Planet’s
Dean St John Honoured in International Business Awards
Dean
St John, founder and chairman of Preston-based Planet PVC Group Ltd, the
UK installer of conservatories, has carried off a coveted award at the
North region finals of this year’s Ernst & Young Entrepreneur
of the Year awards. This is the second award in less than a week for Planet.
On Friday 18th June, Planet won the G04 Awards for the Glass & Glazing
Industry for ‘Best Promotional Campaign’.
A
major international awards programme, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur
of the Year Awards seek to recognise and celebrate the achievement of
outstanding entrepreneurs within successful growing, dynamic businesses
and are globally recognised as the ‘business oscars’.
This is the second award in less than a week for Planet. On Friday 18th
June, Planet won the G04 Awards for the Glass & Glazing Industry for
‘Best Promotional Campaign’.
At the Entrepreneur of the Year awards ceremony held in Manchester on
Tuesday 22nd June, Dean received the North region Consumer Products award
and was commended by the judges for his ‘visionary ability, commitment
and attitude’, the solid reputation he has built for the business
and the great pride he takes in providing a quality product and service.
Noting Dean’s recognition that his staff are ‘hugely important’
the judges also identified the ‘social impact’ the business
makes in the region.
Dean established Planet in 1995 in the back room of his Chorley home.
The company moved to its first small showroom at the end of 1996 and now
has four company-owned megastores together with 13 Planet franchise operations.
Commenting on winning the Entrepreneur of the Year award, Dean St John
said: ‘I am delighted to win this prestigious award. This award recognises
not only my achievements, but most importantly all of the staff at Planet,
who work so hard in delivering a quality product to 1000’s of satisfied
customers throughout the UK.’
The company, which has three main areas; retail, manufacturing and franchises,
has continued to grow under Dean’s leadership and annual turnover
was £21 million in the year to March 2003 with a projected turnover
of £70 million for 2004. The company is now the UK’s largest
installer of conservatories.
Having identified a gap in the market, the Planet franchise scheme was
launched in 2002, receiving an excellent response. Another 35 franchises
are currently being recruited to achieve 90 per cent coverage of the UK
which will be followed a flotation on AIM.
Steve Smith, partner with Ernst & Young in Manchester, said: ‘Dean’s
ongoing drive and determination to constantly innovate and drive his business
to its leading market position are very impressive. He epitomises the
diverse wealth of entrepreneurial talent we have within the region. I
wish Dean every success at the national awards which will be held this
October in London.’
The overall title of North Region Entrepreneur of the Year 2004 was awarded
to Simon Nixon of Chester-based Moneysupermarket.com along with the Consumer
Services award.
The other North region recipients were: Shaid Luqman of Pearl Holdings
who received the Young Entrepreneur award; Patrick Cryne of iSoft who
was named the Technology & Communication Entrepreneur of the year;
Anthony Richards of The Millennium Centre who was presented with the Social
Entrepreneur award; Jim Rowley of The Funding Corporation who received
the Emerging Entrepreneur title, Terry Bramall of Keepmoat plc who was
presented with the Master Entrepreneur award and Chris Rea of AES Engineering
who was presented with the Business Products & Services Entrepreneur
Award.
Dean and his fellow North region award recipients, who were selected from
38 finalists, will go through to the national final in October, from which
the Overall UK Entrepreneur of the Year will go forward to the World Entrepreneur
of the Year Awards in 2005.
The Entrepreneur of the Year Awards now take place in 35 countries around
the world with nearly 10,000 entrepreneurs competing at regional, national
and international level and are in their sixth year in the UK where the
programme is co-sponsored by The Times, Coutts and The London Stock Exchange.
Network
Veka Opens a new Door with Henderson
Network
Veka has signed a deal with Henderson Garage Doors giving members exclusive
access to a range of special terms and benefits on the company’s
products. The move was made specifically in response to members’
requests and further extends the organisation’s recent commitment
to offering a wider product range. The deal uses the collective strength
of Network Veka to bring big-customer benefits to every member, large
or small, including significant price discounts, preferential service
levels and a minimum delivery of just one door.
‘Garage doors form an ideal complement to our current offering,’
said Network Veka Managing Director John Ogilvie. ‘They are a large
element of most house frontages and can very easily be a part of the same
sales proposition as windows, doors and conservatories.’
Henderson Sales Director Mel Lovatt added: ‘We have seen a growing
interest in our products from the window industry and we are looking forward
to exploring this trend with Network Veka. We are also very happy to be
associated with an organisation with such high standards.’
Henderson has sold more than 3million garage doors since it began manufacturing
50 years ago and produces a wide range in GRP, steel and timber with many
options including remote control.
Network Veka members are already benefiting from a number of group deals,
such as one with Renault giving them discounts based on the collective
size of the entire organisation.
Earlier this year, all members were urged to take the wider view on home
improvement by adding products such as PVCu gates, fencing and decking
in the same way that many in the trade have moved into roofline.
Contact: John Ogilvie
Tel: 01282 473170
BAC
Aims to Clean Up the Competition with Pilkington Activ™ Summer Promotion
BAC
Windows Ltd, the UK window, door and conservatory installer, has launched
a major promotion offering Pilkington Activ™ - the self-cleaning
glass – fitted free of charge on all windows and doors sold during
the summer. According to BAC advance interest in the promotion is such
that the company may consider extending the offer into the autumn.
BAC is a well-established organisation, it has experienced particularly
rapid growth during the last few years and says it is now one of the UK’s
largest window replacement companies. Primarily based in the South East,
the company’s headquarters, showroom and manufacturing plant is in
Romford, Essex and BAC has four high street showrooms in Maidenhead, Sidcup,
Worcester Park and St Albans. Sales Director Bill Garner anticipates a
busy summer season:
‘The idea of glass that continuously cleans itself is attractive
to any homeowner, but making this idea a reality – and free of charge
– will be irresistible to any customer considering replacing their
windows and doors now. For a limited period we are also offering 30% off
the total cost of a window and door installation, plus 0% finance, so
we are expecting a massive response.’
BAC is also investing heavily in marketing the promotion, with advertising
placed in the national press, including the Sunday Times and Evening Standard,
as well as regional press and a massive radio campaign. The company, which
also concentrates heavily on lead generation through its website, is also
featuring the marketing campaign on its site at http://www.bacwindows.co.uk.
Says Bill Garner:
'Our original plan was to supply Pilkington Activ™ free of charge
during June only, but we have received so much positive feedback from
customers on this that we decided to extend the offer throughout the summer.
If things go as well as we hope – and I am confident that they will
– we may well look at extending the promotion once again.’
Developed in the UK by Pilkington and launched following extensive field
and laboratory testing, Pilkington Activ™ keeps itself clean by harnessing
the two natural elements of ultra violet light and rain. The technology
uses UV light to break down organic dirt deposits on the glass and then
uses the rain to wash the dirt away.
Web: http://www.activglass.com
Promac
Group First to Confirm G05 Awards Sponsorship
G04 Awards sponsors, Promac Group confirmed their sponsorship for the
2005 event immediately following the conclusion of the recent awards ceremony.
Commenting on the sponsorship renewal, Promac Group Chairman, David Stockton-Chalk
stated, ‘I am delighted that, once again, the industry has an awards
scheme of which we can all be proud, judged by professionals and efficiently
organised.’
He added, ‘As a business, Promac Group has always been committed
to promoting professionalism and rewarding excellence. Following the success
of this year’s event, we are delighted to confirm our support for
the G05 Awards. The awards will present Promac Group with an opportunity
to demonstrate it’s ongoing commitment to the glass and glazing markets
and we will be encouraging our customers to submit entries.’
Bohle
Boosts Machinery Production
Bohle
AG has extended its machinery production factory in Torgau, in the Saxony
Region of Germany, as a response to growing demand for its range of glass
processing machines throughout Europe and beyond.
The
new extension adds over 20,000sq ft to the existing production halls.
An additional 50,000sq ft of land adjacent to the site has also been acquired
to allow for further development.
Bohle UK Managing Director Gary Dean explains, ‘Our machines are
proving very popular, providing high build quality and innovative solutions
at affordable prices because of our direct sale approach. It therefore
became clear that an expansion of our machinery production factory was
necessary, and last year Bohle AG managed to acquire a large area of land
alongside the existing buildings.’
The new production hall provides the space required to build more models
more quickly, as well as allowing expansion of the range.
Bohle UK offers an extensive range of glass processing machines, including
Belt and Disc Grinders and high precision Drillers. And to satisfy the
growing demand in the specialist and Art Glass sectors, the company has
recently launched a new collection of manual and fully automatic Sandblasting
systems. Designed and built by Bohle to meet the varied demands of glaziers
and glass processing shops, both large and small, the range is available
direct from Bohle UK’s dedicated machinery sales and support division
in Oldham.
Contact: Nelson Graham, Sales Manager
Freephone: 0800 61 61 51
Web: http:// www.bohle.ltd.uk
New
Distribution Centre Fulfils Ukae’s Ambitious Growth Plans
Following
a period of growth and development for the company, UKae Ltd has moved
into a new dedicated 36,000 sq ft distribution centre close to its West
Midlands headquarters. The company, which also recently announced its
decision to manufacture an increased range of Georgian and spacer bar
products in-house, chose the new site to accommodate both new product
stockholding and its plans for further expansion in the future.
The move to the new facility now brings UKae’s total factory space
to around 75,000 sq ft and allows the company to concentrate on its ambitious
growth plans for the next few years. Garry Ealing, Managing Director for
UKae, comments:
‘The new distribution site now holds probably the most comprehensive
range of IG products under one roof in the UK. Our customers need a continuous
choice of innovative products in order to compete successfully, and this
move will allow UKae to step up product development, expand output and
improve serviceability. This forms just one part of a wider strategy to
extend our market-leading position in this sector.’
UKae products will be distributed nationwide from the new facility using
the company’s own dedicated fleet of vehicles.
The True Cost of Competing on Price in Window Security
With
the ever-increasing focus on window security, responsibility falls - in
part - to hardware manufacturers to meet the challenges of providing high
performance solutions that can offer the security levels fabricators require.
Hardware manufacturer Siegenia-Aubi is not fazed by this responsibility
but warns that fabricators must accept realistic prices for quality products.
According
to UK general manager, Léann Hearne, high performance products
backed by extensive service and technical support – as is standard
from most reputable hardware manufacturers – do come with a premium.
However, that premium ensures fabricators are getting products that are
streets ahead in terms of performance, quality and technical backup.
She says, ‘A particular bugbear - and one we’ve raised on many
occasions - is that innovation in the window industry is slowed because
of a reluctance to pay for the quality it delivers. Manufacturers are
constantly being screwed down on price and are therefore unable to deliver
products requiring greater investment.’
Siegenia-Aubi continues to enjoy a high profile in the UK and Irish TBT
markets and this, according to Léann, is a direct result of a continued
focus on developing high quality, high performance products that offer
a variety of benefits as standard.
'A range of our products comes with Secured By Design and BS7950 certification
as standard, giving fabricators peace of mind that the hardware is up
to the job. These security benefits feature alongside the quality and
performance characteristics that have helped Siegenia-Aubi hardware stay
ahead of the game in global markets.
‘Our
TS-Look silver coating was specifically developed as an environmentally
sustainable alternative to yellow passivation. When tested to ISO 9227
(BS7479) TS-Look gives outstanding levels of corrosion resistance; 72
hours protection against white rust and up to 480 hours against red rust
– double the requirements of RAL RG 607/3.
‘These performance levels, coupled with the security benefits and
expert technical backup we offer as standard, give fabricators a high
performance, reliable option when it comes to hardware selection. Additional
fittings and hardware variations – including mishandling devices
and two alternative sash lifters – help extend hardware life resulting
in a more effective long-term TBT window solution.
‘As a forward-thinking organisation we don’t want to water our
products and service down to meet lower price demands. As soon as that
happens it’s the fabricators who lose out by forfeiting the technical
support that we simply can’t provide at lower prices.
‘Surely it’s time fabricators took the long-term view and realised
that the quality and service benefits that come with realistically priced,
high performance products are well worth paying for?’
Cervoglass
and New Dawn – Partnering for Success
Cervoglass,
the conservatory roof glass from independent specialist glass processor
James Price Tuff X ‘is already proving a great success in the market’
says the company.
A strategic partnership has been formed with conservatory roof systems
company – Newdawn & Sun Ltd which is now distributing the product
through over 250 fabricators and trade outlets.
Cervoglass™ has a special coating contained within the dual sealed
roof units that reflects up to three times the amount of solar heat compared
with conventional glass units for summer comfort whilst reducing heat
loss in colder periods. A special ‘easy-clean’ coating is applied
to Cervoglass™ units that prevents rain and water from forming droplets
so that when it rains the water spreads evenly over the surface of the
glass and washes any dirt away leaving a spot free finish.
There are three Cervoglass™ products in the range - Cervo™,
Cervo Bright™ and Cervo Sol Bright™. All help to reduce harmful
CO2 emissions and provide good U-values whether air or Argon filled with
solar factors and visible light transmissions. Cervo™ consists of
dual sealed 4mm clear toughened glass; Cervo Bright™ Argon filled
4mm clear toughened and 4mm Low E toughened; Cervo Sol Bright™ argon
filled solar controlled 4mm blue tinted toughened and Low E 4mm toughened.
All Cervoglass™ toughened glass units from Tuff X are dual sealed
on the latest robotic Lisec system, are Kitemarked BS 5713 and can be
heat soak tested to DIN 50049-2-1.
Alan Cockayne of Newdawn commented ‘We are delighted to be involved
in the distribution of Cervoglass, our roof system has always been ideal
for glass roofs as it features aluminium end caps as standard and with
the current increase in demand for quality conservatories the combination
of Newdawn Newera and James Price Cervoglass should prove a winner.’
Tel: 0151 523 7070
Email: mailto:tuffx@jprice-group.co.uk
Ritec
Gives Go-Glass A Superior Finish
Ritec’s
Sandblast Glass Protect is ensuring an attractive, long-lasting finish
on sandblasted glass produced by Go-Glass in Cambridge. A supplier of
high quality glass and mirrors for the past 25 years, Go-Glass designs
and produces decorative glass for both the home and workplace, from door
panel and side lights, shower enclosures and kitchen splash backs to furniture
and shelving.
Go-Glass
specialises in sandblasted glass, which can quickly lose its pristine
appearance when exposed to surface contamination such as finger marks.
Ritec Sandblast Glass Protect gives sandblasted glass an attractive satin
finish that resists staining. At Go-Glass, the company’s trained
technicians use manual spraying equipment to apply the coating (automation
options are also available).
Once this has dried, any residue is simply cleaned off, leaving the surface
protected and easier to clean without the need for harsh chemicals.
Commenting on Ritec’s award-winning glass protection technology,
Clive Sparkes, Design and Development Director at Go-Glass, says, ‘Ritec’s
ClearShield offers a uniform finish, longer life and simpler maintenance
programme than other protective coatings. We started using it because
so many architects specify it. Ritec’s service is also very reliable
and if we need advice, their staff are always helpful and knowledgeable.’
Launched last year, Sandblast Glass Protect is a specialist version of
Ritec’s ClearShield System, developed for protecting sandblasted
glass or glass with abrasively-etched decoration. It is based on the company’s
proven polymer technology enhanced with a new and more active catalyst
for even higher resistance to corrosion and staining.
With Sandblast Glass Protect, the surface is chemically non-reactive,
so dirt builds up more slowly and will not stick to it. This makes it
Low-M (Low Maintenance) Glass® – on average cutting cleaning
frequency by half – and it retains its visual appeal for much longer.
And when combined with Ritec’s recommended after-care programme,
Sandblast Glass Protect glass can look and perform like new for years
to come.
Tel: 020 8344 8210
Web: http://www.ritec.co.uk
Secured
by Design/PAS24 – Developments
Following
the recent publication of the draft amendments to the PAS24 standard,
Hoppe (UK) says that many customers have asked what the company is doing
in response to the proposed new test where the door handle can be attacked
and access to the cylinder can result in unauthorised access.
‘We are delighted to confirm that testing is in the final stages
of a range of handles that will satisfy the requirements of PAS24 and
also meet the Secured by Design test criteria. says the company.
‘Availability is likely to be around late spring/early summer although
it still seems unclear as to when the test will actually become part of
the standard.’
‘Fresher than Springtime are we!’
In
Spring 2004, more Local Authorities transferred their housing stock to
ALMOs, Housing Associations or Trusts. This has resulted in another update
to the established Windowbase database of Public Sector Housing Specifiers
at the end of May. It contains details of 1730 individual contacts in
Housing Associations and Local Housing Authorities, based at 992 offices
in 820 organisations. More importantly, these people are collectively
responsible for the existing stock of 5.4 million public sector general
needs dwellings, and for planning even more.
‘The update was made necessary by the reorganisation of Public Sector
stocks after April 1st 2004’, says Mike Davis director of Windowbase.
‘Our existing customers have expressed appreciation at the revisions
made to our maps reflecting the transfers.’
Suppliers of building materials & services welcome the annual updating
service when they subscribe to the Public Housing Specifiers database.
The data is also offered on a one-off usage basis, for details of this
and a further explanation of the information offered, ask Windowbase for
the company’s Datasheet No 4. – e-mail your address to mailto:info@winbase.co.uk
with the heading Datasheet 4, and it will be dispatched to you by return;
or look on the website: http://www.winbase.co.uk
Also updated at the end of May, with 200 new companies, is the Windowbase
Window, Door, and Conservatory suppliers database.
Amcat Teams with UK Data IT to Fight Nuisance Calls
Amcat,
a leading global supplier of contact centre solutions, is working with
data suppression specialist, UK DATA IT, to become the first call centre
predictive dialler vendor to support the new 'silent call file'.
The file is independently managed by UK DATA IT with the support of the
DMA and TPS (Telephone Preference Service) and contains telephone details
of individuals who have complained of silent calls (also known as 'dropped'
or 'abandoned' calls) caused by the use of predictive diallers in call
centres. At present, individuals have little choice other than to sign
up to the TPS register to prevent the re-occurrence of silent calls.
UK DATA IT's Sales and Marketing Director, Richard Melling, explains,
'The idea behind the Silent Call suppression file is to differentiate
the victims of dropped calls from telephone subscribers that want a blanket
ban on receiving unsolicited calls from third parties. By offering telemarketing
centres the ability to stop delivering silent calls to consumers that
have complained about them, within 48 hours, it is anticipated that less
will need to sign up on the TPS where they would be lost from the telemarketing
radar forever.'
He continued, 'The problem at the moment is that it can take up to 28
days for a complainant's details to be acknowledged by contact centres
through existing TPS guidelines. Our decision to work with Amcat, one
of the leading predictive dialler manufacturers in the UK, was based on
their strong commitment to continually improving the quality of telemarketing
standards within the United Kingdom. They clearly understood the value
of the Silent Call File in enhancing the reputation and conduct of call
centres and can now offer customers the capability to screen calls appropriately.'
Amcat Managing Director, Marcus Robinson commented, 'Our partnership with
UK DATA IT is good news for everyone. Contact centres can operate in a
more responsible manner by addressing the problem of repeated dropped
calls, and consumer anxiety arising from anonymous calls can be alleviated.'
He concluded, 'The telemarketing industry is having to face additional
challenges from increasing regulation and compliance legislation. We believe
our relationship with UK DATA IT adopts a 'prevention' philosophy that
will fulfill legal obligations as well as protect the future business
of the call centre market.'
Melling stresses the importance of the Silent Call File in light of the
growing TPS list that now stands at just over three million names. Telemarketers
should also be aware of new powers recently given to the independent telecomms
watchdog Oftel relating to 'dropped' calls.
Companies will face automatic fines of up to £5,000 as well as being
required to pay compensation for repeated incidents. The types of calls
that will be able to be addressed by these powers include:- silent calls
or short duration calls which are abruptly terminated before they are
answered calls that mislead the user into returning a call which my be
charged at high rates automated calls that simply contain recorded messages
for marketing purposes.
The new offering from Amcat and Data IT will enable users to download
the Silent Call File onto Amcat's dialler management system, the Contact
Centre Suite, and automatically update database records so that calls
will not be made to the designated numbers via predictive diallers. DATA
IT collects data on a daily basis from the Nuisance Call Bureaux of BT,
Telewest & NTL. Known as Silentcall-gard, this file protects consumers
who have complained about a silent call from receiving any further calls
from organisations using predictive diallers for twelve months. After
this period, the number would be removed from the file, allowing calls
from companies to resume marketing via predictive dialling in the normal
way.
Web: http://www.amcat.com
Combilifts Just Keep On Trucking
The
first ever Combilift multi-directional forklift to be sold in the UK has
recently clocked up 17,000 operational hours, and is still going strong,
handling lengths of PVCu extrusions for its original owners, Eurocell
Profiles Ltd, at one of the company’s six distribution centres in
Alfreton, Derbyshire.
It is six years since the Combilift made its debut as a new concept for
handling and storing long loads in confined spaces. Powered by either
diesel or LPG, the truck was seen at the time as a radical departure from
the combination of forklifts traditionally used for this purpose. However,
Eurocell’s transport and warehousing manager Sam Fowkes and warehouse
foreman Ernie Fradley immediately spotted the Combilift’s potential
to make vast savings on warehouse space by narrowing down aisle widths,
eliminate double handling and eradicating battery charging on previous
electric trucks, to name but some advantages.
Such was their faith in the Combilift that an order was placed after seeing
a demonstration of an early MK 1 model, which happened to coincide with
snowy weather, reinforcing the manufacturers claims that the truck was
indeed suitable for operation both inside and out in all weathers. Following
delivery in November 1998, Eurocell’s subsequent acquisition of Combilifts
has reflected the success of the system and the company’s expansion,
with 14 LPG 4-tonne capacity models now in operation and another one on
order.
Like all Combilifts at Eurocell, the original truck has had to work non-stop
to keep pace with the 24/7 shift pattern, achieving minimum down time
and needing just standard maintenance throughout. Combilift recently offered
to buy back the truck, but in spite of its age Eurocell felt that it would
be of more operational value to keep it on. After a full factory refurbishment,
the ‘old lady’ of the fleet is now back at work, proof that
the Combilifts are robust and reliable even after years of intense use.
The Combilift is now a proven answer to productive, space saving and safe
materials handling, or as Sam succinctly puts it ‘There’s no
doubt about it, it’s a damn good piece of machinery.’ Major
names in a wide variety of sectors run substantial fleets, with the total
number of UK units nearing 550 and over 2,000 in operation worldwide.
Roy Redman, Combilift’s UK Product Manager, puts this success down
to not only the versatility and engineering excellence of the truck and
Combilift support, but also to early customers willing to take a new concept
on board. ‘Customers such as Sam at Eurocell had the vision to recognise
a system that has now become an industry standard,’ he comments.
Tel: 07968 490051
Email: mailto:info@combilift.com
Web: http://www.combilift.com
Back
to School with Advanced Window Systems
School
refurbishment projects are contributing to significant business growth
for Cannock-based Profile 22 fabricator Advanced Window Systems which
is planning to move to bigger premises in the West Midlands later in the
year.
The company manufactured and installed 190 new windows using the Profile
22 70mm system at John Taylor High School in Barton-under-Needwood, replacing
the old aluminium windows within a tight time schedule.
The installation was among a growing number of successful school window
refurbishments carried out by the company and had to be completed within
the school summer break to minimise disruption to staff and pupils.
AWS switched to the Profile 22 system more than three years ago and has
found that the quality, highly-specified system has helped in winning
contracts within the school and commercial refurbishment sector. Working
with a local building contractor, AWS has already completed in excess
of 20 school window and door replacement projects in the Burton-on-Trent
and surrounding areas.
According to the company's co-founders Kevin Moseley and Phil Partridge,
commercial projects offer significant opportunities for business growth;
opportunities that have been given added impetus with the recent launch
of the company’s system supplier's new curtain walling system.
Aimed mainly at schools, colleges, hospitals and similar public building
projects, this specialist product has been purpose-designed to enhance
the broad capability of the Profile 22 system as well as allowing specifiers
to specify Profile 22 product throughout a project in applications within
this sector.
Constructed from robust thermally broken aluminium bars, the curtain wall
system can interlink to span up to heights of four storeys or a maximum
of 15 metres anywhere in the UK. Or if used individually, the Heavy Duty
Mullion bars can span a maximum of three metres making the system a suitable
choice for large glazed facades, low-rise dwellings and vertically glazed
stairwells.
Although
the company's business is split across all three market sectors; commercial,
trade and retail, Phil and Kevin expect Local Authority contracts to play
an increasingly bigger part.
Says Kevin: ‘We work closely with a local building services contractor
which has given us a fair amount of business; in addition, we're also
waiting to hear whether we have made it onto the South Staffordshire council's
Approved List of window fabricators.
‘The launch of Profile 22's curtain walling system has come at a
good time for us as we're expanding to take advantage of new business
opportunities. We welcome it with interest,’ he adds.
Now in its eighth year, AWS is looking to relocate from its 5,000 sq ft
premises to a new site in the West Midlands later this year. Explains
Phil: ‘We need larger premises to expand all aspects of our business
and a main road frontage will help to boost our retail side. It looks
set to be a busy 2004!’
Tel: 01952 290910
Dishonest Builder Jailed Following DTI Prosecution
A
bankrupt builder, who tried to hoodwink his creditors by concealing his
assets, has been imprisoned for eight months following a DTI prosecution.
Sudagar Singh Bamrah, of Dudley, Birmingham was made bankrupt on August
6th 2002, owing unpaid taxes of £59,598.94 to the Inland Revenue
and debts to other creditors.
When questioned by the Insolvency Service, he claimed to have no cash,
but investigations revealed he had two bank accounts with Halifax plc
and had been making almost daily cash withdrawals - £16,000 in total
- in the year leading up to his bankruptcy.
Mr Bamrah, 58, also claimed that he had not sold or transferred any property
in the five years prior to the bankruptcy at less than its value. However,
just two months before being made bankrupt, he sold a property in Dudley
to his daughter at an undervalue of £90,000.
When questioned by the Official Receiver about the whereabouts of over
£26,000 in cash, a sum which was whittled away in the twelve months
before the bankruptcy, Mr Bamrah claimed to have spent the majority of
it on a drinking and gambling spree, but couldn't produce any evidence
to back up his claims.
Sentencing Mr Bamrah to eight months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty
to five counts of dishonesty, the judge, Recorder Pierce-Higgins said
that he had no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence, due to
the seriousness of the offences.
SE Europe Window Market Finally Picking up, says Report by InterConnection
The
lean years in the South-Eastern European window market are finally over.
In 2005 the market will pass the 9.0 million level for the first time.
The
IC- Market Monitor Tracking® Windows in South-Eastern Europe 2004
is a detailed market and branch analysis of the window market and contains
market figures in quantity and value for the years 1998-2003 and development
forecasts to 2006.
Last year, 2003, the window market in the south eastern European countries
(Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia) has, for the
first time in two years, slightly grown. The quantitative increase was
0.2%. According to the newest study from InterConection Consulting Group,
starting in 2004 the demand will increase by 6-7% annually.
Once again the Polish market with a minus of 4.1%, was responsible for
the weak total results. Slovakia and Slovenia were also able to show only
a minimal growth rate. The development leaders in South-Eastern Europe
were the Czech Republic and Hungary. However, in the next two years the
growth potential will shift. With a total South-Eastern European growth
of 11.7% the Czech Republic and, for the first time in years, Poland will
distinctly increase. Hungary will remain successful. The smallest markets
in the region, Slovenia and Slovakia, will show only below-average growth.
In terms of frame materials, there is a continual trend toward PVC windows:
In total 47.5% of the windows sold in 2003 were made of PVC, which represents
a market share increase of over in 8.5% comparison to the year 2000. This
positive development is mainly due to the low price, which is still the
most important purchase criterium in the countries of South-Eastern Europe.
The high amount of renovation in one and multi-family dwellings, in which
a distinct preference of PVC windows has been seen for years, also supported
this development.
Parallel to the market share increase of PVC windows a decrease was seen
in the share of wood products. The total sales reduction was circa 15%
in comparison to the level of 1999. This negative tendency can be seen
most distinctly in the number of business bankruptcies and the shrinking
market concentration. Even in Poland five of the Top 40 companies filed
for bankruptcy in this period of time. Even though one can't expect a
change of trend , the wood window manufacturers in South-Eastern Europe
can catch their breath. The decrease in market shares will, as of 2004,
be only half as much as it has been in previous years.
The South-Eastern European window market is now in a growth phase. The
is a very high demand in the field of new construction as well as in commercial
construction (Schools, Hospitals and new office and industrial buildings).
The market is particularly under-saturated in the renovation segment.
According to the estimates of South-Eastern Europe specialist Aneta Naroznik
almost 80% of the windows are in need of replacement. The South-Eastern
European per capita window quota is, with 0.08%, barely half of that of
Western Europe.
When the market is stuck in this early ‘necessity phase’ the
price unfortunately plays a decisive role. The customer structure differs
strongly from the markets in western countries. The biggest customer segment
is that of the promotion buyers, whose market share is presently twice
as high as in the EU15. The added benefits, i.e, design and thermal insolation
are noticed only peripherally, the basic feature stands in the foreground-
the necessity.
For the next few years a very dynamic vertical, but also horizontal development
has been predicted. Along with the high growth quotas, a shift in market
tendencies will create additional new success segments and new customer
groups. This will give a unique possibility for the strengthening of the
market position. The flexibility and intensive customer observation will
be prerequisites for a good and long-term success strategy.
The IC- Market Monitor Tracking® Windows in South-Eastern Europe 2004
is a detailed market and branch analysis of the window market and contains
market figures in quantity and value for the years 1998-2003 and development
forecasts to 2006, detailed sales and turnover figures, as well as market
shares of the TOP-50 manufacturers in Poland,Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia
and the Czech Republic. The study is now available from InterConnection
Consulting Group