Masco
Corporation Acquires Companies with Combined Sales of $200m
Masco Corporation announced last week the acquisition of five home improvement
products companies with combined annualised 2002 sales of approximately
$200 million.The acquisitions are expected to be modestly accretive to
Masco's earnings in 2002. The cash and stock consideration for the five
companies, which aggregates approximately $220 million, will not materially
affect the Company's debt to capital ratio.
Companies acquired are:
- Newport Brass, a manufacturer of premium price-point plumbing products,
plumbing specialties and bath accessories, headquartered in Santa Ana,
California;
- Bristan, Ltd., a provider of kitchen and bath faucets, showers and bath
accessories, headquartered in the UK;
- Cambrian Windows, Ltd., a manufacturer of vinyl window frames, headquartered
in the UK;
- Duraflex, Ltd., an extruder of vinyl window frame components, headquartered
in the United Kingdom; and
- Premier Manufacturing, Ltd., a manufacturer of vinyl window frames,
door frames and conservatories (sun rooms), headquartered in the United
Kingdom.
Masco's Chairman and CEO Richard A. Manoogian commented, "The acquisition
of these exceptional companies expands our plumbing and window product
offerings and reflects our commitment to creating shareholder value through
profitable growth both internally and through acquisition. The companies
are all leaders in their industries, and we are delighted they have joined
the Masco family of home improvement and building products companies."
Masco Corporation is a world leader in the manufacture of home improvement
and building products, providing brand-name value-added products and services
for the home and family.
Click here for Fact Sheet on Cambrian Windows,
Ltd, Duraflex, Ltd. and Premier Manufacturing, Ltd.,
Epwin sells up in North America to focus on UK
Epwin, the PVC building products group, has announced the sale of its Canadian subsidiary, Berlinex, to Veka Holdings Inc of Fombell, Pennsylvania. The move reflects Epwin's decision to focus on its UK markets where last year it achieved record increases in turnover and profits.
Berlinex, which represented just less than 3% of Group turnover, extrudes and distributes PVC-U window and door profiles in Western Canada.
The acquisition by Veka is not expected to result in any redundancies among the 57 Canadian staff.
"With the acquisition of Swish Building Products and Swish Window and Door Systems in 2000 our emphasis has increasingly been on the UK," explains Jim Rawson, Chairman of the Epwin Group. "We are the UK's third largest extruder of PVC-U and PVC-UE products and this disposal allows us to fully concentrate our efforts here where there are still many untapped opportunities for our products.
New
Trade Association Formed to Represent the Best in Composite Doors
The Association of Composite Door Manufacturers (ACDM) is a new trade
association that has been formed to represent UK manufacturers of composite
doors and ensure that specifiers receive the highest standards of construction,
materials and customer service from its members.
Membership
is open to companies manufacturing external doorsets from more than one
material, irrespective of their specific construction and will specifically
exclude single material doors such as timber, PVCu and aluminium.
Commenting on the need for a trade association, ACDM chairman Steve Brown
says: 'The substantial growth of composite doors in recent years and a
proliferation of manufacturers, justifies the formation of a unified representative
body to establish recommended standards and provide specifiers with information
on companies that meet those standards.'
He adds that by setting minimum standards of product performance as an
essential requirement for membership, ACDM is establishing a quality expectation
that can be relied upon from all member companies.
The nine founder members - Birtley Building Products, County Doors, HM
Doors/Permadoor, IG, Intron, Lindman Doorsets, Premdor, Securidor and
Sentinel Doors - are among the leading names in composite door manufacture.
The group is determined to ensure that the highest standards are maintained,
which is why the ACDM is stressing that only companies that have achieved
PAS 23 and PAS 24 with a UKAS test house will be considered for membership.
Discussing the aims of the association, Steve brown says an important
element of the remit is to represent composite doors with all technical
and consultative bodies involved in the formulation of future performance
standards in building and associated industries, to British or European
standards.
The ACDM will also seek to clarify any confusion surrounding definitions,
materials and performance by establishing a Helpline and website to provide
generic information on products, details of the latest regulations governing
external doors and an up-to-date list of members.
Contact Richard Bunker
Association of Composite Door Manufacturers
Tel: 01922 415980
E-mail: mailto:admin@acdm.co.uk
Web: http://www.acdm.co.uk
Replacing
the Replacements Seminar
The biggest challenge in the industry is the replacing the replacements
issue and no one is prepared for it. What will installers, fabricators,
hardware, machinery companies and glass manufacturers do to address the
problem? Status and Michael Rigby Associates invite you to put on your
thinking cap, put your views forward and hear others. The West Bromwich
Albion Football Club is the venue for the 'Replacing the Replacements'
Seminar. This free seminar focuses on how to take action in a saturated
market. Places are limited and allocated on a first come first served
basis.
Despite current market buoyancy the issue of market saturation is something
that the industry as a whole needs to tackle urgently. More alert companies
will exploit the enormous potential of - in effect - a brand new market.
Those who are slow to change will be starved of the more profitable work.
But how to exploit the potential? Innovation is the way forward in a stagnating
market and just how to do this is what this seminar focuses on. Speakers
are leading industry experts and there will be an open forum discussion.
Date: 10 July 2002
Venue: West Bromwich Albion Football Club, Birmingham
Further details: Tel. 01457 875 731
Web: http://www.521621.com/status
UAP
the new name for Universal Imports
Over the past 12 months Universal Imports have been re-branding under
their trade name UAP. David Jennings, md says 'We want to develop the
brand name UAP, and established it as a name that means quality and value
for money.'
The
re-branding exercise seems to be working, as UAP have started to develop
bespoke products for prestigious customers. David says, "Due to our
superior product quality, we started to get enquiries for bespoke, tailor
made products based upon our core business. This enabled us to offer this
as a service to all of our customers. For example, recently we were able
to assist Zenith Windows develop their own style door knocker and at the
same time represent a significant saving on their costs."
By working in large volumes enables UAP to make supply contracts with
many well-known manufacturers and offer to these companies guaranteed
prices until 2003.
David continues, 'We found that many of our customers wanted to give themselves
assurances about price and profit. We decided that we could assist by
guaranteeing prices for a year, no matter what happens. This has enabled
our customers to guarantee themselves profits on our products.'
UAP are always conscious of what is going on and what effects they may
have on the supply chain. David says, 'Getting the goods to our customers,
when our customers need them is vital. We have therefore always maintained
sufficient stocks of each product.
'However, the recent tensions between India and Pakistan could affect
supplies and this could impact upon our stocks. Accordingly, we decided
to increase our average stock holding from 2 months to 4 months to give
us that extra coverage. It is all a part of what our customers expect
from UAP.'
Tel: +44 (0) 161 763 5290
Fax: +44 (0) 161 763 6726
Email: univ.imports@ukonline.co.uk
Web: www.universal-imports.com
Interver
appoints Holrow Ltd as Agent for the UK and Ireland
Interver Special Glass Ltd. , the Swiss company for transparent fire protection
and safety glasses has assigned Holrow as general agent for the sales
of Interflam, Integrity 30 and 60 minutes/ Interfire, Insulation 30, 60
and 90 minutes, tested and approved not only to BS 476 part 22 but also
to the new European Norm EN 1363/1364.
Holrow is a distributor of specialist construction products with significant
experience of fire resistant glass products and will also offer 'Interver
Safelite' frame system for the application of Interfire.
Contact Neil Marles, Tel. +44 (1423) 340888
Eurocell
Gain Further Accreditation
Fairbrook
Plc, the holding company for Eurocell Profiles and Eurocell Building Plastics
have been chosen to become members of the British Plastics Federation.
This latest accreditation further enhances Eurocell's reputation as a
driving force within both plastic and foam extrusion for the window and
building industries respectively.
'Becoming part of the BPF is important for us, it is essential that companies
who efficiently manufacture quality products are recognised, as well as
providing a form of benchmark for the rest of the industry to attain.'
Martin Saunders, Sales and Marketing Director - Eurocell Window Systems.
Eurocell currently have a number of new product innovations notably the
Pinnacle Conservatory Roofing System, as well as the Pinnacle 500 Modular
Roofing System.
Tel : 01773 842 100
Web: http://www.eurocell.co.uk
Maco
Focus on Window Security - Secured by Design
Maco, manufacturer of door and window hardware, claims to have specifically
set out to make its hardware the most secure on the market.
The window Shootbolt Espagnolette systems have gained the highest international
quality standards backed by constant in-house testing. Confident of their
products, Maco ŒSecure‚ is a scheme where should a break-in
be achieved; the property owner will be able to claim their insurance
excess back, up to £1000. The MK1 Espagnolette system now has the
added backing of the Secured by Design scheme.
Tel: 01795 433900
Email: mailto:maco@macouk.net
Web: http://www.macouk.net
New
Glazing Qualifications Available in Scotland
The Glass Qualifications Authority Ltd (GQA) has added two new glazing
related Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) to its suite of qualifications.
These are Glazing Installation and Maintenance. Level 2 and 3 SVQs approved
by the Scottish Qualifications Authority on the 23rd May 2002.
Glaziers and Glazing companies in Scotland have over recent months asked
for SVQs to be approved in order that they can use their Scottish Vocational
Qualification Framework to access CSCS cards etc. The two traditional
glazing colleges i.e. Edinburgh and Glasgow, will be using the new qualifications
as the basis of their training programmes with their new summer 2002 intake
of glazing apprentices.
Details of the full range of GQA qualifications can be found on the website
http://www.glassqualificationsauthority.com
The
Formulus For Success
Coming soon to Synseal customers, the launch of Formulus, a software programme
that has taken over a year to develop and perfect. Free to all Synseal
customers, the package consists of several features that you'd normally
expect to 'pay extra' for.
Incorporating price lists, cutting sizes and a Georgian bar calculator
to name but a few of the intelligent tools, all of the features work within
Windows and can be used on as many computers as is needed. Free software
support and upgrades are also included.
Tel: (01623) 443 200
Web: http://www.synseal.com
Lack
of Distribution Will Hamper Market for Renewable Insulation Says Pilkington-Funded
Report
Altemative, renewable insulation materials can be as cost effective and
efficient as many conventional types, yet take up will be hampered without
wide spread distribution through conventional builders merchants and distributors
and without a reduction of price differentials.
These are just three of the conclusions contained in a report on the viability
of renewable insulation materials produced by Impetus Consulting, a creative
environmental and sustainable energy consultancy practice, following an
eight month research project. With funding provided by The Pilkington
Energy Efficiency Trust (PEET), the report answers a number of questions
about the use of such materials as sheep's wool, cellulose, hemp, flax,
cork and cotton.
Impetus Consulting contacted architects and builders for their experiences
of using renewable insulation materials as well as talking to suppliers,
government departments and relevant associations.
For the purpose of the project, only products that are insulation materials
in their own right (rather than other construction materials such as clay
bricks or straw) and that have good thermal conductivities (typically
less than 0.05 W/Mk) were considered. The report considers them in terms
of claimed perfomance against conventional materials, as well as environmental
impact, availability, and general attitudes towards such materials.
Impetus is concerned that almost without exception the type of insulation
used in building is determined by its thermal properties, its costs and
availability; the wider environmental impact of the insulation material
is seldom considered. The organisation believes that, for any building
material, consideration should be given to;
*Embodied energy (energy consumed within its processing and transport);
*Raw material extraction;
*Toxicity levels;
*Related health issues in manufacture, installation and for occupants;
*Use of ozone depletion chemicals; and
*Ability to be recycled.
Most insulation materials currently used do not contain any chemicals
and are quite inert. But, says the report, they have high embodied energy,
cannot easily be recycled or disposed of and many are difficult or unpleasant
to handle and create potential health problems from dust during handling.
Renewable insulation materials score well in environmental terms against
the points above, as well as regulating internal building temperature
through absorption and release of water vapour, and are easy and safe
to install.
The report considers where renewable insulation can be used, its availability,
and the possible benefits to agriculture. Having undertaken the research,
Impetus believes that
there is potential for this market and makes recommendations both for
the Government and independent bodies, and manufacturers and suppliers
in order to encourage and establish the use of altemative materials.
Further information on the research is available in a report summary.
Impetus has also produced a guide on selecting and using the different
materials to help those people thinking about installing renewable insulation.
This includes some contact details for a number of suppliers.
Both the summary report and the guide are downloadable from
http://www.impetusconsult.co.uk/projects/research.html
Tel: 020 7924 9988
Email: mailto:insulation@impetusconsult.co.uk
Alternatively contact: Rick Wilberforce, The Pilkington Energy Efficiency
Trust,
Tel: 01744 692914
Email: mailto:Rick.Wilberforce@pilkington.com
New
Service addresses the needs of the Auto Glass industry
Belron-AutoGlass have identified that their main concern is how can they
fulfil the needs of the distressed motorist when they have damage to their
vehicle.
Their main concern is the matching if the Glass, the Fitter, the Vehicle
and the Location across the country.
They need to be able to optimise the movement of glass and the particular
skills of the fitters to the vehicle type and location.
Therefore what they need is a national call centre to co-ordinate the
branch communications and insurance companies communications link ins.
The
specific problems are with over promising on the order delivery, logistics
mismatch so the customer brings in the car and then the screen doesn't
show up on time. And the damage to the glass during transit because it
has been packed without taking into consideration the weight and shape
of each piece being shipped.
The result is that the customer brings the car into the garage once the
qualified fitter has been advised, the glass fails to turn up on time
and so the fitter has to either advise the customer that they must bring
the car back another time (not knowing when) or in the case of severe
damage, an incorrect version of the glass is fitted so the customer can
have their vehicle back but then they are called back to fit the correct
one when it and the fitter arrive in the correct location.
As an instance, one customer had 6 pieces of glass delivered before one
could be fitted due to mismatch timing and damage.
So by optimising the logistics of all the resources i.e. fitter, glass,
customer care, delivery etc and the packing of the glass, the company
will benefit from reduced damage and compensation demands and increased
customer service as well as reduced transport costs.
The Smart Agent systems provided by i-GRO will help the automotive glass
replacement service industry save costs as well as increase customer satisfaction
through total visibility of the logistics and service requirements for
all customer demand.
Contact: Tavis Stewart
Business Development Director
www.i-GRO.com
T: 020 7743 6457
Swish
Building Products achieves biggest ever growth
Swish
Building Products, manufacturer and supplier of PVC roofline and cladding
systems, has achieved its biggest ever growth in turnover and production
efficiency in the past 12 months.
The company's success reflects its drive into the specification and new
build markets, where the durability and colourfastness of the Swish range
are well received. Swish white cellular PVC products are now supplied
with a 15 year product guarantee.
Ken Simpson, Managing Director (pictured right, opening a newly extended
and refurbished warehouse in Tamworth) says:
'Our success has enabled us to invest in better warehousing and manufacturing
facilities. That means better service and product quality.'
'The extension of our warehousing facility is a sign of our continued
success and our commitment to maintain and improve the high standards
of service that our customers have come to expect from us. We anticipate
further investment in the coming year', he added.
Swish Building Products manufactures and supplies an extensive range of
low maintenance cellular PVC roofline and cladding products, available
in white and foiled finishes, to the retail, trade and specification marketplaces.
Swish holds full IS09001-2000 accreditation, BBA certification and Kitemark
registration.
Tel: 01827 317200
Email: mailto:marketing@swishbp.co.uk
GAI
President andf other Officers Elected
Graham Shirville, Dip.GAI, M.Inst.A.I, Chairman of Allgood Holdings Ltd,
has been elected President of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers for
the period 2002-2003.
Having
been born into the world of architectural ironmongery it was not until
the age of 19 that Graham Shirville (pictured left, receiving the chains
of office from past president John Planck) entered the industry. After
a spell at the then small G&S Allgood operation in Cambridge he was
moved to Euston Road office in London. He then spent a number of years
working as a representative covering some of the home counties and also
the far south west. During this period he also made numerous sales visits
to the Middle East.
Graham Shirville was the silver medallist in the 1970 Guild examinations
and then joined the team of lecturers and examiners in the late 70s.
He is currently Chairman of Allgood Holdings Ltd, one of the largest privately
owned architectural ironmongers in the country. He joined the Guild Executive
in 1977 and served as its Chairman in1981-82 and as its President from
1988 to 1990.
Other officers elected at the Guild's Annual Conference at the Imperial
Hotel, Torquay, Friday 24th May, were:
Vice President, Mr Mike Turner, Dip.GAI. (HEWI (UK) Ltd
Honorary Treasurer, Mr John Planck, M.Inst.A.I, (John Planck Ltd)
Members not requiring re-election and remaining on the National Executive
are:
Mr Terry Churchill, (Dorma Door Controls Ltd)
Mr Andrew Hall, (Geze UK Ltd)
Mr Wayne Harris, Dip.GAI, (Harbrine Ltd)
Mr Kevin Hilton, (IR Laidlaw Ltd)
Mr Martin Lewis, Dip.GAI, M.Inst.A.l, (Allgood plc)
Mr Ramsay Malcolm, (Thomson Brothers Ltd)
Mr Nish Mohamed, Dip. GAI, M.Inst.A.l, (EM-B Architectural Hardware Ltd)
Mr Terry Moore, Dip. GAI, (Yannedis Ltd)
Mr Ian Stewart, M.Inst.A.l, (George Boyd at Graham)
Mr Richard Strauss, Dip. GAI, M.Inst.A.l, (E. Aldridge & Sons)
Mr Geoff Tyler, Dip GAI, M.Inst.A.l, (Allgoods plc)
Mr Tom Willis, M.Inst.Al, (D.R. Weir & Sons Ltd)
Mr Allen Worrall, Dip GAI, M.Inst.A.l, (Lloyd Worrall Group Ltd)
Members standing for and re-elected were:
Mr Keith Maer, Dip GAI, M.Inst.A.l, (IR Laidlaw Ltd)
Mr Paul Lewis M.Inst.A.l, (Royde & Tucker Ltd)
Mr Julian Potter, Dip GAI, (IR Architectural Hardware Ltd)
Mr Arthur Taylor, (HOPPE (UK) Ltd)
Honorary Life members who are eligible to sit on the National Executive
Committee but do not require to be elected are:
Mr Keith Moss, Dip.GAI. F.Inst.A.I.
Mr Paul Shirville, F.Inst.AL, (retired).
Mr David Whitworth, F.Inst.A.I.
Tel: 020 77903431
Email: mailto:info@gai.org.uk
Web: http://www.gai.org.uk
Connect
2 the Yorkshire Skyline
With three acquisitions in the last 18 months, plus the expansion and
development of many of its branches, Connect 2 National Plastics continues
to show rapid growth.
The most recent acquisition, Skyline Building Plastics, has meant that
Connect 2 now have branches in the Yorkshire area for the first time,
making a total of 12 branches across England and Wales.
'Skyline Building Plastics was a well-established company in the area,
consisting of a 4,000 sq. ft outlet in Rotherham, with an additional satellite
depot in Sheffield' comments Sev Holt, general manager for Connect 2.
'Existing customers will be experiencing benefits right from the start
as we have already made Sheffield into a stand alone branch, stocking
a full complement of products and with its own delivery vehicles.'
Sev has always maintained that the success of Connect 2 lies in its understanding
of the building industry. 'Holding large stocks of popular brands with
the convenience of a local depot are obviously key factors' explains Sev,
'but the real value of our product offering is found in the exceptional
resources that can only be gained through a national distribution network
and the provision of services such as our same day delivery.'
In line with the other Connect 2 depots in England and Wales, the Yorkshire
branches will specialise in building plastics, offering an extensive range
of well known brands, including Kestrel and Marshall Tufflex, with all
the tools and fixings required for installation.
Sev concludes, 'The growth of Connect 2 has been phenomenal in a short
space of time, but there is still more to come! We have development plans
in place for some existing outlets, including the new one in Sheffield,
and we are negotiating for further acquisitions.'
Rotherham: 01709 563564
Sheffield: 0114 2700788