Deceuninck and Status march confidently side by side into 2002 and beyond

In a major presentation to the trade press last Wednesday, Deceuninck, and subsidiary company Status Systems outlined their separate but mutually beneficial plans for the coming year. 2002 will see a further significant increase in turnover for Deceuninck in the UK, plus the addition of further capacity as the result of a multi million pound manufacturing and warehousing site investment at Calne. The company has been restructuring its involvement in the window and door fabrication, and plastic building products activities, creating customer focused initiatives and a more defined approach to market sectors. This has run alongside internal restructuring of the roles and responsibilities of Deceuninck personnel.

'Whatever the market sector, whatever the size of customer, that customer is always the focus of all of our activities,'said Deceuninck UK CEO Gary Morton. 'As a whole the UK contributes over 20 per cent to the Deceuninck group’s total turnover worldwide, and this proportion is growing. The UK will be responsible for over 60% of the group’s growth over the next 5 years. We've achieved this by thinking strategically and planning accordingly for the future.

'We also hope to convince our customers to think long and hard about where they are going. Rather than providing quick fix solutions for our customers that leave unanswered questions or missed opportunities Deceuninck wants to take a serious stance on the future of their businesses. Gimmickry has no place.'

As a worldwide group, Deceuninck operates in 32 countries, employing over 1650 people. An annual turnover of 355m Euros comes from a customer base numbering 3,400. The group extruded some 200,000 kilometers of profile last year and its compounding facilities are capable of turning out up to 175,000 tonnes per annum.

Deceuninck’s operation in the UK has a platform from which it now provides a multi faceted approach to the market place. This platform consists primarily of Deceuninck Ltd in Calne and Status Systems in Delph. Operations at Calne also encompass the well known Deeplas brand, recently re-launched to provide a vehicle for Roofline & Cladding and Decor internal wall coverings together with their growing range of environmentally friendly re-cycled street furniture. Though operating and contributing independently, all divisions work with the philosophy that customer service and satisfaction is a priority.

The acquisition of Status Systems has not diluted brand identity. In fact Deceuninck remain convinced that both businesses can deliver a clear and cohesive message to their respective customers. ‘There is no brand confusion, whilst working in close co-operation we are able to maintain an independence in our identities that remains familiar to respective audiences', is the unanimous agreement of both Roy Shipley and Jon Skinner, the men responsible for the sales activities of Status and Deceuninck respectively.


The Deceuninck brands command a high level of loyalty in today's fickle window market. In the Benchmarks Study 2001 (carried out by Mike Rigby and Robert Palmer) some 73% described themselves as 'very loyal' to Deceuninck. By contrast, one company in the study had a rather worrying 43% of its customers ticking the 'likely to move' box.

Some notable moves have taken place recently, with Deceuninck signing some big names in 2001, notably Consort, Affordable, Select, Shepley, Polyframe, SpeedFrame and Swift. Between them, these companies produce 24,000 windows a week, quite a slice of the UK window market. Most interestingly, price was not the issue in any of these manufacturers’ decisions to adopt the Deceuninck system.

Status also notched up some considerable successes in 2001, turning in an extra £2.5m just in new business, and signing up major names such as Adelphi. Year on year sales growth of 16% was acheived partly with the signing up of 45 new accounts.

The Engineering and Tooling Division of Status continues to be a major jewel in the group crown, with the Delph toolmakers being required to carry out more and more for the group as a whole.

Mark Ridgewell, the commercial manager of the roofline business, which has re-adopted the old Deeplas brand name, outlined his vision for 2002, based on the successes of last year. With the penetration of plastic into timber still running at only 20% in the roofline market, Mark sees this as a major growth area for Deceuninck/Status customers this year.

Through a separate Home Value Business Unit, the re-launch of the Deeplas building products alongside the PERC - Purveyors of Excellence in Roofline and Cladding - initiative, is in direct response to the growing opportunities in this sector of the building industry. The Home Value strategy will help existing and potential Deeplas users create greater commercial opportunities. Additional products will be introduced this year, including guttering.


Finally, Lesley Bowling, Deceuninck project manager explained how the rollout of the group’s SynergeBuild internet ordering system has proved more successful than anyone had dared to hope, with 10 accounts taking up the new system in the first 10 days of January and over £2m worth or orders transacted online.

Lesley also congatulated The Gl@zine on being the first of the medi to pick the story up, nearly two months ago (in our second issue actually, on November 20th). SynergeBuild forms a highly structured IT platform on which the whole supply chain, from the homeowner’s front living room, via the window factory, right through to the PVCu extrusion plant, is fully automated. SynergeBuild works through the intemet as an e-business solution for customer communications. It is on line all the time, is highly secure, gives instant updates, and recreates an entire trading environment highly cost effectively. The company believes its whole customer base will be benefiting from SynergeBuild within the coming months.

Contact: Gary Morton
Tel: 01249 816969
Fax: 01249 815234
Email:
deceuninck.ltd@deceuninck.com
Web:
http://www.deceuninck.com
http://www.status-systems.co.uk

Sales of Group Deceuninck rises to 350.3m euro in 2001

Group Deceuninck achieved consolidated sales of 350.3 million euro in 2001. This represents an increase of 3.2% compared with 2000.

In terms of volume, core activities increased much more strongly, rising by 10.4%. This increase in volume is not reflected in the sales and this is a result of three factors; the first is that approximately 8 million euro was lost in sales due to the fact that certain activities were stopped in the restructuring that took place in 2000. In addition, the client mix was improved. A number of new very large clients in the U.K. therefore took larger volumes at lower prices. And finally, the devaluation of the Turkish Lira had a negative effect on the sales figures of the Turkish subsidiary Ege Profil.

2001 has been a year of consolidation, with the further integration of Ege Profil and the increase of Deceuninck's shareholding to 94%. In spite of the crisis in Turkey, Deceuninck took the position of market leader thanks to maintaining the volume produced. And yet, sales dropped by 18%, due to the hefty devaluation.

In the United States, the excellent sales figures were tempered in the last quarter as a result of the events of 11 September. The worldwide cutback in stocks also applied to Deceuninck's clients, especially in the second half of December. Europe, viewed globally, performed well throughout the year in a competitive market environment.

'In spite of the difficult situation the world economy is going through, we have managed, by focusing on our core activities, to create lower direct, operational and financial costs, margins have been improved and our company maintains to achieve its anticipated profits for 2001' says Clement De Meersman, CEO of Deceuninck. The financial results for 2001 will be announced on 14 March.

Window industry given value by Euro


Love it or loathe it, the Euro is here to stay. Whether you think it spells the end of democracy as we know it, or you are looking forward to the UK Pound being worth 30% more than the Euro's launch price by the time you go on holiday this year, you can trust our friends at Eurowindoor to come up with some suitable 'eurobabble'. Did you know they all feature designs of windows?

The seven euro banknotes are easy to recognise by the windows shown on the front. The banknotes, which were put into circulation on 1 January 2002, depict seven important European architectural and cultural periods. Windows, doors and gateways are highlighted as elements of different architectural styles.

The front of the 500 Euro, the biggest banknote, shows a modern facade. It symbolises modern 20th century architecture which uses materials such as aluminium, glass, plastics and reinforced concrete and enables new and advanced design. This construction culture promoted the rise of large-scale curtain walling companies across Europe. The construction-related fenestration trade now employs as many as 250,000 people throughout Europe.

500 Euro, the biggest banknote, shows a modern facade

The front of the 200 Euro banknote depicts a window element of the iron and glass architecture of the 19th century. On the 20 Euro banknote is the picture of a huge gothic window. Other windows reflect the Classical (5 Euro), Romanesque (10 Euro), Renaissance (50 Euro) and Baroque (100 Euro) periods. The new banknotes were designed by the Austrian artist Robert Kalina, designer of the Austrian National Bank.

'The euro opens the window to Europe. It highlights the construction products windows, facades and doors and symbolises the European spirit of openness and cooperation. Windows have always contributed to the face of a building. The windows and facades of advanced design illustrated on the 500 euro banknote, have an additional, ie. environmental function. They reduce heat loss. The euro in the wallet will remind consumers also of how energy and thus money, can be saved by new windows', said Karl Heinz Herbert, managing director of EuroWindoor, the materials-neutral confederation of the European window, curtain walling and door industry.

More details from:
Karl Heinz Herbert, EuroWindoor.
Tel: +49 (69) 95 50 54-0
Fax. +49 (69) 95 50 54-11
Email: eurowindoor@window.de
Web: www.window.de

Thermoseal acquires Rjukan Agency

Following the re-location of Rjukan’s Tamworth operation to specialise in decorative products, Thermoseal Group, the UK’s fastest growing supplier of sealed unit accessories and machinery has taken over the agency for the Scandinavian manufacturer’s range of spacer bending and desiccant filling machines.

'This is a perfect fit for us', explains Thermoseal's sales director Mark Hickox. 'Rjukan has taken a strategic decision in the restructuring of its export markets and has chosen us as distributor in the UK and Ireland.

‘Since quite a few of our customers already use Rjukan equipment, we will now be able to provide them with servicing and upgrades.

‘We now offer the complete package to sealed unit manufacturers', he adds.

Rjukan manufactures the renowned Masterbend series of spacer bending machines: the MB430, MB440, MB450 and the latest MB550, alongside the TF300 desiccant filling machine. They are fully compatible with the range of spacer bars which Thermoseal currently supplies, including the Thermix warm edge spacer.

Top of the range is the MB550 which is 15% faster than anything else on the market, delivering up to 1600 frames per shift and capable of handling frames up to 2400 x 4500mm. The high speed is achieved with larger 380v AC servo motors and a responsive Windows NT operarting system with touch screen control.

Top of the range is the Rjukan MB550

At the other end of the scale, the Masterbend MB430 is designed for manufacturers with an average output up to 500 frames per shift, offering both productivity and flexibility.  Optional features allows the MB 430 to be used in a wide variety of applications, which makes it ideal for companies operating in markets that demand more specials and one-offs.

The Masterbend MB440 is designed for the larger sized manufacturer who wants to incorporate more speed into a quality operation and even greater flexibility with the range of add-on tools available:
• Computer Controlled
• All tools inter-changeable
• No tool changes for different spacer widths
• Choice of left to right or right to left operation
• Maximum frame size 1800 x 3500 as one frame
• Operates with all tools fitted, and includes a Georgian tool
• Eight size or single size rack optional
• Unique facility of cutting steel and aluminium spacer alternatively if saws are
fitted side by side

The Masterbend MB450 is designed for manufacturers with an output up to 1000 frames per shift, and incorporates all the benfits of the MB440 with extra speed. High efficiency and consistent quality are key features for manufacturers operating in markets that expects goods to be delivered in top condition and on time. 

All 400 range machines feature integral computer terminals, thus reducing the installation engineering requirement. The program illustrates procedures and methods and incorporates a fault finding sequence, for fast identification and solving of problems. All components, including the computers, are standard, proven units, for reliability and low maintenance costs.

The TF300 desiccant filler is the latest addition to the Rjukan machinery family and there are already more than 50 running throughout Europe. Developed through technological experience and customer feedback, the TF II incorporates the following features:

• Display control of all vital functions
• Optional link to Frame Bender for improved control
• Less than 0.5 % Waste of Desiccant
• Easy adjustment and easy change of barrel
• Fills frames with all corners bent
• Require only one straight angle corner
• Accepts frames down to 100 x 100 mm size
• Optional Parallel filling heads offer big capacity potential

More on the Rjukan machinery range, and the company’s other sealed unit manufacturing equipment, from Mark Hickox at Thermoseal (0121-772 8382).

Web: http://www.thermosealgroup.com

MACO, BUILDING INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS AROUND THE MACH II

Following its principle of creating strategic partnerships with customers in the industry, MACO announces the latest, with major trade fabricator, Cambrian Windows in Pembrokeshire, and distributors, Advanced Hardware of Cambridge.

Based on the MACO MACH II Shootbolt Espagnolette, Cambrian National Trade Sales Manager, Richard Iles said 'Although we were more than satisfied with our current range of products, we realised that we needed to place greater emphasis on supplying one with a higher security capability as the Standards become more demanding. The MACO MACH II has given us what we believe to be the very best achievable in the industry. At Cambrian, we consider that we have made the best even better, it’s not so much a revolution, rather an evolution.'

Pembroke based Cambrian provide trade customers with a comprehensive sales and marketing package in support of their products. Not only are the products competitively priced, they are backed with a Kitemark and a five day production service. The company has seen a steady growth in its business during the last eighteen months with production going from 700 to 2500 windows a week. The company also works in tandem with Duraflex who supply the PVCU extrusions and MACO and Winkhaus for the door locks.

Alan Davies (left) hands Richard Iiles of Cambrian a MACO Shootbolt

Alan Davies of Advanced Hardware, MACO's newest distributor is 'Impressed with not only the product but the extensive support offered by MACO. Not only can they demonstrate the product's abilities on our client's windows in their superb in-house testing facility, their state-of-the-art warehouse complex in Kent, and production capacity in Austria, means that we can maintain a steady flow of product, on demand, for our customers'.

'In taking our product forward'says Richard Iles, 'we have actually increased our hardware overheads, however, we are still able to supply our customers without increasing costs. The reason for this is the design of the MACH II. As a non-croppable Shootbolt Espagnolette manufactured specifically for our windows, we are able to improve our fabrication capability to such an extent that the savings in production efficiency eliminate the added expense. We are proud to say that we have taken our promise of security, quality and consistency to the highest level'.

email: maco@macouk.net
web: http://www.macouk.net

Alcoa makes Fourth Quarter losses but says restructure will pay off

Alcoa has announced earnings for the 2001 fourth quarter of $99 million, excluding a special after tax charge of $241 million, for a strategic restructuring announced in November. Including the special charge, Alcoa had a net loss for the quarter of $142 million, or $0.17 per share. For the 2000 fourth quarter, net income was $392 million, or $0.45 per share.

For the year 2001, earnings were $1.263 billion, excluding special after tax charges of $355 million. Including special charges, net income was $908 million (2000 net income $1.484 billion).

' We are not satisfied with these results,' said Alain Belda, Chairman and CEO. 'We are confident that the restructuring of our primary and fabricating businesses, coupled with our continued focus on implementing the Alcoa Business System and our commitment to grow the company, will enable us to resume sustainable savings and profitable growth in 2002 and beyond.'
    
Revenues for the 2001 fourth quarter were $5.2 billion, compared with $6.6 billion in the year ago quarter. For the full year 2001, revenues matched the 2000 record of $22.9 billion.

The fourth quarter 2001 special charge reflects work associated with Alcoa's previously announced strategic review aimed at optimizing and aligning the company's manufacturing system with customer needs, while positioning Alcoa for stronger profitability. The quarter also included net costs of $72 million, before tax, associated with customer bad debts and claims, net contract losses and settlements, and the power failure at the company's Warrick, Indiana smelter. The remainder of the loss for restarting the potlines at Warrick will be primarily incurred in the first quarter 2002.

Alcoa's cost reductions in the fourth quarter were affected by lower volumes associated with persistently weak markets, and restructuring activities in the company's fabricating businesses. The company has achieved $348 million in annual cost savings towards its 2003 target of $1 billion. The impact of the restructuring activities will begin to contribute to costs savings in the first quarter of 2002.
   

SHEERFRAME BACKS GREEN HOUSING AWARDS

UK window systems company L.B. Plastics is reinforcing its green credentials by co-sponsoring the Daily Mail GreenLeaf Housing Awards 2002.

The linking of Sheerframe – L.B.’s window systems brand – with the Daily Mail GreenLeaf Awards is designed to draw attention to the green credentials of PVC in general, and Sheerframe in particular, following the recent attempts by the ailing timber industry to reverse its own declining fortunes.

With their low-maintenance requirements, excellent thermal performance and stylish designs, Sheerframe PVC window systems maintain their appeal whilst PVC windows remain overwhelmingly the preferred option for private homeowners and social housing providers. Housebuilders are increasingly choosing PVC frames for new homes and companies like L.B. have responded by developing cavity-closer systems and individual window styles to suit newbuild applications.

The awards, launched by the New Homes Marketing Board in 1987, set out to recognise the best in new housing landscapes as part of the Board’s drive to strengthen the housebuilding industry’s reputation with planners, policy makers and politicians. Other sponsors include The Tree Council, English Partnerships and The Civic Trust.

L.B. has recently outlined its green credentials in a series of new brochures which it has circulated to housebuilders and social housing specifiers throughout the UK. In its document 'A commitment to the Environment – sustainable windows and doors'the company spells out the environmental considerations when choosing fenestration material as well as highlighting the way that Sheerframe windows exceed the requirements relating to thermal performance as spelt out in Part L of the new building regulations.

Says Sheerframe product director David Strang, 'The timber lobby is trying desperately to win back lost ground but they are fighting a losing battle. The fact is that PVC is a modern, engineered, high-performance product which has established itself firmly as the best option, for the individual homeowner and for the environment as a whole.'

email: sheerframe@lbplastics.co.uk
web: http://www.sheerframe.co.uk

£6.9 BILLION COST OF FIRES COULD BE SLASHED SAYS PILKINGTON

Responding to a recent Government report that fire cost the UK economy a massive £6.9 billion in 1999, Phil Brown, Technical Manager for Pilkington believes that the cost of fire damage could be slashed substantially if more attention was paid to the use of fire resistant glass and other materials in the internal construction of commercial buildings.

The report ‘The Economic Costs of Fire’ produced by the Home Office is the most comprehensive ever produced and shows that fire in commercial premises cost the most at £600 million, although those in domestic buildings caused the greatest loss of life. Arson is reported to have been the cause of fires costing £1.2 billion.

In an effort to reduce the cost the Government has invited fire brigades to apply for Government grants to develop arson reduction initiatives in their areas. However, according to Phil Brown, the encouragement and enforcement of the correct use of appropriate passive fire resistant materials in internal partitions, flooring and cavity infills can significantly reduce the spread of fire – and therefore damage - in a building. Whilst fire protection is covered by the Building Regulations, Brown believes that specifications are often changed for substitute materials that are cheaper, but which do not offer appropriate protection.

Says Brown: 'Response times by fire brigades might be as long as 20 minutes from when the alarm is received, during which time huge damage may be done' he says. Fire resistant glass certified to BS 476: Part 22: 1987 will provide protection against the spread of fire in an area for a minimum of 60 minutes or longer, dependent upon its test certificate. This can significantly reduce damage to other parts of a building, and more importantly, save lives.

'It can be difficult to detect the installation of cheap substitute building materials once installed, a key example being wired glass. More must be done to ensure that specifications are unchanged during the construction process. The cost of doing so will be relatively small, as the system is in place, but under-resourced. However, the savings in financial and human terms can be enormous.'

Web: http://www.pilkington.com

PPG announces drop in earnings for 2001 despite record sales

PPG Industries has reported fourth-quarter net income of $83 million, on sales of $1.91 billion. This compares with fourth-quarter 2000 net income of $126 million on sales of $2.1 billion. For all of 2001, PPG's net income was $387 million, including a $101 million pretax restructuring charge in the first quarter.

Excluding the charge, income was $458 million. Sales were $8.2 billion. Net income for all of 2000 was $620 million, including aftertax charges totaling $38 million, to write-off an equity investment and rationalize an automotive replacement glass distribution venture. Excluding the charges, net income was $658 million. Sales were a record $8.6 billion. 'We anticipated a difficult year by accelerating actions to cut costs and conserve capital. Our financial discipline and continuous drive to improve efficiency have not reduced our commitment to technology and service,'said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Raymond W. LeBoeuf.

'Despite a decrease in net earnings of $233 million, we increased cash flow from operations by about $200 million and reduced capital spending by $375 million, enabling us to reduce debt by about 20 percent. This strengthening of our balance sheet amid the recession improves our ability to generate earnings growth when economic expansion resumes. 

'One of PPG's fundamental strengths is the continuous improvement of business processes, which is particularly important in times such as these, when market conditions are weak and the timing of the recovery is uncertain. Following the restructuring and work force reductions begun last year, we're developing plans to take additional restructuring actions in the first quarter of 2002, in the range of $60 to $90 million before taxes. These actions will include work force reductions and the closing of facilities or portions of facilities no longer needed as a result of improved business processes.

'Fourth quarter 2001 sales were down $39 million, or 4 percent, in the coatings segment, driven by volume declines in all businesses except architectural coatings. The impact of these declines was partially offset by manufacturing efficiencies and lower overhead. In the glass segment, sales were down 14 percent mostly on lower volumes, especially in fiber glass. Despite the positive impact of pricing and manufacturing efficiencies, earnings also fell. In the chemicals segment, increased earnings because of higher specialty chemicals volumes and reductions in overhead throughout the segment were substantially offset by lower volumes and pricing in commodity chemicals.

RIBA announces new national conference and awards at Interbuild

RIBA is to hold a two-day national conference in June in what is hoped will be the first of a regular series. The conference will take place at Interbuild on the 11 and 12th June and will be organised in association with The Architects' Journal published by Emap Construct. The conference will be free to RIBA members and will include a wide range of CPD seminars on technical and practice matters.

In addition, the announcement of the RIBA Awards will take place at a dinner on the 11 June in Birmingham.

Paul Hyett, President of RIBA commented: 'I am delighted this conference is now a reality and taking place in an ideal place: alongside the UK's major building and construction exhibition. It will deal with the issue of facing the future and reach out to the real institute members in the regions, engaging them in debate about important issues facing the profession over the coming years.'

Steve Webb, Interbuild Event Director said: 'The RIBA conference is excellent news for Interbuild. It represents yet another reason for architects to visit Interbuild next June. A number of our key exhibitors are keen to team up with the conference and promote their services for RIBA members. We are working closely with The Architects' Joumal and the RIBA to ensure the two events work seamlessly well together.'

Interbuild comprises 15 individual shows all coming together under one roof to form the largest exhibition for the UK Building and Construction Industry.

http://www.interbuild.com

HomePro builds a better society with Britannia

The latest partner alliance from HomePro will see its trade customers exposed to over 2 million consumers potentially seeking home improvements. The company has formed a partnership with the Britannia Building Society whereby its Find-a-Pro 'active matching' service is now extended to the society's members through www.Britannia.co.uk. The service will provide Britannia's millions of members with access to the quality-ranked directory of skilled and reputable trade professionals.

Britannia is Britain's second largest mutually owned building society, with 2.2 million members and 190 branches countrywide.

To further help the consumer - and the trade professionals selling through to them - Britannia has also introduced a number of 'peace of mind' insurance products through HomePro Insurance. The Home lmprovement Protection policies cover such areas as deposit protection, work in progress that ensures the work gets finished and the guarantees that are generally issued by the trades professional. This ensures that the home owner is protected against poor workmanship, faulty materials and if the trades professional goes out of business it will underwrite the issued guarantee.

These policies are transferable, and can be selected based on the type of work such as bathroom, conservatory, kitchen etc.

'For the first time in the UK will consumers have access to the ultimate Home lmprovement protection product through such a large financial institution where they in 4 out of 5 will lend the money for the home Improvement. We have spend the last 12 month creating this unique product with our underwriters' said Kim Rehfeld, CEO for HomePro Insurance.

In addition, Britannia is piloting web kiosks in a number of key branches, which will enable its members to log on, request information on the full range of Britannia products including HomePro's Find-a-Pro.

With HomePro's Find-a-Pro, consumers can either call 08707 344 344 and enquire about the details of up to three local trade professionals or enter details of their desired project, budget and contact information. An outline of the project is then sent by text-message to all relevant HomePro trade professionals. The first three to respond are then provided with the name and telephone number of the homeowner, giving them the opportunity to quote for the job.

In 2000, the service generated more than £210 million worth of work - £120 million of which was submitted on-line. An off-line national call centre also receives thousands of calls per month from consumers eager to identify reputable businesses in their area.

The company also offers a range of lnsurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs), which in turn are offered to householders. The insurance division, HomePro Insurance, has been admitted to the General lnsurance Standards Council (GISC). The GISC is the new regulator for the general insurance industry; established to regulate the sales, advisory and service standards of its members. The company aims to be the largest IBG company in the UK in 2002, with an estimated tumover of over £4m.

Contact: Jonathan Sparkes, HomePro Ltd
Tel: 0870 344 344
Fax: 0870 738 4868
email: info@homepro.com
Web: www.homepro.com