Saint
Gobain launches self-cleaning glass
A new self-cleaning glass which uses rain to clean
itself was launched in the UK today by SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS.
A real innovation, SGG AQUACLEAN glass has a transparent coating of a
hydrophilic (literally ‘water-loving') mineral material, so that
water spreads out over the surface of the coating and causes a washing
effect when it comes into contact with the window. The water then quickly
evaporates, leaving no marks from dried drops of water.
Left:
Hydrophilic Glass
Right:
Hydrophobic Glass
The
invisible, self-cleaning coating gives SGG AQUACLEAN glass unique properties
compared with conventional glass:
* Less frequent cleaning: the glass stays clean longer
* Easier to clean: less dirt adheres to the surface
* Window-cleaning costs are reduced
* Lower use of detergents protects the environment When the self-cleaning
face is placed inside a room, condensation disappears more quickly.
SGG AQUACLEAN is the first product to be launched from the company’s
new family of glass called SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS CLEAN.
Designed for every building application where glass comes into contact
with rain or water, from curtain walling to domestic window replacement,
the optical, mechanical, thermal and acoustic performance of SGG AQUACLEAN
glass is identical to that of conventional glass and its transparency
and visual appearance are also maintained.
Similarly, the processing (assembly into double glazed units, toughening
and laminating) and the installation of SGG AQUACLEAN are similar to those
of a conventional glass.
Currently, this new product is being manufactured for Europe at SAINT-GOBAIN
GLASS’ Aniche facility in France, with plans being prepared to expand
its production to other European sites.
At Batimat, the major European Building Products Trade Fair in Paris recently,
SGG AQUACLEAN won a Silver lnnovation Award for new solutions for the
french building sector. Launched in the UK yesterday (26 November), the
new product will be available in the UK and lreland from early in 2002.
For further details call 024 7654 7667.
Click here for Technical Specification
Click here for Questions and Answers about the new
glass
Machinery
investment signals growth at Yorkshire Trade
Yorkshire
Trade Windows, based in Pontefract, has completed a major investment in
new machinery which it says will enable it to keep pace with apredicted
increase in demand.
The company, which fabricates using REHAU’s S706 70mm system, hasseen
growth rates of between 30 and 40% per year since it was founded five
years ago and is on target to reach an output of between 350 and 450 windows
per week during 2001.
The new machinery represents a further investment for the company in excess
of £150,000 and includes two new Promac CNC corner cleaners and
a new four-head welder.
Stuart Drewell, the Managing Director of Yorkshire Trade, says: ‘We
have established ourselves as very much a high quality fabricator, holding
IS09002, and the market has responded very positively to that. We serve
customers throughout the north of England who value product quality and
prompt, free delivery. This investment in new machinery and our plan to
invest a further £250,000 in 2002 are evidence of our commitment
to those customers’.
'Who's
Winning the Direct Sell Battle'?, asks Palmer
‘lt’s not the first guestion that people
ask on receiving our report’, says Robert Palmer, ‘but it’s
one that grips everyone. Our latest report on the Home Improvements Sector
reveals that the major Home lmprovement Direct Sell companies (i.e. those
with over £10 million turnover) have lost significant market share
to the companies with up to £10 million turnover. But why? It appears
that the major companies may be missing out on the Conservatory market
- currently the fastest growing sector. It’s companies of between
£1 and £10 million turnover who are riding the crest of the
conservatory boom!’
The first question for most is undoubtedly,’Is there growth left
in Home Improvements?’ And the answers here are clear. Distress purchases
are declining, because the replacement window industry is still mostly
replacing ‘original wood or steel windows - Palmer shows that 86%
of windows removed in 2000 were wood or steel. Unless the industry can
increase the replacement of ‘replaced’ windows sevenfold; decline
is inevitable. Palmer fears that 1999 saw the peak of Home lmprovement
window replacements.
Conservatories, though, are rarely a distress purchase. Lifestyle counts,
and with 11% growth in installations over the previous year, and plenty
to go for, Palmer predicts increasing sales, even with a slowdown in the
economy. Direct Sales leads the way, as ever, and showed 15% volume growth,
with prices overall increasing by nearly 10%
Notable trends and new features in this edition include:-
Overall home improvement market size for windows (number of units) decreased
last year by 4.2% overall, but the value by only 1.5% indicating price
increases of around 2.8%.
Although the Direct Sell sector fell by some 4.4%, window sales through
Builders only dropped 2.0%, Palmer attributes this to a relative rise
in home extensions and renovations. PVC-U installations fell slightly
but, surprisingly, softwood windows grew by 23% in the direct sell sector.
The analysis by distribution channels reveals that the volume of windows
produced by PVC-U Trade Fabricators (i.e. those who do not also install)
grew by 3.1%. Although unglazed prices remained constant, glazed prizes
rose to accommodate the glass price increases, but there was a continuing
shift from glazed to unglazed frames.
Palmer also looks at trends in the market by region compared with the
number of houses in that region. He shows that replacement of windows
by the direct sell sector in the North of England has, until recently,
consistently been some 4% above the national average. This has now fallen,
probably because now there are fewer windows to be replaced.
This contrasts with the South of England, where Direct Sell averages some
5-6% below the national figure. At the same time, the South has exceeded
the average consistently in the Builders Sector, possibly due to a greater
amount of alterations and extensions. Palmer suggests that, if this is
the case, then the Builders sector could remain relatively buoyant in
the South.
Palmer also considers the effects of Document L, and the relatively small
cost of using low-E glass in each frame. However, if the suppliers of
such windows demand excessive margins for this benefit, then the market
could be further depressed.
After a decline in shoot-bolts, (and espag./shoot-bolt combinations) on
side hung casements over the previous six years, there was a surprising
increase at the expense of pure espagnolettes. Palmer attributes this
to the differences in hardware use between regions. Clearly this is a
matter of importance to any hardware manufacturer or supplier.
The Private Home lmprovement market for Entrance doors was relatively
static, and the market shares by material were stable, except for an indication
that plastic composites are now being increasingly used in the direct
sell sector. This year’s report includes a new analysis of Door hardware
- 19 in every 20 doors sold in the Direct sell market now employs some
form of multi-locking security. Compare this with just 1 in 5 for the
Builder’s sector.
The previous years’ trend moving from (sliding) Patio to (hinged)
French doors continues, and the new hardware analysis reveals which locking
systems could benefit from the trend. Palmer points out that these products
could be by-passed by consumers who prefer to install a conservatory instead.
The detailed figures are all there in this new 2001 report, The Market
for Private Sector Home Improvements; available now direct from Palmer
Market Research at £4,500+ VAT for the two volumes. This fee includes
a personal presentation by Robert Palmer, a ‘hotline’ telephone
service for the year plus a CD containing all the report charts in colour
in PowerPoint format which can be used for clients’ own presentations.
Contact:
Robert Palmer Palmer Market Research 31 Victoria Road
Surbiton
Surrey KT6 4JT
tel: 020 8390 8131 fax: 020 8390 9833
e-mail: info@palmermarketresearch.co.uk
web site: www.palmermarketresearch.co.uk
The attached char~ shows the relative growth of different product groups
in the period 1994-2000.
Burnden
Group teams up with Belfast University
The Burnden Group plc have signed a partnership agreement with The Queens
Universityof Belfast which will allow the knowledge and research into
polymer engineering to beshared between the two parties.
The Queens University of Belfast is renowned for being one of the world
leaders in engineering technology and has worked in partnership with companies
across the world covering a variety of different industries, from well-known
engineering companies, through to Formula One racing teams.
The terms of the agreement will allow The Burnden Group to have full-unlimited
access to the University’s state of the art testing facilities within
the Polymer Process Research Centre (PPRC) in Belfast. In addition, they
will also benefit from the expertise of M.Sc. and Ph.D. qualified Researchers
and Professors based at the Centre.
The partnership will also involve the transfer of two graduates, currently
studying at the
University to work at The Burnden Group over a 2 year period. They will
be utilising their knowledge and skills to help the Group develop new
products, processes and polymers, furthering enhancing the company’s
product porffolio and K2 conservatory roof system.
K2 Technical Manager, Barry McMahon, says ‘This partnership is a
significant step forward for us, as it will help us to develop and expand
our existing system and strengthenour force within a very competitive
market.’
‘We are all very excited of the opportunities that lie ahead and
are looking forward to the company achieving a greater level of growth
in the coming months, both at home and abroad’ .
‘This agreement is tangible evidence that The Burnden Group plc and
its conservatory roof brand K2, will be at the forefront of engineering
and polymer innovation.’
Guardian
Europe hosts corner stone laying ceremony in Poland
'Due to the current softening of some European markets', Saint-Gobain and Pilkington have decided to defer their project to construct a float plant in Poland.
However,
Guardian Industries recently welcomed more than 300 customers, friends
and government officials to Guardian Poland for the cornerstone-laying
ceremony of its seventh European float glass plant. Located in the south-central
Polish city of Czestochowa, the new plant represents an investment of
more than 100 million Euros.
Guardian announced its intent to build its 21st float glass manufacturing
facility and fabrication line in Czestochowa last December. Construction
on the facility began in June and production is scheduled to begin in
late 2002, bringing more than 250 jobs to the region. The new plant will
operate 24 hours a day; seven days a week, producing 650 tons of float
glass per day.
The Czestochowa facility represents a continuation of Guardian’s
commitment to the Central and Eastern European markets. Guardian’s
Orosháza, Hungary, float glass plant was built in 1988, and its
Thalheim facility in eastern Germany was built in 1995.
'The
strong growth in float glass markets in these regions, coupled with growing
customer demand for Guardian fabricated products, made Poland a high priority
for Guardian’s expansion plans', the glassmaker says.
Since launching its first international float line in Luxembourg in 1981,
Guardian has significantly expanded its float glass capacity and fabrication
capabilities in Europe. In addition to float glass, Guardian Europe produces
mirrors, laminated glass, tempered glass, and reflective and low-emissivity
coated glass for the residential and commercial construction industries
as well as European automakers.
Guardian Industries Corp. is a leading worldwide manufacturer of float
glass and fabricated glass products for the commercial and residential
construction industries, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. One of the Top
100 Global Automotive Suppliers, Guardian Automotive provides complete
exterior systems to the global automotive industry. Guardian Fiberglass,
Inc., a Guardian subsidiary, is one of the largest manufacturers of fiberglass
in the world and occupies a significant and growing position in the building
materials distribution business. Guardian, its subsidiaries and affiliates
employ 17,500 people and operate facilities throughout North America,
Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Poor
delivery service from their previous profile supplier led Salford-based
Anders & Co to switch to PROFlLE 22 - a move which has already helped
to grow the business since taking the decision in the spring.
With over half a century of experience behind it, the company could not
take chances with unreliable deliveries, so despite a 16-year trading
relationship with their former supplier, they decided to take on a new
profile.
As Director Ken Reeks, explains: ‘lt was the right move in the right
direction at the right time and we haven’t looked back. Our considerable
expertise in the commercial sector also necessitated a highly-specified
profile such as the PROFlLE 22 system.
“We’re very happy with PROFlLE 22. It was a considered decision.
After 16 years with our previous supplier, we don’t just switch on
a whim,’ continues Ken.
The company is currently very busy, and apart from PVC-U window fabrication,
it is a major distributor and installer of Pilkington fire glass products
and merchant glass.
Anders & Co was founded in 1931 by Thomas Arthur Anders and manufactured
automobile screens and door glasses for the specialist commercial motor
body builders. During the 1950s the company changed direction believing
the future lay in merchanting flat glass and offering a glazing service
to the local community and commercial interests.
In 1957 Managing Director Maurice Anders, the son of the founder, took
over at the helm and the company moved to larger premises in Salford.
Just 21 years later, having recognised the benefits and potential of PVC-U
as a window material, they diversified into manufacturing frames and sealed
units.
Says Ken: “Since then we’ve grown and:weathered many storms,
but our links with local authorities throughout the Manchester area have
helped us to maintain steady growth over the years.’
Anders & Co was heavily involved in the immediate clear-up after the
bomb damage in 1996 in central Manchester. Other large glazing contracts
have included Piccadilly Plaza, Terminal 2 Manchester Airport, Salford
University and the Liver Building.
Large PVC-U contracts have included BNFL; British Aerospace, Wharton,
ICI and
Aztec Zeneca, as well as many Local Authority and Housing Association
contracts.