Darby
Group plc - Preliminary Results Show Return to Profitability
Stephen Knight, Non-Executive Chairman of Darby Group plc has announced that a trading update will be given at the AGM on 7th May 2003. 'The Company continues to operate in an extremely competitive marketplace, and at present there are some signs of uncertainty in the economy. Nevertheless, we view the future with confidence, and the Company is now well equipped in terms of management and capacity to maximise the opportunities which do exist.'
Highlights
* Return to overall profitability - profit before tax £0.8m (2001:
loss £1.9m)
* EBITDA up 32% to £2.0m (2001: £1.5m)
* Group operating profit from continuing facilities up 51% to £0.8m
(2001: £0.6m)
* Basic earnings per share 2.0p (2001: loss 5.4p)
* Proposed resumption of dividends totalling 1.0p per share (2001: nil)
* Balance sheet reconstruction complete
* Operating cashflow up 82% to £1.9m (2001: £1.0m)
* Group remains ungeared, net funds of £1.2m (2001: £0.7m)
* Net asset value per share up 5% to 21.8p per share (2001: 20.9p per
share)
* Substantial investment in advanced plant and machinery for the glazing
division underway
Hugh Hayes of Darby Glass at the launch of the
Pro-Glass division to architects and interior designers at the award winning
Putney Bridge restaurant
Chairman's Statement
In my first statement as Chairman of the Company I am pleased to report
the continuing improvement in the Company's trading results and financial
health, and to announce the Company's intention to resume dividend payments
subject to shareholder approval at the forthcoming AGM. 2002 saw the completion
of the previously announced restructuring exercise, with the Capital Reconstruction
of the Balance Sheet being approved by the High Court and filed in July,
this being the final phase in the rehabilitation of the Company.
Trading
Turnover for the year was £21.2m (2001: £22.3m), on which
a pre-exceptional operating profit of £0.8m (2001: £0.1m)
was achieved.
Revenues in the Glazing Products division improved strongly in 2002, assisted
by the increasing demand for more thermally efficient insulating glass
units following the changes to the Building Regulations in April 2002.
The Processed Glass division had a difficult year as demand for glass
for the outdoor advertising and street furniture markets continued to
be depressed, and much management effort went into developing alternative
markets for this division during the period.
There were no exceptional costs in 2002 (2001: £1.9m), reflecting
the completion of the restructuring exercise of the last few years. As
a result, profit before tax was £0.8m (2001: loss before tax £1.9m).
Click here for the full report
Deceuninck
Reinforces its Balance Sheet Structure - Earnings up by 5.9%
The
Deceuninck Group, worldwide manufacturer of PVCu window systems and building
profiles, announced its annual results on 13th March. Deceuninck achieved
consolidated sales of 362.2 million euro in 2002. Current net profit grew
by 20% to 32.7 million euro. EBIT grew by 1.8% to 42.9 million euro, operational
cashflow (EBITDA) by 4.5% to 77.3 million euro.
The past year saw major economic and political uncertainties, says Clement
De Meersman, Deceuninck CEO. Due to international tension the price of
oil and raw materials went up and this development adversely affected
consumer and investment confidence. The construction industry, too, suffered
setbacks, but the growing renovation trend helped to limit the bad news.
In these difficult circumstances Deceuninck performed well and improved
its margins. The Group's operations in France, Spain, Central and Eastern
Europe and Turkey continued apace. Despite a number of weak currencies
(dollar, sterling, zloty and Turkish pound) sales grew by 2.7 %. Volume,
an indicator of market share, even rose by 8.5 % in what was a stagnant
market worldwide. Tax cost reduction, among others, helped to improve
the Group's net consolidated profit by 22.2%. Net debt was further reduced
to 51.7 million euro. Equity amounts to 56.5% of the balance-sheet total.
Deceuninck Group steadily continued to implement its strategic plan. Electronic
orders, through the SynergeBuild e-business programme, constituted already
30% of sales in the last quarter. 37 million euro was invested in tool
technology, product development and local facility extensions. The tools
department was fully modernised. The result will be shorter cycle times
and cost savings.
For 2003 a new window system is ready to be launched and in Diksmuide
the capacity of the compound plant will be raised from 80,000 to 135,000
tonnes.
'2002, like 2001 has been a transitional year, with the results and powerful
balance-sheet structure of Deceuninck being an ideal foundation for continued
growth. Despite the glum prospects Deceuninck are poised to face 2003
hopefully. Our integration strategy regarding tools, raw materials, profiles,
finishing and seals stands for better quality and lower costs. Deceuninck
anticipates further sales and profit growth in 2003', says Clement De
Meersman, Deceuninck CEO.
The Board of Directors will propose to the General Meeting of Shareholders
on 13th May 2003 that a net dividend of 0.1725 euro should be paid. In
2001, net dividend amounted to 0.168750 euro.
The Deceuninck Group is an integrated group of world format, specialised
in compounding, design, development, extrusion, finishing and recycling
of PVCu systems and profiles for the building industry. The company is
active in 32 countries, has 18 subsidiaries (production and/or sales)
and is supported by 1776 personnel, with 560 in Hooglede-Gits. Deceuninck
are number three in their sector world-wide and achieved consolidated
sales of 362.2 million EUR in 2002.
Restructuring
at Heywood Williams Group to Pay Dividends in 2003
In
announcing the preliminary results for the year ended 31st December 2002,
Chief Executive of Heywood Williams Group PLC Ian Stuart (pictured) made
the point that, although net pre-tax profits were slightly down on the
corresponding period last year this was largely due to a previously announced
exceptional charge, the costs of restructuring at HW Plastics and operational
issues at Coldseal. He was confident that, with these matters now addressed,
the company was in a position 'to benefit from the investments in new
products, more efficient business structures and a strengthening of the
management skills across the divisions'.
'The
restructuring programme was essential to turn mere size into true scale
and these changes will begin to deliver in 2003', explains Stuart. 'Rapid
and focused action succeeded in stabilising performance at the new Plastics
Systems distribution centre in Stoke-on-Trent by the end of 2002 and resumption
on the growth path will be significantly assisted by the launch of the
new Elite 70 profile suite in April'.
'The same can be said of Coldseal, our retail and fabrication subsidiary,
where decisive action has already been taken which will progressively
eliminate problems that were being experienced there - and they are already
having a positive effect on performance'.
'The Hardware Division, led by Mila, continued to deliver sales and profit
growth in 2002 and will have the groundbreaking Centralock - our unique
remote control central locking system for the home - to generate even
more growth in 2003'.
'We also have healthy growth in our e-commerce activities and exceptional
results from our export operations in Eastern Europe'.
'Although conditions in the USA remained volatile we successfully grew
operating profit by 68% across the US business as a whole, with each division
moving forward'.
'With major step change largely behind us and with a strengthened management
team, we are concentrating on achieving payback on our investments in
products and more efficient business structures to deliver the profit
growth and cash flows that our market positions deserve', concludes Stuart.
Pre tax profit (before exceptionals and amortisation) £16.7 million
(2001: £18.1m)
Profit before tax (post exceptionals and goodwill amortisation £3.2
mill (2001: £4m)
The dividend has been maintained at 15p - reflecting the Board's confidence
in the future
The operating exceptional item of £10 million was charged to provide
for the estimated lifetime cost of a legacy product rectification issue
of a cosmetic nature and legal action has been initiated to seek full
recovery.
New
Foiling Service from Exefoil
Extrusion
foiling coupled with collection and delivery service is now available
from a new source.
Exefoil
Ltd, based in Haydock, Lancashire, has been founded to provide a new foiling
service. The management team headed by Michael Cox has almost half a century
of experience in plastic extrusion and window fabrication, yielding first-hand
experience of the potential problems, and the quality required.
Using the latest Barberán computer-controlled technology, Exefoil
can produce consistent lamination of profiles up to 300mm wide. A wide
range of solid and woodgrain colours are available ex-stock.
Exefoil can offer a comprehensive, national collection and delivery savice,
with all components returned with individual protective 'easy-peel' film,
branded to personal specification, if required.
Michael Cox, Exefoil managing director, observes, 'We can offer one of
the most advanced sub-contract foiling services available in the UK.
'Our experience shows much of the industry has the foiling capability
in house, but those resources are more often than not stretched beyond
capacity, creating longer lead times for customers, and dissatisfaction.
We can help those companies eliminate that over-capacity problem. We can
also help those manufacturers who want to have access to foiling facilities,
without their having to burden themselves with the significant investment
required.'
Contact: Michael Cox
Tel: 01942 713666
A
Simple Mistake Proves a Waste for Synseal in Pollution Fine
Sometimes
owning up to a problem is the hardest thing, especially when you have
been making great progress on all fronts, and everyone has been trying
their best to be the best. 'Our customer facing systems have ensured that
customers give us the highest ratings for quality, logistics and overall
value,' said Gareth Edwards, Production Director of systems company Synseal
Extrusions Ltd, 'but even the best of us make mistakes that let us down.'
This happened to Synseal Extrusions recently when someone put the wrong
label on five 205 litre drums of chemical waste, including a primer containing
methylene chloride, in a sealed skip and sent them off to a waste disposal
site which was not registered to handle such materials. The company pleaded
guilty on 3rd March and was fined £2,500 plus costs of £1937.60.
Gary Watson, speaking for the Environmental Agency said: 'Companies dealing
with chemicals such as this on a day-to-day basis must ensure that their
procedures concerning their correct disposal are always followed. It can
sometimes only take a simple mistake to compromise the safety of the environment.'
'When this happens the best thing to do is to acknowledge your mistake
and put it right quickly. We all make mistakes. It's what you do about
them that distinguish the winners from the losers,' said Mr Edwards.
The court can fine up to a maximum of £20,000 for serious cases
or deliberate attempts to flout the law. Andy Hopkin of solicitors Brown
Jacobson told the court that the incident had arisen from a breakdown
in communications and Synseal had since introduced new procedures to prevent
a recurrence of the incident. 'We now keep the waste in a locked store.
Only key people have access, and the release forms have to be countersigned
by a Director,' confirmed Gareth Edwards.
Tel: 011623 443200
Web: http://www.synseal.com
Iceland's
Parliament Approves Alcoa's Fjardaal Plant
On
March 5th Althingi, Iceland's parliament, approved legislation that will
allow the conclusion of a contract to construct Alcoa's proposed Fjardaal
primary aluminium smelter in Eastern Iceland. The vote passed by a strong
majority - 41 votes in favour, 9 votes in opposition and one abstention.
The Fjardaal aluminium facility in Eastern Iceland is being designed to
be the most environmentally friendly aluminium production facility in
the world. The plant will have an annual capacity of 322,000-metric tons
and is expected to cost approximately $1.1 billion over the next four
years.
Welcoming the decision by Althingi, Alcoa Chairman and CEO Alain Belda
said, 'Today's vote paves the way for Alcoa to build one of the most modern
and competitive aluminium facilities in the world. We are gratified by
the support for this project from the Icelandic people and their elected
representatives, and we commit to designing the project to meet and exceed
Iceland's stringent environmental requirements.'
Fjardaal is part of one of the most extensive investments ever undertaken
in Iceland. The project is designed to strengthen and diversify the economy
of Iceland, while contributing to the development of East Iceland. The
plant in Iceland is an important element of the Alcoa's growth strategy
in primary metals.
Alcoa's involvement in the project involves construction of the aluminium
plant, Fjardaal, which means 'aluminium of the fjords'. The project also
involves construction of the Karahnjukar Power Station by the National
Power Company and a harbour facility at Mjoeyri by the Fjardabyggd Harbor
Fund. Construction on Fjardaal will begin in 2005, and the plant is scheduled
to start production in 2007.
Web: http://www.alcoa.com
UK
Glass Engineers make the French Connection
Instrument
Glasses Ltd, a family owned glass engineering specialist, has enjoyed
an increase in its export sales potential of over £300,000 in France
after participating in a Trade Partners UK funded 'Export Explorer' Trade
Mission to Lille this month.
The company's new business, predominately from the giftware and trophy
market, is the result of months of re-development work, from web design
to assistance with marketing materials carried out by Trade Partners UK,
the government network that gives UK companies a head start with trade
and investment overseas, to improve the Enfield-based company's international
export potential.
Gregg Botterman, managing director of Instrument Glasses, which has an
annual turnover of £2.5 million and was established over 30 years
ago, said that the company's products can be used in a wide variety of
applications from giftware to industrial engineering.
'Glass engineering is a highly specialised trade and can sometimes be
difficult to market effectively. The expert advice we have received from
Trade Partners UK to improve our website and in-house publications has
really helped to streamline our business image. We are now an internationally
focused company,' said Mr Botterman.
Instrument Glasses is now a confident player on the international stage
and is anticipating further successes in other world markets. 'We have
had compliments on the professional quality of our marketing materials
since we received help from Trade Partners UK and our website now has
daily hits from all over the world,' added Mr Botterman.
Sheffield
Winter Garden Highly Commended in ICE Award Ceremony
Sheffield's
latest landmark building, the Sheffield Winter Garden was Highly Commended
at the lnstitution of Civil Engineers Yorkshire Award Ceremony on 28th
February.
The
design team for the award include architects Pringle Richards Sharratt,
consulting engineers Buro Happold and contractor Interserve Building.
Buro Happold and lnterserve collected the award, which will sit alongside
the other awards won by the Millennium Galleries and Winter Garden project
team so far. Other awards won by the project include the Concrete Society
2002 Building Award and a Civic Trust award for 'both design and contribution
to the community'.
The Galleries and Winter Gardens make up part of Sheffield City Council's
Heart of the City Project; the redevelopment scheme is a master plan for
the whole city centre and covers 2.5 hectares in area.
Simon Wainwright, Group Director at Buro Happold is delighted with the
award, 'The Winter Garden is a great example of what can be achieved when
a like minded design team focuses on achieving the aspirations of the
client. We are extremely proud of the project and its success'.
Click
here for more pictures.
Tel: 01225 320 600
Web: http://www.burohappold.com
Status
Increases On-Line Ordering
In
2002 Status received 43 per cent of orders through its on-line ordering
system SynergeBuild. This represents a significant proportion after the
first years of rolling out SynergeBuild to its nationwide customer base.
SynergeBuild enables fabricators to control and manage their stock levels
in real time. By ordering via email, the fabricator has immediate access
to Status' stock levels, allowing him to order with more intelligence
and foresight according to his own needs.
'We initiated a step by step implementation programme with our existing
customers to ensure that the adoption of the technology was as smooth
and painless as possible,' said e business manager Lesley Bowling. 'Alongside
this every new Status customer that came on board was automatically put
onto SynergeBuild. This approach worked extremely well for Status, and
will continue throughout 2003. We hope to achieve a 100 per cent on-line
order rate within 18 months.'
Status' general manager Chris Foreman added:
'These figures showed that out of the 11 Deceuninck subsidiaries implementing
SynergeBuild worldwide during 2002, Status came out top - an achievement
of which we are extremely proud. Interest is growing rapidly in SynergeBuild.
The efficiencies and control it has to offer are becoming more and more
apparent. Introducing it to more of our new and existing fabricators will
be a key focus for 2003.
Tel: 01457 875731
Email: mailto:sales@status-systems.co.uk
Web: http://www.status-systems
KAT
Invests in a Right Little Goldmine
KAT
UK has invested £30,000 in a marketing specific IT system to help
it continuously improve customer service. The Macclesfield based niche
product fabricator has a strong background in proven telemarketing, and
the new Goldmine system will be fundamental in helping KAT maintain this
as it continues to grow.
The sophisticated technology behind Goldmine enables KAT to manage and
analyse information flows with greater intelligence. Data can be captured
and analysed to show deeper trends, and as a result KAT can develop telemarketing
campaigns with better significance to the target market, and therefore
much improved hit rates.
'A company is successful because it can provide a solution to customer
needs. To identify these needs you have to not only collect information
about your customers, but understand that information too,' said KAT director
David Richards. 'Goldmine enables us to really get to grips with our customers'
requirements - both individually and overall. It means we do not waste
their time with information they will not be interested in, but will be
able to offer them something that is very relevant to their requirements,
all in a way that is hugely cost effective to KAT.'
The flexibility of Goldmine ensures that data is always up to date. Downloads
can be carried out remotely, competitor information can be scanned and
filed accordingly, and the communication flow, both internally and externally,
is improved.
Tel: 01625 439666
Email: mailto:sales@katuk.co.uk
Web: http://www.katuk.co.uk
Dual
Management Initiative for Hardware Distributor
Hardware
distributor Carl F Petersen has further enhanced its service strategy
with dual management sales support.
Designed to give account ownership to internal and external staff, the
system provides wide-ranging benefits.
Customers are supported by an internal and external sales partnership
backed by other members of the Carl F team. The dedicated dual management
team, which is fully versed in customers' needs and buying requirements,
provides comprehensive account service and support.
Tel: 01536 401155
Web: http://www.carlf.co.uk
Metal
UK Completes Innovative 'Pod' for Fosters
Metal
UK, engineer and installer of bespoke glass solutions, has completed a
bespoke project to design, manufacture and install a futuristic security
pod for architect Norman Foster Partnership.
The pod has been designed to contain a security guard at the entrance
to a coach park underneath the new Tower Place development at Tower Hill,
London. Fosters approached Metal UK to develop the design, engineer, manufacture
and install the structure.
The 3.6m x 2.4m pod is manufactured from toughened, laminated glass with
a stainless steel frame. The upper and lower glazed sections are painted
metallic silver and the pod features a sliding glass window on one side
and an ingeniously engineered handle-less door on the other, which is
made up of a latch lock on a hydraulic closer, activated by turning a
key. The recessed roof is insulated with Sarnafelt and the pod also features
a heater, recessed lights and stainless steel storage space.
Velux
Leads Way with new European Standard for Roof Window U Values
Velux,
the roof window specialist, will now measure its product U values to pr
EN ISO 12567-2.
The standard, which is due to be adopted by all member states during April
2003, sees the introduction of a U value measurernent method specifically
for roof windows.
It will mean that for the first time all U value figures stated by manufacturers
will be comparable and worked out on a 'level playing field'.
A spokesman for the company stated 'We had already improved our window
technology, which meant that we could achieve a U value of 1.6W/m2k. The
recent introduction of the new Building Regulations, for energy conservation
in GB and Ireland, require U values for roof windows to be tested to the
new standard. We welcome its' introduction as a real benefit to our customers;
as other manufacturers will need to use the same measurement criteria,
making comparisons across manufacturers easier and more transparent. We
believe that we are the first in this market to measure our U values according
to the new standard.'
Tel: 01592 772211
Email: mailto:enquiries@velux.co.uk
Web: http://www.velux.co.uk
The
British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has officially launched its new Code
of Conduct. Since its adoption at last year's AGM, the BWF has been working
on the logistics of putting it into effect. The implementation process,
which will make the new Code a reality for BWF Members, will be formally
introduced at the BWF's Members Day later this month (27th March 2003).
In the last six months, the main effort has been put into working through
the practicalities of the decision of the 2002 AGM to amend the Federation's
Constitution along with the Rules of Membership so that as of 1st January
2003, all new BWF Members have to comply with the Code within their first
12 months of membership, whilst all existing Members are required to comply
by 31st December this year.
'There are two pillars to our Code of Conduct,' said the BWF's Director,
Richard Lambert, 'which account for much of the time and effort that's
it's taken to bring it from conception to reality. On the one hand, it
formalises the principles of good practice to which we in the woodworking
and joinery industry aspire, setting out the standards our Members are
prepared to commit to. We then had to describe what we would look for
to satisfy ourselves that those principles had been put into practice.
'The assessment procedures were framed to put the emphasis on enabling
Members to show that they achieved - and adhered to - standards of performance,
rather than punishing them for any errors they may commit.
'This isn't about ejecting people, it's all to do with encouragement,
so that Members can feel comfortable they are in a Federation that works
with them, and aspiring Members feel encouraged to join.'
The Guide to Compliance sets out how the principles of the Code of Conduct
can be applied in day-to-day practice so that Members comply with the
Code's intentions. From this will come an even-handed approach and consistent
interpretation both by Members and by assessors looking for evidence of
compliance.
Assessors will inspect Members for compliance on average once every four
years. The BWF recognises, however, the impossibility of assessing every
one of its 400-plus members in 2003 to start the scheme off. To overcome
this, a selfassessment document was distributed to all Members for completion
and return by the end of February. From this the Federation is seeking
a level of assessment from every Member at the outset, indicating whether
they comply or not.
The new Code of Conduct covers the following :
• Vetting procedure for new members
• Complaints by or against Members
• Financial status and eligibility
• Customer Care
• Contracts
• Employment, Health & Safety, Education & Training
• Technical expertise and information
• Environment
• Sustainability
• Advertising
• lnsurance
Members complying will receive an appropriate certificate, whilst others
will receive one stating they are 'working towards compliance' with the
Code. As Richard Lambert says, any Members not complying - and even one
with a complaint laid against it - will not lose their membership, but
will be offered the help of the Federation's considerable technical, legal
and production expertise to achieve, and maintain, the required standards.
'lf we set out a standard and then find someone does not reach it, we
cannot just leave them hanging. There is an obligation on us to help bring
them up to the standard we set.'
The Code of Conduct is the latest in a string of initiatives the BWF has
launched in recent years, progressively raising its profile in the industry.
Among the most prominent have been the Timber Window Accreditation Scheme
and the BWF-CERTlFlRE Fire Door & Doorset Scheme, both of which are
playing positive roles in putting timber and safety in the forefront of
specifier, building industry and consumer thinking.
Now, with the launch of the Code of Conduct, the BWF logo will be recognised
much more readily as representing an organisation committed to the highest
standards and good customer relations. From the Members' point of view,
the BWF sees this as giving Members a definite business advantage.
Tel: 020 7608 5050
Email: mailto:info@bwf.org.uk
Web: http://www.bwf.org.uk
Air
Products to Build and Operate High Purity Nitrogen Plant for Guardian
Glass
Air
Products PLC has been awarded a long-term contract to supply ultra high
purity nitrogen to Guardian Glass at their new state of the art float
glass facility, in Goole, East Yorkshire. Under the terms of the agreement,
Air Products will build and operate the Prism HPN20 plant on behalf of
Guardian.
The plant will produce 60 metric tonnes per day of high purity nitrogen,
for the manufacture of architectural flat glass. Air Products will also
supply liquid nitrogen from its plant in Hull, to operate the HPN plant,
for back up and to respond to peak shaving.
'Air Products was selected on the basis of their wide experience in on-site
generated gases and their desire to offer us a competitive, cost effective
solution to our requirements', explains John Elkington of Guardian
'This contract is one among several oxygen and nitrogen on-site generation
contracts that we have signed with glass manufacturers across Europe in
the last few years,' explains Rob Mills, glass business manager for Air
Products Europe. 'We have already worked with Guardian Glass in North
America, South America and Asia. In Goole, we will be providing Guardian
Glass with a complete turn-key package, supplying nitrogen at low cost
with minimum power usage. Guardian required advanced, innovative and cost
effective technologies to match their needs, and we are proud that we
were selected on this basis.'
Air Products is a supplier of on-site generated gases and combustion systems
to the Glass industry worldwide, with recent European contracts signed
which include Philips, UK; Superglass, UK and Glaverbel, Czech Republic.
The onsite generation concept for the supply of oxygen and nitrogen, allows
the client to minimise capital investment and reduce operating costs,
as the plant is built, operated and maintained by Air Products.
Tel: 01932 249200
Web: http://www.airproducts.com
Cutting
Edge Solutions from Siemens
Siemens
state-of-the-art drives and control technology are being used in the manufacture
of a new range of polycarbonate precision cutting machines, called Polycut,
recently developed by Clearview Engineering a division of Clearview (Yorkshire)
Limited. The first production unit is being used by a conservatory manufacturer
and has resulted in significant quality and productivity gains. The successful
solution is based on Simovert Masterdrive motion control, managed by a
Simatic 670 industrial PC, with HMI panels configured with Siemens ProTool/Pro
operating system.
Clearview
Engineering, located in Hull, has developed a cutting solution, designed
specifically for the polycarbonate glazing industry. Produced in conjunction
with Siemens, and systems integrator HMK Technical Services Ltd of Congleton,
the machine delivers an improvement in response time and throughput, and
offers greater precision in complex geometrical applications.
The glazing industry is highly competitive and the ability to rapidly
supply a wide range of shapes and sizes is essential for success. To deliver
this flexibility, companies normally hold polycarbonate stock in a variety
of sheet sizes, of up to 7m x 2.4. Large panels are awkward to handle,
they take up a lot of workshop space during horizontal cutting operations,
and the quantity of waste is high when cut by hand or using a semi-automated
process. Glazing producers are also faced with the need to respond positively
to market demands for an improvement in supply lead times, whilst ensuring
that quality is not compromised. The panels need to be accurately sized,
exclude swarf and dust from the interstices of the hollow sections of
structured polycarbonate panels and be properly labelled.
The new machine has been designed with all the requirements of the polycarbonate
glazing industry in mind. Problems of factory space, accuracy and swarf
have been solved. The Polycut machine is supplied complete with an optimising
package, a necessity if waste is to be minimised. It has a vertical cutting
bed and is equipped with a fully automated CNC triple-axis cutter that
can cut sheets up to 40mm thick. A vacuum system, with a variable distribution
facility, holds the polycarbonate panels, from 1m sq., in position and
cutting is carried out using a dust free 'clean-knife' system that eliminates
swarf and dust. With cutting speeds of up to two metres per second, a
Polycut installation simultaneously delivers an increase in both productivity
and available shop-floor space.
Safety is at the heart of the new machine. A Siguard laser scanner, that
transmits light pulses over an operating range of 190°, provides full
cutting-bed protection. If the pulses hit an obstruction, or a person,
the light is reflected, received and the precise co-ordinates calculated.
Depending on the position of the obstruction within a predefined zone,
the control system will initiate an emergency shut down. If a shut down
should occur within the Amber safety zone, the fully integrated restart
function ensures that the state-of-the-art positional and synchronous
Masterdrive motion control recommences at the correct position in the
work programme. These Siemens Safety-lntegrated produets conform to EN954-1
Category 4 and are interconnected using a Profisafe fieldbus facility.
The purchaser of the first production machine was Conservatory Roofing
Systems Ltd. (CRS), from Caerphilly, in Mid Glamorgan. The Company is
a nation-wide supplier of conservatory roofs and is a major user of structured
polycarbonate glazing panels, the market for which the new Polycut machines
have been specifically developed. The first production machine has been
in operation since the spring of 2002 and performance has exceeded the
purchaser's expectations.
As Ken Philips, the Production Director of CRS, commented recently, 'The
installation of new equipment is always a sensitive time as the impact
on production schedules is never certain. With Polycut, such concerns
were unfounded as the truck carrying the new machine arrived at 10am and
the unit was in full production just before 2pm on the same day. The Siemens
controls technology and customised software made operator training extremely
easy, and the seven fold increase in cutting capacity has enabled us to
increase turnover and offer reduced delivery times for even the most complex
projects. On the shopfloor the impact has been dramatic. Despite increased
throughput, cutting labour has been reduced by 50% and blow out operations
have been eliminated. The payback period is remarkably short.'
Contact: Philippa White
Tel: 0161 446 6645
Web: http://www.siemens-industry.co.uk
New
Member of Steel Window Association
Mike
Honour Windows Ltd, of Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, is the latest
member of the Steel Window Association.
With over 30 years experience in the..window industry, the company manufactures
and installs traditionally made steel windows, flat iron casements and
leaded lights. Stained glass work is also undertaken.
A list of members and new edition of the Specifier's Guide to Steel Windows
is available free from the Steel Window Association.
Tel: 020 7637 3571
Email: info@steel-window-association.co.uk