Verdict
from GP&T launch Partners: 'We're Proud to Have been Part of It'
From
the start of its existence, Glass Processing & Technology has received
support from companies representing most facets of the glass industry.
The show’s launch partners have been its most key supporters and
advisers, so it is particularly satisfying that they all agree that GP&T
2003 has been an exceptional debut.
Glass treatment specialist Ritec was taken aback by some surprise
new business, says Serge Perkoff:
'We are thrilled to have played an active part in this show as a launch
partner. The difference in visitor from other shows has been striking
and yesterday we signed up 8 new customers on our stand that came to us
out of the blue. We have seen a lot of genuine decision-makers and there
has been a real upbeat atmosphere in the hall throughout. One of our visitors
even said that he would like to possibly exhibit himself next time! So,
all in all, excellent.'
Glass machinery manufacturer Willian Design used GP&T to promote
its internationally renowned Horizontal Washer, now enhanced with soft
coat capability, plus the company’s Hot Melt Sealing Robot. Sales
& Marketing Manager Hugh O’Neill was impressed with the type
of visitor coming through the doors:
'We have achieved a good quality of visitor on our stand, much better
than we have ever experienced before. We saw the people we wanted to see
and we felt that the show had a great atmosphere, very positive. We’ve
already re-booked for 2005 and look forward to a repeat success then.'
The much commented upon positive, ‘buzzy’ atmosphere at GP&T
appears to have rubbed off on exhibitors from every area of the industry.
Gordon MacLachlan, Marketing Director at Glaverbel, commented:
'What an excellent show this has been. Any player that hasn’t been
here has severely missed out. We are pleased to have been a launch partner
for such a great event – well done.'
Chris Gill, Marketing Communications Manager at Pilkington, was
particularly pleased with the reception enjoyed by the Architect’s
Forum:
'This
has been the only UK trade show in a long while that we have felt would
fit our profile exactly, and during the last three days we have been increasingly
pleased to participate in such a fitting event. Pilkington’s aim
is not only to promote our products but also to support the UK glass industry.
We didn’t want to use GP&T just as a sales push, but as an opportunity
to broaden people’s horizons. We believe we have achieved that and
more at GP&T 2003, and we are proud to have been a part of its success.'
'This was the first time we had done anything like this, on this scale,'
said Pearson Glass’s Steve Dakin, 'but my Chairman and MD
are delighted with the response we’ve had.'
But perhaps the final words on the subject should be from another launch
partner, Bohle, whose Managing Director Gary Dean sums up the essence
of GP&T 2003 thus:
'This was the show that we all needed, and GP&T has delivered the
goods.'
Other Comments include:
Bob Mills – Sales Manager, Schott UK: 'We’ve been really
impressed with the variety of professionals we have seen here. We have
seen everyone from architects and specifiers to fire services personnel
looking at our fire retardant glass.
'One
of the most interesting aspects of the show was the number of glass designers
we saw on the stand, wanting to investigate the coloured Artista range.
We thought their attendance was a real plus-point, and very unexpected.
'We also ran out of brochures for our solar/thermal products by the third
day which is a very encouraging sign of things to come. Our leads box
is packed full and we’re looking forward to seeing what arises from
that. Everyone at Schott is very positive about what the show has achieved.'
Joe Hague – Sales Manager, Promac: 'The quality and diversity
– which is key – has been incredible. The visitor numbers have
also far outweighed our expectations. I would strongly advocate Promac’s
continuing support for the event. Tellingly, feedback from our customers
also backs up our perception that this has been a ground-breaking event
for glass.'
Gordon McLachlan – Marketing Manager, Glaverbel: 'What an
excellent show this has been. Any player that hasn’t been here has
severely missed out. We are pleased to have been a launch partner for
such a great event – well done.'
Collette Watson – Sales and Admin Manager, Tamglass: 'GP&T
has been at the right time, in the right place and with the right people
in attendance. Working as a launch partner with the show organisers has
been great, too, as we have seen the enthusiasm and verve that has been
put into the event first-hand and it has rubbed off on everyone involved.
Brilliant.'
Jason Williams – Sales & Marketing Manager, UKae Ltd:
'We are pleased to see that the glass industry has finally been given
a dedicated show in the UK – it has needed one for some time and
GP&T has fulfilled this need. Just about everyone who is anyone in
the industry has taken the time to be here. Ukae, as the only manufacturer
of IG components at the show, has been in an enviable position throughout
and we have benefited from being able to show important potential and
existing customers the extent of our plans for future manufacturing. Very
good news indeed.'
Edgetech,
Lisec and Goldshield Make a Great Team
Essex
based Goldshield has taken delivery of the UK's first Lisec TSS® SuperSPEED
production system. The company had high hopes for the benefits it would
bring, and now that the line is up and running, the results are clear
to see. As anticipated, the introduction of this line has considerably
enhanced the production of high performance sealed units.
Edgetech
and machinery manufacturer Lisec co-operated to introduce the fully automatic
TSS SuperSPEED production system. By using Super Spacer®, the TrueWARM®
spacer material, they say that they have created what is probably the
industry's most efficient and lowest cost sealed unit production method.
As a consequence, Goldshield uses the system for the volume manufacture
of sealed units using Super Spacer as its spacer of choice, in the company's
own TripleWarm™ sealed unit brand.
The new line has enabled the company to substantially increase capacity.
The line's vertical configuration handles glass and popular coatings quickly,
economically and efficiently. Precision, automatic application of Super
Spacer and edge sealant is a major feature as is gas filling, used by
the company when customers specify.
Already, experience of the line has shown that up to 1,200 units can be
produced in each eight-hour shift - and this means units of any size or
shape, even with Georgian bars. And gas filling? It's no problem. One
independent observer recently measured fifty eight gas filled units produced
and fully finished in just twenty five minutes.
Mark Goodman of Goldshield observed, 'We've been using Super Spacer for
over three years, and it has always given us excellent results. The cost
benefits of the product have been reinforced by the introduction of the
TSS®, SuperSPEED line into our new automatic production facility.
The message about the success of the equipment partnership has spread
to lreland where a Lisec Super Spacer line has been installed at the Mcllhatton
factory in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.
Tel: 02476 363 614
Web: http://www.superspacer.co.uk
Business
Link Advises Novaglaze
An
investment of over £1m by Huddersfield-based glass bending specialists
Novaglaze in a machine that reduces the time taken to bend pieces of glass
from 20 hours to 3 minutes looks set to result in substantial growth for
the company. The firm, which recently moved from Elland to its new 46,000
square foot premises in central Huddersfield, is utilising Business Link’s
expertise to exploit new overseas markets and train its workforce.
General Manager, Gary Smith, said: ‘We used to supply local glaziers
and plumbers who needed curved glass but since glass has replaced bricks
on many new buildings our market has increased substantially. As a result
our customers now include architects and nationally known construction
companies.
‘The management team was very keen that the investment in the latest
glass toughening and bending furnace was matched by a strategy to win
new overseas business. Our Business Link adviser John Dogdson introduced
us to Brian Aungiers from their International Trade Team and he encouraged
us to join their Passport to Export programme. We are now in the process
of developing a marketing strategy which will include international exhibitions
and trade press exposure throughout Europe. John has also sourced grant
funding to help finance the cost associated with training our people to
use the new kit.
‘Without the help from the people at Business Link we wouldn’t
have had the courage to invest so heavily in the new machinery. It is
the long-term advice from them that has enabled us to professionalise
the way we run our business and I can attribute our success to date to
the assistance we have received.’
Novaglaze was established in 1990, employs 14 people and has turnover
of £1m. The new machine heats glass from 4mm to 19mm thickness to
700 degrees centigrade bends it to the desired curve and then quenches
the panel using cool air produced by jet engines. Novaglaze claims to
be the only company in the UK that is able to manufacture float, laminated
and toughened curved glass in-house.
Web: http://www.novaglaze.co.uk
Guardian
Industries Corp. Launches Diamondguard™ Technology
'When
experts from Guardian Industries’ Science & Technology Centre
applied science and chemistry to the growing field of ultra-thin glass
films, they created something never before seen in the glass industry:
a protective coating that will bring value to customers today and provide
a platform for the launch of a host of innovative, high performing products
in the future.' says the company.
Guardian’s new technology, aptly named DiamondGuard because of its
diamond-like hardness, will result in a world-class family of consumer
products. The first is DiamondGuard scratch resistant glass (SRG).
'DiamondGuard SRG is a ‘first’ in the glass industry,' says
Tony Hobart, Guardian’s group vice president for North American sales.
'For the first time, consumers won’t have to worry about scratching
their tabletops and businesses will spend less money replacing damaged
glass components.'
DiamondGuard SRG is a perfect solution for furniture and display cases,
stairways and scanners, as well as mass transit windows and institutional
interior glass. DiamondGuard’s scratch resistance, combined with
other attributes like low maintenance and easy-to-clean surfaces, and
water management properties, positions DiamondGuard as a ground-breaking,
value added solution for many of Guardian’s customers.
But, the advent of DiamondGuard technology has launched more than a new
product. This technology has created an accelerated innovation cycle and
a core platform that will benefit Guardian customers for years to come.
'Developing DiamondGuard has significantly added capability and capacity
to Guardian’s research and production efforts. That is a critical
first step for Guardian to quickly get high performance glass products
to market,' says Scott Thomsen, group vice president and director of Guardian’s
Science & Technology Centre. 'This technology has changed the way
we approach development and it has changed the value of glass.'
DiamondGuard derives its application flexibility and strength from multiple
layers of microscopic dense films with a molecular structure similar to
a diamond, that Guardian applies using a chemical vapour deposition process
and high-energy ion beams. The ion beams infuse diamond-like carbon (DLC)
into the glass, which gives DiamondGuard its durable, hard surface and
optical clarity.
'Our response to the trend in value added glass coatings,' says Thomsen,
'was to develop DiamondGuard: a unique glass technology with a wide range
of applications. Now, our goal is to lead the glass industry in the transformation
of glass as it becomes a truly value added solution. With DiamondGuard
technology and a growing list of coating facilities in Europe and North
America, we are in a very good position to do just that.'
Web: http://www.guardian.com
Asset
Boosts Sales to Domestic Sector
Sales
of Asset windows, doors and conservatories to home owners rocketed by
almost 75% last month, thanks to a change of supplier of the PVCu profiles
used to make them.
Throughout East Anglia and the Home Counties, the Thetford-based manufacturer
of conservatories and double glazed doors and windows found ready acceptance
of the new product.
'In addition to our existing suppliers, we moved over to obtaining our
profiles from Synseal, who with its Shield range has a product that looks
better, performs better and, thanks to a unique method of screwless fixing
of the roof to the window sections is easier and quicker to install.
'All of this, plus our own insistence of close attention to every detail
during design and manufacture to ensure a top quality product, means that
we are now offering better products to customers at keener prices. This
is a major reason why we saw our domestic sales rise by 74% compared with
the same month last year,' said Mike Reeve, who arrived earlier this year
to take on the role of general sales manager at Asset, combining responsibiiity
for the previously separate functions of domestic and commercial sales.
Asset is an independent manufacturer of double glazed doors, windows and
conservatories in the UK and carries out all manufacturing, delivery and
installation services in-house.
'In my previous job I had seen the advantages of switching to Synseal
as supplier of profiles used to manufacture windows, doors and conservatories
for the domestic market. Apart from the benefits of better design, the
conservatory roofs are designed to complement Synseal's own profiles for
windows. This avoids the mix-and-match philosophy of some other systems
and produces a much better final product,' said Mr Reeve, pointing out
that the system includes sculptured sashes and beading and can be supplied
in a number of colour options.
Asset is also using Synseal products to enter the Trade frame market,
for which the company has set up a new division offering doors, windows,
patios and conservatories to the Trade.
Contact: Mike Reeve
Tel: 01842 763529
Email: mailto:info@asset-windows.co.uk
Manse
Masterdor Ltd Welcomes MP Following Major lnvestment
Phil
Willis, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, recently paid a visit to Manse
Masterdor Ltd following the company's expansion, to see the North Yorkshire
company in action.
Mr
Willis spent time with the directors of the bespoke door manufacturer,
at the company's plant in Knaresborough. As well as being introduced to
staff, Mr Willis was given a brief history of the company and taken on
a tour of its impressive production facilities.
The company has doubled its production capacity after a major increase
in demand for its range of door-sets. The expansion took the form of continued
capital investment in the company's existing plant at Knaresborough and
the creation of a manufacturing plant at the newly acquired Derwent Works
site.
The new site spans the River Derwent less than one mile from the group's
UK manufacturing headquarters at Nether Heage in Derbyshire and is one
of the biggest industrial sites in North Derbyshire. The investment in
staff and resources at both sites means that Manse Masterdor Itd now has
a production capacity of over 50,000 door-sets per annum, which the company
claims makes it the UK's largest manufacturer of bespoke timber-bladed
external door-sets.
During his tour of the plant, Mr Willis commented, 'I am very impressed
by the innovative nature of the Masterdor product, the company's facilities
and the dedication shown by its staff to ensuring the success and future
growth of the business. Manufacturing has a key part to play in the economy
and as a market leader, Manse Masterdor Ltd shows every sign of continuing
to thrive.'
Web: http://www.masterdor.co.uk
Absolute
Windows buys Ecoline Prepping Centre
Stuga
has confirmed the sale of an Ecoline Prepping Centre to Absolute Windows
of Bolton for delivery early in 2004. Absolute fabricates the Status 70
system and already has the Stuga Autocut Saw Centre, which is a good combination
for the Ecoline.
As a fast growing fabricator Absolute ran into the common problem of finding
enough quality staff and decided that further automation was the best
way to expand without the need to look for too many new people. Absolute
Director Jim Dance was very interested in the Stuga Flowline automatic
cutting and prepping centre but unfortunately space is at a premium due
to the increased turnover at Absolute and so it was decided to move forward
with the Ecoline stand-alone prepping centre to work with the Stuga saw
purchased earlier in the year.
The Ecoline works very simply by utilising barcodes that have already
been produced on the Autocut saw. The operator scans the barcode and puts
the part on the machine; everything is automatic from there including
the return of the finished pieces so that he does not have to walk to
collect them.
The Ecoline can produce in excess of 400 internally glazed windows per
week and carries out all preps including drainage, shootbolt/espag, trickle
vents, ‘V’ notches, ‘Y’ notches and all door preps.
Absolute already has an established, bespoke, software package for barcode
tracking and due to the software expertise of Stuga this can be incorporated
into the system together with the Ecoline.
Stuga has sold in excess of twenty five Ecolines to date and it has established
itself as a major part of the company’s output in the relatively
short period of 18 eighteen months.
Tel: 01455 554203
Email: mailto:sales@stuga.co.uk
Web: http:// www.stuga.co.uk
Search
for the House of Pane - the UK’s Noisiest Home
A
nationwide campaign to find the UK’s Noisiest Home was launched at
a briefing in the House of Commons recently. The campaign – which
is a joint initiative between the Noise Abatement Society, and specialist
window company James Harcourt – targets noise pollution experts from
across the UK in a bid to find the worst cases of human suffering and
raise awareness of their plight.
Commenting
on the launch Peter Wakeham, director of the Noise Abatement Society,
said: ‘Government statistics show that 32 million people across the
UK are exposed to high levels of noise. As road, rail and air traffic
continues to grow we are taking calls from increasingly desperate homeowners
looking for a solution to this intolerable problem.
‘With James Harcourt’s support we have created an initiative
with real teeth, one that will not only help those victims living in The
UK’s Noisiest Home but many more who are suffering the very worst
cases of noise pollution Britain has to offer.’
MP’s
and noise pollution officers from local authorities are being asked to
submit case studies to the Noise Abatement Society, which has committed
to analyse each case individually before short listing the most deserving
examples to receive special assistance.
Jason Currall, marketing manager for James Harcourt, added: ‘The
search is on! We are supporting this initiative with a heavyweight public
relations campaign that will highlight the severe impact noise pollution
can have on the lives of UK homeowners.
The Search For The House of Pane will give sufferers a forum through which
to share their experiences and vent their frustrations.’
The closing date for entries is May 2004. Submissions will then be short-listed
and stronger cases used as ammunition to fight the rise in noise pollution.
The UK’s Noisiest Home will then be revealed on Noise Action Day
in June 2004. The worst case will have the latest sound reducing window
and door technology installed by James Harcourt to enhance the quality
of life for the victims.
It is currently estimated that 2.5 million people are living in homes
with poor or non-existent soundproofing. Research also shows that around
57% of people purchase double-glazing in order to combat intrusive exterior
noise and that its installation can reduce such noise pollution by up
to 35 decibels.
Web: http://www.jamesharcourt.co.uk
Status
Toolroom Nominated 'Centre of Excellence'
The
tool room at the Status Systems extrusion plant in Delph has been nominated
a dedicated centre of excellence for the maintenance and refurbishment
of tools.
Over
the years - indeed since the original Range Valley Engineering days back
in the seventies - the Status tool room has nurtured many highly skilled
engineers who have used their expertise to ensure consistency in PVCu
extrusion quality.
Since the acquisition of Status by Deceuninck back in February 1999, the
tool room has been able to tap into the additional resources of Deceuninck's
Demaplast tooling operation in Belgium, gleaning technical advantages
of a truly international nature.
'Tooling is at the heart of PVCu extrusion, and Status has long held a
reputation for developing some of the best tooling programmes nationwide,'
said Status' general manager Chris Foreman. 'This excellence has enabled
us to reduce our monthly scrap rate. On some occasions it is as low as
2 per cent - significantly lower than the industry average. By being nominated
a centre of excellence by a parent company highlights the recognition
given to the tool room manager Steve Powell and his team.'
Tel: 01457 875731
Email: mailto:sales@status-systems.co.uk
Web: http://www.status-systems.co.uk
New
Contract for Nationwide Windows
Rugby-based
Nationwide Windows has been awarded the contract by Willenhall Housing
Trust to upgrade around 40,000 windows as part of the Trust’s investment
in home repairs and improvements for local tenants. The five year rolling
contract involves replacing existing windows with new PVC windows fabricated
from HW System’s HW70 profile.
Worth around £14 million, the contract follows the stock transfer
of some 22,800 properties from Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council to
the Walsall Housing Trust which comprises five Trusts including Willenhall
Housing Group. In its capacity as a Registered Social Landlord, Walsall
Housing Trust is now carrying out a major works programme on the properties
which includes upgrading central heating, kitchens, bathrooms as well
as the windows.
Nationwide Windows is one of three window manufacturers to win the contract
following a competitive tender. ‘Walsall Housing Group contacted
some 50 companies for the refurbishment programme,’ explains John
Whalley, Nationwide’s Commercial Director. ‘As the work involves
such a large number of properties it was seen as being too much for one
company to handle alone. Being awarded such a large long term contract
is obviously a great asset to the company but is also testament to our
reputation for quality products and excellent service.’
Tel: 01625 420400
AAMA
Looking into Concerns about Dumping of Vinyl Window Components
Representatives
from the American Architectural Manufacturers Association Vinyl Materials
Council and the Vinyl Institute met recently with two U.S. government
agencies to familiarise themselves with the petition process that protects
domestic businesses from unfair foreign price competition (dumping).
Their initial concern focused on the recent flow of Chinese vinyl window
mainframe and sash profiles into the U.S. At present, about 80 percent
of the vinyl window profiles are said to be produced domestically and
are AAMA-certified for various performance characteristics, such as material,
colour and thermal stability. Association officials suggest, however,
that the potential for a market disruption with Chinese imports looms.
'At present, the majority of vinyl extrusions imported are sourced from
Canada and are AAMA-certified, but are also competitively priced with
the U.S.,' states Rich Walker, AAMA executive vice president.
While the current level of Chinese vinyl profile imports has not yet risen
above the 3 percent market volume threshold required to file a complaint,
the rate of increase is high and troubling, he explains.
'Because Chinese vinyl window profiles are being sold at between 35 percent
and 50 percent below U.S. market prices, the majority of our members are
extremely concerned about possible dumping,' he continues.
'Typically, dumping practices begin with the selling of the high-volume
production items, which eventually expands into the full-blown dumping
of the final fabricated product.'
As a plan of action, AAMA is collecting information and documentation
from the marketplace, its Vinyl Material Council members, and the Vinyl
Institute as it begins gathering data needed to file an antidumping petition,
according to Walker. One of the requirements for filing a petition is
to gain the support of at least 25 percent of domestic vinyl window profile
producers, which can be assumed, given the dominant representation of
the industry within the AAMA Vinyl Material Council, he continues. 'An
antidumping petition considers not just present activity, but future and
projected harm. Factors such as announced plant capacity additions in
China, contracts with U.S. customers, and a rapid rise in import volume
can be considered.
'Although the petition takes a year to process, it is possible to take
remedial action within five months of the petition filing date,' Walker
notes.
In order for Chinese imports to be monitored in a meaningful way for the
fenestration industry, and to update the petition process in the event
of rapidly escalating imports and industry harm, the U.S. Customs Department
is being consulted to clarify and isolate the classification of imported
vinyl window profiles.
The AAMA Vinyl Materials Council has also set up a meeting on November
20th in Chicago for vinyl window industry CEO’s to present an overview
of the antidumping petition process, and to establish the foundation for
the financial and manpower support to protect their industry from unfair
trade practices.
Web: http://www.aamanet.org
Setting
the Standards for PVCu Doors
PVCu
doors have always been a poor relation to PVCu windows. While most PVCu
windows work well when fitted and by and large can expect a trouble free
life for 20, 30 or more years, PVCu doors are a different matter. Door
panels are only part of the problem. All it needs is a change in the weather
and the service calls start; Doors that won’t close, doors that won’t
open. It’s a service engineer’s nightmare, but it’s not
like that for everyone.
‘Our range of doors outperform all other systems for build quality,
security, durability, looks and value for money,’ says Tim Walker,
sales director of Shepley Window Systems. ‘Just some of the features
of our doors include stainless steel hook bolt locking, hinge bolt fitted
as standard, scratch resistant handles and now the new 3D fully adjustable
butt hinge too. This is reflected in the demand for our range as door
sales continue to grow. In the week commencing 2nd June, we manufactured
a record 780 doors in one week. But don’t just take our word for
it, our customers agree.’
‘Shepley supplies us with a superb range of doors,’ explains
Brian Johnson, sales manager of Bergson and Eaton. ‘All of which
are what I call fully loaded – they include all the necessary features
and benefits and the moulding looks great.’
‘We had a constant nightmare with the quality of manufacturing from
a previous supplier,’ says Kriss Vidamour, director of VCR Ltd, another
Shepley customer.
‘Door locks weren’t fitted properly and the overall customer
service and quality was appalling. That’s not the case with Shepley.
I feel confident we wouldn’t ever need it, but it provides peace
of mind knowing Shepley offers a 10 year guarantee.’
Express Glass and Glazing also experienced problems in the past with poorly
fitted locking mechanisms and lax quality control. ‘Shepley provides
us with a fitter friendly door,’ comments Nick Ide, managing director
of Express. ‘We’ve been supplied by Shepley for about eight
years now and we’ve never had to call the company back to site for
any problems with its doors.’
Tel: 0161 339 2433
Web: http://www.shepley.com
CertainTeed
will Invest $13.5 Million in its New Plant
CertainTeed
will invest $13.5 million in a new, 250,000-square-foot plant in South
Buffalo. The building materials company recently held a ceremonial ground
breaking for the new facility in Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park. The brownfield
redevelopment project off Commerce Drive was formerly called the Union
Ship Canal.
CertainTeed becomes the first tenant in the 114-acre former site of Hanna
Furnace Co.
'The beginning of the book can set the stage for the entire story, and
we are very proud to be on page one,' said Darren Campbell, CertainTeed's
plant manager.
The company will relocate about 160 employees from its plant on Walden
Avenue in Cheektowaga, a facility which it has outgrown. Buffalo was competing
for the expansion project against sites in Georgia and Kansas.
While the project will initially retain 160 jobs, company officials expressed
confidence that the employment numbers will grow after the plant comes
on line in about a year.
Greg Robinson, a seven-year CertainTeed employee, said local workers were
glad to see the company make a commitment to Western New York.
'With the company making this kind of investment, this means they want
to invest in their operation here and their people here,' said Robinson,
a logistics manager.
The local plant makes vinyl fence and deck products.
The recent ceremony was attended by about a dozen protesters who oppose
the new plant. The peaceful protesters carried signs warning about the
potential environmental hazards of PVC.
CertainTeed's local plant does not manufacture PVC resin. The plant extrudes
the resin to form the fence and deck products.
A team of local economic development officials, headed by the Buffalo
Niagara Enterprise, helped negotiate the project. Since the site is in
a state Empire Zone, the company will get about $3.8 million of Empire
Zone benefits, including investment and capital tax credits.
Empire State Development Corp., the state's main economic development
agency, has also offered the company a $350,000 grant.
'What you can do when you have partnerships working together is turn these
brownfield sites into economic opportunities for the 21st century,' Gov.
George E. Pataki said.
Krog Development will construct the plant for CertainTeed on 25 acres.
The fallow land has been owned by the city for years, but will now begin
producing tax revenue.
Web: http://www.certainteed.com
First
Installation of Nanogel® Translucent Aerogel Daylighting Panels Completed
in Europe
Swiss
building materials manufacturer Scobalit, has completed the first European
installation of Scobatherm® Nanogel® daylighting panels filled
with Nanogel® Translucent Aerogel from Cabot Corporation. The panels
were produced and installed by Scobalit in a school building project in
Zurich.
Developed
commercially by Cabot Corporation, a global producer of specialty chemicals,
Nanogel® Translucent Aerogel, is an extremely lightweight and versatile
material family of hydrophobic silica aerogels. The company claims that
it delivers thermal insulating and light transmitting factors two to four
times better than other translucent building element products currently
available to the construction industry.
Having identified a school building project in Zurich for which quality,
uniformly diffused light was a key criterion to be met, Scobalit approached
Swiss architect Amsler and proposed its Nanogel® filled Scobatherm®
panels as the material solution for the building’s translucent elements.
Amsler was impressed with the potential to maximise the advantage of natural
light presented by Scobatherm® and the opportunity to design a building
with substantial daylighting. His enthusiasm for the project, and the
thermal insulation and resulting energy and cost savings offered by the
material, won the approval of the municipality of Zurich.
This recently completed project was for the gymnasium of the Buchwiesen
state-owned school in Zurich. Nanogel® filled Scobatherm® panels
of 50mm gauge were specified for 1000m2 of roofing and 350m2 of north-facing
façade elements. Scobalit produced panels measuring 2000 x 2200mm
for the roof and façade panels measuring 5000 x 2500mm.
Testing has shown a U-value of .48W/m2K, G-value of 25% and light transmission
of 25%. The intangible value, experienced by pupils and staff at the school,
is greater comfort generated by diffused natural light, regardless of
season, and the absence of shadows.
Aerogels
are known as ‘the world’s most insulating solid material’,
according to NASA researchers. Nanogel® is a water proof translucent
aerogel which can be produced in a range of particle sizes to optimise
appearance and fenestration performance. It is poured into translucent
glazing panels and packed to prevent settling. Moreover, it is also an
effective sound insulator, providing an acoustic reduction of 5 dB, making
it suitable for school, and other institutional, working, and leisure
environments.
Nanogel® Translucent Aerogel provides a 10-year limited warranty against
loss of light transmission, thermal conductivity and UV resistance.
Scobalit
Scobalit AG, headquartered in Winterthur, is a Swiss producer of quality
materials for the building industry, principally fibreglass reinforced
polymers. One of the five largest buyers of raw polyester resins in Switzerland,
the company produces more than 100,000m2 of panel materials annually.
About Cabot Corporation
Cabot Corporation is a global specialty and materials company and is headquartered
in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Cabot’s major products are carbon
black, fumed silica, inkjet colourants, capacitor materials and fine particles,
comprising carbon, metals and metal oxides. Cabot has approximately 4,200
employees in 45 manufacturing plants located in 25 countries around the
world.
Caption: In Europe, Nanogel® filled polyester panels were used in
roofing and façade elements in a recently completed state-owned
school in Zurich, Switzerland. Scobalit, Winterthur, produced roofing
materials measuring 2000 x 2000mm and façade panels measuring 5000
x 2500mm, both in 50mm gauge, covering 1000m2 and 350m2 respectively.
Web: http://w1.cabot-corp.com/
http://www.scobalit.ch/default.htm
Latasa
to be Sold to Rexam for Enterprise Value of $462m
Alcoa
announced on Friday 31st October that Latas de Aluminio, S.A. (Latasa),
an aluminium can business based in Sao Paulo, Brazil has been agreed to
be sold to Rexam for $355m and the assumption of debt, or an enterprise
value of approximately $462m. Latasa is 37% owned by Alcoa, 39% owned
by Bradesco Seguros, S.A., 12% by J.P. Morgan International Capital Corporation
and 12% by others. Alcoa is the managing partner of Latasa. The transaction
is expected to be completed by the end of November 2003 and is subject
to the completion of traditional conditions and a rights issue by Rexam
that will be used to finance part of the acquisition.
In 2002, Latasa had approximately $400 million in sales. It operates six
facilities in Brazil, one in Chile and another in Argentina.
Rexam is a leading global beverage can maker and the leading producer
in Europe. With 16 facilities in Europe and 22 in America and joint ventures
in other key regions, Rexam is well positioned to serve global customers.
The sale is part of Alcoa's divestiture program announced in January.
Proceeds from the sale will be used to pay down debt. Alcoa holds its
stake in Latasa through Reynolds Inc., subsidiaries.
Web: http://www.www.alcoa.com