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Cardinal Commissions Ashton Seaming Machinery for new US Plant

Leading USA glass coating specialist Cardinal Glass has selected Ashton Industrial's latest generation high performance seaming as part of their new state-of-the-art plant in Virginia. Random glass sizes are processed in totally mixed sequence, at the average rate of around 7 or 8 seconds per lite with no setting up required.

The seaming line includes on-line edge deletion of coated lites, and automatic laser marking, without any loss of cycle times. Each lite is then automatically delivered directly to the furnace load bed ready for tempering. The whole operation is 'hands free' - no need for any contact with the upper glass surface, which is so important when processing special coatings.

Ashton's latest vacuum belt hold-down (patent pending) sucks the lites on to a moving belt to resist slippage as they pass thru the grinding stations at high speed.

The system is complemented by an Ashton off-line diamond belt seamer for processing special shapes which are then introduced to the line at the washing stage.

Cardinal has also commissioned Ashton Industrial to provide a customised high-speed seaming/arrissing line to their Tumwater, Washington plant.

The line is specially conceived to directly link the cutting and breaking operation, to a high performance tempering furnace. Lites are staged automatically around the system and delivered right to the furnace load bed, with absolutely no contact to the coated glass surface. They are seamed all round, upper and lower, and provided with a laser mark, at around 7 or 8 seconds per lite.

As the line handles totally mixed, ransom glass sizes without ant setting times, the lites will be fed from break-out in optimised cutting sequence, allowing that optimised bed pattern to be re-created in the furnace.

All Aboard the Princess for Glasstec 2004

With Glasstec 2004 fast approaching, make sure you've booked your accommodation for the world's largest glass exhibition. As in previous years, Ritec has put together an unbeatable travel deal for visitors to the Show, which includes a luxury cabin aboard the River Princess hotelship.

Ritec has arranged the package in association with Pressplan Travel. The 5-star River Princess will be conveniently moored in the centre of Dusseldorf, just a short walk from the restaurants and bars of the Alstadt (Old Town) and a few minutes from the underground tram with direct connections to the Exhibition.

Ritec is keen to stress that the offer is open to anyone visiting Glasstec and cabins can be booked from Monday November 8th right through to the end of the event on Saturday November 13th. 'The River Princess is bigger and more luxurious than any of the hotelships we've offered before - with a comfortable lounge, dining room and fitness centre - and very competitively priced with similar standard hotels,' says Serge Perkoff, Ritec's International Sales & Marketing Manager.

‘We believe it will provide the perfect place to relax after the Show, whether you are an exhibitor like ourselves, or just visiting. And you'll have the ideal opportunity to network at one of our on board 'Happy Hours', which will be hosted each night by one of our sponsorship partners - the GGF, Bohle and Glass Age,’ he adds.

For travel and reservation enquiries on the River Princess contact Pressplan Travel Ltd on 01727 833291 or e-mail tours@pressplantravel.com or download the order form here (JPEG file)

Eurocell wins Patent Battle with Ultraframe

The High Court passed Judgment on the 22nd July that the Pinnacle 500 roofing system, manufactured by Eurocell, has not infringed any Ultraframe patents.

Commenting on the Judgment, Roger Hartshorn CEO of Eurocell said, ‘We are delighted with the result, our sales of conservatory roofs are growing very quickly and we want to spend more time satisfying our customers and less time wasting shareholders money in pointless legal battles.’

Eurocell manufactures a complete range of PVCu windows, conservatories and roofline products and has recently started its latest expansion project, a £5.3 million 88,000 sq ft manufacturing plant, next to the company’s existing factories mixing plants and warehouses based at Alfreton, Derbyshire.

Eurocell employs almost 1000 people in the UK and is owned by the 1.9 Bn Euro Tessenderlo group.

Tel: 01773 842 100
Email: mailto:marketing@eurocell.co.uk
Web: http://www.eurocell.co.uk
Web: http://www.tessenderlogroup.com

Consumers Love Ultraframe's Litespace®

Ultraframe has received over 3000 enquiries for its new Litespace product that was previewed at the Ideal Home Exhibition in March 2004 at Earls Court in London. There has been extensive coverage in the consumer press recently, including a feature article in the Property Section of the Daily Telegraph on 3rd July 2004. The response at the Ultraframe Customer Service Call Centre has been huge, so much so that the company is looking for more installers nationwide that would like to take on the product. Currently their call centre is receiving in excess of 350 enquiries a week and, with the consumer PR campaign set to continue over the summer, even more can be expected.

Litespace is quite revolutionary in the home improvement world. Unlike a conservatory, it is primarily designed to replace patio or French doors and forms a walk-in glazed bay that adds light and space to any room. It comes complete with high performance glass and a preformed base to ease installation. It also benefits from a LANTAC certificate simplifying the operation of complying with Building Regulations.

Litespace Marketing Manager at Ultraframe, Marchele Court is delighted with the consumer response, she commented: 'The interest in Litespace is phenomenal. Each consumer call logged by our call centre is followed up with a Litespace Information pack that includes a copy of the Ultraframe Essential Guide to conservatories and letter recommending three local Litespace Installers. We always feature Ultraframe Registered Conservatory Installers to the homeowner. This way we can generate responses for our registered installers as well grow Ultraframe‚s profile as the premium manufacturer and technological innovator within a consumer audience.'

Research has shown that many consumers see Litespace as an alternative to the patio doors and not as a substitute for a conservatory. Indeed, many stated that they would consider having both a Litespace and a conservatory! However, for those without the space or budget for a conservatory, Litespace can provide a way of bringing more light and space into their home.

Mrs Canning from Yorkshire, first saw Litespace at the Ideal Home Show in April said: 'I absolutely love the concept, and thought it would be perfect for our home. We were looking to extend our dining room but have a small garden. Litespace is the ideal solution because it provides us with more space and light but does not infringe on our outside space.'

Retired homeowner, Mrs Bannister from Lancashire installed a Litespace earlier this year she said: 'My husband and I now have a wonderful place to sit and enjoy our garden. Despite this wet summer, we have not had to switch the heaters on once because our Litespace features climate controlled glass. It really has become my favourite place to sit and read or just enjoy the surroundings.'

Dave Gardener of Crystal Mansions said, 'Litespace is a great and refreshing option to offer our customers. It is the ideal product where homeowners are considering refurbishment. It‚s quick to install, I think it will prove to a very popular addition.'

If you are an installer and would like to know more about how you can be included in our consumer referrals, contact Marchele Court, Marketing Manager for Litespace on 01200452286 or email marchele.court@ultraframe.co.uk

Versatile Takes on the Mass Market with Global

Versatile, a company with its own technically advanced conservatory roof, has chosen another roof system to sell alongside it. David Burles, Group Managing Director of The Burles Group, which includes Versatile Ltd, Modplan Ltd, Modplan (Wales) Ltd and Connect2 National Plastics, explains: ‘We are not replacing Versatile which, with its unique pultruded GRP peripheral ring-beam gutter, will continue to serve a special niche market. Global, which will be sold through the fast growing, seventeen branch Connect2 National Plastics network, gives us the product to attack the mass market. From what I’ve seen there is nothing to beat it.’

‘We chose Global,’ said Kevin Barnard Managing Director of Versatile, ‘because the product is easy to manufacture, and the software is so good it really does not need to be pre-assembled before putting on the wagons. It has a minimum number of parts and is very easy for installers to put together. It looks good and the marketing tools are excellent with display cases, brochure packs, technical information and price lists – everything you could want to make the sale is provided. It practically sells itself. It’s a super job. We took 26 of our Area Sales Managers, Field Sales Managers and product people to Synseal for induction and training and we were very impressed. The Connect2 National Plastics network is growing fast and Global is also growing very fast. We are expecting big things from the combination.’

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

Queen’s Award Presented to CGI

Having won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade, 2004, CGI International’s Haydock factory was the scene of a recent official ceremony when Tom Ritchie, Chief Executive, was presented with the official Queen’s Award bowl and scroll by the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Alan W Waterworth.

The Award is for International Trade since over 70% of CGI International’s glasses are exported for fire protection, as demanded by building codes, and used all over the world, particularly in public and multiple-occupancy construction projects.

Tom Ritchie, who has developed the business for 14 years and run it in its present format since 1998, comments: 'We are delighted to have achieved this Award which recognises the company’s success in securing export contracts won in a competitive world-wide market place over a sustained number of years. We are playing every day against much larger multi-national manufacturers.

'Our UK activity with fire-glasses is also important as we are the only substantial UK manufacturer of our glass type, with all similar products being imported.'

The Lord Lieutenant met staff, managers and board members at the factory, and was shown an impact test as well as pieces of Pyroguard fire glass that had been exposed to fire. He told staff that he had found the visit interesting, and that he now understood what an important part producing fire glasses played in the safety process.

CGI International operates from its new purpose-built factory in Haydock, Merseyside, and employs some 55 people in the UK.

Britons Clamour for Pilkington Activ™ as Product Celebrates 2nd Birthday

If international sales of Pilkington Activ™, the self-cleaning glass, are anything to go by, British homeowners and specifiers would appear to be far more concerned about keeping their homes and property looking clean than their counterparts in other European countries. For UK sales of the product are now greater than the total of Germany, France, Italy and Norway combined.

Sales targets set for the product in the current year, the second since the launch of Pilkington Activ™ in Europe, were originally believed to be ambitious, but British homeowners, social landlords and commercial specifiers have been quick to realise the benefits provided by the glass. An increasing number of sealed unit manufacturers are now taking delivery of 'Floatliners' - Pilkington's distinctive custom delivery vehicles - each of which delivers up to 2,500 m2 of glass, to keep up with demand.

Replacement window and conservatory installation specialists - including leading brands such as Everest, BAC and Planet Conservatories - have been at the forefront of marketing Pilkington Activ™, often using the product as a sales promotion. Conservatory installers are especially bullish about Pilkington Activ™ as, particularly in its Pilkington Activ Suncool™ format, it provides a suitable solution for conservatory roofs by ending the problem of cleaning while also reducing solar gain and fabric fading.

Many companies have used Pilkington Activ™ as the unique selling point in national press and TV advertising, such is the appeal of the concept of 'self-cleaning glass'. ‘Who wouldn't want to give up or significantly reduce the chore of window cleaning,’ asked Matt Buckley, Marketing Director for Pilkington. ‘Our experience so far is that when marketed and sold thoughtfully in the home improvement sector Pilkington Activ™ offers an excellent sales closer. The UK has one of Europe's highest rates of home ownership, and an obsession with home improvement. Coupled with the latest framing systems, Pilkington Activ™ offers the ultimate low maintenance lifestyle home improvement product.’

Interestingly, with Pilkington focusing during the first 18 months or so on the home improvement sector, a number of local authority and housing association specifiers have installed Pilkington Activ™ as a solution for maintenance problems and to reduce maintenance costs, with some highly successful results.

While architects have only recently been targeted in the UK, a number of highly prestigious projects have been created by renowned international architects, including the highly praised Britomart Transport Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, and the Museum of the Earth in New York State, the latter designed by acclaimed architects Weiss Manfredi. ‘With the housing stock representing the largest single market for flat glass in the UK it was natural that we would focus initially on this sector,’ said Matt Buckley. ‘Now we are able to offer a range of high performance options that feature Pilkington Activ™ to the architectural fraternity and, as has been the case in other parts of the world, British designers may now also enjoy the freedom of designing glass buildings with considerably reduced emphasis on how the glass may be cleaned. It is not just about maintenance, this product really does increase the design potential of glass in buildings.’

The anniversary of the introduction of Pilkington Activ™ is being celebrated with the introduction of a number of marketing initiatives that include a competition aimed at architects to find a showcase project for the glass, a marketing and sales support scheme for the glass and glazing sector, and the introduction of a further high performance variant of the self cleaning glass, Pilkington Activ Suncool™ HP 70/40.

Web: http://www.pilkington.com

Last few Places at GM Fundraising Golf Day

Just a few team places remain for the GM Fundraising Charity Golf Day at Patshull Park Hotel Golf & Country Club on 21st September. The winners of the fourball team Stableford competition will represent GM Fundraising in the Regional Final of ‘The Times’ Corporate Golf Challenge. If successful, they will then qualify for the National Finals held at La Manga Club in Spain. To enter a team of four costs just £425 with all profits going to the dedicated team at Hope House, a hospice for terminally ill children. The entry fee includes all green fees, refreshments on arrival and a four-course presentation dinner with entertainment.

Chequebooks and cash will be required for the après dinner GMF charity raffle and auction. Among the exclusive lots on offer will be a fully authenticated, David Beckham, Real Madrid shirt, signed by ‘Golden Balls’ himself. Rooms have been reserved at the course hotel for those wishing to make a night of it.

For more information or an entry form contact Dave Broxton by phone or fax on 01902 417131 or email mailto:djbmarketing@blueyonder.co.uk.

A BBA First for CWG with Shield Conservatory Roofs

The Corby Windows Group is the first fabricator of the Shield Global conservatory roof to be accredited with BBA certification by the leading test and certification centre, the British Board of Agrément. ‘This has been awarded to us after an in depth audit and inspection of our systems and production methods’, explained CWG Conservatory division manager, Stewart Hull. ‘It means our installer customers can be assured of our continuing quality and standard of service which will ensure they get the conservatory they want, when they want it’.

CWG has been fabricating conservatory roofs for many years. The company started with the Shield roof when it was first introduced after being impressed with the 70mm Shield PVCu window and door profile system that CWG fabricates alongside Rehau’s 60mm Tritec and 70mm S706 systems.

All the advantages of the Shield roof and particularly its significant fitting benefits for installers have made it an important part of the wide CWG product selection. For even greater versatility, the company has developed the Shield based CWG Global Plus roof that is compatible with just about any other PVCu system including those from Rehau and Shield plus the fully sculptured Kömmerling Connoisseur profiles recently introduced by the company.

Tel: 01536 409100
Email: mailto:info@cwg-uk.com
Web: http://www.cwg-uk.com

Selecta Celebrates 20 Years at Birmingham Base

It is 20 years since extruder of PVCu window systems, Selecta Systems, decided to make Birmingham its home by acquiring a nine-acre site to develop a state-of-the-art headquarters in Great Barr.

Selecta has not looked back since then and that has put the company in a position of considerable strength to introduce a new product backed up by a much bolder approach to promoting the company.

The Aston Martin-style launch of the Advance 70 suite at the Glassex Exhibition earlier this year signalled the company’s intentions as it endeavours to further its reputation as a market-leader.

Originally founded 24 years ago in Salisbury by German-based company Selecta Profiles, the company was initially set up as a UK-based supplier of the parent company’s profiles, but as the firm expanded and became more recognised throughout the country the company decided to move to Birmingham.

The purpose-built extrusion plant, which continues to grow in size, runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The company has rarely been one to shout from the rooftops about its success in the past, but it has adopted a more pro-active approach recently to coincide with the introduction of its new 70mm suite.

‘People are often surprised at the size of our operation which has been established here for 20 years now,’ explained Mark Richmond, who has recently been appointed Selecta’s Sales and Marketing Director.

‘We have built an excellent reputation throughout the market place for our service to customers and that hands-on approach means we can now drive it forward and make an even bigger impact with Advance 70.

‘We have a large number of very loyal customers and we won’t lose sight of the values and practices that have earned us our reputation. But we do nevertheless want to prove that we are one of the market leaders and we feel we have an excellent opportunity to achieve that aim.

‘The ongoing investment and development of the Great Barr headquarters has ensured that Selecta have been in a strong position to respond to the demands, needs and wants of their customers.’

Servicing customers from as far north as Dundee in Scotland and as far south as Truro in Cornwall, the company’s large warehouses hold high levels of stock for distribution by a dedicated fleet of delivery vehicles.

As well as offering a complete set-up package for fabricators, Selecta has continually strived to provide customers with what they want and has subsequently developed a wide range of products and services.

‘The experience and expertise of a workforce built up over the past 20 years means we are constantly looking at ways to develop our product range so that we can supply fabricators with suites that are stylish, high quality, hard wearing and delivers a high level of performance,’ said Mark.

‘That is why we consider Advance 70 to be as good as it gets in the extrusion market with the important features that put this new suite up among the best being the five strong chamber profile, a co-extruded gasket, superior U Value, single leg knock-in beads and the hi-flow drainage.

‘There is much more to the company than a lot of people think and that is a message we have to get across loud and clear.’

Advance 70 has been added to a range of products that includes three suites and the patented caravan suite, as well as the superslider slimline patio door, fascias, soffits and hardware.

All Systems Go at IsoSystems

IsoSystems has recently purchased new plant and machinery to boost production capacity to in excess of 1,000 frames per week at its Midlands factory.

Coinciding with the £500,000 investment is the launch of the new IsoFrames range of 60mm and 70mm internally glazed window and door frames.

A CNC machining centre, CNC corner cleaner and a six-head welding machine are all part of substantial on-going investment in fabrication and product development at the long-established trade fabricator's 25,000 sq ft manufacturing site near Kidderminster.

The investment includes a bar-coded job processing system to improve material flow through the factory. The company says that one call to the dedicated customer support team ensures a seamless service from initial order to final delivery.

IsoSystems specialises in fabricating conservatory roofs, frames and sliding PVCu patio doors for its local customers with a 'one call does all' service. From initial receipt of a faxed order, IsoSystems aims to have frames ready for delivery or collection in 10 days or less. Help with product specifications, if needed, is available too.

According to General Manager Malcolm Roberts, IsoSystems' customers value the complete service, from quality frames to reliable deliveries. ‘Investment throughout our business means we can give an even better focussed service for our local market and continue to offer the products and services refined over our 20 year history.’

He adds: ‘We pride ourselves on aiming to provide a dependable service, backed with a wide range of quality products at cost-effective prices. We're back in the frame in a big way!’

Contact: Malcolm Roberts
Tel: 01299 254300

Chiltern Dynamics Gears up for Garage Doors

Chiltern Dynamics is one of the five laboratories nominated by the Door & Shutter Manufacturers’ Association (DSMA) to carry out testing under the product standard EN 13241-1 Industrial, Commercial Garage Doors and Gates, which entered a 12-month transition period on 1st May this year.

Deputy Test Manager Vincent Kerrigan said: ‘This is an important standard dealing with critical safety issues. Chiltern will be able to test to relevant requirements of the standard and to pave the way for CE marking.’

The scope of the standard specifies the safety and performance requirements for doors, gates and barriers for installation in areas ‘for which the main intended uses are giving safe access for goods and vehicles accompanied or driven by persons in industrial, commercial or residential premises’.

The standard also covers commercial doors such as rolling shutters and rolling grilles in retail premises, which can include pass doors incorporated in the door leaf.

Chiltern Dynamics is commissioning a new weather-testing rig that will be able to handle the larger dimension doors covered by the standard and is expected to be up and running next month. The company is preparing to test to the relevant European product standards, including the soon to be ratified pedestrian door standard, when they are published.

While CE marking against the Construction Products Directive is voluntary in the UK, CE marking against the Machinery Directive is compulsory for power-operated doors. EN13241-1 carries a mandate from the Machinery Directive, while several of the supporting standards are currently under preparation to become individually mandated. This means, in effect, that from 1st May 2005 CE marking will be compulsory for power-operated doors and other CPD-mandated elements.

‘Manufacturers have less than 12 months now to prepare to CE mark their products,’ said Mr Kerrigan, who earlier this month made a short presentation at a workshop held by the DMSA for producers, distributors and installers about the requirements of CE marking.

For more information on testing with Chiltern Dynamics telephone Vincent Kerrigan on 01494 569800 or email mailto:vkerrigan@chilternfire.co.uk

July 23rd was the Day

If someone tells you it’s ‘fine for phoning’ then don’t misunderstand! It seems to be a well kept secret, but July 23rd 2004 was the day you needed to have checked the phone numbers of any telesales calls you make against the new ‘Corporate TPS’ register. Windowbase Ltd has introduced a new Data Sheet – Number 5a – explaining this in outline – and provides the following brief explanation.

In 1999, following complaints that direct sales companies were making a nuisance of themselves targeting householders, the Telephone Preference Service was introduced. It enabled private phone users to register their phone numbers against a central register indicating their wish not to receive tele-marketing calls.
Thus any company wishing to contact householders had to check that the numbers being dialled were not on the list. That aspect worked fairly well. Overlooked at the time, was the fact that the legislation meant that small businesses – sole traders and partnerships – could not be called either without similar precautions.

That 1999 Act also covered the sending of unsolicited faxes to any number registered with the parallel Fax Preference Service Register. That’s business or private. Indeed, faxes to sole traders and partnerships were outlawed, regardless of the FPS register. The only way a company can fax an unsolicited offer to its own customers was to get advance permission! Contravention of this law meant that the offender could be fined up to £5,000 for each call made.

Windowbase reports that its files of window, door and conservatory companies now show that at the beginning of this year, some six percent of businesses were registered with the TPS, and 24% with the FPS. The status of telephone and fax numbers has, to date, been provided free of charge to Windowbase customers with the updating service.

However, last year a new law was enacted, ‘The Privacy and Electronic Communication (EC Directive) Regulations 2003’ has permitted the TPS to be extended to Limited and PLC Companies, and organisations such as Local Authorities, Charities and – as far as we are aware – all other corporate bodies within the UK. The telephone numbers that these bodies wish to register will be held separately on a ‘Corporate TPS register’ (CTPS). As with the TPS register, you need to check with the CTPS register every 28 days to ensure that the phone number has not been put on the register in that time.

As this register was opened on June 25th 2004, the ‘28 days of grace’ have now expired, so anyone making an unsolicited tele-marketing call from July 23rd onward to a registered number is risking a fine.

Many companies offer a service to check data against the files. In general, this is around a minimum of £40 per register per time, and so even a small tele-sales project should budget in the region of £960 p.a. for checking phone numbers. Windowbase regrets that it is having to introduce a small charge for including the CTPS checks against the company’s data – alongside the TPS and FPS registrations – but will keep it at a reasonable level.

For the Windowbase Datasheet, e-mail mailto:info@winbase.co.uk with your name and address and the subject ‘CTPS’

Sliders Growth Continues

Specialist patio door company Sliders UK has expanded its factory space for the second time in 12 months and now dominates the industrial estate it operates from near Preston in Lancashire.

The latest addition of 5500 square feet will be used as a dedicated storage and despatch area, enabling the company to further enhance its rapid service. ‘The additional unit has also freed up space in the factory for another £50,000 of machinery and extra production staff in order that we can increase capacity to well over 1000 patios per month’ added director Mike Spain.

For more details contact Ian or Mike at Sliders UK on 01772 698222, fax on 01772 698333 or email to mailto:sales@sliders-uk.com

New UKae Corner Keys Increase Strength

Following extensive market research into the ‘weak spots’ of spacer bar frames manufactured using corner keys, UKae Limited – the manufacturer of consumables for the sealed unit industry – has invested over £100,000 in new tooling and technology to produce a corner key that offers much improved strength and stability.

The new corner key was launched recently after a prototype was well received by UKae customers. Easy to insert, the new key is nonetheless very strong, requiring a ‘pull-out force’ up to 30% higher than would be needed for an equivalent product. This added strength prevents even the largest frame from collapsing, something that can occur when weaker corner keys have been used to connect the frame. The new UKae key leg is also 30% longer than with conventional keys, increasing lateral frame stability and improving sealant sight lines. Less manual spacer handling is also needed as a result.

UKae’s new corner key is also moulded in Nylon 6 material, giving good adhesion at all corners without priming, something that lower quality Polypropylene corner cannot achieve.

Tel: 0121 313 3010

Listers Adds Two New Items to its Kestrel Range!

Listers has been a Kestrel Building plastics stockist now for over six years but the two latest additions to the range came as quite a surprise. These two gorgeous Kestrel chicks have just hatched out from their nest on one of Listers buildings in Stoke on Trent.
 
The RSPB says that the Kestrel suffered a serious decline in late 1950s and in 1960s from effects of persistent pesticides such as DDT. Although they recovered following the withdrawal of these pesticides, the numbers started to decline again in 1980s and the kestrel is included on the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern. They have adapted readily to man-made environments and can survive right in the centre of cities.
 
Listers is undergoing rapid expansion at the moment and all attention is focused on making the company the major player in the region, so its nice to see that the company's success is also helping in the expansion plans of these beautiful birds.
 
Tel: 01782 205605
Web: http://www.listertf.co.uk

£2.5 Million Glassex Sales Boost for Elumatec: New Machining Centres and Welders Hit The Mark With Buyers

Elumatec UK Ltd, the British arm of the world’s biggest profile machinery manufacturer, has reported additional sales of £2.5 million taken during and directly as a result of this year’s Glassex, adding to an overall increase in new business in its first quarter of 36% year-on-year.

Driving this surge in Elumatec’s performance are two key new products, the SBZ 615 Cutting and Machining Centre, and the RTS welder, both of which have found particular favour amongst small to medium fabricators in the ascendancy.

‘The reason’, says Phil Heavey the company’s managing director, ‘is that the new products offer a blend of value-for-money, and high efficiency made possible by their sophisticated, but simple-to-use, automated systems.

'‘Although the industry generally has largely accepted the benefits offered by automation, until now these have been seen, rightly or wrongly, as being the exclusive domain of the larger fabricators, and beyond the financial reach of smaller companies even those producing perhaps 400 plus frames a week,’ says Phil. ‘It is this niche of buyers that have contributed substantially to our rise in sales, drawn initially to look at the products due to their price and outline features, but then convinced enough to buy when they look closer.’

Eight SBZ 615 Cutting and Machining Centres have been purchased at Glassex, or from enquires received at the event, at a cost of around £200,000 each, a price which the company says is significantly lower than competing equipment offering similar specification. The RTS welders, of which no fewer than 18 have been purchased by Glassex visitors, speed the welding process with automated head and fence setting. However, while the performance of both machines is said to be industry leading, the clincher for most buyers is that both may be operated with minimal operator training. This is a major factor for fabricators facing growing pressure created by a severe industry shortage of skilled and experienced staff. One new RTS customer employed an unskilled operator to run the machine, and was able to exceed the output of two conventional welders operated by experienced staff, after just two weeks.

Added Phil: ‘There is a new breed of fabricator out there with which these two new products have found particular favour. These companies appear to be the new wave in the market, of young, dynamic people running relatively new companies that are surging ahead and enjoying excellent growth. It would seem that forecasts of the end of the smaller fabricator are somewhat premature.’Caption: Elumatec’s new RTS welder is attracting fabricator buyers because it requires the minimal amount of operator training.

Contact: Phil Heavey
Tel: 01908 580800
Web: http://www.elumatec.com

Emplas Secures £3m London Refurb Contract

Commercial and trade fabricator Emplas Window Systems Ltd has secured a major window replacement contract in London. Emplas is now the main contractor supplying and installing over 5000 PVCu windows and doors as part of a £3m rolling maintenance programme for the Tabard Gardens Estate near London Bridge. The company says that the contract, which represents one of Emplas’ biggest public sector projects yet, was awarded to the company due to the Best Value qualities of its products and its reputation for excellent service.

The Tabard Gardens Estate encompasses over 1482 homes in over 40 five and six-storey blocks of flats. The estate was singled out by Southwark Borough Council for major refurbishment as part of the new Decent Homes Standard introduced by the Government in 2001. Incorporating four basic criteria – fitness for habitation, disrepair, modern facilities and thermal insulation – the scheme aims to improve all UK social housing and ensure that all public sector properties meet this basic standard by 2010. Many of the old windows on the estate, mainly manufactured from timber and steel, could not meet these standards.

Following meetings between Southwark Borough Council, which owns the properties, and Tabard Management Company (TMC) Ltd, which manages the estate, the decision was made to appoint Emplas Window Systems Ltd as the main contractor for the window replacement programme. Roland Simmons, Assistant Major Works Officer at TMC, comments:

‘Emplas products incorporate the Profile 22 system, which is widely regarded as a high quality specification product, and we found that Emplas generally met all our Best Value criteria. The thermal efficiency of the Emplas windows and their cost-effectiveness were the main reasons why we chose them over others.’

With work already underway for Phase 1 of the project, reports from site commending Emplas’ performance and ‘partnering’ approach are an early indication that it will be a great success for the company. Facilities management company and Emplas customer Astec Window Systems Ltd, which is in charge of managing the refurbishment of Tabard Gardens Estate, is impressed by the company’s speed and workmanship. David Crabb, Commercial Director for Astec, comments:

‘We have found Emplas extremely helpful and good to work with from the start. They get things right first time and ensure they get involved in regular tenant liaison meetings so that we all communicate effectively. I am confident that we will collaborate equally well throughout all the phases of the project.’

Roland Simmons of TMC Ltd also praised Emplas’ efforts:

‘Emplas is a very professional outfit and we’ve had no aggravation at all so far. Anything that has come up has been dealt with quickly and efficiently. We have a good working relationship with the company that I hope will continue throughout the project.’

Phases One and Two of the project are due to complete by the end of September 2004, with Phase Three due to commence thereafter.

Kier Sheffield LLP Chooses System 10 for Long-Term Partnership

A just signed six year partnership agreement with Kier Sheffield LLP has put System 10 in the public sector spotlight.

System 10 PVCu windows and doors are already extensively used by major cities Birmingham and Glasgow. Now, with the addition of Sheffield, System 10 has three of the largest UK social housing providers amongst its client portfolio.

Kier has teamed up with Sheffield City Council's Construction and Building service to form a new joint venture company - Kier Sheffield LLP - in order to maintain and repair some 64,000 council houses and other council buildings over a ten year term. The council's outsourcing contract is thought to be one of the largest of its kind awarded in the UK to date.

Mike Stevenson, Sales and Marketing Director - Public Sector of WHS Halo, the manufacturer of System 10 said:

'There are a number of window system companies who claim to be able to service the requirements of the public sector. However, there is only one brand with a proven track record of over twenty years experience specifically in this arena, and that's System 10. It takes a specialist approach to service public sector clients that is very different from that of retail work. This specialist expertise is what differentiates System 10 from the rest.'

Commenting on the selection of System 10, Lawrie Weaver, Kier Sheffield LLP's Service Development Director, said:

'System 10 was selected by us for a number of reasons. The high quality of the product and the proactive, problem-solving approach of the System 10 team were the two main factors. We were impressed with the team's commitment to partnering to provide solutions for our client. Price was an important element but a balanced view between quality, service and price was used to evaluate what is to be a long-term relationship. We are looking forward to our partnership with System 10, and are confident that the brand will deliver what Sheffield City Council is looking for.'

An interesting aspect of the contract is the provision of a sheltered workshop employing people in a supported environment. The workshop will handle the fabrication. of the System 10 windows intended for upgrading the council's housing stock and other associated buildings.

Tel: 0121 749 3000
Email: mailto:systeml0@whs-halo.co.uk

Fusion Glass Designs Awarded ‘Best Manufacturer of the Year’ Accolade by UK Trade & Investment’s Passport to Export initiative

The specialist architectural glass designer and manufacturer, Fusion Glass Designs, was recognised as the ‘Best Manufacturer of the Year’ by UK Trade & Investment at an awards ceremony at Vinopolis on Tuesday 11th May 2004. The Lambeth based company beat competition from Ela Doran fashion and giftware and Rubicon fruit drinks to win the coveted title.

The company was established in 1997, and now has a substantial turnover approaching £5 million, a significant proportion of which is generated by its export activities.

Fusion Glass Designs enrolled on the UK Trade & Investment's Passport for Export programme in 2002, which provided financial assistance and professional guidance towards marketing materials and international trade development activities including travel, literature and an effective website presence. As a result, Fusion Glass Designs has gained clients in Western Europe, USA and the Middle East.

The company has expanded accordingly and now employs more than 50 people at its London premises where it has expertise in kiln-form, sandblasting, laminating and highly sophisticated screen-printing techniques.

The variety of glass processes, combined with Fusion Glass Design's creative expertise and production capabilities have been employed by professional architects and designers for a host of projects including:

* a massive luxury hotel and conference centre in Abu Dhabi;
* the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai; the Carlton Ritz Laguna Hotel in Los Angeles;
* Vodafone's headquarters in Portugal;
* and a private client's residence in Japan.

‘As a result of focussing on the potential of overseas export markets, Fusion Glass Designs has expanded so much that we have doubled our turnover in the past 12 months,’ comments Francis Ellington, Fusion Glass Design's international business director. ‘We anticipate export sales to account for more than 50 per cent of our turnover in 2004. The Passport programme has been invaluable, not only for the matched funding, but equally importantly for its access to practical advice about trading in the global marketplace,’

Mel Langton, international trade adviser at UK Trade & Investment, acted as Fusion Glass Designs' mentor. Commenting on the programme and the company's success he said: ‘I am especially pleased for Fusion, this is an outstanding achievement. They have worked tenaciously to achieve recognition and orders for their unusual product range and specialist service. It is always a challenge to develop a presence in the global marketplace, but to simultaneously manage such a level of business growth is nothing short of spectacular.’

Fusion Glass: 020 7738 5888
Web: http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk

The Omega Group Attracts Complaint

A complaint, objecting to a point of sale poster for glazing company The Omega Group of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, was upheld in one of the two objections according to published details from the Advertising Standards Authority.

Complaint:
Objection to a point of sale poster, for a glazing company, headlined '£1 MILLION GIVEAWAY'. The poster featured a photograph of a woman holding a card that stated 'omega Lifestyle WINNER'. Text alongside the photograph stated 'EVERYONE'S A WINNER! BECAUSE WE ARE GIVING AWAY £1 MILLION OF DISCOUNTS ON OUR RANGE OF QUALITY WINDOWS, DOORS AND CONSERVATORIES STARTS 24TH DECEMBER'. The complainant challenged the claims:
1. '£1 MILLION GIVEAWAY' and
2. 'STARTS 24TH DECEMBER'.

Adjudication:
1. Complaint upheld
The advertisers explained the structure of the promotion: potential customers were given scratchcards at show sites; the scratchcards had denominations of £50, £250 and £500 which converted to discounts on products. The advertisers stated that 5,000 scratchcards were printed with 1,666 of each denomination; that meant that the total discount was £1,332,800.00. They sent samples of the scratchcards that stated the discounts. The advertisers said £1 million was potentially distributable and every single discount would be given if consumers bought the relevant products; they said there was no closing date for claiming scratchcard discounts. They argued that consumers would not infer that £1 million would definitely be given away during the promotion; they would be concerned merely with how it would benefit them as individuals. The advertisers did not state the amount of discounts that had been given away so far. The Authority noted the poster stated '£1 MILLION GIVEAWAY' and 'WE ARE GIVING AWAY £1 MILLION OF DISCOUNTS'. It considered that consumers would infer from the poster that the advertisers would definitely give away £1 million in discounts. The Authority noted the advertisers stopped distributing the scratchcards on 31st March and the terms and conditions of the promotion stated 'Offer starts 24/12/03 and closes when £1 Million of discounts have been claimed'. The Authority considered it unlikely that the advertisers would ever reach a total of £1 million in discount giveaways and noted the advertisers had not convinced it otherwise; they had not shown that they had given away £1 million in discounts, or that they were on course to do that. The Authority concluded that the claims '£1 MILLION GIVEAWAY' and 'WE ARE GIVING AWAY £1 MILLION OF DISCOUNTS' were misleading. It asked the advertisers not to repeat the claims in future similar promotions.

2. Complaint not upheld
The advertisers said the promotion started on 24th December 2003 and ended on 31st March 2004. They explained that banners were suspended from elevated poles at show sites in December. The advertisers submitted a letter from their agency, which stated that the scratchcards were delivered in time for the offer to start in December and the order was completed and invoiced on 19th December. The Authority noted the complainant had not noticed a poster that advertised the promotion until mid-February, but was satisfied that the promotion had started on 24th December and that the advertisers had made the public sufficiently aware of it.

Profix Supplies the Trade

Birmingham-based Profix Ltd has recently extended its business offer by supplying products direct to the trade market. The expansion into this market was born from demand for Profix’s product range having already achieved considerable success supplying products into the commercial arena. The company says that with a continually increasing order book, this strategic move would appear to be working.

Profix offers a comprehensive range of quality products including casements, conservatories, patio doors, French doors and tilt and turns. The company’s range is complemented by a reliable service approach.

The company says its customer service philosophy is further extended by its hands on approach to assisting its installers. The company has recently introduced tablet pc’s to a number of its installing partners that enables them to quote directly to the consumer from their own in-house computer. All Profix’s pricing matrix has been installed into the software so an installer can quote accurately, efficiently and quickly.

Director of Profix, Mick Sadler commented, ‘We pride ourselves on being a forward thinking operation and the adoption of tablet pc’s is just another step to assist our installing partners. However, what is very important to our customers is the high quality of product and service that they have come to expect from Profix. This reputation has been built from our good relationship with many local authorities and has simply filtered down into the trade market.’

Profix manufactures the 60mm Deceuninck decorative profile suite which is available in a wide choice of colour and foiling options.

Tel: 0121 358 6128

AFG Announces a Reorganisation and Consolidation

AFG Industries is reorganising all North American operations by consolidating their manufacturing and fabrication into three units: AFG Glass has responsibility for all float operations; AFG Coatings will continue to focus on residential and commercial low-e coatings, and AFG Fabrication will continue the activities of the former AFGD branches which have been renamed AFG Commercial Fabrication; plus AFG Residential Fabrication (formerly AFG Insulating) and AFG Laminating (formerly GPI).

'Our common strategy is to be better, faster, and more flexible in serving our customers and achieving our business objectives,' John Litzinger, president and CEO of parent AFG Industries said in announcing what he described as the company’s 'One Company' business plan. According to Litzinger, 'This consolidation will offer our customers a more direct and efficient supply chain from melting to a wide range of glass fabrication and distribution. It is designed to improve our costs by eliminating duplication through common systems and practices while expanding our services and the value of our products.'

Tom Dougherty, Vice President, Manufacturing will become Vice President, AFG Glass. John Stilwell, President of AFGD, will become Vice President, AFG Fabrication and will have three general managers reporting to him: Billy Blair (Commercial Fabrication - formerly AFGD Branches), Greg Vance (Residential Fabrication – formerly AFG Insulating ) and Tom Zaccone (Laminating – formerly GPI).

The AFGD office in Atlanta will be relocated to Kingsport, TN. The sales organisation will also be consolidated under the leadership of current Vice President, Sales, Marc Massa who explained, 'There will be two basic sales groups - one for Fabrication and one for Glass (primary). The Fabrication sales force will cover fabricated, coated and flat glass products to non-truck load customers while the Primary sales force will provide a similar range of products and services to truck load buyers.'

Massa explained 'Customers are going to see one face, or AFG representative, who can manage all product orders and has single responsibility for customer product education, partnering support and resolution to problems.' There are no changes in the AFG Glass sales organisation. National Sales Manager for AFG Fabrication (U.S.) is Mike Elliott. Brian Martineau will become Director, Marketing for parent AFG Industries and continue his direction of the Architectural Representatives and Product Managers as part of the development of a combined marketing strategy for the commercial market segment where AFGD has been successfully concentrating.

In Litzinger’s letter to AFG’s 5000 employees, he said, 'By re-engineering our operations under the corporate umbrella of AFG Industries, we will improve our portion of the glass supply chain ‘from sand to satisfaction’ through enhancing our breadth of customer services, lead-times, flexibility, speed-to-market of new products and the overall value we create for our customers.'

Alcoa to Expand Sao Luis, Brazil - Alumar - Aluminium Smelter by 63,000 Metric Tons

Alcoa announced on July 20th that its Brazilian 100 percent equity owned subsidiary, Alcoa Aluminio S.A., will begin expanding capacity at its Sao Luis (Alumar) aluminium smelter immediately.

Aluminio will expand its share of the smelting operations in Sao Luis by 30 percent, or 63,000 metric tons per year (mtpy), with an investment of US$ 130 million, bringing Alcoa Aluminio's share of smelting capacity there to 262,000 metric tons per year (mtpy). When complete, Alcoa's share of output from the overall smelter will grow from 54 to 60 percent. Construction of the expansion will begin immediately, with production expected to begin in the third quarter of 2005.

The Alumar facility is a non-incorporated joint venture, with BHP Billiton. Upon completion of this expansion, total smelting capacity at the Alumar consortium will increase from 370,000 mtpy to 433,000 mtpy.

The Alumar smelting expansion was enabled through Aluminio's previously announced completion of a 20-year agreement with Eletronorte, a Brazilian regional energy producer and seller, to buy up to 500 megawatts of hydro-powered electricity annually. The expansion will be implemented consistent with Alcoa's principles and philosophies regarding sustainable development.

In addition to this smelting expansion, Alcoa and the other joint venture owners of the Alumar refinery are actively exploring the opportunity for immediate brownfield expansion of the alumina refinery by 2 million mtpy on the same site The Alumar refinery is jointly owned by BHP Billiton (36%), Alcan (10%), Alcoa Aluminio (35.1%) and Abalco S.A. (18.9%). Abalco is part of the Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC) enterprise, owned 60% by Alcoa and 40% by Alumina Ltd. Preliminary design studies have already been completed.

The alumina expansion calls for a retrofit of the existing unit and the addition of a second, state-of-the-art unit at the refinery. Upon completion, the facility's capacity will be 3.3 million mtpy. Assuming successful approval processes with government environmental and others agencies a decision to move forward with the proposed $680 million project is expected to be made in the second half of 2004. It is expected the project will be completed by early 2007.

Alcoa also is studying development of the Juruti bauxite reserve in Brazil. Subject to government agencies approval a decision to move forward on this bauxite reserve project, which is estimated to require investments of approximately $350 million, is also expected to be made in the second half of 2004. The project would be implemented consistent with Alcoa's sustainability principles.

Alcoa's share of the Machadinho and Barra Grande hydropower facilities will supply the full energy needs of its Pocos de Caldas smelter. The company continues to pursue competitive and environmentally sound energy projects in Brazil to increase its energy self-sufficiency and make further upstream expansion possible.

Web: http://www.alcoa.com

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