Ultraframe
Loses Appeal to Burnden Group
The
Court of Appeal has refused Ultraframe's appeal against the 2005 Judgment
in favour of The Burnden Group, bringing the curtain down on an eight
year legal drama that, in the past, has seen both sides claim to be victorious.
This latest action was the result of Ultraframe's appeal of the costs
awarded in a High Court judgement made in Burnden's favour in October
2005.
Under the Original 2005 Judgment, which now survives:
" Ultraframe's claims against Burnden failed
" Ultraframe were ordered to pay a large proportion of Burnden's
costs with a seven figure payment on account to be made immediately and
the balance once the full amount of the costs have been determined.
" Burnden was to receive interest at 1% above base rate on the unpaid
balance.
Payment of the costs awarded was delayed pending this appeal decision
but following dismissal of the appeal Ultraframe has paid Burnden £1.84
million as a payment on account. The total costs payable by Ultraframe
could exceed £5 million with interest still accruing and the process
for the amount to be fixed by the Court has already begun.
The intellectual property rights at the heart of the dispute have also
now been acquired by Burnden.
Ultraframe's latest failed appeal was an attempt to overturn the costs
consequences of the 2005 Judgment and get an award in its favour, having
already failed in its attempt to overturn the whole Judgment or get a
re-trial.
Burnden was also awarded most of its costs of the appeal process which
Ultraframe will also now have to pay.
Gary Fielding, managing director of The Burnden Group, was pleased to
bring the litigation to an end with there being no dispute about the winner.
'This has been a long and drawn out legal process and it's a relief that
it's finally coming to an end and that we have finally received a repayment
from Ultraframe in respect of Burnden's costs we have had to incur' says
Gary. 'As the Court of Appeal told Ultraframe in no uncertain terms, they
lost.'
Gary was critical of the handling of the case by Ultraframe's previous
management, who have since left the business after a takeover by Latium.
'Ultraframe have never been up-front about this litigation the relentless
pursuit of which always went against all logic and common-sense. I'm not
sure whether this was because they didn't understand the situation or
they were simply trying to delay the inevitable. Even now they want to
appeal to the House of Lords.
'Their shareholders have been badly let down by this misguided approach.
Thankfully we had both the resources and determination to see this case
through to its end and its result is beyond dispute.'
'The claims and counter claims in this case have caused a great deal of
confusion and uncertainty in the trade. Despite this we have maintained
year-on-year growth in a challenging marketplace. With all matters now
fully resolved, we are confident of a bright future.'
After
a break for Christmas, the next Publicity In Glazing Society (PIGS) networking
event will take place on Thursday 15th February from 6pm onwards at a
new venue, the Theodore Bullfrog, 28 John Adam Street, Charing Cross,
London, WC2N 6HL. The February event is being sponsored by perimeter sealant
experts Bostik, who will also be represented by Rattle PR.
PIGS is a free networking event open to anyone connected to marketing
within the glass and glazing industry. It attracts editors and advertising
staff from the leading glazing media, advertising and PR companies, marketing
specialists and managers from all parts of the glass and fenestration
industry. A free bar is laid on courtesy of the generosity of the event
sponsor and all are welcome to attend.
Diary note - There will be a Glassex PIGS event on Sunday 4th March. At
the time of writing the venue has yet to be confirmed but last years venue
Mechu is looking favourite.
EN
1279 Still a Mystery to Many
According
to research carried out by global sealants & adhesives expert Bostik,
around one in five UK IGU (Insulating Glass Unit) manufacturers still
hasn’t taken any steps towards achieving EN 1279 compliance.
Despite the fact that the twenty-one month compliance period is nearing
an end, i.e. the time between the regulation’s publication and its
legal implementation, it seems that many IGU manufacturers have not yet
begun to work towards achieving EN 1279 requirements.
Richard Sellman, marketing manager at Bostik, believes the results could
be due to the regulation’s lengthy development. He comments: 'EN
1279 has been ‘under construction’ for so long that many manufacturers
have not grasped the urgency of implementing any necessary changes.
'But the regulation is now here and IGU manufacturers must react appropriately
and quickly if they are to continue trading legally. The good news is
that this needn’t be stressful as support packages, such as that
produced by Bostik, exist precisely to help manufacturers though the compliance
process.'
Not all companies have been slow off the mark; many have responded to
the arrival of EN 1279.
For example, the Bostik research programme also discovered that over ninety
per cent of IGU manufacturers polled now use Hot Melt sealants, a fact
which Bostik believes is related to Hot Melt’s impressive performance
when tested to the requirements of EN 1279 Parts 2 and 3.
Around one in twelve IGU manufacturers surveyed by Bostik have or are
planning to cease production and buy units in, thus avoiding the need
to instigate an internal compliance programme.
For further information on EN 1279 or on Bostik’s EN 1279 support
package for IGU manufacturers, please contact Richard Sellman on 01785
272 727.
Excellent
Response to the UK Aluminium in Renovation Awards
Due
to the excellent response to the call for entries for the new UK Aluminium
in Renovation Awards the deadline for entries is being extended until
Friday 23rd February 2007.
The
UK First prize is £5000 and up to 10 entries will be nominated for
the European Award which will be announced at the Batimat exhibition,
Paris in November 2007.
Entry to the Awards which will be presented at the East Midlands Conference
Centre on 22nd March 2007 is free and documentation has been kept to a
minimum making it easy for a busy practice to make more than one entry.
The organisers claim that completing the form and burning the relevant
information to CD should take less than one hour.
Justin Ratcliffe, Chief Executive of the Council for Aluminium in Building
(CAB) and the organisers of the event suggests, 'We would like every active
architectural practice to quickly review any refurbishment or renovation
projects that they have completed over the last couple of years and enter
any of the projects which make good use of aluminium in the construction'
.
Applicable projects need to use either extruded, cast or rolled aluminium,
must have been completed since 1st January 2005 and used within an existing
building structure.
The Awards are a European Aluminium Association initiative which is intended
to allow architectural practices and building engineers to show off some
of the innovative uses of aluminium in construction and how the application
has benefited the use of the building and the environment.
Entry forms can be obtained by downloading from the CAB website at http://www.c-a-b.org.uk
or contacting the CAB on 01453 828851.
BPF
Windows Group Launches New RIBA Approved CPD Seminar
To
celebrate the start of 2007 the British Plastics Federation Windows Group
is launching its new RIBA approved CPD seminar 'A Transparent Case for
PVC-U - Addressing the Preconceptions'.
The new seminar takes the form of a PowerPoint presentation with accompanying
notes, and is free to use for British Plastics Federation members (contact
tlant@bpf.co.uk for more details).
The seminar is based upon the original British Plastics Federation Windows
Group CPD but is updated and draws upon the achievements and learning
of last year.
The new seminar now includes updated sections on the British Plastics
Federation and the Windows group, preconceived ideas about PVC-U, performance,
design/aesthetics, environmental credentials, costs and case studies.
Also, additional information has been added on repairability and recycling.
The seminar is designed to last approximately 1 hour.
Commenting on the seminar British Plastics Federation Windows Group Executive
Thom Lant said 'the new CPD seminar is an excellent tool for members to
use that gives up to date and pertinent facts about PVC-U windows and
their many benefits'.
Web: http://www.bpf.co.uk
Laird
Group Trading Update on Progress in 2006
The
Laird Group 'has made further good progress in 2006. The Group has continued
to benefit from the underlying strength of its businesses, from the diversity
of its products and markets and in particular its presence in higher growth
segments, and from its well established, yet still expanding, low cost
manufacturing base. Results for the year are anticipated to be in line
with market expectations.`
'In Laird Security Systems, our US business has been affected in recent
months by the well-publicised slowdown in the US new build residential
construction sector and we have acted swiftly to mitigate the effect on
margins. The level of activity in the repairs and remodelling market,
helped by economic activity, has shown more resilience during the course
of 2006. Overall, we believe that we continue to outperform the market.
In the UK, the performance of our businesses has improved during the second
half of this year, with positive organic revenue growth compared with
the same period last year. The Division as a whole has largely been able
to mitigate the effects of higher commodity prices. In the first half
of this year, operating profits for the Division were broadly level on
the same period in 2005; we anticipate that the picture on a full year
basis will not be materially different.
'In Laird Technologies the strong growth seen in the first half of the
year has been maintained. We have seen continuing strong demand across
all of our main product segments and markets, in particular cellular handsets,
notebook PCs and Plasma Display Panels. We continued to benefit from our
broad and complementary range of technologies. This has been expanded
further with the two acquisitions announced last week, of Steward and
Supercool. Steward extends our presence into the performance critical
area of signal integrity, while Supercool extends our presence in the
growing thermal management area.
'Our three new plants in China, which were opened in the first half of
the year, are now operational and our plant in Malaysia is currently being
relocated to larger premises. Relocation and expansion of our plants in
Shanghai, China and Reynosa, Mexico are on track to take place in 2007,
as is the start of construction of our large new plant in Chennai, India.'
Heywood
Williams Group Trading Update
Heywood
Williams Group PLC, 35% of which is the Hardware Group comprised of Mila,
Window Ware and Door Panels, has issued a trading update for the twelve
month period to 31st December 2006.
Overall, trading has been healthy and the Group's 2006 profit before tax*
is expected to be in line with market expectations. The Group's newly
acquired Carlisle Brass Group of companies has performed particularly
well and has helped offset the effects of a difficult manufactured housing
market in North America in the second half and the adverse translation
effect of the weakening US dollar.
On 2nd October, the Group announced the £48 million acquisition
of the Carlisle Brass Group. The acquisition, which established the core
of an Architectural Hardware division, has been well received by customers
and other key stakeholders. Carlisle Brass is a high quality business
with an exciting new product development pipeline and its integration
is proceeding ahead of plan. Since the acquisition, Carlisle Brass has
performed ahead of both the equivalent period in 2005 and our acquisition
expectations. The Board expects this strong performance to continue in
2007.
The acquisition of the Carlisle Brass Group was funded by a combination
of new shares and additional borrowings. Consequently, net debt has increased
during the year although it is now anticipated to be below the originally
planned level of £30 million at the year-end.
The Group's Hardware Division for external windows and doors performed
as expected, with earnings in the second half of 2006 being ahead of the
equivalent period in 2005. The U.K. home improvement market showed a reasonable
level of activity during the second half and it is expected that this
trend will continue in 2007.
The Group's North American specialist distribution business faced difficult
conditions, particularly in the manufactured housing market in the second
half. The manufactured housing market continued to demonstrate more relative
stability than the site built housing market. However, the manufactured
housing market has been adversely impacted by the 'hard landing' in site
built housing. External market sources now expect the manufactured housing
market in 2007 to reduce by approximately 10% from an underlying 130,000
units to 118,000 units. If this decline materialises, it will inevitably
impact our North American business despite measures, which have already
been implemented, to align costs to this level of anticipated activity.
Looking ahead, the Board believes that the prospects for the Group as
a whole remain encouraging as it continues to pursue its growth strategies.
The 2006 full year results are scheduled to be announced on Tuesday 13th
March, 2007.
* before exceptional items and amortisation of intangibles
Schott
Reports Substantial Increase in Sales and Earnings
Schott
AG expects a significant increase in sales and yet another rise in earnings
for its fiscal year 2005/2006 (ended on 30/9). ‘We succeeded in meeting
all of our ambitious goals. In fact, in some areas, we even exceeded them,’
explained Prof. Udo Ungeheuer (pictured), Chairman of the Board of Management,
upon presentation of the preliminary figures. The Schott Group will be
holding its annual results press conference on March 8th, 2007.
SCHOTT
recorded total sales of 2.233 billion euros for the fiscal year. This
represents an increase of 19%. All business segments contributed towards
this growth. The development of sales was structurally affected by the
complete consolidation of solar activities for the first time ever, following
the acquisition of 50% of the shares in RWE Schott Solar GmbH on October
1st, 2005. Sales from laboratory glass activities, an area sold effective
March 1st, 2005, made no contribution whatsoever towards the results for
fiscal 2005/2006. Even without these extraordinary items, Schott still
succeeded in growing organically thanks to a 14% increase in sales.
EBIT improved at an even higher rate than sales. Results of ordinary activities
increased by 34% to 193 million euros. For the most part, this can be
traced back to the positive performances of core businesses, such as household
technology, specialised tubing glass and pharmaceutical packaging, but
also the future venture solar. ‘Schott Global Competitiveness’,
a structural improvement programme aimed, in part, at optimising productivity
and global procurement, also had a positive impact.
To strengthen its position as one of the world's leading technology groups
in the area of specialised glasses and related high tech materials, Schott
invested the record sum of 313 mill. euros for the fiscal year, 28% more
than in the year before. Approximately 140 million euros went towards
projects in Germany. Display glass, solar and glass ceramic were other
key areas for investments.
During its last business year, Schott also continued to pursue the modernisation
process it first started two years ago. ‘A number of strategic measures
were initiated to help us build a stronger foundation for improving our
competitive position and, thus, achieve continued growth,’ explained
Professor Ungeheuer. This includes pursuing even stronger market orientation.
Today, Schott is active with its own manufacturing and sales organisations
in 38 countries. Only recently, new sales offices were opened in the Czech
Republic, Malaysia and Dubai, for the Middle East region. Company management
also views maintaining strong presence in Asia to be a key priority. ‘An
increasingly high number of our customers operate manufacturing sites
in this region and, as a Business to Business company, they also expect
us to manufacture there,’ the Chairman of the Management Board emphasised.
During the fiscal year that recently ended, expansion of manufacturing
capacities for optical glass in Malaysia and pharmaceutical tubing in
India, but also entry into a joint venture together with a Chinese company
in the area of optical glasses, ranked among the most important activities.
Schott succeeded in increasing the share that Asia makes up in its total
sales to 19%. As a result, the company says it is on track to achieve
its goal of 30% by the year 2010.
Schott also made progress with respect to expanding its future ventures.
The company is known to be the only European vendor capable of using the
float technique to produce up to 0.7 mm thin glass substrates for use
in TFT-LCD applications. These high-quality thin glasses are designed
for use in flat screen televisions and monitors for computers, as well
as laptops. In fiscal 2005/2006, SCHOTT invested 150 million euros in
a second melting tank and a production line in Jena and a post-processing
plant for these substrates in South Korea in order to assume a leading
position in this dynamic high growth market.
Schott says that it is currently the only company in the world that offers
products that support all types of solar technologies, including Photovoltaics,
solar thermal for heating up water, auxiliary heating and cooling, as
well as centralised generation of electrical power. To supplement its
existing photovoltaic manufacturing capacities, 60 million euros is now
being put towards building a 30 MW manufacturing facility for ASI®
thin-film modules in Jena. This technology requires substantially less
of the rather expensive raw material silicon. Now that two solar thermal
facilities have already been built in Nevada and Andalusia, the prospects
for generating energy along the earth's Sunbelt region have achieved a
breakthrough. Here, Schott provides the receivers, a core component of
this technology. Only recently, serial manufacturing of these products
began in Mitterteich, Bavaria. A second receiver plant is planned for
construction in Spain. The investment volume for both manufacturing initiatives
amounts to 37 million euros.
Based on the company's forecasts and the development of business during
the first two months of its new fiscal year, Schott expects business to
continue to develop positively for the entire year. Here, the company
will be focusing on continuing to improve its profit structure. In total,
approximately 290 million euros have been budgeted for investments in
fixed assets, 150 million of which is earmarked for sites in Germany.
Web: http://www.schott.com
PPG
Posts Record Fourth Quarter - Annual Sales Surpass $11bn
PPG
Industries reported on 18th January record sales for the fourth quarter
of $2.8 billion, surpassing fourth quarter 2005 record sales by 11 percent.
Fourth quarter net income was $157 million, or 94 cents a share. Net income
includes an aftertax charge of $3 million, or 2 cents a share, to reflect
the net increase in the current value of the company's obligation under
its proposed asbestos settlement agreement reported in May 2002, which
is subject to pending court proceedings.
That compares with fourth quarter 2005 net income of $113 million, or
68 cents a share. This included aftertax charges of $17 million, or 10
cents a share, for the impairment of certain assets in the company's specialty
chemicals business; $10 million, or 6 cents a share, for direct costs
related to the impact of hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and $3 million,
or 2 cents a share, to reflect the net increase in the value of the company's
obligation under its proposed asbestos settlement agreement. Sales were
$2.5 billion.
The board of directors of PPG Industries raised the quarterly dividend
on the company's common stock to 50 cents from 48 cents a share, payable
March 12th to shareholders of record February 16th.
PPG has raised annual dividend payments every year since 1972. PPG has
paid dividends without interruption since 1899.
‘This dividend increase is a reflection of both the company's growth
and its consistent cash generation,’ said Charles E. Bunch, PPG chairman
and chief executive officer. ‘We are very proud to continue our long
heritage of rewarding shareholders with increasing dividend payments.’
For all of 2006, PPG recorded net income of $711 million, or $4.27 per
share, including aftertax charges of $106 million, or 64 cents a share,
for estimated legacy environmental remediation costs at sites in New Jersey
and Louisiana; $26 million, or 15 cents a share, for legal settlements;
$23 million, or 14 cents a share, for business restructuring; and $17
million, or 10 cents a share, to reflect the net increase in the current
value of the company's obligation under the proposed asbestos settlement
agreement. Net income also includes aftertax earnings of $24 million,
or 14 cents a share, for insurance recoveries. Sales for 2006 were $11.0
billion, a record for any year.
For all of 2005, PPG recorded net income of $596 million, or $3.49 per
share, including aftertax charges of $128 million, or 74 cents a share,
for legal settlements; $21 million, or 12 cents a share, for direct costs
related to the impact of hurricanes Katrina and Rita; $17 million, or
10 cents a share, for the impairment of certain assets in the company's
specialty chemicals business; $12 million, or 7 cents a share, for debt
refinancing; and $13 million, or 8 cents a share, to reflect the net increase
in the value of the company's obligation under its proposed asbestos settlement
agreement. Net income also included aftertax earnings of $11 million,
or 6 cents a share, for insurance recoveries. Sales for 2005 were $10.2
billion, a record at that time.
‘In the fourth quarter, we are pleased to achieve year-over-year
double-digit percentage growth in both sales and earnings per share, despite
weakening in several U.S. end markets and related temporary facility shutdowns
by customers,’ said Charles E. Bunch, chairman and chief executive
officer of PPG. ‘In addition to the strong sales and earnings growth
in our coatings and optical products businesses, we also saw improvement
in our glass results due to actions taken in several of these businesses.
‘For the full year, we also delivered double-digit percentage sales
increases and related earnings growth in both our coatings and optical
products businesses.
Despite a difficult fourth quarter, our chlor-alkali chemicals business
had one of its best years on record. And, while sales in our glass business
segment were flat, our earnings improved,’ Bunch said. ‘These
strong fourth quarter and full year financial results continue to validate
our strategies and clearly illustrate that we are delivering global profitable
growth.
‘Looking forward, while we see some ongoing challenges entering 2007
due to continued softness in a few U.S. customer markets, we anticipate
that solid global economic conditions will remain. At PPG, we expect to
continue capitalising on this environment with organic growth, especially
in emerging regions. Also, our 2006 acquisitions will provide meaningful
sales and earnings growth in 2007. Additionally, while we are pleased
with recent trends, we continue to work very hard in several of our businesses
that are underperforming. In 2007, we will aggressively explore all alternatives
for these businesses with the ultimate goal of maximising shareholder
value. Finally, as evidenced in 2006, we remain committed to using our
consistent track record of cash generation for the ongoing benefit of
our shareholders.’
In the fourth quarter, coatings sales increased $287 million, or 21 percent,
due to the impact of acquisitions, improved sales volumes in Europe and
Asia, increased selling prices and a positive foreign currency impact.
Segment earnings were up $25 million due to increased sales volumes, the
impact of acquisitions and the positive impact of strengthening foreign
currencies. These gains were partially offset by increased costs to support
growth and a small casualty loss. Increased selling prices offset the
negative impact of inflation.
Glass sales decreased $35 million, or 6 percent, as a result of reduced
volumes in all businesses. Strengthening foreign currencies were offset
by a slight decrease in selling prices. Segment earnings were up $21 million
due in large part to other income in the company’s fibreglass business,
including higher equity earnings. Also contributing to the increase in
earnings were lower manufacturing and natural gas costs. The impact of
reduced sales volumes, lower selling prices and higher overhead costs
reduced earnings.
Chemicals sales increased $16 million, or 3 percent, due to increased
volumes in most businesses, acquisitions in the company's optical products
business and strengthening foreign currencies, which more than offset
lower selling prices in the chlor-alkali business. Segment earnings were
up $56 million, due in part to the absence of charges recorded in 2005
for an asset impairment and direct hurricane costs totalling $43 million.
Lower energy costs, primarily natural gas, provided an equal offset to
lower selling prices. The positive impact of increased sales volumes and
lower environmental costs was partially offset by higher manufacturing
costs.
About PPG
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of coatings, chemicals, glass
and fibreglass. The company employs more than 33,000 people and has 122
manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in more than 20 countries.
Sales in 2006 were $11 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York
and Philadelphia stock exchanges.
Web: http://www.ppg.com
Saint-Gobain
Vitrage and Shell in Partnership to Produce Photovoltaic Panels
Saint-Gobain
Vitrage, Saint-Gobain's Flat Glass Sector, and Shell (Shell Erneuerbare
Energien GmbH) have announced the foundation of a 50/50 joint-venture
for the production and sale of next generation photovoltaic panels.
This company, named AVANCIS, will construct production facilities in Torgau,
Germany (Saxony). The initial capacity of the plant will be 20 MW, to
be rapidly scaled up. Production should commence in 2008.
The photovoltaic panels produced by AVANCIS will use the CIS technology.
This innovative technology, developed by Shell, is based on Copper-Indium-Selenium
thin-film deposited on glass, and does not incorporate the traditional
silicon. It offers high electrical efficiency, and is potentially very
cost competitive.
Saint-Gobain Vitrage will bring its in-depth know-how of thin-film coating
and glass processing. The new AVANCIS plant will be built nearby the production
facilities operated by Saint-Gobain Glass in Torgau.
This operation is in line with European Union procedures. It follows a
memorandum of understanding signed between the two partners in February
2006.
Second
Annual Awards for Outstanding Contributions to the Glass and Glazing Industry
Recently
organised by the Glass and Glazing Federation at Bredbury Hall in Cheshire
was the Annual Safety Glazing Group Seminar.
Incorporated into the day were the second annual awards for individuals
who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the industry.
The seminar was well attended by over 50 members of the Federation and
guest speakers from industries associated and allied to the glass sector.
Presentations and workshops made throughout the day covered issued that
have become increasingly relevant and pressing within the glass industry.
Notable amongst the presentations was Mr Brian Waldron’s, of Waldron
Glass Consultants Ltd, succinct summary of the requirements for CE Marking
of both processed and installed products.
Mr Alan James, of AJ Consultants, gave a detailed presentation of the
new GGF Test Method for overhead containment of glass units using adhesive
backed polymeric films. This test is in the absence of any current European
Standard or Regulation and will provide reassurance for Architects and
Engineers facing ever more complex combinations of solar control and safety
when designing and installing Atrium’s.
Mr Steve Brammer of Tamglass UK Ltd presented the ongoing development
in Curved Glass Safety Standards. This issue is developing as Architects
and Glazing Engineers stretch the envelope of Glass Design in modern architecture.
Mr Dave Cox, Technical and Business Development Manager of 3M in Europe,
gave the group an insight into new technological developments on polymeric
film coatings, most notable of which was the outstanding performance of
the new generation of Infra Red, (IR), Heat Rejection films, which allow
much higher levels of Visible Light Transmission and do not detract from
external aesthetics when compared to the current generation of films available.
Mr Phillip Emery, of Speedy Hire, presented the new working at height
regulations and entertained the group by recounting some of his 'early
days' experience when glazing panels into tall buildings and atriums.
During the afternoon session the GGF awards for outstanding contributions
to the glass and glazing industry were made to the following individuals:
Mr Chris Hogg – Independent Glass Ltd - Lifetime contribution to
the Glass Industry
Mr John Clark – Glasstint Northern - for taking the NVQ Scheme forward
to completion
Mr Neil Robinson – Proskills UK - for his contribution to the NVQ
Scheme
Mr Keith Tonge – Borglass Ltd - for his development of the Laminators
Sector
Mr Tony Towler – Contract Glass Ltd - for contributions to the Laminators
Group
Mr Dave Cox – 3M Europe Ltd - Contribution to the European Window
Film Assoc
Mr Steve Brammer – Tamglass UK Ltd - Curved Glass Safety Standards
Mr Alan James – A J Consultants - Development of the GGF Overhead
Glazing Standard
Mr Colin Bain – Consultant to the GGF - Contribution in the field
of Insulation Glazing
Mr John Devine – Independent Glass Ltd - Representing the GGF in
the Flat Glass Council
Mr John Agnew – Tough Glass Ltd - Services to the Glazing Executive
Commenting on the day, Mr Steve Rice, Glazing Director of the GGF said:
'It is essential that major influencers of standards for safety and security
have this opportunity to meet as a group and exchange experiences. The
benefits to our industry as a whole, as a result of this annual event,
cannot be measured in purely financial terms but must be viewed in the
light of decreasing injuries and fatalities both within the industry and
amongst consumers and users of glass products. The awards give us the
chance to recognise the contribution made by these individuals in addition
to their normal responsibilities of running and maintaining their businesses'.
Guardian
Industries Invests in Hungary Plant
Guardian
Industries is ramping up its high-tech glass coating capabilities in Eastern
Europe with the investment of a new glass coater and expansion project
at its Oroshaza, Hungary float glass plant.
The $37-million investment ($30 million Euro) includes a new 38,000-square-foot
(3,530-square-meter) building that will house the technologically advanced
magnetron coater. The addition of the coater will enable the plant to
produce ClimaGuard™ N and ClimaGuard™ Premium - both residential
low-E products.
ClimaGuard is already the market leader in Europe with more than 20 million
square meters sold this year. The new coater will coat up to six million
square meters of glass per year.
'Southeast Europe, particularly Hungary and Romania, has seen an increase
in commercial and residential construction and with that, the need for
high-quality energy efficient windows has grown as well,’ said Guardian
Glass Group president Russ Ebeid. ‘With ground-breaking advances
in research, Guardian continues to meet the needs of its customers and
develop products for future applications in emerging glass markets.’
The new coater will begin production in the autumn of 2007 and create
50 new jobs at the plant.
Guardian opened the Oroshaza plant in 1990, and in doing so, became the
first foreign company to invest in a new float glass facility in Eastern
Europe.
Guardian is a diversified global manufacturing company headquartered in
Auburn Hills, Michigan, with leading positions in float glass, fabricated
glass products, fiberglass insulation and other building materials for
commercial, residential and automotive markets. Through its Science &
Technology Centre, Guardian says that it is at the forefront of innovation
including development of high performance glass coatings and other advanced
products. Guardian, its subsidiaries and affiliates employ 19,000 people
and operate facilities throughout North America, Europe, South America,
Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Web: http://www.guardian.com
Proposed
Sale of Miroiterie Hirtz from Glaverbel to Flabeg
Glaverbel
and Flabeg have just signed a Letter of Intent according to which Glaverbel
intends to sell its production of automotive mirrors to the German group
Flabeg, which specialises in this activity. The transaction would cover
the main Miroiterie Hirtz production site and headquarters at Sarrewerden
(France), together with processing units in the UK (Bradley Glass), Italy
(Vetrerie Hirtz), Spain (Guardiola) and the Czech Republic (Mirocar).
Altogether the activity employs around 500 people.
Flabeg will assure the continuity of this activity, which will benefit
from important industrial and geographical synergies in a highly specialised
and competitive industry. The Miroiterie Hirtz geographical locations
complement those of Flabeg, which is present in Europe, North & South
America and China.
Flabeg is an independent company specialised in glass processing activities
for automotive mirrors, automotive interior, solar thermal applications
and technical glass.
It is headquartered in Nuernberg, Germany, with subsidiaries in the US,
Brasil, China and the UK.
Flabeg currently employs around 1200 people.
Web: http://www.glaverbel.com
Web: http://www.flabeg.com
ASSA
ABLOY Acquires Australian Market Leader in Fire Rated Doors
ASSA
ABLOY has signed an agreement to acquire the Australian-based company
Pyropanel, a leading producer of specialised doors and fire-rated products.
Pyropanel was founded in 1976 and today has 75 employees with regional
operations in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, Australia.
Pyropanel's product offering along with ASSA ABLOY's specification strength
is expected to create further growth opportunities and strengthen the
company's position in the commercial segment.
Pyropanel's sales reached AUD 19 million in 2006 with a good EBIT-margin
and the acquisition is expected to be EPS accretive from the date of acquisition.
Pyropanel will be consolidated on February 1st, 2007 into division Asia
Pacific.
Blueprints
for what could be the school of the future have been unveiled in Watford
by Hertfordshire Euro MP Richard Howitt.
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) in Garston will be the site
for the energy efficient school. It will be built within the grounds of
BRE's Innovation Park, alongside the £60,000 house unveiled last
year by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
Richard Howitt praised BRE for being European leaders in their field.
He said: 'BRE here in Watford are leading the way in showing Europe exactly
how much energy can be easily and cheaply saved through innovative design,
use of new materials and technology, I am amazed at the energy savings
which can be made.
'We are all waking up to the fact that we must take action against climate
change and BRE in Watford has picked up the gauntlet of showing exactly
how we can achieve amazing results, not only in houses and businesses
but now also in our schools.'
Peter Bonfield, Director of BRE's Construction Division said: 'BRE is
very excited about the school and the three new innovative houses to be
built on site. The idea behind the Innovation Park is that people working
in the construction industry can come and learn from the latest innovations
and rise to the challenge of building better more sustainable homes and
buildings that have a minimal effect on the environment.'
British
Plastics Federation Comments on Interest Rate Rise
The
Bank of England's shock interest rate rise last week has now become apparent
by the bad inflation figures released on the 16th of January. The Consumer
Prices Index jumped to an 11 year high of +3% in December and the RPI
which guides wage settlements jumped 0.5% to 4.4%. The RPI figure is now
at its highest level since 1991.
Peter Davis, Director General of the British Plastics Federation, commented
'this is most unwelcome news for our hard pressed companies who are struggling
with the highest energy costs in Europe. This and the possibility of further
interest rate increases will curb investment and demand for our industry's
products. Let's not forget that household debt levels in the UK at £1,300
bn. more than 100% of GDP, the highest in the G7 countries and 30% of
Europe's total debt. There's bound to be a reduction in consumer demand
caused by this.
Commenting further, Davis said 'The UK Trade deficit rose in November
from £4.1bn. to £4.7bn. For goods alone the deficit was more
marked £6.6bn up to £7.2bn, a 9% increase. It's insane that
the Government is cutting support for exporters.'
Web: http://www.bpf.co.uk
Stop
Singin' the Blues and Get on the Road To Riches, Britons Urged
Britons
should start to realise their dreams of paying off their mortgages and
achieving financial security by starting their own businesses.
That's the view of leading start-up information service Entrepreneur Secrets,
which was highlighted by the 'Blue Monday' survey released yesterday (22nd
January 2007).
The Freestyle Happiness Index found that people hoped to make themselves
happier by clearing their debts.
Entrepreneur Secrets founder Allan Hopkins said: ‘Blue Monday is
said to be the most depressing day of the year, as people are back in
work and realising that everything is 'back to normal' with all of their
usual financial worries and often repetitive work.
‘Blue Monday is arrived at by an equation to calculate the worst
day of the year, and it is in the final full week of January because of
the combination of bad weather, Christmas debts and broken New Year's
resolutions.
‘But there is one way to beat the blues, and there is still time
to make one more vital New Year's resolution which could change your life
forever.
‘The dream of starting a business is becoming a reality for more
and more people. Some want to quit their jobs completely and dedicate
their entire careers to self-employment, while others are using it as
a valuable second income that may, one day, be their own 'private pension'.
‘But the problem with thinking about starting your own business always
comes down to two things: firstly, what type of business do I start -
I want to be a success and make a fortune - and secondly, how do I go
about starting it in such a way that it will be a sure-fire hit?
‘This is why I started Entrepreneur Secrets. This is a system for
those who want to start a successful and growing business, but don't know
what to start. We give people the best and most up-to-date information
about which way the global economy is moving, what business ideas are
working elsewhere in the world, and then give them good ideas for niche
businesses which they just have to 'go out and do'.
‘Our whole package is more of a refreshingly 'just get on with it'
affair which gives people all the information they need to make a reasoned
choice about what type of business is likely to succeed, then gives them
everything they need to make it happen,’ he said.
The research also found that the nation's optimism is being boosted by
a falling interest in material possessions. People said they hoped to
make themselves happier by clearing their debts, paying off their mortgage
and achieving financial security.
Tel: 07860 802 660
Web: http://www.EntrepreneurSecrets.co.uk
New
BBA Services in Support of Innovation
The
BBA has launched a range of new services for building product manufacturers
to support innovation during the development stage. Whilst full BBA Agrément
approval may be on any serious building product manufacturer's agenda
this is geared very much at products that are fully developed and site
tested. To date there have been no services available to assist the manufacturer
during the development process.
A Product Development Analysis (PDA) is now available from the BBA to
coincide with the scoping phase of a product development in which the
BBA will provide its opinion on the key performance characteristics required
from the product, proposed methods of testing such characteristics, building
regulations which should be taken into account during development and
options open to the manufacturer in future certification.The intention
of the PDA is therefore to assist the manufacturer in ensuring that a
development is scoped correctly at inception.
A new form of time limited certificate called a Prototype Product Assessment
(PPA) will also be available at the product validation stage of a development.
This is designed to provide independent information to specifiers, building
control personnel, contractors and procurers considering the use of the
product as part of the manufacturer’s site-proving program. Like
conventional BBA Agrément approval, the PPA process will consider
the critical performance areas relevant to the product. These are likely
to include Building Regulations compliance, functional capability, application
benefits and limitations.
A key element in the production of the PPA will be the use of Failure
Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and associated techniques developed in
the aeronautics and other high-tech industries to assess residual risk
arising from very new and prototype products used by these industries.
Key FMEA considerations are probability of failure, its ease of detection
and severity of outcome. Within each of these a judgement is made and
a score of 1 to 5 given, with 1 low and 5 high. Each category score is
multiplied with the others and a total score calculated. This enables
risk comparisons to be made between the prototype and well-established
products familiar to the industry and set this alongside its benefits.
The first PPA issued by the BBA is for a flood-resisting airbrick, known
as the Smart Airbrick, marketed by Eco Coverage Technologies. This is
a product at the prototype stage of its life cycle that provides a potential
solution to water ingress from unexpected flooding. The results of this
assessment, including the FMEA results, are set out in the PPA for the
Smart Airbrick, available via the following link on the BBA website
http://www.bbacerts.co.uk/pdf/PPA_006_P001_web.pdf
BBA Chief Executive Greg Cooper states, ‘These new services have
been designed to dovetail with best practice stage-gate management of
product development projects and we believe they will provide innovators
with a greater range of options when seeking independent certification
of their products.’
York
Firms Team Up for Massive Sales Increase
Rhino
Windows is celebrating a massive increase in sales conversion rates within
six months of installing new technology.
When
faced with more leads than the firm could effectively manage, Rhino Windows
turned to another York-based company, Sawfish Software, to provide the
solution. Since installing the Sales-Flow technology solution, conversion
rates from enquiry to sale have increased by more than 50 per cent.
Rhino Windows supplies and installs double-glazed windows, doors and conservatories,
and has bases in York and Scarborough. Now, with five members of the 20-strong
staff using the lead-management software, the company is reporting improvement
in the whole sales process, from the initial enquiry to job completion,
giving it an advantage over its competitors in an increasingly competitive
marketplace.
SalesFlow, a business process management tool, is Sawfish Software’s
primary technology solution. With access via the internet, it provides
permitted users real-time visibility across the entire business, with
information on the processes undertaken in relation to each sales lead.
In turn, managers using SalesFlow have a complete picture of business
activity, and individual employees, allowing them to make informed decisions
to ensure that all opportunities are managed in the optimum manner.
Nick Read, Director of Rhino Windows, said: 'SalesFlow impressed immediately.
Rhino Windows need to be able to follow leads effectively. With the right
technology in place, the entire sales process is vastly improved, and
this is clearly indicated by a more than 50 per cent increase in our sales
conversion rate.
'SalesFlow has quickly proved to be the ideal product for us. As we expand,
we plan to give more of our staff access to the system. I have already
recommended the software to other firms, including our company accountants.'
The window, door and conservatory market has faced an increasingly difficult
trading climate in the last year, with pressure on prices and margins
combining with a slowing in demand. To compete, manufacturers are looking
to solutions such as SalesFlow to optimise their customer relationship
management, and provide the highest standard of service for each individual
lead.
Sawfish, based in York, was founded in 2004 by Managing Director, Steve
Hull, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the software and
customer relationship management sectors.
Steve said: 'SalesFlow is a flexible solution which can be configured
to meet a company’s specific needs. For Rhino Windows, it maps out
the business processes within the system, and offers facilities to record
any information which is pertinent to the account.
'With improved management of leads, and easier access to all related information,
SalesFlow enables increased productivity in a wide range of work places,
and has been used by many customer-focused sales teams to great benefit.'
Web: http://www.sawfishsoftware.co.uk
HSE
Prohibits Operation of Tower Cranes Supplied by Falcon Crane Hire Ltd
Last
week the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) served a Prohibition Notice
on Falcon Crane Hire Ltd of Shipdam, Norfolk which required the company,
with immediate effect, to take out of service all tower cranes in its
fleet which have not been subject to a thorough examination by an independent
competent person.
'HSE has taken this action following the collapse of two of the company's
tower cranes in less than four months at sites in Battersea (London) and
Liverpool. Both incidents are the subject of on-going investigations and
it is therefore too early for us to be able to identify the exact causes
of either failure.
'Nevertheless, HSE has decided to adopt a precautionary approach and require
the company to demonstrate those cranes which have been thoroughly examined
by competent persons employed by them, are safe to continue in operation.
Any lessons learnt from the investigations will be shared with the industry
as soon as possible.
'The Notice will affect up to 180 tower cranes which are erected currently
on construction sites throughout Great Britain. Cranes which have already
been examined by an independent competent person are not affected by the
Notice and can continue in service. We are conscious of the severe disruption
this will cause but we are sure that the industry will support our action
in the interests of the safety of workers and the public.
'HSE would like to emphasise that Falcon Crane Hire Ltd has cooperated
fully and has agreed the steps the company will take to comply with the
Notice.
'HSE will be working with the company closely to ensure the remediation
process is carried out as quickly as possible so that the cranes can return
to use. Falcon Crane Hire Ltd is in the process of informing all the construction
companies whose sites are affected and is preparing a programme for the
examinations.
'HSE issued a safety alert on 17th October 2006 following the incident
at Battersea which can be seen on our website at:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/pdf/towercranes.pdf.
HSE re- issued the same alert on 16th January 2007 following the incident
in Liverpool.
Pioneering
Agency to Drive Forward Housing and Regeneration
On
17th January the Government announced proposals for a new agency to deliver
regeneration and housing in a major shake-up of the way it supports the
delivery of new homes and develops mixed, sustainable communities in England.
The proposed agency - Communities England - will bring together the functions
of English Partnerships, the Housing Corporation, and a range of work
carried out by the Department, including delivery in the areas of decent
homes, housing market renewal, housing PFI, housing growth and urban regeneration.
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said the new agency will further enhance
the Government's ambitious agenda to ensure social mobility and economic
inclusion.
'With the expectation of over £4 billion of public spending at its
disposal, Communities England will pioneer innovative and more efficient
ways of working with our key partners in the public, private and voluntary
sector to get better outcomes from public investment in places.
'Central to meeting its challenge the agency will not only ensure greater
value for money but also guarantee the very highest standards of quality,
design, energy efficiency and sustainability.'
'Above all Communities England will reflect the Government's on going
drive to ensure that the ambitions of local people for their communities
and their families are realised. This will enable the Department for Communities
and Local Government to focus more on strategic policy making.'
English Partnerships chairman Baroness Ford warmly welcomed the creation
of Communities England.
'My Board and senior colleagues are delighted by the outcome of the Housing
and Regeneration Review. We have consistently supported the creation of
a single, new agency and a streamlined supply chain and we look forward
to playing our part in creating that new agency.'
'On a personal note I am absolutely delighted to have been invited to
lead the team which will undertake the planning for the new organisation.
The staff of English Partnerships, The Housing Corporation and Communities
and the Department for Communities and Local Government have an enormous
amount of talent and experience and I am looking forward to working with
them in creating Communities England'.
Housing Corporation Chair, Peter Dixon also strongly welcomed the announcement
about the formation of Communities England.
'The new agency will bring the strengths of the Housing Corporation, English
Partnerships and the Department together to form a single agency dedicated
to creating places that people choose to live and stay in. We look forward
to working with new colleagues, building on past successes to create a
body which can deliver even more to communities and the country as a whole.'
Last week's announcement follows a nine month Review by the Department,
in very close co-operation with the Housing Corporation and English Partnerships.
Contractors
will receive a bumper New Year's package of help this week as they prepare
for the launch by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) of the new Construction
Industry Scheme (CIS) in April.
With just three months to go contractors are making their final preparations.
The comprehensive pack includes everything they need. It includes copies
of key forms, step-by-step instructions for what contractors must do and
helpful tips.
The pack helps contractors:
* Understand the importance of knowing the employment status of their
workers so they can sign a declaration on their monthly return confirming
the individuals they have paid under new CIS are not employees
* Know how to tell whether subcontractors are to be paid gross or net
(the new 'verification' procedure that replaces cards and certificates);
* Prepare to make returns each month; and
* Get ready to produce payment and deduction statements for those subcontractors
from whom they have made a deduction, showing how much they have been
paid and how much the contractors have deducted.
New CIS Programme Director, Mark de Brunner, said:
‘Contractors now need to make their final preparations for the April
changes to the Construction Industry Scheme. There's plenty of help and
support for them - in the pack, on our website and over the phone.’
Contractors can get advice and further information from a number of places:
the HMRC website, http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/new-cis,
the helpline on 0845 366 7899, Business Support Team seminars, Employer
Talk events and Business Advice Open Days.
The National Federation of Builders is also holding a number of workshops
around the country at which HMRC's CIS team will be giving advice about
how to prepare for New CIS. Call the training team at the National Federation
of Builders on Tel: 0845 057 0041, or visit http://www.nfbtraining.co.uk
CBI
and TUC to Sign Pledge to Change the Way We Work
The
UK has taken a major step towards becoming one of the most progressive
economies in the world. A number of leading businesses and organisations,
including the CBI and TUC, signed an agreement on Monday, January 22nd,
for the wider adoption of smarter working practices across the UK, to
help bring about a workplace revolution.
Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI, and Brendan Barber, general
secretary of the TUC, was the first to sign a ‘concordat’ supporting
the development and implementation of the Work Wise UK campaign and objectives.
Work Wise UK, a not for profit initiative, is in the first of a five year
programme to promote the wider adoption of smarter working practices,
such as flexible working, working from home, mobile and remote working,
to bring about a workplace revolution, similar in impact to the Industrial
Revolution which Great Britain led in the 19th century.
Both the public and private sectors agree that the benefits of smarter
working are enormous: apart from the positive implications on employees’
work-life balance and travelling time, the improvements in productivity
will help the UK meet the competitive challenges presented by the emerging
economies, such as India and China.
Other organisations signing the concordat include the British Chambers
of Commerce, BT, Transport for London, RAC Foundation, Association for
Commuter Transport, Scope, Technology Means Business and Henley Management.
The aim is for thousands of other organisations to sign the concordat,
via the Work Wise website (http://www.workwiseuk.org)
over the coming months, demonstrating their commitment to revolutionising
the workplace.
'This concordat brings together the signatories in a joint statement supporting
the development and implementation of smarter working practices and as
an example, and encouragement, to others to do likewise. The goal is to
increase significantly the use of these practices by 2011. Such advancements
will not only benefit companies, communities and individuals, but the
UK economy as a whole, making it more productive and competitive in the
global marketplace.' (Work Wise UK Concordat)