Kyro-Tamglass
acquires Bavelloni to form £140m Turnover Company and the Biggest
Glass Machinery Presence in the World
Tamglass and Bavelloni are to join forces after Tamglass parent company
Kyro Corporation acquired Z. Bavelloni lmmobiliare in ltaly and Glasto
Holding B.V. in the Netherlands. Z. Bavelloni lmmobiliare is the holding
company for Z. Bavelloni S.pA., a leading international manufacturer of
pre-processing equipment for the glass and stone industries. Glasto B.V.
is the holding company for an international group of sales and service
companies serving the glass and stone industries with Bavelloni machines
and tools as main products.
These acquisitions make Kyro's Glass Technology business group the largest
supplier of glass processing machinery world wide and expand the group's
business also to stone processing machinery. The acquisitions create a
close co-operation between Z. Bavelloni, Glasto, and Tamglass, as all
companies will be fully owned subsidiaries of Kyro Corporation.
Says Dino Bavelloni, President and CEO of Z. Bavelloni: 'This co-operation
will widen our customer base and offer customers the benefits of the strongest
ever combination of glass processing and industry knowledge, products
and services enhanced by global customer support and logistical efficiency.
Pentti Yliheljo, President and CEO of Kyro and Tamglass added: 'The acquisitions
are a very important step in Kyro's growth strategy. With these acquisitions
Kyro develops from being the market leader in safety glass machines to
becoming the leading equipment supplier for the whole glass processing
industry. We expect the co-operation between Tamglass and Bavelloni to
result in significant benefits for the glass processing customers of both
companies.
Both Tamglass and Z. Bavelloni continue to further strengthen their businesses
under their own brand names and with their existing organizations by developing
their high quality product lines. The companies will utilise synergies
in sales, logistics, and after-sales services. Largest synergies are expected
from widened customer contacts and the selling of products from both companies
to their combined customer base in the global markets.
Additionally, Z. Bavelloni can further strengthen the role of Glass Processing
Days as the largest and most important professional and educational conference
in the world of glass complemented with a web portal Glassfiles.com by
GPD, adds Pentti Yliheljo. Glass Processing Days is organised by Tamglass,
and in 2001 it attracted over 850 global glass industry experts, and 75%
of the audience represented owners, presidents, general directors and
managers of glass companies.
Tamglass is the world technology and market leader in safety glass processing
machinery with over 50% market share in its main product areas. Tamglass
net sales in 2001 was EUR 120.9m and grew by 30% organically. Operating
profit was EUR 15.2m.
Z. Bavelloni is the leading company in glass pre-processing technology
and the world leader in edge-working machinery and related tools with
over 30% market share in its main product areas. Z. Bavelloni sells its
products directly in ltaly and through an international agent network.
The sales and service companies of the Glasto Group are located in the
Netherlands, France, U.K., U.S.A., Mexico, Brazil, and Singapore. The
consolidated total net sales for Z. Bavelloni and Glasto Holding in 2001
was EUR 88.9m and grew by 15.5% organically. Consolidated operating profit
was EUR 8.3m.
Kyro Group net sales in 2001 totaled EUR 147m from two business areas,
Safety Glass Technology and Energy. The main business area, Safety Glass
Technology, consists of the Tamglass Group and Uniglass Engineering. Its
share of Group net sales in 2001 was about 82%, and it employs a total
of 458 people. The equity ratio of the Kyro Group is close to 80%.
'A
Quarter Million Domestic Conservatories per Year,' says Palmer in a New
Report, '.......and Everything to go for!'
Anyone
close to the domestic Conservatory Market over the past few years can
predict that the market will grow, but Palmer is brave enough to put precise
figures to it. At present growth rates it is clear that the quarter million
annual sales will be reached before the end of Palmer's forecast horizon
which extends through to 2006.
Unlike window replacements, which have always been led by distress purchases,
the British Conservatory market is generated from purchasers' lifestyle
statements, and pressure on householders to add living space; recent growth
has been where the money is. Also differing from windows, in that Document
L provisions do not apply; so increased unit expenditure may be in size
or higher specification components and fittings, rather than in higher
specification glass. Palmer shows that the market value and specification
of Conservatories has been growing even faster than the numbers sold with
the average PVCu conservatory price increasing by over 7% between 2000
and 2001. This is in spite of the latest data showing that fewer conservatories
were sold for over £20,000 (excluding base work) than in the previous
year. For the first time this year, the report shows the numbers of conservatory
sold by size (see chart).
Other new information reveals the opportunities in selling doors with
the conservatory, with only 43% of installations currently fitting a new
entrance door between the house and the conservatory. Of course, the expected
Palmer information is still present; trends in the values sold through
each main distribution channel (Direct sell, DIY Retailers and Specialist
Conservatory Manufacturers), the ratios of standard to custom-built designs
for each sector, and details of wall types, window types, and glazing
selection - both in the walls and the roof.
Everyone expects the money to be available in the South of England - and
so it seems with continuing growth - 46% of the market by value was purchased
by the 39% of Britain's owner occupied houses. The real surprise comes
from a spurt in Scotland with a 50% increase in sales value to give 12%
of the turnover purchased in a market of 6% of the owner occupied houses.
'Is it the weather?' Palmer muses.
The really important question, says Palmer, is 'Where will the growth
be?' And this is the main thrust of all Palmer reports; the report is
based upon over 700 personal interviews, and includes detailed economic
analysis explaining his conclusions. He is predicting a fivefold increase
in Conservatories sold with New Housing, but the main volume growth will
come in Home Improvements, because, he says, 'The further advantage that
the conservatory market has over the replacement window market is that
there is no risk of imminent saturation. Our professional estimate is
that 'only' 1.7 million conservatories were installed at the end of 2001,
which is only about 11% of all owner occupied houses. This compares with
70% of windows replaced. In short, there's everything to go for!'
The report, which additionally details window styles, roof construction,
roof vent usage, and the numbers and types of doors sold with the conservatory,
as well as a regional overview, makes it compulsory reading and provides
a route map for anyone planning to sell into the Domestic Conservatory
markets. The full report - with 33 tables and 13 charts to illustrate
the trends - is available direct from Palmer Market Research at £1500
plus vat, including a year's hot line support.
Contact: Robert Palmer
Tel: 020 8390 8131
Email: mailto:info@palmermarketresearch.co.uk
Web: http://www.
palmermarketresearch.co.uk
Vitro
Provides Glass and Glazing for the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles
Vitro, S.A. de C.V. has been awarded a contract to provide 3,000 square meters of laminated glass and glazing services to Permasteelisa Cladding Technologies, Ltd., the glass installation company in charge of supplying external facades and glazing for the Walt Disney Concert Hall Complex in downtown Los Angeles, California.
Architect's Model for the Walt Disney Concert
Hall Complex
All
3,000 square meters of laminated glass were produced and processed by
Vitro plants in Mexico at Crinamex, Shatterproof and Vidrio Plano de Mexico,
and sent to Los Angeles from Monterrey, located in the northeast state
of Nuevo Leon in Mexico.
The new building facade will have an estimated half-a-million individual
pieces that will eventually make up the exterior facade of this magnificent
architectural masterpiece. The surface will contain 160,000 sq ft of panels
and 40,000 sq ft of glazing. Of 6,100 panels, only 2,100 are the same.
Super Sky, skylight manufacturer and a division of Vitro America in the
United States, is currently providing glass for the other external sections
of the building, as well as doing glazing and installation services.
The
concert hall will cost approximately $274 million dollars and will be
the new home for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and has been
named after the king of cartoons in the film capital of the world. The
building is a full-block addition to the Music Center of Los Angeles County
and consists of eight elements above grade and a 70 x 58ft theater below,
cut into a parking garage completed in 1995.
On city land, the facility will be County owned and operated. Experts
say the project will be concluded by fall of 2003.
'We hope that the Walt Disney Concert Hall will replace the 'HOLLYWOOD'
sign as Los Angeles's icon', said Alejandro Leal, Vitro's Flat Glass Value
Added Products Sales Manager. 'The skin is only 50% complete, yet the
building is already a landmark'.
Permasteelisa Group designs, fabricates and installs external facades
for monumental buildings. The Group operates on four continents throughout
30 companies and 18 manufacturing plants in more than twenty countries.
Permasteelisa also engages in the design, production and installation
of demountable partition walls as well as interior fit-out for stores
and offices.
In 1999, under the name of Permasteelisa Cladding Technologies, Ltd.,
the company started operating in the technological building envelopes
market, providing design, engineering, manufacturing and installation
of curtain walls and metal claddings.
Contact: Albert Chico Smith
Tel: +52 81 8863 1335
Email: mailto:achico@vitro.com
Web: http://www.vitro.com
500 Attend Pilkington Activ™ Roadshows
Almost
500 window fabricators and installers attended a series of presentations
organised by Pilkington and designed to advise Launch Partners for Pilkington
Activ™ product on the key issues surrounding the sale and marketing
of the self-cleaning glass.
The
Launch Partners will work with Pilkington during an initial period that
is expected to last until mid 2003, afier which it is anticipated that
distribution will be widened. The presentations were felt to be designed
to ensure that Pilkington Activ™ is presented correctly to end-users,
by explaining just how the product works, and how the continuous cleaning
action of the glass produces the best results. Delegates also learned
the experiences of sales and marketing staff involved with the test marketing
of the product in Ireland, where Pilkington Activ™ has been available
to home improvers since early in 2001. The sales and marketing presentation
was backed up by a review of some of the simple technical and handling
issues relating to the product.
‘Pilkington Activ™ is not just a new product, it is a new invention.
We are, quite literally, pioneering a new concept,’ said Chris Gill,
the company's UK Marketing Communications Manager. ‘We have the benefit
of extensive test marketing experience prior to launching Pilkington ACtiV™
in the UK. It is important to ensure the product's long term success by
advising installers in the home improvement market - those in the front
line - of a number of key performance and marketing issues relating to
the product that we learned from the test marketing, and which we believe
will help to boost sales and ensure high customer satisfaction.’
Ten venues were visited during a hectic two-week schedule in October,
beginning in Bristol and concluding in Glasgow. Response was very positive
remarked Gill:
‘Pilkington Activ™ remains unique in the general UK home improvement
market, and this was an opportunity for sales and marketing staff to learn
how best to present it to customers to make the most out of the opportunities
the product offers. In the UK, one of the world's most dynamic home improvement
markets, we believe Pilkington Activ™ will be a real boost for the
sales and margins of replacement window manufacturers and installers.’
Tel: 01744 692000
Email: mailto:contact@pilkington.com
Web: http://www.pilkington.com
Nine
Things you Can do on a Park Bench - well, it appears you can get away
with it in Newcastle
Glass
designer Cate Watkinson and writer Julia Darling have partnered landscape
architects Insite Environments, to provide Newcastle city centre with
a new range of contemporary glass street furniture.
Chris Emmerson, director and project leader at Insite, said: 'We were
looking for designs, which would complement rather than challenge the
splendid architectural backdrop. If you look around many historic cities
in Britain it is disappointing to see the same tired Victorian street
furniture used simply because it is considered 'olde worlde'.'
Appointed after a design competition, Insite developed a variety of prototypes
testing durability and quality of finishes for the benches, litter bins
and bicycle racks. Glass, granite, light and the written word have been
combined to create a highly imaginative offering.
Chris Oldershaw, Director of the Grainger Town Project, said: 'The Insite
team were really innovative. Even their original presentation used advanced
3D computer graphics to make it appear as if the seating had already been
installed in front of the Theatre Royal. The range is stunning.'
Julia and Cate's theme 'nine things to do on a bench' are revealed through
stylish etchings embedded on each glass panel, which at night become illuminated
via fibre optics. This blending of art with architecture has been a success
and the increasing popularity of this technique will undoubtedly strengthen
Newcastle & Gateshead's bid for Capital of Culture and undoubtedly
assisted Grey Street toward being dubbed the Best Street in Britain.
Insite Environments are Landscape, Urban Design and Environmental consultants
working in a variety of sectors from construction and utilities through
to housing and heritage projects.
IT plays a central role in their work, but they are particularly well
known for their application of Virtual Reality (VR) modelling to visualising
development proposals and assisting the public and private sectors with
various inward investment projects.
Cate Watkinson trained as a glass blower in Sunderland. She worked in
Cambridge and the Channel Islands before returning to the north-east.
She set up Watkinson Glass Associates in 1988. WGA produces unique design
pieces ranging from decorative glass panels for private and domestic buildings,
etched screens for offices to major public sculptural commissions.
Cate's work includes the lighthouse features on Newcastle Quayside, HSBC
bank in central Newcastle and Newcastle Airport Arrivals Hall.
Contact: Jackie Watson
Tel: 0191 2611966
Email: mailto:jackie.watson@insite-e.co.uk
Web: http://www.insite-e.co.uk
'More Company changes than ever!' says Windowbase'
'The past year has shown even greater volatility in the industry than ever!' says Windowbase, announcing its summary of annual changes to the Industry-wide database of UK fabricators & Installers. With over 10,000 window, door and conservatory companies under observation, and 20,000 phone calls made to keep up to date, this analysis is a clear indication of real trends.
'Our 'Volatility Index' value of 32.4% - a measure of the changes occurring on a year on year basis - indicates that just on 1 in 3 companies on our database has changed during the year in some significant way.' says Mike Davis. 'That compares with an index of 24% for the previous year - a real jump by any standards.'
'Overall, the proportion gone out of business is the same as last year at 7.4%, and the number that moved premises is not that different - just 0.1 percentage point higher at 7.9%. The main difference is in the number of new companies added to the database; eight points higher at 17%.'
The Windowbase database with just under 10,000 companies at the end of the year, only records companies who are prepared to give details of their activities and so these new companies have not all just been formed in the past year. But the apparent willingness of so many to 'come out' needs explanation. Mike has one. 'We had been trying to contact many of these companies, and the shift in the industry due to the implementation of Part L of the Building Regulations, has forced many smaller companies to decide whether they are mainly Fabricators or Installers,' he says. 'Either way, they need to be more pro-active in their marketing and now want to be known for what they are good at.'
Unlike last year, where the major change was in PVC-U fabricators, this year the greatest volatility is seen among the PVC-U installers, again confirming Mike's suspicions. (See chart, below). However, a greater percentage of both timber and PVC-U fabricators stopped making; in each case, nearly 15% of those recorded as making at the beginning of the year apparently no longer fabricate.
Contact: Mike Davis 01706 644 308
Email : mailto:miked@winbase.co.uk
Website: http://www.winbase.co.uk
K2 announces 82% increase in Q1 volume, Success in the USA and the Formation of a Commercial division
K2 has announced an 82% rise in sales for the first quarter of 2002, with second quarter figures being significantly stronger than that of the previous year.
'Evaluation of results taken from a recent independent benchmarking survey from Michael Rigby Associates, also revealed that through a strong customer focus and passion for excellence K2 were rated number one for deliveries, dealing with complaints and the effectiveness of sales people', says Iain McInnes, K2's marketing manager.
Furthermore, the research showed within the industry that K2 had improved in all 16 attributes measured in comparison with 2001.
K2
was rated higher than average in 16 out of 18 the attributes, a clear
demonstration that the company was delivering market-leading standards
in all business activities.
K2 has also recently enjoyed success in the lucrative American market,
thanks to its US arm, Canterbury Conservatories.K2 has recently taken
measures to improve upon its existing roof system in order to facilitate
the construction of more complex and larger installations.
These improvements to the roof system were also necessary for requirements within the US market, where sales of conservatories are more application driven to accommodate their swimming pool, hot tub or extra living room.
Canterbury's
most recent project was that of a portal installation to house a swimming
pool (pictured left). This spectacular construction located in Indiana,
consisted of a hip ended lantern construction complete with small gabled
entry and spanned 10mtr x 20mtr. Such was the magnitude of the project,
that Canterbury called upon the wealth of expertise and experience of
K2's commercial manager, Tim Burton, to help manage the design and installation
of the portal system.
'From the onset of our partnership, K2 and Canterbury have placed emphasis on the importance of working together on projects. By bringing together the experience, skill, drive and enthusiasm from both sides of the Atlantic we are able to provide the US market with exceptional levels of quality and service, outperforming any threat from the competition." commented Tim.
K2's capabilities to undertake projects regardless of their size and location will be further consolidated by their impending launch of a Commercial Division. The division will act as a gateway to provide K2 fabricators, installers, specifiers and architects alike with a fully equipped support function.
Cliff
Rankin's City Luncheon proves major Meeting Point for Glass Men, while
'WIG' Luncheon grows in Stature
Now in its 22nd year, the Glassman's Christmas Luncheon, held on Friday
6th December at Colonel Jaspers Wine Bar in City Road, London, was once
again a resounding success.
The
highly entertaining luncheon, organised by Stephanie Graham on behalf
of its founder Clifford Rankin, has become a not to be missed event in
the glassman's calendar by those who are fortunate enough to receive an
invitation from 'Mr Glass', Clifford Rankin (pictured left, at a BBQ at
his home, several years ago).
Many of the glass industries leading figures gathered to enjoy a pleasant
meal and a 'quiet drink' with friends old and new.
From those early days when Cliff first hosted this event at Champagne
Charlie’s Old Ale Port and Steak House, in Essex Road, Islington,
the event has grown in popularity.
Due to this, the restriction in numbers, and the longevity of some of
the original 'Charlie's' Clifford says he finds it more and more difficult
each year to be able to invite as many people as he would like, and sends
his apologies to those 'waiting in the wings'.
Meanwhile, five miles South in Southwark, nineteen discerning members
of the 'fairer sex' celebrated a Women in Glass Christmas Luncheon. This
event, also organised by Stephanie Graham, aims to match numerically the
Glassmen’s function in the fullness of time.
Any lady members of the glass & glazing industry wishing to participate
in the WIG’s 2003 Christmas Luncheon should contact Stephanie Graham
at Rankins Glass on 0207 749 2408.
Investment
at Door Panels vindicated by Palmer Market Report
The recently published Palmer report on the private sector home improvements
market for 2002 (previewed in The Gl@zine last week - see here)
has fully endorsed the strategy of Door Panels plc in investing heavily
in new premises and equipment to meet the increasing demand for not only
their core products but in their Doorman composite door range - a sector
of the market that is predicted by Palmer to treble in size by 2006.
As market leader Door Panels has set its store by producing a range of innovative products that combine security, practicality and low maintenance with good looks - the very combination of features that Palmer attributes to fuelling the doubling of the market for PVCu entrance doors in the last 10 years.
The Palmer report reveals that the entrance door market grew by 11% in 2001 and attributes this continuing growth to the dual requirements of appearance and security.
Sales
& Marketing Director at Door Panels, Ricky Le Grys comments:
'At Door Panels we have always recognised the importance of 'Kerb Appeal'
in the design of our ranges but we have also responded to the general
public's increasing demand for security.
Police figures show over 70% of break-ins are via the door and so we have now designed a composite door range that makes it very difficult for any criminal to force his way in.
The Doorman range has obtained a Secured by Design ( SBD ) licence from the Association of Chief Police Officers. They were tested for security and performance to PAS 23 and PAS 24 and even the Doorman doors with a large area of glass substantially exceeded the requirements, with a 50% improvement on the glass required for SBD accreditation.
'It
is a combination of the classical good looks associated with a timber
door, heat and noise insulation, durability, low maintenance and enhanced
security that has made the Doorman range so popular with local authorities
and Housing Associations. But, increasingly, the private sector is beginning
to appreciate these same qualities and orders from individual home owners
are growing at a rate that underlines the findings of Palmer', concludes
an enthusiastic Le Grys.
Contact Tel: 01684 594561
Website: http://www.doorpanels.co.uk
Architectural hardware and sash balances manufacturer, Caldwell, launched over 150 balloons on 21st November to celebrate the move to its new headquarters in Coventry. Councillor Dave Batten from Coventry Council for Investment was on hand to officially open the site by unveiling a plaque, but the scene was stolen by 30 pupils from the Alice Stevens School, Coventry who took part in a balloon race and received a giant cheque to spend on play equipment as part of Caldwell’s community involvement programme.
Children from Alice Stevens School, Coventry
help celebrate the opening of Caldwell’s new factory in Coventry
with [left to right] Jim Boucher, president of Caldwell US, Alistair MacAulay
managing director of Caldwell UK, George Mitchell sales & marketing
director Caldwell UK and Councillor Dave Batten from Coventry City for
Investment.
Jim Boucher, President of Caldwell US showed guests the latest architectural
hardware production technology in operation, demonstrated by staff. They
were also shown the new Product Centre which will double as a permanent
exhibition of latest products and as a fully-equipped training centre
for both in-house use and by customers. After lunch a celebration cake
decorated with the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes banner, to symbolise
the close relationship between Caldwell’s American and UK divisions,
was cut by Jim Boucher and UK managing director Alistair MacAulay.
Caldwell UK managing director Alistair MacAulay made a speech welcoming
all visitors to the site and said, 'This is a super day for all of us
here at Caldwell UK. We are very proud of our new home and look forward
to developing it into a leading manufacturing, development and training
facility which will be a valuable resource to our customers and keep us
at the forefront of our industry.'
Caldwell will offer a voucher prize to the owner of the balloon found
to have travelled furthest, and the child who launched it.
Contact: George Mitchell
Tel: 02476 437900
Email: mailto:gmitchell@caldwell.co.uk
Web: http://www.caldwell.co.uk
Good
Bye Mr Scaroni and thanks for the Contribution
The board of Pilkington plc announces that Mr. Paolo Scaroni will be stepping
down as Non-Executive Deputy Chairman and from the board with immediate
effect. Following his appointment to the board of Alliance UniChem Plc
on 10 December 2002, Paolo has informed the board that due to increased
time commitments he would no longer be able to fulfil the role of Non-Executive
Deputy Chairman of Pilkington.
Sir Nigel Rudd, Chairman of Pilkington, said:
'Paolo has made a significant contribution to the turn-around of Pilkington
over the last six years. Pilkington today is a stronger, leaner, fitter
business better able to compete as a world leader in glass. Stuart Chambers
and the executive management team are building on this competitive strength
and the group is well placed to deliver value despite uncertain market
conditions.'
Stuart Chambers was appointed Chief Executive of Pilkington plc on 28
May 2002 following Paolo Scaroni's appointment as Chief Executive of Enel
SpA, Italy's leading electricity company. Enel SpA is the third largest
generator of electricity in Europe, with an integrated presence in the
generation, distribution and supply of electricity. He is also a Non-Executive
Director of BAE Systems plc.
Co-operation between Technal, Ultraframe and Wright in Major Commercial Development in Dublin
Beacon
Court is a major new commercial development in Dublin. Designed by Traynor
O'Toole Architects and styled by the renowned fashion designer John Rocha,
the scheme for Landmark Developments has created a business and lifestyle
environment which features innovative use of aluminium and glass.
Architectural aluminium systems specialist, Technal, working with fabricators Ultraframe and Wright Window Systems, have supplied over 57,000 sq ft of curtain walling and 500 window systems for the external envelope to the three buildings that comprise phase 1 in two contracts totalling around £1.7m
Technal's
MC curtain wall was selected for this exposed site for its structural
and weatherproofing qualities and to carry large spans of sloped glazing
up to 3.2m high and 2.2m wide.
Commenting on the specification, project architect John Dennehy of Traynor
O'Toole said, 'Technal's MC curtain wall is sufficiently robust to carry
the heavy loadings of the large spans of glass, which allowed us to have
uninterrupted glazing from floor to ceiling. This mullion system was a
more cost-effective alternative than glass to glass joints, whilst still
meeting our requirements for safety, excellent acoustics and thermal performance.'
Natural
ventilation is provided by top hung casement windows from Technal's recently
launched FXi suite, which are inserted into the curtain walling. The 46mm
module windows are stacked vertically as an additional architectural feature
and to maximise flexibility for space planning internally.The systems,
including Technal's PH entrance doors, are finished in dark grey and glazed
in high specification 10mm toughened and laminated green body tinted glass
with a 10mm clear toughened inner pane.
Contact Technal on 0113 296 1400
Website: http://www.technal.co.uk
Woodmex
Delivers Morale-Boosting Results
Woodmex
2002 proved to be a success for exhibitors and visitors who accepted the
invitation to 'do the business' at the UK's biennial showcase for the
woodworking industry.
This year, for the first time, visitor numbers will be independently audited.
Pending this, initial de-duped statistics have been released which indicate
that 14,939 people attended the four-day event - a figure that compares
extremely well with the 14,961 who visited the last Woodmex in 2000. In
addition, nearly 700 visitors returned to the exhibition for a second
day - indicating serious buying intent! - and when these are included
the actual attendance was up on last time.
However, the real measure of success is the volume of orders and 'very
serious enquiries' reported by exhibitors, for whom Woodmex 2002 exceeded
expectations and provided a welcome boost at a time of difficult trading
conditions.
In the months leading up to the exhibition there had been some apprehension
that visitor attendance could be adversely affected by the problems facing
customer markets, especially furniture manufacturers. In the event, the
extensive marketing campaign by organiser Centrex ensured that buyers
from woodworking companies of all sizes travelled to the NEC in order
to see and buy machinery, plant, tooling and software that will improve
production efficiency, quality and safety.
Among the long-time exhibitors who were approached for comments was Mike
King, sales director of SCM Group (UK), who said 'the number of enquiries
received was significantly up on Woodmex 2000 and came from a whole range
of industries, but especially the joinery sector (windows, doors and staircases)'.
Francis Dalton of Daltons said that orders had been taken 'every day and
we didn't see a single timewaster...it was probably our best show for
10 years'.
Companies taking a stand for the first time were equally pleased. Gang-Nail
Systems was 'delighted with the high calibre of visitors and we are keen
to return next time'; while Greenwood Forest Products UK commented that
it had tried various trade shows 'but this is the first time we've really
connected with our customer base'.
Woodmex is owned and sponsored by the Woodworking Machinery Suppliers
Association (WMSA) and is organised by Centrex - part of the NEC Group.
'We're extremely pleased that exhibitors have achieved such a good return
on the money and time they invested in taking space at Woodmex 2002',
said Andy Gibb, divisional director at Centrex. 'We are determined to
further develop Woodmex as the definitive event for the woodworking industry,
by attracting new companies and new products so that visitors can find
everything they need under one roof.
'This year's exhibition was a sell-out and there's no room to increase
the size of the show in its traditional venue of Hall 5. In 2004, therefore,
we're moving to the new NEC halls, which will give us the flexibility
to accommodate a larger show. More details will be announced soon, but
in the meantime the Woodmex website (http://www.woodmex.com)
will remain on-line as a reference source for the woodworking industry'.
Glaverbel
Grants Licences for Production of its MNGE Mirror in USA and South Africa
Glaverbel
has just signed two large licence contracts for production of mirrors
by its patented MNGE (Mirox New Generation Ecological) process, with Gardner
Glass Products in the USA and Glass South Africa. MNGE is distinguished
by the absence of copper and lead in its manufacturing process. The company
claims that it offers higher strength against external attack, and that
it has a lifetime at least three times longer than traditional mirrors.
Gardner Glass Products, the largest independent producer of mirrors in
North America, is the first on that continent to use the MNGE licence.
Its CEO, Tommy Huskey, stated: 'This agreement, which brings with it the
active support of Glaverbel, fits in with our strategy of offering the
highest quality so as to consolidate our position on the North American
market. It commits us to a partnership with a company whose pioneering
experience in improving mirrors is recognised worldwide.' The deal was
achieved with the support of Hilemn, a supplier of mirror coatings, which
is responsible for promoting MNGE technology in North America.
Glass South Africa, the largest manufacturer of processed glass products
in that country, has also opted for the MNGE licence. 'With the acquisition
of this licence we intend to strengthen our leadership in glass products
with high added value on the South African market' declared the company's
Managing Director, Trevor Sayer.
Glaverbel CEO Arthur Ulens for his part has welcomed the two new partnerships:
'With these agreements and others concluded previously (1), Glaverbel
is building up a worldwide network of partners. This clearly demonstrates
the value of our technology.'
(1) Licence agreements with Pilkington (UK), Flabeg (Germany), Galvolux
(Switzerland) and Asahimas (Indonesia).
Tel.: +32 (0)2 674 31 11
Web: http://www.glaverbel.com
Alcoa
Completes Acquisition of Fairchild Fasteners - Enhances its Position as
Aerospace Supplier of Choice
Alcoa
Inc. has completed its acquisition of the assets of Fairchild Fasteners,
a supplier of aerospace fasteners, from The Fairchild Corporation.
Fairchild Fasteners is a manufacturer of precision fastening systems and
components. Its products are used primarily in the construction and maintenance
of commercial and military aircraft. Fairchild supplies fasteners to the
aftermarket for repair and maintenance of aircraft, a segment in which
Alcoa has not been a major participant.
Fairchild will be combined with Huck into Alcoa Fastening Systems ('AFS.').
By leveraging Alcoa's advanced aerospace research with the broad line
of Huck and Fairchild products, AFS will become a technology partner in
this business, offering solutions to Alcoa's major aerospace customers.
Alcoa estimates that the acquisition can yield $50 million before taxes
in synergies over three years and $70 million in reduced working capital
through deployment of the Alcoa Business System and increased use of shared
services. The acquisition will be accretive to earnings by the end of
the first full year despite current weakness in the aerospace markets.
Fairchild Fasteners' major customers include Airbus, Boeing, General Electric,
Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, UTC, Wesco, Pentacon, and
the U.S. government. The company has 4600 employees and operates 15 primary
manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, and Australia.