News @ The GL@ZINE

Could Family-Friendly Budget Signal Return To Health For Conservatory Sector?

While hopes of income tax cuts to kick start consumer spending may have been dashed by Gordon Brown's recent Budget, there were some hopeful signs that recovery could soon start to take place in the conservatory sector.

Explains Sally Fielding, Managing Director of K2: 'One of the main factors affecting consumer spending in our sector over the past 18 months or so has been uncertainty about the housing market. People simply do not invest in their homes if they do not have confidence that they will realise the value of their investment when they come to sell. With all the doom and gloom about a housing market crash, times have been hard in the sector, but in the Budget, the Government made it clear that they want to initiate the market at entry level which will keep the housing market moving.'

According to the latest Right Move House Price Index, asking prices rose by 0.9% during March, reflecting a continuing trend of modest increases. The Government not only raised the threshold for stamp duty payments to £125,000 as part of the Budget, but changed the threshold for inheritance tax to £325,000 to stimulate movement at both ends of the marketplace.

Sally Fielding continues: 'Both of these changes in tax thresholds may seem modest, but they will have a positive effect on the housing market. The stamp duty change is particularly significant as the whole market relies on a steady supply of first time buyers and in areas where a starter home can still be purchased for £125,000 this will give a real boost to the market.'

Sally also points to the Government's pledge to increase family tax credits as another positive indicator for the conservatory sector. She continues: 'Conservatories are still the best additional space solution for growing families and with reports that families are going to be better off is great news for the sector. Even for reasonably affluent families, tax credit payments can amount to the difference between a decision to invest in home improvements or just make do, so we could see an increase in sales to this section of the marketplace.'

K2 has focused its product development on up-selling opportunities to address the prospect of a gradual recovery in the sector. The launch of its Modular Conservatory Range featuring the groundbreaking K2 Konnect frame system provides a high quality, entry-level product and, in some cases, retailers may be able to up-sell to a higher specification system. Similarly wide ranging add-ons such as the Options range of Eaves Beam trims or the new K2 Aluminium Roof Vent give the trade the potential to maximise profits, even from a lower budget installation. With excellent opportunities to differentiate, in terms of both design and specification, K2 installers are ideally placed to benefit from any upturn in market conditions.

Sally Fielding adds: 'The natural slowdown in the market over the past two years has been compounded by lower consumer confidence across the board. The recent budget will not turn things round overnight, but it does show some very positive indicators. For those companies that are able to approach the market at all levels, a boost to family incomes and renewed vigour in the housing market are an excellent base from which to build sales.'

Greenwood Reacts as Market Faces Regulations Changes

Greenwood Airvac, leading manufacturer of both passive and mechanical ventilation solutions, has offered its support to consultants, local authorities, housing associations and window fabricators facing the changes to Parts F and L of the Building Regulations and the adoption of a performance-based standard for domestic ventilation.

Kevin Bergin, Commercial Director, explained that the team at Greenwood has been preparing to field a significantly larger number of requests for technical advice in the face of the change from the formulaic approach of the past to the new performance based standards which came into force on April 6th 2006. 'As a long established manufacturer of both passive and mechanical products, we will inevitably be perceived as an obvious source of expertise in specifying the right products to ensure good air quality in both newbuild and refurbished properties,' he said.

'And rightly so. We have had the capacity to assist in the selection of the appropriate methods of ventilation for a vast array of property types for many years, but now that the new regulations outline four separate methodologies for compliance, a great deal more skill will be required in most applications. We've followed the development of the regulations and are ready to help ease the industry's transition into compliance with the new guidelines.'

With areas such as window replacement and refurbishments falling for the first time under the remit of the Building Regulations, Greenwood is eager to give advice to those new to the conundrum of having to comply. 'Compliance isn't as simple as it was under the old system, so we're only too happy to give advice so that customers get the right products for their specific applications,' he adds.

Fortunately for the marketplace, Greenwood's established products are still suitable for achieving compliance under the new rules. The main difference will be in the combining of products, both mechanical and passive, taking into account the size and number of rooms in each property as well as their usage and the amount of external façade and windows available. Greenwood's products are also designed with aesthetics in mind and will blend discreetly into their surroundings, or can be completely hidden in lofts and cupboard spaces, providing the maximum comfort and ventilation without being conspicuous.

'Over the years we have developed a product portfolio that is more than equal to the task of providing performance based ventilation solutions, even in highly prestigious surroundings. Our technical services department offers a full advice and quotation service ensuring compliance with regulations and assessment of construction methods, application suitability and end user control and comfort. At Greenwood, we go further than just supplying the product, we aim to deliver value through our solutions to improve the living environment,' insists Kevin Bergin.

The Greenwood Airvac product range can be seen at www.greenwood.co.uk and further regulation advice at www.partf.com For a brochure or for technical advice, readers should call 01903 771021.

March 2006 Sales of Super Spacer® up nearly 80%

Warm edge technology is transforming the window market. Edgetech sales are up 79.11% in March compared to the same period last year and up 58% year on year for the first quarter of 2006. 'And we're 4.6% up on budget too!' says a delighted Andy Jones, Sales Director and General Manager of Edgetech UK.

In the USA, Edgetech IG Inc. is doing just as well, with a record-breaking day in production, manufacturing 836,700 feet of leading warm edge technology Super Spacer® on 27 March.

'The increased UK demand for Super Spacer is a significant indicator of how the window industry will develop,' continues Andy, 'as more and more companies choose warm edge technology for greater energy efficiency. Super Spacer's contribution to the window energy ratings means we have seen an unprecedented number of enquiries. It's the shape of things to come.'

Be a World Cup Winner with EBP

World Cup mania is in full swing at the Eurocell Building Plastics' (EBP) depots. From 01 May the depots will have some amazing prizes up for grabs in the lead up to the 2006 World Cup.

There's a fantastic top prize package for each region consisting of a flat screen television, a comfy leather chair, and a fridge which comes full of lager - the Ultimate Football fan's lounge kit!

Eurocell Building Plastics has teamed up with Marshall Tufflex to offer this exciting competition to celebrate their 10-year partnership. The competition will be running in the EBP depots throughout the UK until 30 June 2006.

Each depot will have its own set of prizes to give away including: a PSP (play station portable) with Fifa 06 game, a replica of the official World Cup football, and a case of lager.

How to enter - each time you spend £300 or more on EBP and Marshall Tufflex products you will be given a competition entry form - answer a World Cup related question correctly and you're in with a chance to win - it's that simple!

The Freefoam Expansion Story Continues

Freefoam Plastics, a leading manufacturer of quality approved environmentally friendly roofline and rainwater systems, have installed a further production line at their Northampton plant in line with ambitious expansion plans announced by the company last year.

This new line will increase capacity in the Northampton plant to meet growing demand for cellular roofline products in the UK market.

The new Krauss Maffei twin-screw co-extrusion machine comes with a Swarfless cutter. This will ensure a reduction in dust levels and waste going to landfill making it much more environmentally friendly. The down stream is also wider than the other extruders on site and will allow a wider range of products to be run.

Steve Pilkington, Production Manager comments, 'This is our fifth line here in Northampton in our first 12 months of production at the plant, and I'm delighted to be part of a fast expanding group willing to invest in product innovation and resources for increased productivity.'

The facilities in Northampton occupy an area of 8,000m2 and house manufacturing, distribution and customer service operations.

For more information, contact Freefoam directly on 01604 759871 in the UK, 021 4911055 in Ireland, or email marketing@freefoam.com

Electronic Tendering Confirms Sash's Position as Partnering Champions for Windows & Doors

Commercial partner, Sash UK Ltd, has successfully secured the partnering tender for North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC).

The two-year contract began in March with an option to extend for a further two years. Sash UK will manufacture and supply windows, approximately 3,000 to 4,000 per year, to finish a programme of window replacement that the NEDDC began 19 years ago.

‘This is a real endorsement for our commercial division,’ said David Ruzicka, Joint Managing Director at Sash UK, ‘We have worked for the NEDDC for the past sixteen years and the relationship has expanded as the company has grown. However this will be the first instance where the contract has been formalised by a partnering agreement.’

One aspect of the agreement, is an agreed openness on price and cost issues, although Peter Foye, Estimating and Surveying Manager at the NEDDC, says that this has always been the case with Sash, ‘Our previous relationship with Sash was based on trust and openness, even without a contract. The new partnering agreement simply formalises the processes and procedures we have developed over the years’.

Previously, the NEDDC was committed to contract only Veka fabricators, of whom Sash was their preferred company. However, for the first time this year, the tender process was carried out according to new EU legislation which states that all contracts from the public sector which are valued above a certain threshold must be published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU, formerly the OJEC). This meant that the NEDDC had to look at other systems and manufacturers from across Europe as well.

Commercial Director at Sash UK Ltd, Brian Oxley, represented Sash and gave a presentation. True to form, Sash impressed the committee. ‘Brian was a credit to his company,’ said Peter Foye of Sash's performance, ‘The Council is looking forward to working with Sash to complete our window replacement programme,’ Peter added.

Tel: 01226 719997

Lister says that its 'Right first Time' (RFT) and 'On Time in Full' (OtiF) performance criteria was set at an incredibly high standard for this part of the business.

Andrew Gray, Lister’s Operations Director, worked closely with the company’s Quality Manager to develop a recording system for deliveries which would be extremely demanding for the transport department, but which would ensure excellent deliveries for customers.

‘We make between 150 and 250 deliveries every month, that's around 16000 items, and if just one item is missing or broken it is recorded’ Says Andrew. ‘Not only that, but if there are two items missing from one delivery they are counted as separate failures. Our own self scrutiny in this regard is vital to keep our standards high’

Over the last 12 months Lister’s delivery KPI's regularly show over 97% success rate. The company’s latest result for February: 99.98 % successful deliveries Right First Time and On Time in Full. That equates to just three failed items out of 16,000 in a whole month.

Andrew Gray makes the point that ‘The result has to be credited to the dedication of our Transport and Delivery team. We set the criteria for success very high indeed, but they have demonstrated what can be achieved.’ And on a lighter point ‘I just can't believe they failed on those three items! We could have had perfection. (Only joking)’

Tel: 01782 205605
Email: sales@listertf.co.uk
Web: http://www.listertf.co.uk

Trade super-fabricator John Fredericks has made improvements to its hardware suite with the addition of a modern, versatile new hinge, which has been specially designed to combine the advantages of flag hinges and butt hinges.

The new ‘blag’ hinge provides the adjustment and strength of a flag hinge with the anti-lift properties and slim, aesthetic appeal of a butt hinge.

Successfully tested to PAS 24- 1 without the need for additional hinge protectors, the new hinge is fitter friendly and is fully adjustable to ensure optimum weather resistance and ease of installation. It uses screw fixings to secure through the over-rebate and fix into bosses to provide additional strength and security.

Eliminating unsightly adjustment gaps because the whole hinge, not just the pin, moves upwards, it provides a lateral adjustment of +/- 4mm and vertical adjustment of + 4mm, without the need to dismount the door leaf.

The new hinge is available in polished gold finish, polished chrome, brown and white to provide a consistent appearance with the frame and other hardware.

Tel: 01422 314100
Email: khill@johnfredericksplastics.com
Web: http://www.johnfredericksplastics.com

As part of an overall expansion programme for S Notaro Ltd (a manufacturer of doors, windows and conservatories), which saw the business move into larger premises in Somerset back in November, the family owned company wanted to increase its productivity capacity of its operations and Elumatec provided the solution with the installation of its SBZ 615 profile cutting centre.

As Elumatec double mitred saws and various routers were already being used in the existing factory, it seemed obvious to upgrade to the SBZ 615 centre. ‘We began production on the SBZ 615 in January of this year,’ comments factory manager, Tony De Sena. ‘In the short time that it has been operational, we have discovered its value in terms of both speed and precision.’

The SBZ 615 is capable of producing over 800 units per week and currently, S Notaro is working to an output of over 200 a week. The company prides itself on the quality of its PVCu components, producing windows, doors, conservatories, double glazed units and leaded lights, all to the customers individual specifications. ‘It was essential that the profiling centre offered the standard of quality for which we are renowned with our customers,’ continues Mr De Sena. ‘In the case of the SBZ 615, the speed of the machine did not compromise quality and we are able to deliver this quality throughout our product range.’

S Notaro Ltd is part of the S Notaro Holdings Group and serves the retail and domestic market with its range of products. Being a building firm in addition, the installation of the SBZ 615 has enabled the company to offer a unique service to the market, with all units fabricated quickly and accurately in the new factory ready for delivery to the customer.

Web: http://www.elumatec.com

Bystronic says that its automatic desiccant filling system has reached full maturity, as illustrated by the example of Glas Trösch in Memmingen, Germany. The company has been using the new desiccantfiller AT from Bystronic for a year and says that it has proved a great success.

As has always been the case, most spacers are filled manually with desiccant. It is believed that there are two main reasons for this: firstly, many of the new automatic desiccant fillers are still in their 'infancy' regarding their development and secondly, manufacturers have not yet managed to take advantage of this progressive technology by making it attractive to customers.

Anton Braun (pictured) has been Director of Production since 1990 with Glas Trosch. With over 150 employees, Memmingen is one of the most important locations of the Trösch Group. This facility is not only one of the group’s largest production sites, it is also one of its most important logistical centres.

An insulating glass production line from the Bystronic Technology Center Lenhardt, was installed in Memmingen in June 2004. At the time, the facility still used manual desiccant filling.

Anton Braun, Director of Production at Glas Trösch comments:
'Theoretically, you can do a lot of figuring on paper. The reality of putting theory into practice can really only be proven under tangible production conditions: What is the actual cycle time?.. how cleanly does the machine work?.. and so on and so on'.

Customer satisfaction is of paramount importance to the staff at Glas Trösch where results are a pre-requisite. Consequently, expectations for the insulating glass line are correspondingly high.

Anton Braun continues: 'Most of the insulating glass we produce here goes directly to window manufacturers. Because of that, this line runs through almost the entire bandwidth of insulating glass products: Spacers made of aluminum, stainless steel and plastic as well as muntin frames'

The decision to switch from manual to automatic desiccant filling came shortly after it became known that Bystronic had developed a new prototype. An initial calculation indicated that by using the desiccantfiller AT for Glas Trösch this would result in significant potential in order to optimize production.

Braun explains 'It often happens here that we have three different size formats on ten spacers. The reason is that we're always trying to keep individual orders together whenever possible. However, it doesn't matter to the machine what comes through - it just fills everything.'

'Since we installed the new automatic desiccant filling station, we've become significantly more flexible and increased output. Now we simply fill up three to four feeders and achieve a larger buffer at the beginning of the line through pre-sorting. That makes 'perfect timing' production easier for us.'

This is one of the most important key advantages to automatic desiccant filling: Although automatic filling has no effect on cycle time, the larger buffer ensures that delays can be caught in pre-production. For example, if a spacer bender fails, the cycle time of the line can still be maintained.
Everyone at Glas Trösch was well aware from the beginning that the desiccantfiller AT was a prototype. However, there were no significant production delays while the machine was being installed, which Braun attributes above all to good teamwork with Bystronic:

'The AT desiccant filler manufacturer, Mr. Thomas Tast, got stuck into the job by assembling it himself. The most important thing for him was to see his machine in operation as soon as possible. We've been working together with Bystronic successfully for 29 years. If all you need to do is make one call and you have the right contact person immediately, then that is really saying something.'

When asked, Thomas Tast is also extremely pleased with how the two companies cooperate.

'Working together with Glas Trösch was ideal for us in terms of timing. Our prototype was just ready and then we had a partner in the form of Trösch with whom we were able to test and optimise the inner workings of the device under production conditions. At the same time, we've ensured that we accommodate our customer's comments which has allowed us to continually update and improve our AT desiccant filler.'

The switch from manual to automatic filling is easy and simple because of the position of the machine. The desiccant filler is always the first element in the insulating glass line, therefore, unlike a washing machine or press, production can continue to run normally during the conversion without major interruption.

Anton Braun concludes: 'Based on the results we see today, we would switch over from manual to automatic desiccant filling again time after time.'

For more information on the Bystronic desiccantfiller AT please contact 01952 677971 or e-mail sales@bystronic-glass.co.uk.

Sheet extruder Arla Plast has launched MULTICLEAR™ a range of high quality extruded multiwall sheet. The production facility in Kadan, Czech Republic is a Greenfield site, which has the latest extrusion technology purpose built to focus on high quality production and flexible service dedicated to the multiwall programme.

The products are primarily aimed at the building and construction market. The home owner's improve living space by adding light transmitting materials which not only save light energy but also provide a healthy environment by building continuous glazing, sidewalls, conservatories, domes, skylights, smoke vents, swimming pool covers, suspended ceilings, glasshouses and sunrooms. Further applications also include industrial cladding, shopping centre roofing, railway/metro station, cycle sheds, car ports, stadia and atria roofing.

The product is available in 4, 6, 8, 10, 16, 20 and 25mm thicknesses, increasing the portfolio later to include 32, 35 and 40mm, with standard clear, bronze and opal colours. The opal colour is produced using diffusing additives offering a quality translucent product with uniform spread of light.

The MULTICLEAR™ sheet has superior impact strength at quarter of the weight of glass of equivalent thickness. MULTICLEAR™ is more than four times the impact strength of PVC and more than ten times the impact strength of PMMA.

MULTICLEAR™ features a uniform standard double sided UV-protection providing resistance against degradation caused by UV radiation from solar energy. There is a ten year limited warranty against discolouration, loss of impact strength and light transmission due to weathering.

The standard double sided UV layer except 4 and 6mm allows ease of handling, storage and installation as there is no need to label the sheet as required for one sided UV product. The product is produced with uniform UV layer hence optimum protection against discoloration and loss in mechanical properties.

In case of fire, MULTICLEAR™ sheet range will melt and allow venting where heat and smoke will be let out of the building and preventing death by exposure to smoke. The MULTICLEAR™ range has thermal and sound insulation properties too. The polycarbonate also offers good chemical resistance and can be used in extreme temperature conditions.

The service offer will include on line and computer automated off line knife cutting for cut-to-size sheets.

Arla Plast provide pre-installation/sealing guidelines, wind and snow loading calculations, sheet thickness application criteria, design and regulatory support for all its customers.

The patterns of the product not only improves stiffness over conventional products but the added layers reduce the u or k values hence improving thermal properties and saving energy cost.

Ayub Adam, Market Director Multiwall commented: ‘Arla Plast produces conventional multiwall sheets but the MULTICLEAR™ STRONG range especially offers increased stiffness allowing cost savings by using less glazing bars for installations. I strongly recommend this product which also has 5 layers resulting in a reduced u or k value. The product offers the Arla Plast vision of quality and it is produced on the purpose built extrusion line.’

MULTICLEAR™ STRONG structure:
‘The product offers stiffness but with bending radius of a conventional sheet and the advanced way of extrusion ensures a uniform UV layer hence providing better optical quality and weatherabilty.

‘In addition, we have a functional team with technical expertise. Winfried Jolk and Paul Haemhouts form a Technical Management team with tremendous experience in engineering and product development’.

Adam continues: ‘Arla Plast will continue to work with its principles of service, speed, quality and flexibility. We will provide innovative solutions for our customers both for the products and services.

‘We look forward to working with you with the MULTICLEAR™ multiwall programme.’

Tel: +46 141 20 38 00
Email: info@arlaplast.com
Web: http://www.arlaplast.com

New NGA Partnership to Provide Additional Benefits Programmes to Member Companies

The National Glass Association has joined forces with a leading benefits provider, the Creative Solutions Group, to offer its member companies a varied menu of cutting edge benefits plans and services that will help them save money and retain workers.

'Benefits are an important piece of the success puzzle for businesses today, which is why we couldn't be more pleased to enter into this partnership with the Creative Solutions Group,' said David Walker, the NGA's Vice President for Association Services. 'Now our world-class membership will have access to the world-class benefits packages and services they need to compete.'

Programmes offered through the NGA partnership with the Creative Solutions Group include: comprehensive auditing services for health and workers compensation plans, which can help businesses recover past insurance premium overpayments and funds from billing errors; motor club benefits that offer employees towing, roadside assistance and other auto-related services; and a legal protection plan offering free preparation of wills, traffic ticket defense, document reviews and identity theft protection.

'We've been looking for a firm to offer our members‚ employees great benefits. And we found it in Creative Solutions. We believe Creative's services will help our members with one of their biggest challenges retaining valued employees' states Tonya Johnson, the NGA's Sr. Manager, Customer Service and Certification.

'We have a wide range of expertise in identifying unique and effective benefits programmes that really help companies fulfill both the needs of their employees and their own competitive needs,' said Creative Solutions Group President Ken Fransson. 'The right package of employee benefits can have an immense impact on a company's ability to attract and retain the best workforce talent, which is absolutely key to success in today's marketplace.'

Web: http://www.glass.org

IGU consumables manufacturer UKae is reporting a strong trend towards the use of Mill Finished Spacer Bar in line with mainland European preferences. The primary reason for the move believes UKae, is the lower cost of this type of spacer, not just in product terms but also the lower production costs possible. Volatility in world aluminium prices also favours UKae's Mill Finished alternative.

Ukae says that it remains the only British manufacturer using induction-welding techniques for spacer bar, which reduces wear and tear on bending machinery by being less abrasive to the machining heads. Being steam cleaned on the production line also reduces the potential for failure by improving adhesion for sealants and PIB, with performance comparable to those of anodised spacer bar.

Costs are also further controlled by Ukae’s preference for film wrapping its spacer, before being loaded in stillages or packed in cartons, to protect the product against oxidation and damage in transit and storage.

UKae Managing Director Garry Ealing believes that the trend will continue: ‘Mill finished spacer bar accounts for 90% of spacer bar sales throughout the rest of Europe, with Britain still hanging on to the tradition of anodised product. Technology has advanced significantly and mill finished offers an excellent alternative, especially with the increasing pressure on costs.

‘Increasing numbers of our existing and new customers are switching without any problems, and they quickly enjoy the benefits. I believe we will come into line with the rest of Europe within two years,’ added Gary.

'Our two day showcase in March was a resounding success,’ says Newstead's Managing Director Adrian Locker. ‘We wanted to demonstrate the depth of Newstead's product range to existing and potential customers. We've already had orders directly from the open day.’

In addition to Newstead's already extensive range of windows, doors, conservatories and building plastics, installers saw first hand the Global 600 roof and a range of Permacell's PVC-UE cellular profiles at its Stoke-on-Trent headquarters. Andy Jones, Sales Director and General Manager of Edgetech UK, supported Newstead's new Energy Saving Recommended C rated window with an impressive demonstration stand explaining the benefits of Window Energy Ratings and Super Spacer®'s warm edge technology.

‘As one of still only a handful of companies with rated windows, Newstead is helping to develop a new market for installers in a competitive industry,’ comments Andy.

‘Customers tell us that using Newstead as a one-stop-shop saves them time and money,’ says Adrian, ‘and leaves them more time to install and sell. Our Selling Made Easy (SME) scheme really does make it easier to get leads and win more business at better prices and our showcase showed installers the full extent of the range and services we offer.’

Tel: 01782 641 642

GTI has reported the company's factory open days a success, generating an excellent level of enquiries with several orders taken over the four days. 'Visitors to our working showroom knew what they were looking for - the right machines to improve their efficiency and increase output'. says the company.

'Success is attributed to being able to deliver to customers what they need and want; affordable, reliable machinery particularly focusing on increasing production in the manufacture of internally glazed PVC windows.'

The New Kombimatec 1HDX Cruciform Welder highlights the fact and was indeed a main focal point. Designed and developed in Luton for the UK market, customers were able to see the benefits of cutting their profiles once, joining the four pieces simultaneously to produce the cross and cleaning in one final operation. Unlike the traditional method of creating a cruciform joint there is now no need to V-notch, re-weld and re-clean thus saving production time and providing an improved finish.

British made Kombimatec machines bring great benefits to fabricators of UK style windows and this was demonstrated by the EV470 CNC corner, transom and cruciform cleaner. Considerably more cost effective than its European rivals, without compromising on quality or cycle times, the EV470 was the first of its type to enter the market in 2000 and has an extensive customer reference list. Designed to be easy to use and maintain this CNC cleaner has no problems with ovolo shapes internally and externally or pre-rolled and co-extruded gaskets as are more prevalent in todayís modern systems.

The well-established Kombimatec welders have been made at the Luton factory since 1984 and are known for their ease of operation and reliability. The 4HDV Four Head model is unique due to its flexibility of operation and the speed at which one can change from corner to transom welding.

Also on display and running was the DGS530 Electronic double Mitre Saw. This popular model has no practical minimum cut size, which is a boon for the UK fabricator. With the ability to read pre-optimised cutting lists using a floppy disk the owner saves money through a reduction in profile wastage via batch optimisation and less re-makes due to increased cutting accuracy.

Given the success of these few days GTI is planning more in April/May of this year so keep an eye on the company's website for the dates. http://www.kombimatec.com

Finesse Windows Ltd of Melchett Road, Kings Norton began the company’s 25th Anniversary celebrations last weekend and hailed the event as a great success. The award winning company had been hoping to trace customers from 1981 when it first began with the help of the Solihull News, and although original customers have been slow to come forward, that did not dampen the spirits of anyone who took part in celebrations, which began at noon last Saturday.

David Bown, Sales and Marketing Director at Finesse said ‘we obviously hoped to trace our very first few customers so that we could mark the event with a presentation to them and although we have had calls from many previous customers we still haven't had much luck in finding the people who chose Finesse in 1981. This disappointment however failed to spoil what was an excellent weekend and I should like to thank all of those customers and suppliers that made the event as great as it turned out to be’.

The company which has built up an excellent relationship with clients throughout the past quarter of a century, winning national awards for it's customer service and also for it's manufacturing still managed to make the most of a big turnout at the weekend. People passing the factory showroom last Saturday could not help but notice the huge Ultraframe display trailer parked out front, and this certainly helped bring in more customers.

‘We have had a lot of people interested in our special anniversary offers’ remarked David Bridge one of the original directors of Finesse Windows, ‘which we advertised in the local press and with a leaflet drop locally. There was an awful lot of people keen to take advantage of some of the big savings we are offering on windows, doors and conservatories to commemorate our last twenty five years in business.’

‘I was quite moved by the comments and compliments I heard on Saturday from customers old and new’ added Mr Bridge, ‘and it made all the hard work we, as a team, have put in over the past twenty five years worthwhile. Some of the staff, like myself have been working here a long time and it is the respect of our customers that really encourages us to continue to provide what we regard as a service second to none’.

Finesse Windows can be located in a new modern showroom on Melchett Road, Kings Norton Business Centre and can be contacted on 0121 451 3724.

In a recent move to a new plant in Iver, Bucks., Glass UK has taken steps to further cement its position as a leading UK manufacturer and supplier of not only oversize glazing, but also other new product lines that fall into its TRICS category (Technically Robust Innovative Clever Solutions). A typical example of this is Glass UK's recently launched Blink intelligent glass technology.

‘In fact, we already calculate that turnover is up by 50% since we moved to our new premises,’ said Neil Sharda, General Manager, Glass UK ‘We're confident we can make Iver a centre for glass innovation during the next 12 months.’

The company has already committed a quarter of a million pounds for investment in new equipment including cranes, silicone machines and fork lifts. A sizeable sum is also earmarked for the latest production kit such as PVB, as well as glass washing machinery, light beds and tilt tables.

Meanwhile, the company confidently expects to exceed the 6m. x 3.2m that is generally regarded as the largest size of glass that can be laminated and toughened. To do this, bespoke light bed extensions have been specially commissioned and built to Glass UK's specifications by suppliers in Germany, using a combination of German, Swiss and French technology.

In addition to Blink, which has already aroused considerable interest from installers, architects and interior designers, Glass UK is anticipating bringing on board a number of other TRICS. These include the production of integral blinds as part of a sealed glazed unit. The key, of course, is the development of Bluetooth technology. With this, the blinds can be operated from a remote lap-top, or they can be programmed to re-act directionally and to light levels. Also coloured and patterned laminates are still very much a big area.

The latter will benefit from the new PVB machinery which can handle this comfortably and, in fact, Glass UK sees this overshadowing silk screening within five years.

With more production space, more production people, and a commensurate increase in numbers on the administrative side, Glass UK is also looking at the kitchen and bathroom market as another area for future expansion.

Splash backs, work tops, glass tiles - even glass floors - are all being studied with a view to providing future market growth.

‘What's important to us,’ says Neil ‘is that we maintain our core business, whilst establishing other viable product lines that we know have both a market and the long term potential for us to capitalise on.’

Tel: 01753 653844
Web: http://www.lmcgroup.co.uk

Europe's Leading Introducer of Vetted Tradesmen Welcomes UK Trade Associations

Quotatis, an established European company generating over 1000 genuine leads a day for reputable tradesmen in France alone has been launched in the UK. Vetted members of all UK trade associations will automatically be eligible to use Quotatis's pay-as-you-go system which will text, email or fax the requested amount of qualified leads in the preferred regional area without a join up fee or contract.

Members of all UK trade associations including members of the recently launched Government-backed Trustmark scheme now have the option to receive qualified leads only when they want them and specify how many they actually need in a specified time frame to give more control over their business. Once the request is registered online the lead is communicated instantly up to five relevant businesses closest to the interested party's regional postcode.

Derek Vaughan, Managing Director of the UK Trades Confederation comments:

'Most of our members have limited budgets and resources therefore being able to pay-as-you-go will allow them to properly manage their leads effectively.'

Tradesmen and suppliers who are not members of a reputable trade association will be required to go through a stringent vetting procedure (no fee required) to ensure tradesmen and suppliers using the Quotatis service are of the highest standard.

Quotatis estimates that a total of 1000 leads will be generated each day through internet optimisation and affiliate programmes. Leads will cost £12 per domestic lead, £15 per B2B lead and are collected by direct debit monthly.

Tel: 0870 922 0321
Web: http://www.quotatis.co.uk