News @ The GL@ZINE

New Year Diet? Make a PIG of Yourself

By way of a top-up following the Christmas binge and before the beer-fest that is Glassex, the next PIGS networking event is on 3 February at The Slug & Lettuce, Upper St. Martins Lane, London from 6pm till late. For the newcomers, take the tube to Leicester Square. Come out of the Covent Garden exit, go to the top of Cranbourne Street and turn left on to Upper St. Martins Lane. The Slug & Lettuce is on the left, next door to Stringfellows. This informal get together is open to all and provides an opportunity for people connected to advertising and publicity in the glazing market, to meet and network.

The last PIGS event on 4 November 2004, attracted an eclectic mix of editors, media sales bods, agency types and clients from all parts of the glass and fenestration industry. A good time was enjoyed by all, due in no small part to the generosity of our drinks sponsors; the larger-than-life Paul 'Vast PR'Godwin, the correspondingly physically diminutive Lesley 'Grenehurst' Hancock and Dave Broxton, flying 'The fat bloke from DJB Marketing' flag. Drinks sponsorship amounts to throwing £100 behind the bar to lubricate the glazing industry’s finest. If you would like to be a PIGS Night drinks sponsor, please contact Dave Broxton by email at djbmarketing@blueyonder.co.uk.

Our three completely uncoerced sponsors for the February event are the team from Window Fabricator & Installer magazine, the PIGS regulars from Chrome Consulting and the old-hands with the new magazine, Windows Active. Make a note in your diaries, forward this info to all your friends in the business and let’s get 2005 off to the best possible start.

New £5m Distribution Centre at Deceuninck's Calne Site

Deceuninck is expanding its operation at the company’s UK headquarters based in Calne, Wiltshire. Having purchased 7 hectares (17 acres) of land and obtaining planning permission for 225,000 sqft, the company are constructing a new 115,000 sqft distribution development.

The new distribution centre is strategically located some 300 metres from the company’s main plant and will therefore centralise the Deceuninck warehousing facility that is currently spread over three sites, further improving logistics.

The modern distribution centre has been designed to accommodate maximum stillage usage and stock movement. The development also includes a dock leveller for customer collections and shipping container loading.

Deceuninck UK Technical Director, Peter Watts, who is co-ordinating the development, commented; 'This development is another example of our commitment to the future. We will we be able to offer our customers an even better service with our products being distributed from one centralised facility rather than three at present.'

In a further significant move, one elevation of the distribution centre will encompass the curtain walling system from Thyssen Polymer that was integrated into Deceuninck during 2004. The 132 metres long by 12 metres high elevation will be the first installation of its kind in the UK.

This first phase of the distribution centre represents a £5 million investment by Deceuninck. The new development is scheduled for completion by the summer on a fast track programme.

Shin-Etsu Increase European PVC Production by 100,000 Tons/Year

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. has announced that Shin-Etsu PVC B.V. in The Netherlands, will expand PVC production capacity at its Pernis Plant from 350,000 tons/year to 450,000 tons/year. Shin-Etsu PVC is Shin-Etsu Chemical's 100%-owned Group company and its European PVC production and sales base.

The expansion work will proceed in two phases after it starts shortly and is planned to finally be completed in October 2006. The investment amount required for this expansion plan is expected to be Euro 50 million (about 7 billion yen).

At the end of 1999, Shin-Etsu Chemical, acquired the VCM (vinyl chloride monomer)/PVC (polyvinyl chloride) business venture of Shell Chemical Ltd. and Akzo Nobel Chemical NV. From January of 2000, production and sales of VCM and PVC began under the newly named company Shin-Etsu PVC B.V., and right from the start this company has been contributing to the Shin-Etsu Group's profit growth.

With the prospect of growing demand for PVC in Europe in the future, Shin-Etsu PVC B.V. has decided to expand its plant. Shin-Etsu PVC's present production capacity is 440,000 tons/year including 90,000 tons provided by Neste Co., Finland, where production is consigned. With this expansion and improvement of its plant in Pernis, Shin-Etsu PVC will further increase its PVC production efficiency, which will result in an increase of the company's production capacity to 540,000 tons/year.

Previously, in November 2003, Shin-Etsu PVC expanded its VCM (vinyl chloride monomer) production capacity from 500,000 tons/year to 620,000 tons/year.

Shin-Etsu PVC accurately anticipated the needs of its European customers, and with its powerful sales capabilities, almost full production and good sales have continued for the past four years. After the completion of the present expansion of production capacity, the company is considering to even further increase its PVC production capacity.

In Europe, bullish growth is anticipated in the demand for PVC in the future in such application areas as window frames that are sought after for their insulating quality as an energy-saving countermeasure, as well as for applications in water and sewage pipes.

Shin-Etsu Chemical is producing PVC using a tripolar production structure of the U.S., Europe and Japan, and its total PVC production capacity has reached 3.23 million tons/year, making Shin-Etsu the world's largest PVC maker. Shin-Etsu Chemical recently announced that their U.S. Group company Shintech Inc., its core PVC manufacturing base in the U.S., would construct large integrated manufacturing facilities for electrolysis, VCM and PVC. This construction is being carried out in two phases: one in 2006 and the other in 2007, and will increase Shintech's PVC production capacity from 2.04 million tons/year to 2.64 million tons/year.

Pilkington, one of the market's longest-standing bid candidates, saw a flurry of speculation ln the stock exchange last week. The stock jumped 6.6 per cent to 125.5p in heavy trading, with 36.4 m shares changing hands. The volume was the highest for over 2 years. The glassmaker downplayed the speculation, saying it was not in any bid talks. However, traders said bid rumours were likely to persist, particularly of private equity interest in the company. 'The Pilkington rumours do the rounds with great regularity' said one trader.

Pilkington was a City talking point as bid chatter sent the shares surging to 138.75p in afternoon trading. The talk was that Nippon Steel, or Nippon Sheet Glass - the largest shareholder with a 20.6p stake - would be willing to pay 150p a share. However, Pilkington gave up much of the gains after finance director Iain Lough said 'We are not in talks with anyone. We are watching the stock like everyone else and it is market speculation'. The market activity, which also affected other stocks in the Construction sector, is believed to have been sparked by reports of a bid for Aggregate Industries.

Numis Securities poured more cold water on takeover speculation. 'We would view a bid for Pilkington as highly unlikely, and would question why Nippon would be willing to pay 150p for the shares now, when they were trading around the 90p level in October/November.'

The new polycarbonate cutting table recently installed by Synseal Extrusions Ltd is the only one in the country.

‘The table has replaced two separate machines to improve efficiency,’ explains Steve Musgrave, Production Director of Synseal.

‘The new machine never needs to be idle as one bed can be loaded while the other is being cut.

The company that built the twin bed table had received no interest in it because other companies just don’t cut enough volume to warrant it.

In contrast, Synseal was cutting 120 polycarbonate sheets per day into 1200 pieces, so we put the idea into action. It has more than justified its investment.’

Tel: 01623 443 200
Web: http://www.synseal.com

Well known as a brand while remaining one of the more discreet operators of the UK conservatory industry, Wendland Roof Solutions is now stepping from the shadows to reveal a number of business and product initiatives.

In a statement made during a visit by the press to Wendland’s new 100,000 sq ft head office facilities in Quedgeley, Gloucester when a number of new product initiatives were also revealed, managing director Graham Fisher spelled out the company’s objectives. These objectives were established following 18 months of strategic planning, and the creation of what is now an impressive infrastructure.

‘2004 was a year of investment at Wendland – with a new management structure, together with new manufacturing, research & development, sales, training and customer services infrastructures designed to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing conservatory industry,’ said Graham.

‘The very substantial investment that has been made in Wendland follows a detailed review of the industry, the market for conservatory systems, our existing resources, and what was required to become the benchmark for the industry. The Wendland Roof Solutions that exists today has been created from what was basically a sound company with excellent products, to one that will become a market leader in the sector, setting standards that others should follow.

‘Wendland has an established and deserved reputation for technical excellence and, with the new products and other initiatives being revealed during the next few months, we will enhance that reputation. Now, we will also set benchmarks in every other aspect of our business. Wendland has a more focused approach, the results of which now allow us to achieve Complete On Time Delivery consistently in excess of 99%, figures that are calculated using our full product list, not just products in stock. This figure is exceptional for industry per se, but especially the conservatory roof sector.

‘2005 will see Wendland become a more rounded solutions provider with a number of unique and dynamic product and support offerings, something that we have demonstrated with the launch of three new products at the beginning of the year. All have been developed in direct response to demands by our customers, and the market, and will support our strategy of providing competitive pricing across the board, and products at all price points and for all sub sectors.

We therefore kick off the New Year with some key products that we expect to have an impact not just on our business, but also in the market place generally: Modual – a revolutionary modular low pitch roof solution that has already found exceptional favour amongst a number of our customers in trials; Sympla – the next generation in conservatory software, offering genuine integration by being the first piece of software that can be utilised by salesman, surveyor and fabricator; and Sundyal – a roof system that offers the appearance and function of a more conventional house extension, but with the simplicity of design and build offered by conservatories.

‘At Wendland we also understand that we will achieve success for ourselves and our customers by working with them as true partners and we will be revealing other developments during the year that are designed to ensure Wendland becomes the business model for the conservatory roof systems sector, built on World Class standards set for all industries.’

Concluding his statement the Wendland MD added: ‘What we have achieved here at Wendland is the result of a very real commitment in cash and resources, and we must now demonstrate during the next few months that what we have announced is not simply rhetoric, but tangible, working solutions, and a commitment to become, and be seen to be, a leader in the conservatory roof systems market. We will not be second best in what we do, or how we do it.’

GQA is the occupationally specific Awarding Body for NVQ/SVQ qualifications aimed at Fabricators, Glass Manufacturers, Glass Processors, Glaziers, Installers, Fenestration Surveyors and Automotive Glaziers.

Approximately 25,000 individuals have registered on GQA competence based qualifications coinciding with 25 years of Glassex. Nominally half of the registered candidates have achieved and been awarded a GQA qualification with a significant number of those being ‘building’ related NVQs.

As an important part of the UK national qualifications framework and its work with the glass sector to raise occupational standards and award competence based qualifications, it seemed appropriate that GQA should be the major sponsor of the 2005 Glassex Challenge and to take a stand at the exhibition.

Allan Murray, Chief Executive of the GQA, feels that there is a close synergy between his organisation and the aims of the Glassex Challenge:
‘We were impressed with the quality of the Glassex Challenge event and the quality of workmanship demonstrated. I believe that events such as this encourage better standards of work within the industry, something that we also strive for constantly. It is this common interest that led us to consider sponsorship of the event.’

Stephen Redman, Glassex Event Manager, is delighted that the GQA has come forward to sponsor the next Challenge in 2005:
‘Glassex, as the industry’s leading event, has a responsibility to help nurture the future health of the industry. Better standards of work and higher qualifications can only benefit this industry, and the GQA has long recognised this. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the organisation to help encourage high standards of workmanship through the Glassex Challenge.’

GQA, based in Sheffield can be contacted via email mailto:info@gqaqualifications.com or its website http://www.glassqualificationsauthority.com or via its stand A024 in hall 20.

The British Plastics Federation is encouraging all firms in the plastics industry to learn how the forthcoming Futures Contracts for plastics traded on the London Metal Exchange (LME) could affect their business.

On 27th May 2005, the LME is launching Futures Contracts for LLDPE and PP. As with non-ferrous metals which have been traded on the LME since 1877, LME aims to enable market participants to 'hedge' their risks by locking in a future price months in advance.

The BPF and LME are jointly running a workshop on 9th February 2005 in London, to address the issues faced by the plastics industry in relation to managing price risk volatility – only a few places remain. BPF’s Director of Public and Industrial Affairs Philip Law said, 'All aspects of the plastics supply chain – those involved in finance, procurement and sales functions in producers, manufacturers, processors and distributors, will all find benefit in gaining a detailed understanding of how the LME plastics Futures Contracts will actually work.'

Philip Law added: 'It is vital that the industry is fully aware of the potential significance of this development and can evaluate its relevance to their business and the industry as a whole.'

The LME has been working closely with the BPF in order to familiarise itself with the plastics industry and to engage with relevant business groups.

Law concluded: 'The BPF views this innovation as one to watch closely, particularly following the launch of the Contracts. The use of this price risk tool will have consequences which the industry needs to fully understand.'

'LME Futures Contracts in the Plastics Sector' is a comprehensive workshop run jointly by the London Metal Exchange and the British Plastics Federation. It takes place on 9th February 2005 at the Millennium Hotel in Mayfair, London. To find out more go to: http://www.bpf.co.uk/bpftools/LME_Futures.cfm. Please note: only a few places remain available for this event at the time of writing.

Two new price lists that will allow stockists to offer discounts to installers 'at a realistic level' are being introduced by Celuform, the PVC-ue building products manufacturer.

'The Specifier List features our premium brands and products which tend to be used on contracts and new build sites,' said Ged Ferris, Celuform's marketing manager.

'The Basics List covers the 'every day, off-the-shelf' items. By separating the range into two distinct categories, our distributors will be able to make faster and more transparent price offers. Also, it will help stockists to suggest the most appropriate profile for his customer's requirements.'

The decision to create two lists is a strategic one to minimise the effect of more than 20 increases in the price of raw materials that Celuform and other manufacturers have seen in the past 18 months. Most of the higher costs have been absorbed by the company. However, there are no indications that, for example, resin costs are going to decrease. Rather than just keep raising prices, Celuform decided to take a more constructive approach.

Celuform supplies building product stockists throughout Europe and the UK with cellular plastic cladding, fascia, soffit and windowboards.

Tel: 01622 719199
Web: http://www.celuform.co.uk

GAP, the standard setting roofline stockist and Europe’s third largest door panel manufacturer, has relocated to even bigger premises in Liverpool. The company has invested over £1 million, more than doubling the warehouse space to 14,500 ft2.

Karl Owen, depot Manager, explains how the move has already improved customer service: ‘The new Liverpool Depot has a bigger stock base, making more products available for collection and next day delivery – no mean feat when you consider GAP stocks 3101 products!

There’s better parking too making it easier to collect orders. We have been open since June and our customers have been impressed by the new warehouse. We have recorded the best sales figures we’ve ever seen and it’s not even officially open yet.’

Contact: Mark Simm
Tel: 01254 682888
Email: mailto:simmy@gap.uk.com

The first commercial windows to be approved by LPCB to LPS 1175 - 'Specification for testing and classifying the burglary resistance of components, strongpoints and security enclosures' - are Selectaglaze Ltd's Series 50* Level 1 and 2 secondary glazing units (security ratings 1 and 2 respectively).

'This approval shows that, with careful design, the approval of glazing products to LPS 1175 is indeed possible' says Carol Atkinson, Managing Director of LPCB, 'and never has there been a greater need for specifiers to have the added assurance that third party approval provides'.

LPS 1175 is based on manual attack testing and defines six levels of resistance. These are measured in terms of attack tools and time available to the attacker, and enables specifiers to select products according to the risk. Details regarding the grading system and attack tools can be found in the standard itself, which can be downloaded from the LPCB website at http://www.redbooklive.com.

The approval of commercial windows shows the widening range of products that can be approved to LPS 1175, including cladding systems, fences and walls, fixed grilles, folding doorsets, garage doors, roofing systems, sheds and tool stores, sky lights, strongpoints and enclosures, temporary buildings, vehicles and windows.

* Series 50 - security side hung casement units.

Web: http://www.selectaglaze.co.uk

Yorkshire-based County Systems, which says that it has carved a reputation for its 'We do more, so you do less' method of manufacturing Ultraframe conservatory roofs, is investing half a million pounds over the coming year to offer its trade installer customers a complete package of quality roofs, conservatories, windows and doors. And the company is taking a prestigious stand at Glassex 2005 to tell the industry all about it.

Conscious that the marketplace has dramatically changed in recent years; where trade installers appreciated a specialist expert roof provider like County, and were happy to source roofs, frames and glass from different suppliers. Today's market is radically different, where time, ease of control, accountability and wanting just one point of contact are major factors in the smooth running of a business, a one stop shop facility with the right supplier is hugely attractive and also means that purchasing power can be maximised... hence County Systems change in direction.

[L to R] Managing Director David Gallagher, Factory Manager Ryan Hulme, Production Manager Stuart Allen & Sales & Marketing Manager Sean Cronin

Sean Cronin, sales and marketing manager, is working closely with David Gallagher, County's managing director to head the massive expansion project, which is aimed to more than quadruple County's current annual turnover over the next few years.

County has committed itself to the quality end of the conservatory and window market, by marrying three of the biggest names in the industry together as the company's raw material suppliers, using Ultraframe for roofs, Veka for conservatory frames, windows and doors using Veka's latest 70mm double sculptured profile, and Pilkington Glass for sealed units.

'But it's more than just bald figures and names,' comments Sean. 'We don't just give lip service to our logo 'We do more, so you do less' - we actually live it. In the past six months, I've only had to deal with a handful of customer complaints. And the majority of these have been of a fitting nature, but we are quick to hold up our hands and admit a mistake where it is our fault, and in either case, to move heaven and earth to work with our customer to rectify the problem quickly and professionally so the end customer continues to have that feel-good experience.

'This is why we have signed up as a Network Veka fabricator, we know full well the benefits and peace of mind the guarantee offered by Network Veka has on a customer. Joining Network Veka is an important factor in our decision to use Veka for our frames and windows, as it offers our trade customers a fairly unique selling point that is all about quality and service.

'County Systems has always gone that extra mile to look after its customers and that will always be the case. We offer little extras that all add up to make our package the best available, such as fitting bronze space bar on all our sealed units as standard, on our roofs we install conservatory eave flow ventilation, fit the roof cresting to the capping, glaze the polycarbonate into roof vents, fit bar end brackets and will fit box gutter adaptors in the factory all at no extra charge, all adding to our belief that 'We do more, so you do less''

Adds David, 'It's all about the industry recognising that County Systems is making a serious commitment to being a major quality supplier. Existing customers already know the lengths we will go to satisfy them and their customers - soon we hope that the entire industry will know that County Systems is a byword for reliability, quality, service, and value for money. Our exhibiting at Glassex is the start of that journey.'

In closing, David and Sean extended an open invitation to any installer 'who is looking for the finest quality products, exciting additional associated products, second to none customer care, on-time delivery and scrupulous attention to detail, all at competitive prices;' to come and see them on the County stand at Glassex, stand C110, opposite the Silver Bar.

Tel: 01709 820088
Email: mailto:sean@county-systems.com
Web: http://www.county-systems.com

Complaints objecting to an advertisement, in Architect, Builder, Contractor & Developer magazine, for the 'Fenestrator' window hardware equipment issued by Mighton Products t/a Ultrashoe of Saffron Walden, Essex was not upheld according to published details from the Advertising Standards Authority.

Public Complaints From: Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Leicestershire, North Somerset, Perthshire, Staffordshire, Surrey

Complaint:
Objections to an advertisement, in Architect, Builder, Contractor & Developer magazine, for the 'Fenestrator' window hardware equipment. The advertisement showed a blonde woman, wearing lingerie, opening a window. The advertisement was headlined 'Fenestrator' and stated 'Makes opening sash windows a breeze for the elderly, the disabled and the blonde.' The complainant, a woman who worked within the construction industry, objected that the advertisement was gratuitous, sexist and offensive, because it used an outdated gender stereotype to sell the advertisers' product.

Adjudication:
Complaints not upheld
The advertisers said they were not referring to the 'dumb blonde' stereotype and that most intelligent people recognised that hair colour alone did not denote whether a person was intelligent or not. They said the picture of the scantily clad woman and the humourous text accompanying the picture were used to draw attention to the advertisement. The advertisers pointed out that advertisements appeared in the builders press which showed builders with 'Builders Bum' and that that stereotype was recognised as humourous by most mature readers.

The publishers said Architect, Builder, Contractor and Developer was a business to business magazine that was supplied to a broad cross-section of the building industry. They believed no one on their staff found the advertisement offensive.

The Authority noted that the advertisers intended the advertisement to be humourous. It considered that the advertisement was unlikely to cause serious or widespread offence to the readers of Architect, Builder, Contractor & Developer magazine

Conservatory, window and door specialist, Global Windows Ltd, has opened its fourth show site after another successful year. The largest window company in Sheffield has a lot to celebrate: 2004 saw Global join the Ultraframe Registered Conservatory Installers’ Scheme, collect a Sheffield Business Award for outstanding customer service, and achieve 96% customer satisfaction in a survey by the Independent Warranty Association.

Russell Hulme, Managing Director of Global Windows, explained: 'Everyone at Global knows we strive to stand out from our competitors by delivering the best possible customer service, so it is particularly rewarding to have gained independent recognition of this on numerous occasions in the last year.'

He continued: 'Joining the Ultraframe Registered Conservatory Installers’ Scheme is an important accreditation for us. It demonstrates that we have passed the scheme’s thorough vetting process and reassures homeowners we are a responsible company, committed to delivering high standards of workmanship. It gives our company name the technical backing of the industry leader in conservatory roofing systems, and means our fitters attend annual technical and product training at the Ultraframe School of Excellence. It also shows that we provide potential conservatory buyers with the correct advice and information regarding building regulations and other important legislative influences, which could have an impact on the value of their property.'

As well as giving homeowners complete confidence, Global anticipates further business benefits with increased customer leads generated through the scheme from Ultraframe’s consumer marketing campaigns.

In 2004 Global also achieved success in becoming the first window company to collect a Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Business Award. It was judged against hundreds of businesses from South Yorkshire and awarded Highly Commended for its efforts to ensure total customer satisfaction. Judges were impressed with Global’s professional and honest approach to sales and their committed after sales service, including a regular newsletter, ‘The Globe’, designed to keep customers informed of product developments, industry regulations and maintenance issues.

Finally Global had the added bonus of achieving 96% in a customer satisfaction assessment by the Independent Warranty Association.

Congratulating Global on its successes, Linda Doughty, Marketing Director at Ultraframe, said: 'Staff at Global should feel very proud of themselves. They have achieved remarkable results in terms of customer service and satisfaction which is why Global is exactly the type of company that Ultraframe is only too pleased to partner. In the past year Global has invested in highly skilled fitting teams and sales support staff, and the awards they have received recently are a direct result of their commitment to customer service and quality.'

Russell Hulme commented: 'Being sole suppliers of Ultraframe conservatory roofing systems is a crucial factor in our success. The company has an unrivalled reputation in the industry for outstanding design and technological advancement which guarantees our ability to offer customers the very latest high performance conservatory roofs. Delivering a product of high quality is a business principle that fits perfectly with our philosophy of excellence in customer service.'

The new show site based at Birley Moor Garden Centre near Mosborough, Sheffield, is an example of Global’s determination to invest and build on its current success. Six conservatories featuring Ultraframe roofing systems are on display at the centre.

Russell Hulme said: 'We believe that the best way to present conservatories is in their ‘natural’ environment within real light conditions so visitors can really see how a conservatory can enhance their home. This is why garden centres are ideal. Like our other show sites, our new conservatory and window village shows off our wide product range in an attractive, outdoor setting. We are looking forward to welcoming new customers from the south of Sheffield and north Derbyshire to this excellent site over the coming months.'

For more information on Global Windows Ltd call freephone 0800 0647080 or visit http://www.global-windows.co.uk.

Revamped testing procedures, designed to ensure that vinyl window profiles used by AAMA-certified window and door manufacturers are lead-free, have been approved by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), and began on January 1st, 2005, according to Dean Lewis, AAMA's Manager of Product Certification. The procedure changes apply to both domestic and offshore extruders of vinyl profiles, as well as to AAMA-accredited testing laboratories and Iicensees of the AAMA certification programme. Those licensed extruders found to be in noncompliance to the new AAMA 109-04 procedures can be fined up to $250,000, and will be de-listed from the programme. Offshore extruders are required to meet all of these conditions to be certified in the AAMA programme, plus their profiles must be marked with the country of origin.

Key to the new AAMA certification process is a lead content test using lead-check swabs, noted Lewls. 'One sample of each profile design and colour found in the plant must be tested for lead content during the unannounced AAMA inspections, which take place twice a year,' he added. 'As an additional safeguard, the lead-check test will be routinely conducted by AAMA-accredited laboratories whenever they test a window, door or skylight assembly - whether for AAMA certification or not,' Lewis continued.

Another change to the programme, according to Lewis, is the requirement for a new licensee to complete a12-month weathering test, versus the six-month test period that was required for lisensee applicants prior to July 1st 2004, Lewis noted that an exception exists for U.S. and Canadian profile producers who apply for admission to the programme prior to January 1st, 2005. 'These applicants will receive an interim certification, providing they are already using a weather-tested compound approved in the AAMA programme,' he stated.

All AAMA profile licensees are also required to provide a complete listing of their fabricator customers in North America. They are also encouraged to obtain written permisslon from non-certifying manufacturer customers, which allows AAMA's independent validator to conduct unannounced lead-check tests at the fabricator's plant.

For copies of the AAMA 109-04 document, email Dean Lewis, AAMA Certification Manager, at mailto:dlewis@aamanet.org.

Since its inception in 1936, AAMA has been the source of performance standards, product certification and educational programmes for the window, door and skylight industry.

16,372 companies failed during 2004, the second year in a row that company failures have fallen. This was the lowest number of corporate failures recorded across the UK since 1998. Even so, companies failed at the rate of 65 every working day during 2004.

However, Experian®, the global information solutions company, which compiled the figures, reported that company failures rose in the final three months of the year for the first time since the end of 2002 - 4,186 compared with 4,179 in the fourth quarter of 2003, a 0.2 per cent increase.

'While the annual fall is very welcome, the increase in company failures in the last three months of last year is a worrying sign and reflects the more difficult trading conditions brought about by higher oil prices, the weakness of the dollar and higher interest rates,' says Phil Cotter, Managing Director of Experian’s Business Information division.

'It may also indicate that many companies that took advantage of the provisions introduced in the Enterprise Act to give a breathing space for companies in financial difficulties, have proved impossible to rescue, resulting in compulsory liquidation.

'Under the new rules introduced in 2003, banks are no longer able to appoint a receiver; they can only appoint an administrator. As a result, it is now easier for companies to put themselves into administration to gain breathing space from their creditors and put measures in place to help prevent corporate failure. For some, the end result has been survival, but for others, compulsory liquidation is the result.'

Compulsory liquidations during the final quarter of 2004, October to December, rose from 1,150 to 1,252 - the first increase since the new legislation was introduced. Compulsory liquidations had fallen in each of the previous seven quarters, the last increase having been recorded during the first quarter of 2003. Despite the increase in the final quarter, overall compulsory liquidations during 2004 fell by 10 per cent.

Overall, taking all types of failure among limited companies into account in 2004, failures were down by 7 per cent compared with 2003 – 1,174 fewer than the 17,546 recorded in 2003.

In the period October to December 2004, the number of voluntary liquidations, receiverships and voluntary arrangements declined by 7 per cent, 28 per cent and 34 per cent respectively. However, compulsory liquidations and administration orders rose by 9 per cent and 76 per cent respectively.

During 2004 as a whole, voluntary liquidations, compulsory liquidations, receiverships and voluntary arrangements all recorded falls of more than 10 per cent, while administration orders more than doubled, a trend that began as the new legislation was introduced at the beginning of 2004.

18 out of the 34 industries surveyed by Experian recorded an increase in business failures in the fourth quarter of 2004. In the year as a whole, 17 industries suffered an increase in the number of corporate failures and 16 industries a decline.

The main increases in 2004 were in Building Materials (up 55 per cent), Insurance (up 43 per cent), Health and Household (up 39 per cent). Although low in absolute terms, the number of companies in the Building Materials sector that failed doubled in the last quarter. The highest increase in the final quarter of 2004 was recorded in the Post & Telecommunications sector – from 51 in Q4 2003 to 129 in Q4 2004, a rise of 150 per cent.

The most significant improvements among the 17 industry sectors where failures were down in 2004 were Information Technology (29 per cent), Food Manufacturing (26 per cent) and Media (22 per cent).

The Business Services sector recorded the highest number of failures in 2004, at 2,983, a decline of 80, or 3 per cent, on 2003. However, failures among companies in the sector rose by 3 per cent in the last three months of the year.

Regionally, Wales recorded the highest increase in business failures during the fourth quarter of 2004 – 44 per cent. Increases were also recorded in the City of London (up 5 per cent), South East (up 12 per cent), East Midlands (0.6 per cent), North West (3 per cent), North East (16 per cent) and Scotland (up 32 per cent).

In 2004 as a whole, only Yorkshire and Humberside (up 3 per cent) and the East Midlands (up 0.9 per cent) recorded increases in corporate failures compared to 2003. In all other regions, there was a decline in corporate failures – the City of London (down by 7 per cent), London (9 per cent), South East (0.1 per cent), South West (5 per cent), Wales (1 per cent), West Midlands (7 per cent), East Anglia (10 per cent), North West (13 per cent), North East (3 per cent), Scotland (5 per cent) and Northern Ireland (15 per cent).

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has enjoyed its best year so far in the UK, with sales breaking the 20,000 mark for the first time.

The overall figure of 20,803 for last year represents growth of 27.2 per cent on 2003, and gives the brand a 6.2 per cent share of the UK light commercial vehicle market.

Much of the growth can be attributed to the highly acclaimed new products available in the Volkswagen line-up, including the fifth-generation Transporter and the new Caddy. The Transporter has received much critical acclaim, winning both International Van of the Year and What Van? Van of the Year, while the new Caddy has set new standards in its class for quality, payload and flexibility.

But the star performer in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range is the LT, with growth of over 21 per cent compared with 2003. This robust vehicle continues to win many new customers thanks to its solid reputation, practicality and flexibility.

It was also a great year for parts sales, with growth of 17 per cent on 2003, while turnover for accessories also increased, this time by 14 per cent. Not only that, but sales of used Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles increased by three times over the previous year, reflecting both the brand's enviable reputation and the high standards of the 80-strong Van Centre network.

Peter Wyhinny, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: 'We achieved our 20,000 units target in 2004, making this the brand's fourth successive record year. This was a result of the availability of great new products in Transporter and Caddy; the excellent performance of our dedicated Van Centre network, which consistently delivers high levels of customer service; and our increasing focus on fleet business, which recognises the value of the total Volkswagen, product and service proposition.'

Hydro has written down the book value of its German primary aluminium plants by approximately NOK 1.5 billion after tax due to weakened competitiveness caused by the strengthened EUR versus USD, and increasing energy costs. The write-down was charged to the fourth quarter results last year, and will have no cash effect.

The strengthening of the Euro versus US dollars puts European aluminium producers at a cost disadvantage in the global aluminium market.The current power contracts for Hydro’s German primary aluminium plants expire end of 2005.
Current power prices in Germany are significantly higher than in 2002, when these plants were acquired. Hydro then anticipated a significant increase in future power costs. However, based on the ongoing negotiations for renewal of the contracts, Hydro now expects an even higher increase than in 2002.

Based on this situation the expected future cash flows from the German primary aluminium plants, based in Euro, are not sufficient to support the present book value of these assets.

The assumptions used for the calculations are for the coming four years based on the forward curve for both the aluminium price and the USD/EUR currency ratio.
For the longer term an aluminium price of USD 1,500 and a USD/EUR ratio of 1.14 are used. The power price assumptions reflect the current market level and outlook for the longer term.

The final write-down amount was included in the fourth quarter 2004 results, represented a charge to operating income of approximately NOK 2.4 billion.As a consequence of the write down, the applicable deferred taxes will be reduced by approximately NOK 0.9 billion.

Hydro has two fully-owned and one part-owned primary aluminium plants in Germany. Hydro Aluminium Neuss, with a production of 221,000 tonnes in 2003, is a key supplier of metal to Hydro’s major rolled products units in Norf and Grevenbroich, and with operating costs on level with other European primary aluminium plants. Hydro Aluminium Stade had a production of 69,000 tonnes in 2003. Hydro also owns 33 percent of Hamburger Aluminium-Werk, where Hydro’s share of the production volume in 2003 was 43,000 tonnes. The write-down applies to all three assets. After the write-down, the remaining book value is approximately NOK 900 million. Hydro will continue to evaluate the future competitive position of its German primary aluminium plants.

The acquisition of the German aluminium company VAW in 2002 gave Hydro a solid platform for further development of the company as one of the world's leading aluminium suppliers, with a value creation potential among the best in the industry. The acquisition contributed to broadening Hydro Aluminium's geographical reach, and strengthened the company's positions in several important market segments. A rapid and efficient integration process resulted in cost reductions better than targeted. This has made an important contribution to the performance improvements for Hydro Aluminium over the last couple of years.

Hydro is a Fortune 500 energy and aluminium supplier operating in more than 40 countries. The company is a leading offshore producer of oil and gas, the world’s third-largest aluminium supplier and a leader in the development of renewable energy sources. Hydro’s 36,000 employees create value by strengthening the viability of the customers and communities the company serves.

Bystronic, a member of the Conzzeta Group, is a worldwide supplier of solutions for processing sheet metal, other sheet materials and tubes. With effect from 1st January 2005, the Bystronic Group has acquired two sales companies, Pullmax Ltd UK and Pullmax Scandinavia AB, with registered offices in Leeds (GB) and Göteborg (Sweden) respectively, from Karolin Machine Tool (KMT) AB of Sweden.

Pullmax Ltd UK and Pullmax Scandinavia AB already market Bystronic products and services in the countries they serve and will now be fully integrated into the worldwide Bystronic organisation. The takeover of these sales companies reinforces Bystronic's position in the respective markets and underpins the Group's successful strategy of direct selling in its key markets.

Explaining the strategic background to the acquisition, Bystronic CEO Ferdi Töngi said: 'This acquisition places us in an even better position to satisfy customer requirements in the countries concerned. It gives us direct control over the customer services area, which in future will play a central role in the value-added process.' He rates the growth potential in the British and Swedish markets as high.

The takeover will have no effect on existing jobs, with the present workforce retained in its entirety. As a result, Bystronic's headcount will increase by around 65 to more than 1200 worldwide. The additional consolidated revenues will amount to approximately CHF 25 million.

Asahi Sees Growth in Compter Screen market as Key Driver for Next 3 year Plan: 'Jikko 2007'

Asahi Glass Co, Ltd, aims to realise the Group vision of 'Look Beyond' under the management policy 'Jikko'-Execution for Excellence, whlch was introduced in 2004. The Group is executing its new growth strategy, which is formulated based on favourable results of 'Shrink to Grow' initiatives launched in 1998.

In the 'Shrink to Grow' initiatives, Asahi Glass carried out various measures by implementing a series of medium-term management plans, 'StoG2001', 'StoG2003' and 'StoG2005', for every three-year period. This time, the Company has developed 'JIKKO-2007', a new medium-tenn management plan for the three years of FY2005 through FY2007.

Results of 'StoG2005'
Under the medium-term management plan 'StoG2005' (from FY2003 to FY2005), the Electronics and Display Operations expanded substantially helped by the growth mainly in TFT glass substrates. Both the Glass and Chemicals operations also saw earnings power improve thanks to aggressive restructuring. As a result, the initial target of achieving 10% in ROE, which was set out in 'StoG2005,' is expected to be achieved in FY2004, a year ahead of schedule.

Summary of 'JIKKO-2007', the New Medium-Term Management Plan
In 'JIKKO-2007', the new medium-term management plan, the Group will improve profitability and further grow the existing businesses, by aggressively investing into the flat panel display (FPD) business, particularly in TFT glass substrates, by expanding flat glass business in fast growing markets and by improving the profitability of North American operations. The Group will also commence the full-scale business expansion in the Electronics and Energy (E&E) materials operations, a next-generation growth business.

In addition to these major initiatives, to achieve sustained gains in shareholder value, the Group aims to rapidly achieve an operating margin of more than 10% and continues to maintain profitability, while improving asset efficiency.

The Company plans to use free cash flows mainly for retums to shareholders, including dividend payments and stock repurchase, repayment ofinterest-bearing debts and M&A activities.

Major Initiatives of 'JIKKO-2007' by Business

Display Operations
As for displays (excluding small- and mid-sized displays), demand for CRTs is expected to decline gradually in the TV market, while that for FPDs such as TFT LCDs and PDPs is likely to increase significantly. In the PC monitor market, the migration from CRTs to TFT LCDs will continue. Demand of TFT LCDs, in terms of glass dimensions, is projected to increase at an annual growth rate as high as 30%, with demand of 2007 expected to more than double that of 2004. The PDP market is expected to grow at an annualised growth rate of 40%, in tenns of the number of panels.

Overall demand for small- and mid-sized displays will decline in 2005, but start to increase again in 2006, centering on organic light emitting diode (OLED) and low-temperature polysilicon LCD panels.

Under these circumstances, the Group will take the following major initiatives.

CRT glass
• Proceeding with measures to meet the strong demand for CRT glass used in TVs in emerging countries, centering on BRICs - Brazil, Russia, India and China.
• Promoting a global production optimisation within the Group based on demand trends, which corresponds to a drive of CRT manufacturers that are shifting to China.
* Stop a funnel production furnace at Takasago plant in Japan (by the end of 2005)
* Establish a new funnel production furnace in China (at an affiiiate of Hankuk Electric Glass Co., Ltd.), scheduled to come on stream in the fourth quarter of 2005.

FPD glass
(TFT LCD glass substrates)
• Continuing to enhance production capacities in a timely manner according to real demand (by investing100 billion yen or more during the medium-term plan period).

(PDP glass substrates)
• Securing a stable supply utilising two furnaces: one at Kansai plant and the other at Aichi plant.
• Leveraging the competitive edge as the front-runner to maintain a high market share.

Small- and mid-sized displays
• Increasing capacities in response to growing demand for TFT LCDs.
• Responding to diversified applications of LCDs, including those for automobile rear-seat entertainment systems and for digital video cameras.
• Bringing new lines of displays such as OLED to market.

Flat glass operations
Demand for flat glass is expected to increase about 4% annually in Europe, due chiefly to high growth in Russia and Central Europe, and grow 7% or more annually in Asia, supported by strong demand in China, while remaining almost unchanged in North America.

For the whole flat glass operations, the Group will strive to further reduce costs using the Global Benchmarking exercise, and proactively tackle challenges posed by surging energy costs, by negotiating on the revision of prices and introducing the energy surcharge pricing system.

In developed markets, the Group will promote value-added products, including coated, double-glazed and laminated glass.

By region, the Group will proactively expand businesses in fast growing markets such as Russia and Asia, bringing on stream three new furnaces during the period of the medium-term management plan. In North America, the Group will revamp operations by introducing more value-added products, improving productivity and cutting costs.

Major initiatives in Russia and Asia are as follows:

Russia
• Reinforcing production capacity for construction, automobile glass and mirrors.
• A new furnace on the outskirts of Moscow due to come on stream in the first quarter of 2005.
• Increased equity stake of Bor Glassworks from 44% to 83% effective in December 2004.

Asia
• Responding to growing demand for automotive glass in China with a new furnace on the outskirts of Shanghai (Suzhou), scheduled to come on stream in the second quarter of 2006.
• Increasing production capacity to proactively respond to the flat glass shortage in Asia.

Automotive glass operations
The Group will aggressively expand businesses in emerging markets, centering on Central and Eastern Europe as well as Asia, where production of vehicles is expected to grow, as well as establish excellent technical and manufacturing facilities globally to increase sales of value-added products and improve product quality and productivity.

Major initiatives for each region are as follows:

Japan-Asia/Pacific
• Boosting production capacity for automotive glass in China (completed capacity increase in the third quarter of 2004).
• Introducing new technologies in high-growth Asian markets.
• Building new and scrapping old in Japan to maintain and extend leadership.

Europe
• Constructing a plant in Hungary, due to high growth in Central Europe (with operations scheduled to start in early 2006).
• Continuing to bolster productivity and reorganising operations where necessary.

North America
• Volume increasing as automakers downsize in-house glass production and market grows.
• Introduced state-of-the-art technology to meet customer requirements.