UKae
Gets Zero Fine in £2.4m OFT Price Fixing Case on UOP Desiccants
Fines
totalling over £2.4m (reduced to £1.7m on leniency) have been
imposed against price fixing in the insulated glass desiccant market following
an investigation by the OFT. The OFT has found that the main supplier
to the UK market, UOP Limited, fixed the price of IG desiccant with four
of its distributors, UKae Limited, Thermoseal Supplies Limited, Double
Quick Supplyline Limited (DQS) and Double Glazing Supplies Group plc (DGS).
The OFT concluded that the parties, who together supply a large proportion
of the 4,000 double glazing suppliers in the UK, colluded to maintain
and/or fix resale prices for IG desiccant for more than three years after
the Competition Act came into force on 1st March 2000.
Price fixing agreements are a breach of Chapter I of the Competition Act
1998, which prohibits anti-competitive agreements. The parties have been
fined as follows:
* UOP - £1,540,000 (reduced to £1,232,000 on leniency)
* Thermoseal - £279,000 (reduced to £139,000 on leniency)
* DQS - £109,000
* DGS - £227,000
* Ukae - £278,000 (reduced to zero on leniency).
John Vickers, OFT Chairman, said: 'Anti-competitive agreements between
firms to fix prices ultimately cost consumers. They are serious breaches
of competition law and warrant serious fines.
'This case also shows how leniency for information providers can help
expose cartels.'
The full statement is here
as a PDF (It's a small(ish) file to download (396K) but it's 103 pages
full of relevant info)
Deceuninck
Expects a Lower Profit for 2004
Deceuninck
is revising its forecasts of operating results for 2004 on the basis of
the results for the third quarter and the first indications for the fourth
quarter. The first figures point to a fall in turnover in Central Europe
and the United States in conjunction with the still rising prices of PVC
resins.
Weak currencies are moreover depressing the absolute operating cash flow
figures and operating results. For the entire 2004, the Deceuninck group
expects an operating cash flow (EBITDA) of 75 to 80 million euros (2003
: 90.3 million euros) and an operating result (EBIT) of 25 to 30 million
euros (2003 : 53 million euros).
Deceuninck has introduced a second price increase, the effect of which
is expected to be felt from February of next year. The impact of this,
together with the results to be earned by new projects, are strengthening
Deceuninck's positive expectations
for 2005.
Raw material Prices
Since the summer of last year, raw material prices have been rising continuously.
At the end of October, the European PVC resin price index KI was 38% higher,
compared with October 2003. It is expected that the pressure on resin
prices will decrease at the end of this year. The most important reason
for the rise of PVC resin prices is the continuing worldwide demand for
PVC resins, particularly in Asia. In addition, the rise is also due to
the rising prices of ethylene and the cost of energy consequent on the
rising oil prices. The high market prices of PVC resins and additives
mean a theoretical additional cost of 35 to 40 million euros on a yearly
basis.
Selling Prices
Up to the present, Deceuninck has not been able to offset the rise in
raw material prices completely by an increase of its selling prices. Between
the announcement of a price increase and the actual implementation, an
average of at least three months must elapse. Moreover, a number of customers
have put reserves into stock in anticipation of the increasing purchase
prices. In addition, prices of PVC resins have still continued to rise
during September and October. Deceuninck therefore decided to increase
its selling prices for the second time during the year. The price increase
will be 3 to 5 percent. It is expected that from February 2005, the said
price increase will have a positive impact on profit margins.
Markets
Up to and including September the volume sold is in line with the expected
internal volume growth of 8.5 to 10%. The first trends in the fourth quarter
however point to a stronger drop in building activity than originally
expected, in particular in the United States and Central Europe. This
weakening is even more noticeable because the second half of 2003 was
exceptionally strong in both these regions. The effect of hoarding in
Poland is still reverberating for longer than expected. America was under
the spell of the Presidential election and for the present, German building
activity has not yet substantially recovered. For the entire 2004, Deceuninck
expects an internal volume growth of between 7 and 8%.
Picture:
Honey Nightclub A two-storey Rochdale nightclub has been given a new lease
of life thanks to the installation of the innovative Décor ceiling
panels, supplied by Deceuninck approved stockist, MB Distribution, who
provide a full Décor range from their premises in Middlesborough
Operating result
The additional start-up and launch costs of Russia-, Zendow- and wood
composite product-related strategic projects as well as additional provisions,
needed in respect of new risks, have their impact on the results. Deceuninck
expects that through the advantages of synergy and increased selling prices,
the impact of higher raw material cost on operating result (EBIT) will
be limited to between 15 and 20 million euros.
Prospects
The second price increase and the accelerated streamlining of Deceuninck's
activities form a good basis for a better 2005 result. Moreover, the new
projects such as wood composite products and the turnover in Russia, will
start to bear fruit.
Deceuninck is an integrated group of world format, specialising in compounding,
design, development, extrusion, finishing, recycling and injection moulding
of PVCu systems and profiles for the building industry. The company is
active in more than 32 countries, has 23 subsidiaries (production and/or
sales) and is supported by 2740 personnel, 640 of them in Belgium and
900 at Thyssen Polymer. In 2003 the Deceuninck Group achieved consolidated
sales of 470 million euros (including 6 months consolidation of Thyssen
Polymer).
Glassex
2005 On-Line Pre-Registration goes Live
Practiced
regulars at Glassex will know that the benefits of registering in advance
to visit Glassex 2005 (NEC Birmingham U.K.13th – 16th March) are
well worth the few minutes it takes to fill in the on-line form, call
the Registration Hotline, or complete and return one of the thousands
of free tickets circulated before the event. All in the comfort of a visitor’s
own office or home.
Now, however, visitors will be able to make arrangements for their visit
even further in advance as the Glassex Registration Hotline and Web Site
go live eight weeks earlier than usual. The Glassex Fill-In and Forget
registration system brings a number of key benefits including advance
publicity about new products, exhibitors and other initiatives taking
place at Glassex 2005 including the Glassex Show Newsletter packed full
of new product information and latest news, and an exhibitor list/ floor
plan, to allow pre-planning a visit.
Still the most important concession however is the ability to sail past
the queues with a personalised Glassex visitor badge, saving anything
up to half an hour during the busiest times.
Register On-Line at http://www.glassex.com,
or to receive tickets call the Glassex Ticket Hotline on 0870 4294594
(from 1st December 2004). Alternatively return one of the thousands of
free tickets that will be appearing in the trade magazines over the next
few weeks.
Security
not Just for the Select Few
Midlands
based Status Systems fabricator, Select Windows, has entered into an exclusive
contract with hardware supplier Yale Door & Window Solutions, to purchase
high security door products. Commenting on the agreement, General Manager,
Dee Benning said, ‘As a business we are manufacturing high volumes
of doors for the retail, trade and commercial markets. Naturally, security
is a major selling point for our door products. We believe that aligning
Select Windows to the Yale® brand demonstrates our commitment to quality
and gives our customers added confidence in our door products.’
As an approved Yale® Supplier/Installer, Select Windows offers a ten
year guarantee on multi-point locking door hardware. Benning adds ‘To
celebrate our association with Yale®, we will fit free shoot bolts
on every door. This is the first of a series of major product initiatives
that we will be launching over the next few months in collaboration with
our primary supply partners. We are currently gearing up to launch the
Status Systems Zendow® range and as with our doors, we will be offering
a unique hardware proposition to match the quality and aesthetics of the
Zendow® product.’
Henkel
Combines Activities: Thomas Stein at the Helm
‘Assembly
Adhesives & Sealants’ if the newly-formed business line of Henkel's
industrial adhesives business. One of the three supporting pillars is
the insulating glass business, which has its headquarters at the Henkel
Teroson location in Heidelberg. The three market segments are General
Industry, Insulating Glass Industry and Cable & Electronics. Thomas
Stein (pictured), formerly in charge of the General Industry business
at Henkel Teroson, has taken over the function of the Director of the
Assembly business Europe.
He says: ‘Henkel - the world's market leader in adhesives - makes
its business lines fit for the challenge of ever faster changing markets.
This includes our definite commitment to the future of our insulating
glass industry business, relying on strong partners with strong brands.
This is why the new organisation provides a framework that is even better
than in the past. With innovative products on a high quality level and
meeting demanding environmental standards, - a synergy effect resulting
from research, development and, above all, the marketing of the globally
operating group. With an intensive service that, for the partners of TIG
Assembly, is a through pass towards market success: A team of 70 professionals
for technical advice and sales, together with the specialists for the
different market segments permits a significant increase in efficiency.
‘In the insulating glass market, we are a synonym of reliability
and continuity,’ says Thomas Stein. ‘The quality of both our
products and our partnership that has been recognised for decades, will
be continued without restriction and systematically improved.’
This claim is backed by the field staff with a sales organisation that
provides an even higher service quality for the partners in the insulating
glass industry: A system that makes the benefits of generalists and specialists
available to customers at the same time.
‘Where daily routine, ordering and delivery are concerned, our in-house
or field sales team is your contact; if, however, there are problems in
the production line or special technical requirements or specifications
of your customers are involved, then get in touch with our Technical Marketing
or Technical Customer Service or our product specialists’, says Dr.
Randolf Karrer (Technical Marketing).
‘Our staff will combine the competences of the three pillars that
support the Assembly business line, i.e. Insulating Glass Industry, General
Industry, and Cable&Electronics. Increased service intensity and improved
competence for solving problems will result at the same time. Market partners
are offered direct access to a broader product portfolio from one source.
For instance, the insulating glass manufacturer, which also produces photovoltaic
modules. The competence of the Assembly field staff is not restricted
to mere insulating glass applications, but extends further to the Macroplast
and MS polymer technology, which is successfully used in the production
of solar modules. Another example is the manufacturer that specialises
in the construction of complete solutions from one hand and can directly
benefit from Henkel Teroson's know-how in the production of sandwich elements
or in sealing. 'Opportunities exist to be used’, adds Thomas Stein.
Permasteelisa
Turns Corner with Increased Working Capital
Permasteelisa Group - which includes Josef Gartner - has approved Third-Quarter Financial Statements for the period January - September 30th, 2004. The consolidated value of production of the Group amounts to 650.8 million Euro, which corresponds to an increase of 3.2% when compared to the previous year maintaining the same consolidation criteria. The EBlT amounts to 36.9 Million compared to the 41.6 million Euro of September 2003. The consolidated profit before taxation amounts to 28.8 million Euro.
The net financial position improved from a negative 19.8 million Euro
as of June 2004 to a negative 8.7 million Euro as of September 2004, following
an improvement in working capital.
During the first nine months of 2004, orders secured totalled approximately
708 million Euro which corresponds to an increase of 8% compared to Septelnber
30th, 2003 while maintaining the same criteria and exchange rates. The
geographical distribution is more homogeneous when compared to the past;
the major markets remained the US (20%), the UK (11%), Germany (11%) with
a net increase of the company's presence in Asia, especially in Japan
(7.3%), Singapore (6%), China (6%) and United Arabian Emirates (3.3%).
The value of production is still affected by the weakness of the US Dollar
(and trade currencies linked to it) against the Euro; Maintaining the
same consolidation area and exchange rates, the increase would have been
4.8%. The main geographical areas were the USA (27.7%), UK(13.7%), Germany
(13.4%), Benelux (9.7%), ltaly (7.2%) and Australia (5.5%).
According to Group Chairman and Managing Director Enzo Pavan, 'The difficult
economic situation of the markets where we operate caused a decrease in
the value of EBIT, even though it remained at a good level (7.1%), when
not taking into consideration the effects of closing management works
before the acquisition, that caused considerable losses to the subsidiary
Glassalum during the first six months of 2004.
'On the basis of the current situation, the forecast for 2004 turnover
can be increased slightly compared to the previous year, following the
sale of the aluminium extrusion business as at December 31st 2003. The
operating margin should remain on the levels recorded during the first
nine months.
'The market continues to be affected by uncertainty, as a result recovery
is rather slow. Nevertheless, our Group is gaining market share and is
prepared to take advantage of the interesting opportunities that we are
expecting for 2005'
Bystronic
signs with Landglass China
Bystronic
glass and a Chinese company, Landglass Technology Co. Ltd., have signed
an agreement on future cooperation. This partnership was announced at
glasstec 2004 in Düsseldorf.
Bystronic is a supplier of economical and application-engineered manufacturing
equipment for architectural and automotive glass. Landglass is one of
the leading manufacturers of tempering and bending equipment in Asia.
Both companies will develop a tempering furnace system for flat and bent
glass that satisfies the requirements of the European market. This will
enable Bystronic to offer the complete system solution for all production
processes in the automotive and architectural glass sector, such as cutting,
insulating glass manufacturing, laminated glass manufacturing as well
as tempering and bending, from one partner.
Grenzebach's
New Premises in Shanghai
Grenzebach celebrated a further milestone in the company’s history by officially inaugurating new spacious premises for Grenzebach Machinery (Shanghai) Ltd. CEO Dr. Tao Wang welcomed many important representatives of the Chinese glass industry among the numerous guests which included senior management from the parent company in Hamlar, Germany. Company owner and Chairman of the Board, Mr. Rudolph Grenzebach, looked back at the long relationship between China and the Grenzebach company and wished the more than 90 staff members success with their work in the new manufacturing halls.
(Left):
Grenzebach Machinery Shanghai; (Right): Rudolph Grenzebach congratulates
CEO Dr. Tao Wang.
The Chinese affiliate will produce line components, while the core parts
such as controls will continue to be produced in Germany. Grenzebach Shanghai
will also provide installation and after-sales service for all equipment
delivered to the local market.
Tel: 0049 906 982 0
Email: mailto:info@grenzebach.com
Web: http://www.grenzebach.com
Increasing
Demand for Energy-Efficient Climatic Façades
The trend in façade construction is towards environmentally-friendly climatic façades. In view of high oil prices energy and operating costs of buildings can be reduced substantially. Josef Gartner GmbH is currently experiencing increasing demand for these high-tech façades.
To
date this year, Gartner has acquired new orders with a total value of
around €224 million. With a workforce numbering approximately 850
employees and a turnover of €304.4 million in 2003, the company –
head office: Gundelfingen an der Donau – is one of the world’s
leading façade manufacturers. Gartner will produce tailor-made
façades for the new North Rhine-Westphalian Bank in Düsseldorf,
BMW World in Munich, the Gate Precinct Buildings in Dubai and the International
Exhibition Centre at Hong Kong Airport.
'Gartner has good prospects since we are a technological leader and established
ourselves on the international market at an early stage. We have systematically
extended our position on the world market and achieve satisfactory earnings
on every market. Our patented façade structures accommodate, for
example, heating, ventilation, cooling, sun protection and light control
systems,' said Andreas Fauland, Managing Director of Gartner. 'We are
very much in vogue with our developments. That’s because there is
increasing demand both in Asia and Europe for façades with elements
that can be opened to provide natural ventilation in high-rise buildings.
Other trends include the integration of building services, decentral air-conditioning
units and interactive façades with LEDs whose transparency can
be controlled and which also act as a giant screen.' During the 'glasstec'
exhibition in Düsseldorf, Gartner therefore presented openable façade
elements from Uptown Munich and GAP 15 in Düsseldorf, as well as
a study on a steel façade at Citroen in Paris and a mock-up element
containing switchable LEDs.'
This year, Gartner has won several orders for large exhibition halls and
museums in Germany. For example, Gartner will produce a heatable façade
(area: 40,000 m2) for BMW World in Munich and a façade (area: 18,000
m2) containing around 1,700 glass elements for the Mercedes-Benz Museum
in Untertürkheim. Other new projects in Germany include the new North
Rhine-Westphalian Bank building in Düsseldorf, the Main Triangle
in Frankfurt and the reconstruction of the Schrannen Hall in Munich. In
Düsseldorf Gartner is currently erecting façades on GAP 15
and on the Hotel Interconti on Königsallee.
The
company now achieves around two thirds of its turnover abroad, where Gartner
has expanded rapidly in the past few years. Up until a few years ago,
Gartner primarily supplied aluminium façades all over the world.
The demand for steel façades is now rising, especially in the United
States. New orders in North America include, for example, the Pierpont
Morgan Library in New York, the Californian Academy of Sciences in San
Francisco and the futuristic Renaissance Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in
Toronto. Other opportunities are opening up for Gartner due to the trend
towards innovative, energy-efficient and increasingly more complex building
shapes. The Chinese market with its continuing economic growth offers
the biggest opportunities in Asia. Gartner's current façade orders
in Asia are the Office Building of Dongsi CNOOC in Beijing, the International
Exhibition Centre in Hong Kong, Hermes Dosan Park in Seoul and the German
Embassy in Tokyo. The Middle East is a new market for Gartner. In Qatar,
for example, Gartner is erecting a steel and glass façade with
roof cladding for the Al Sadd Sports Club in Doha and a façade
with an area of 90,000 m2 for the Gate Precinct Building in Dubai.
In spite of declining building activity, the United Kingdom is still the
most important market for Gartner in European countries outside Germany.
For example, Gartner is cladding the largest new construction project
in London, the Esso Glen office building on Cardinal Place, which features
a façade with an area of 38,500 m2 and comprises 27 different façade
types. Gartner is also erecting a façade with an area of 32,000
m2 on the Civil Justice Centre in Manchester. In France the company is
producing a complex steel façade for the Citroen Communication
Centre in Paris. Gartner will also install a double-skin façade,
ventilated double-skin windows and an enamelled steel sheet façade
on the Dexia Bil building in Luxemburg.
In the field of research and development Gartner is working both on improvements
in natural ventilation and better use of daylight and on the integration
of building services such as heating and cooling via façades. Two
years ago, for example, the company developed a prefabricated aluminium
façade with an integrated water course, which can replace a heating
system either partially or completely. Gartner also develops specific
solutions for the façade in every outstanding construction project.
That’s because with façades by star architects such as Norman
Foster a large number of technical innovations must be designed in detail
and tested extensively.
WHS
Halo Creating more Windows of Opportunity
WHS
Halo has already invested nearly £20 million in its north-east Birmingham
sites over the last decade. Now the company plans to extend its manufacturing
and administration centres.
Managing director Winston Duguid says:
'We are always trying to make our operations more efficient. If we get
planning permission for the new space we will be able to move people from
rented accommodation in the area and centralise them on our site,'
'We will also be able to increase our production capability to cope with
the ever increasing demand, particularly from our public sector customers,
for window profile.'
The expansion will add around 140 full-time jobs to the current workforce
- at Minworth and in a smaller sister company in Coventry - of just under
500-strong.
More than 170 jobs have been created since the 1994 merger purely through
organic growth.
'Our balance sheet is now sufficiently strong to permit us to look seriously
at possible purchases.'
WHS Halo Systems now produces profile for more than 20 per cent of the
public sector market for PVCu windows, with Birmingham, Glasgow, Sheffield
and several London boroughs among its biggest customers. Earlier this
year, WHS Halo signed a five-year supply deal with Shelforce.
New
Dealers Turn to K2 for Head Start in the Market
K2
has widened its distribution network with the addition of two new dealers
to its portfolio. 'The two dealers, Nu Homes and Conservatory Roof Options,
are both new fabricators, demonstrating the appeal of K2's reputation
for quality products and excellent service to ambitious start ups eager
to get established in a competitive marketplace.' comments Paul Carter,
Sales Manager at K2.
'Neither Nu Homes nor Conservatory Roof Options are new to the conservatory
industry. Nu Homes has been in the fabrication business for 18 years,
with both companies having ambitious targets for growth. Their decision
to become dealers for K2 product demonstrates once again that K2's approach
to leading the marketplace in terms of both product development and commitment
to customer service is attracting the most dynamic operators in the sector.'
Both Nu Homes and Conservatory Roof Options are based in Staffordshire,
the first K2 dealers in the county. Nu Homes began as an installation
company which previously used various conservatory roofing systems. The
company has opted to stock the K2 system exclusively in its new venture
as a fabricator.
Explains Mark Loveland of Nu Homes: 'As an installer we had always been
impressed with the functionality of K2's products and the quality result
they provide for homeowners. Added to this was K2's impressive track record
on order fulfilment and the fact that they are simply nice people to deal
with. When we decided to expand the business into roof fabrication K2
was the clear choice as our roofing system supplier.'
Nu Homes and Conservatory Roof Options will be offering the full K2 range
including the L2 In A Pack modular system and Celsius Glass. K2 has expanded
its distribution network considerably for L2 In Pack both through its
existing dealer network and through building and plastics merchants including
Magnus, Nu Stock and IFI.
Paul Carter adds: 'K2 is undergoing a period of controlled expansion by
growing our distribution network at a sustainable rate. In this way we
can ensure that more Installers are able to source our products locally
while continuing to achieve consistently high service levels and generating
revenue that is ploughed back into new product development.'
Record
Number of Companies Join New Door & Hardware Federation
A
record number of new members have joined the Door and Hardware Federation
since it was created by the amalgamation of the two leading associations
in the door and hardware industries.
There are now 175 members in the DHF and yet more companies are applying
to join, according to federation chairman Richard Warom. He was speaking
at the annual meeting of the DHF.
'At last this federation is a force to be reckoned with in the door and
hardware sectors,' said Mr Warom. 'There’s been a significant boost
in membership which has greatly increased the strength and influence of
the federation and made us the true voice of the industry.'
The meeting heard that the boost in membership was largely down to the
successful promotion of the benefits of joining the federation carried
out by Derek Smith, DHF chief executive officer. In particular he made
companies aware of how the federation could help them to comply with new
legislation.
Mr Smith, who masterminded the amalgamation of the Door and Shutter Manufacturers’
Association and Association of Building Hardware Manufacturers to form
the new federation, officially announced his retirement at the annual
meeting. Mr Warom praised Mr Smith for his outstanding contribution to
the industry and his vision in creating the DHF. Members had the opportunity
of meeting their new chief executive officer, Ian Wood.
Reviewing the federation’s achievements of the past 12 months, Mr
Warom said: 'Our new federation has accomplished a great deal in a short
period of time. As well as the historic amalgamation of the DSMA and ABHM
to form the federation, we have successfully introduced - after years
of campaigning and hard work - the first door industry-specific National
Vocational Qualification for door installers and repairers. This will
significantly raise quality and training standards in our industry.'
He told the meeting that the DHF has been helping its members to meet
the new CE marking challenge by holding a series of seminars. The CE marking
of industrial, commercial and garage doors and gates under the Construction
Products Directive is now available.
'Specifiers of industrial and commercial doors and shutters are now demanding
CE marks on the products - but only those companies which have had their
doors tested will be allowed to display the CE mark. DHF members’
early adoption of CE marking is giving them a distinct commercial advantage,'
said Mr Warom.
At the meeting Mr Warom, managing director of Hormann UK Ltd was re-elected
as chairman of the DHF for a further year. Members elected Andrew Lloyd,
managing director of Bolton Gate Co Ltd, as vice chairman.
Tel: 01827 52337
Saint-Gobain
Refinances Two Existing Credit Facilities with A 5-Year €2.0 Billion
Syndicated Loan Facility
Compagnie
de Saint-Gobain has announced that the syndication of its €1.8 billion
5-year syndicated loan facility launched on October 12th has closed successfully.
The transaction was well oversubscribed with €3.5 billion in bank
commitments, allowing Saint-Gobain to increase the size of the facility
to €2.0 billion. The facility was signed on November 17th, 2004.
The new facility will replace the €600 million syndicated facility
maturing in September 2006 and the €1.2 billion syndicated facility
maturing in November 2007, and will be available for general corporate
purposes including Commercial Paper backstop. The facility is expected
to remain undrawn.
The syndication has been supported by a strong group of 25 international
banks, underlying Saint-Gobain’s appeal in the credit markets.
ABN AMRO Bank N.V., BNP Paribas, Calyon, CCF, J.P. Morgan PLC and Société
Générale Corporate and Investment Banking ('SGCIB') were
appointed as Mandated Lead Arrangers ; BNP Paribas, J.P. Morgan PLC and
SGCIB acted as Joint-Bookrunners for the syndication ; Calyon acted as
documentation agent and is Facility Agent for the new facility.
The following banks participated as arrangers : Bank of America NA, Paris
Branch, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Citibank, Crédit Suisse First
Boston International, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., The Royal Bank of Scotland
PLC, Crédit Mutuel – CIC, Fortis Banque France, ING, Mediobanca,
Santander Central Hispano S.A., Paris Branch; and as co-arrangers : Banca
Intesa, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, IXIS Corporate & Investment
Bank, Commerzbank, Dresdner Bank AG Niederlassung Luxemburg, PNC Bank
National Association, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ), UBS Limited.
Wacker
Optimises the Group's Structure
Effective
January 1st, 2005, Wacker-Chemie GmbH is realigning its operative organisation.
In future, the Group will have five independent business divisions active
in the marketplace. The realignment’s goal is to make even better
use of the existing market and technology opportunities for chemicals,
as well as to develop promising new growth sectors.
Thus, today’s Wacker Specialities will be split into two business
divisions. Wacker’s construction-sector polymer activities and its
functional polymers business will be combined to form Wacker Polymers.
The focus of Wacker Fine Chemicals will be fine chemicals and biotechnology.
At Wacker Silicones, the fumed silica business – previously part
of the 'Advanced Materials' Business Unit – will be turned into a
separate 'Silica' Business Unit. The Wacker Polysilicon unit, in which
hyperpure silicon is produced for the semiconductor and solar industries,
becomes a business division in its own right.
President & CEO Dr. Peter-Alexander Wacker said: 'This organisational
realignment is a further decisive step in implementing our Group’s
strategy to concentrate operational business on chemicals, the core sector.'
Dr. Wacker added that thanks to a stronger management focus, the new structure
would support the further expansion of growth sectors such as biotechnology,
solar-grade polysilicon, fumed silica and organofunctional silanes. 'This
operative realignment simultaneously lays the groundwork for promoting
our young growth sectors even more effectively with the necessary investments
and resources,' emphasised Dr. Wacker.
Wackers’s future structure:
• Wacker Silicones Business Division (silicone fluids, emulsions,
elastomers and resins, silanes, fumed silica). President: Dr. Christoph
von Plotho.
• Wacker Polymers Business Division (redispersible powders,
construction dispersions, powder binders, solid resins based on vinyl
acetate polymers, polyvinyl butyrals, vinyl chloride polymers). President:
Arno von der Eltz.
• Wacker Fine Chemicals Business Division (fine chemicals
and biotech products such as cyclodextrins, cystine and cysteine). President:
Dr. Gerhard Schmid.
• Wacker Polysilicon Business Division (polycrystalline silicon
and chlorosilanes). President: Ewald Schindlbeck.
• Siltronic AG (hyperpure silicon wafers, float-zone and crucible-pulled
silicon monocrystals). Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Wilhelm Sittenthaler.
About Wacker
Wacker (http://www.wacker.com)
is a globally active chemical company based in Munich. The Group’s
portfolio focuses on semiconductor technology, silicone chemistry, polymer
chemistry, specialty chemicals and biotechnology, as well as polysilicon.
In 2003, Wacker generated EUR 2.5 billion in sales, of which around 80
percent were achieved outside of Germany. Wacker has 15,600 employees
at 22 production sites in Europe, America and Asia, as well as 100 sales
offices worldwide. Wacker is 51-percent owned by Dr. Alexander Wacker
Familiengesellschaft mbH, Munich and 49-percent owned by Aventis S.A.,
Strasbourg, France.
Five
Specialist Divisions Now Under One Roof
The
new bespoke headquarters building totalling some 7, 500m2 in all at Hitchin
is an exciting development for Dorma UK Limited in a number of ways. The
three-storey office and adjoining warehouse houses all the main operating
divisions and distribution under one roof for the first time, resulting
in opportunities for improved teamwork, more efficient communication between
departments and the general control advantages of being on one site, particularly
improved customer service.
There are five main Dorma UK operating divisions now working out of the
new Hitchin headquarters:
• Door Hardware
A comprehensive range of door closers, door furniture, locks, floor springs,
fire protection systems and panic hardware.
• Automatic Doors
An extensive range of automatic sliding and swing doors is available,
including folding and space-saving doors where circumstances demand. Dorma
also offers a wide choice of manual and automatic revolving doors, along
with low energy door operators.
• Glass Systems and Fittings
Architectural glass systems such as horizontal sliding walls (HSW), Manet
and Rodan are complemented by a comprehensive range of patch fittings,
rails and locks, door sets, shower enclosures and glass cubicles.
• Movable Walls
The Dorma range of movable wall systems offers a solution for practically
every situation – from movable sound-insulated partitions for auditoria
and large halls to sliding glass panel frontages and divider systems for
commercial and retail environments.
• Door Service and Maintenance
The company provides a nationwide, but tailored local resource for the
servicing and maintenance of all automatic, manual and industrial doors,
as well as the supply and fitting of access control systems and windows.
Tel: 01462 477600
Email: mailto:info@dorma-uk.co.uk