dave Toulson.
'A clear business strategy has been adopted from day one, and that is
to provide good installation companies with competitively priced products,
at a consistent standard.
'A purpose built production unit of 14,000 square feet, and with a capacity
of 800 frames per week has allowed us to significantly grow the business
but in a controlled manner. The a key factor in our growth has been the
ability to offer a five day delivery service from the key order date.
'Further investment is planned throughout 2005, with new vans and machinery
high on the agenda. Its important to keep the business moving forward
and in line with the business plan' quotes Toulson.
Business Development Manager for WHS Halo, Duncan Douglas enthuses 'DEM
has been an overnight success using the Eclipse window system, having
invested over £150k in all areas of the business over the last nine
months, has allowed DEM to move forward with confidence.'
Web: http://www.whs-halo.co.uk
Automatic
Doors – New Customers and National End Users on Board
Construction
Technical Services, UK Agents for Daihatsu Entrance Systems which supplies
and installs automatic doors and revolving doors throughout the United
Kingdom, has announced that, due to new working relationships with fabrication
& glazing customers during 2004 and 2005, DES automatic doors are
now being installed for the following end users: BBC, BMW Garages, Cine
UK, Co-op Stores, Furniture Village, Grahams Builders Merchants, HMV,
Holiday Inns, Honda, One Stop Shops, Ramada Hotels, SCS Furniture Stores,
Spar Stores, Tesco Supermarkets, Toyota Retail Stores, Travis Perkins,
Walkers Crisps and VW to name but a few and the fact that repeat orders
are now being received from most, if not all, must mean something.
'Why?' asks the company. 'Because DES prices are competitive, its operators
have an excellent track record, having been installed in the UK for over
20 years, they are reliable and carry a two year warranty and, DES delivers
and installs on time and will not let its customers down.'
DES, in partnership with Open Door Revolving Doors of Spain, have supplied
and installed two automatic revolving doors for BBC Radio Leicester. This
is the first project in the UK to feature DES/OD revolving doors and further
projects will be completed during 2005. 'The DES/OD range of manual and
automatic revolving doors are top-of-the-range quality and custom glazed
to specification.'
Tel: 01736 330303
Newstead
Trade Frames Drives Ahead in 2005
Newstead
Trade Frames’s logistics division has recently added another seven
and a half tonne box van to its nationwide delivery fleet of seven vehicles,
to accommodate customers’ increasing demand for doors, windows and
conservatories.
Newstead has also invested in a three and a half tonne transit van for
the Glass division. The new IVECO Ford box van will cover about 800 miles
per week - making an impressive total of just less than 333,000 miles
per year for the whole fleet.
Paul Baker, Operations Manager for Newstead, comments: ‘Expanding
the delivery fleet will ensure we continue to satisfy our growing customer
base, which relies on us to deliver the right product at the right time.
'More
vehicles on the roads means we can maintain the excellent level of service
our customers are used to, as well as giving more public exposure on the
motorway network to our eye catching liveried fleet.’
Tel: 01782 641 642
Perth
Based Sidey Glaziers Expands
Due to growth and demand over the past five years Sidey is expanding yet again, by investing a further £650,000 in machinery for its new manufacturing facility. This investment is planned for the summer of this year and will see another fully automated line being installed, which will take the company's capacity to 72,000 frames per year - an increase of 44% on current capacity. This growth is even more exceptional considering Sidey's capacity was only 9,000 frames per year in 1998.
Sidey
is expanding yet again, by investing a further £650,000 in machinery
for its new manufacturing facility.
Director of manufacturing George McKenna commented: ‘There is no
other company in the country that can claim these levels of investment,
and sustained growth.’
This increase in productivity has enabled Sidey to take on further large-scale
developments such as Gregor Shore’s - Granton Harbour, Taylor Woodrow's
- Strada and many more.
‘Our highly motivated team have pulled together to ensure that we
strive to put our customers first, be right first time, on time, everytime
to secure our success well into the future!’ adds George.
http://www.sidey.co.uk
Isle
of Man Homes Feature Conquest Roofline Products
Ninety-six
homes at Ashley Park on the Isle of Man have been refurbished using PVC-ue
roofline products from Celuform. Cellular plastic fascia and soffit has
replaced ageing timber products on the properties as part of an extensive
ongoing refurbishment project undertaken by the Onchan District Commissioners.
'Much
of the timber was beyond repair and the local authority was looking for
a low maintenance alternative that would all but eliminate repair costs,'
said Martin Jones of Celumet, the Celuform distributor on the island.
'Conquest 19mm fascia and 10mm vented soffit board in Warm White were
ideal for this application,' he commented.
By using Celuform PVC-ue, the local authority's target to minimise ongoing
maintenance has been satisfied. Timber has to be treated and painted on
a regular basis, whereas Celuform white products have a 15 year guarantee
against rot, fading or yellowing.
Conquest is a square-edged board with fixed groove and return leg and
it will accept horizontal or inclined soffit boards. Rainwater systems
can be fixed directly to the fascia without needing timber support. It
is available in widths ranging from 150mm to 400mm.
The work at Ashley Park has been undertaken by two local contractors,
Southwards and C & S Joinery Construction. The fascia and soffit were
supplied by Celumet.
Celuform supplies stockists throughout the UK and Europe.
Martin Jones and Celumet Ltd can be contacted on 01624 834080.
Tel: 01622 719199
Web: http://www.celuform.co.uk
Report
from the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in Trelleborg AB
The
Annual General Meeting of the Trelleborg Group, an especially celebratory
event this year, with the Group’s centenary in focus, attracted some
1,400 festive shareholders to the Söderslättshallen venue in
Trelleborg on April 26th. Also presented at the Meeting was the newly-published
centenary book written by Agneta Ulfsäter-Troell and Carl Aspegren.
Entertainments and the screening of a movie framed the address by CEO
Fredrik Arp, who also wove in the historical context when speaking of
today’s Group and its business concept – to seal, damp and protect
in demanding industrial environments in a global market.
In his address, Fredrik Arp commented on operations during 2004, a year
that brought favourable growth and the advancement of market positions.
He also affirmed the Group’s competitive structure and its well-positioned
foundation for the future. Prioritised challenges include increased efforts
in new growth markets.
Dividend
The Meeting resolved to approve the Board and President’s proposal
to pay a dividend of SEK 5.00 per share. The record date for the dividend
is April 29th. It is therefore expected that the dividend will be distributed
by VPC on May 4th.
Board of Directors
The Meeting resolved to approve the proposal from shareholders representing
approximately 65 percent of the voting rights to reelect Fredrik Arp,
Heléne Bergquist, Staffan Bohman, Rolf Kjellman, Berthold Lindqvist,
Claes Lindqvist and Anders Narvinger. The Meeting decided that SEK 1,950,000
be paid in fees to the Board, with SEK 700,000 being paid to the Chairman
and SEK 250,000 to each of the other Board members who are not employed
within the Trelleborg Group.
The Meeting determined that the remuneration for assignments in the Audit
Committee should be SEK 100,000 for the Chairman and SEK 30,000 each to
other members.
Nominations Committee
The Meeting decided that there shall be a Nominations Committee consisting
of representatives for five of the larger shareholders at the close of
the third quarter. Individual shareholders in Trelleborg may submit proposals
for members of the Nominations Committee, and the composition of the Nominations
Committee shall be announced in the Company’s interim report on the
third quarter. The Committee must report on its activities at the Annual
General Meeting.
Authorisation for Board to decide on acquisition and transfer of treasury
shares
The Meeting authorised the Board to decide on the repurchase of not more
than a total of 10 percent of the total number of shares in the Company
for the purpose of adjusting the Company’s capital structure. This
mandate may be utilised on one or more occasions up to the next Annual
General Meeting.
Web: http://www.trelleborg.com
Alcoa,
Government of Jamaica to Expand Jamalco Alumina Refinery
Alcoa
announced on May 5th that its Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC)
affiliate and the Government of Jamaica have approved plans to immediately
expand the Jamalco alumina refinery in Clarendon, Jamaica by 150,000 metric
tons per year (mtpy) as the first phase of the overall 1.5 million mtpy
capacity expansion. This first phase will cost approximately $77 million,
with the commitment of another $25 million to finalise detailed engineering
on the full project over the next three months. Full production from the
first phase is expected by the end of 2006.
'This investment pulls forward a portion of our plan to expand the Jamalco
facility by more than 1.5 million metric tons,' said Bernt Reitan, President
of Alcoa Primary Products. 'There is concrete evidence of progress in
our Jamalco facility and it has earned the right to grow. Pulling forward
a portion of our larger expansion will allow us to leverage globally with
other brownfield and greenfield projects to reduce our costs and gain
efficiencies,' said Reitan.
A final investment decision on the larger expansion project, which would
more than double the refinery's total capacity to at least 2.8 million
mtpy, is expected in the third quarter of 2005. As part of that project,
AWAC ownership in the refinery will move from 50 percent to at least 70
percent. The government of Jamaica will continue to own the remaining
percentage. Upon approval, it is expected that the expansion project will
be completed by the end of 2007.
Expansions at Jamalco stem from a 2002 agreement with the Jamaican government
to remove a nearly 30-year-old levy on bauxite in order to encourage investment.
As a result of that levy removal and investments to expand, the Jamalco
refinery is among the world's lowest-cost refineries.
AWAC is a global alliance between Alcoa and Alumina Ltd, with Alcoa holding
60 percent.
Web: http://www.alcoa.com
First
Quarter 2005: Linde Maintains its Course Towards Earnings-Based Growth
In
the first quarter of fiscal 2005, the technology group Linde has achieved
increases in sales and operating profit (EBITA) and confirmed its forecast
for the whole year. 'We have had a good start to the year' said Dr. Wolfgang
Reitzle, President of the Executive Board of Linde AG. 'We are maintaining
a course towards earnings-based growth and are therefore developing programmes
which will to continue to improve efficiency in Linde Gas and Material
Handling.'
The Linde Group continues to assume that sales and operating profit for
the whole year 2005 will again exceed the prior year figures. However,
the increase in earnings will be a little lower than in the previous year.
In the first three months of the year, Linde achieved a 6.9 percent increase
in Group sales to 2.124 billion euro (2004: 1.986 billion euro), based
on comparable prior year figures. While sales outside Germany rose 8.7
percent to 1.691 billion euro (2004: 1.556 billion euro), sales within
Germany showed a slight increase of 0.7 percent to 433 million euro (2004:
430 million euro). Incoming orders of 2.353 billion euro (2004: 2.174
billion euro) were also higher, 8.2 percent above those for the same period
in 2004.
Based on comparable prior year figures, Linde's earnings also continued
to improve. In the first three months of the year, EBITA rose 13.0 percent
to 165 million euro (2004: 146 million euro) and earnings before taxes
on income (EBT) increased by 25.0 percent to 135 million euro (2004: 108
million euro). Net income of 85 million euro was 9.0 percent higher than
the figure in 2004 of 78 million euro. The figure for earnings per share
(EPS) at the end of March was 0.71 euro (2004: 0.65 euro).
Positive business trends in Linde Gas and Linde Engineering contributed
to a steady business performance overall, while the Material Handling
business segment had a slightly less favourable start to the year, due
to the industry sector cycle.
Sales in the Linde Gas division increased by 7.8 percent in the first
three months of the year to 1.038 billion euro (2004: 963 million euro).
During the same period, EBITA rose 10.1 percent to 164 million euro (2004:
149 million euro). A significant proportion of this increase was due to
the on-site business, which supplies industrial gases to major industrial
customers from plant situated directly on the user's site. In this segment,
sales rose 18.1 percent in comparison with the same period in the previous
year to 231 million euro (2004: 195 million euro).