News @ The GL@ZINE

There is an increasing level of ‘show weariness’ in the UK according to The Litchfield Group’s James Litchfield, who believes that organisers need to listen to the industry and start evolving shows like Glassex and Interbuild into meaningful trade exhibitions, and challenge the perception that British events are more than merely money-making ventures.

Bucking the trend of UK companies failing to make an impact in today’s global marketplace, The Litchfield Group was one of only a handful of British window and door industry companies with a presence at this year’s Fensterbau 2006 exhibition.

As part of the group’s global marketing programme, German subsidiary L.B. Profile GmbH exhibited at the recent event in Nuremburg to continue the development of its customer base across Europe. L.B. Profile GmbH is working closely with its international sister companies, including the Litchfield Group’s Polish operation, to take advantage of the opportunities that EU expansion has presented and become the leading British window and door company in these exciting new markets.

And the group is emulating this success across the Atlantic with North Carolina based L.B. Plastics Inc., the US subsidiary which continues to develop its market share with the Sheerframe and Sheerline brands in particular. The company will be showcasing these brands stateside at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) backed International Builders Show in Orlando, Florida in February 2007, an exhibition which, like Fensterbau, delivers genuine results for the Litchfield Group.

The group has been a regular exhibitor at Fensterbau for many years and its continued presence is very much a reflection on how highly the company regards the event, according to James Litchfield.

'Fensterbau is an excellent event which is run for the benefit of our industry and not the organisers,' says James Litchfield. 'We haven’t exhibited at Glassex or Interbuild this year because we don’t feel that they are creating worthwhile direction for the industry. Promotion of these UK shows is poor and consequently footfall is going down.'

'Like the NAHB show in the US, Fensterbau continues to show how these events can be a great success, so why can’t the UK get it right? Perhaps the key would be for the UK industry to follow the American International Builders Show model and organise its own exhibition – after all, the NAHB is an independent trade association that successfully organises what is one of the world’s biggest trade shows.'

Fensterbau has always provided The Litchfield Group with an excellent way to stay in touch with its customers in countries to the east of Germany, the key growing market for windows and doors in Europe. This year, the company took the opportunity to catch up with many of these customers by hosting a dinner at which the truly international nature of today’s market was clearly evident – around the table of 27 were no less than 16 nationalities.

More than 100,000 visitors attended Fensterbau which has established itself as Europe’s leading trade fair for the windows and façades industries. The Litchfield Group was one of approximately 1200 exhibitors this year, although according to the organisers only eight of them were UK based.

Sales and expectations stay strong for roofline stockists, according to the latest (18th) Freefoam Roofline Report. Some 22% of roofline stockists and installers reported an increase in sales in the three months, February to April 2006, compared with the previous three months, November 2005 to January 2006.

Mid-sized firms (net 29%) did best but small and large companies (17%) also improved sales. Those in the North and Midlands (28%) did better than those in the South (14%).

A balance of 45% of specialist stockists saw sales rise but specialist installers slipped back (18%).

A net 4% of stockists and installers increased sales in February to April 2006 compared with the same period of 2005. Mid-sized firms (net 14%) increased sales, but for a net 6% of large firms and 3% of small companies, sales fell. On balance just under a third of stockists and installers in the North sold more roofline but sales dropped in the South (10%) and Midlands (3%).

As for quarter-on-quarter sales, while specialist stockists (net 21%) expanded year-on-year, specialist installers (36%) sold less.

Looking ahead, forecasts for the next three months are strong. A balance of 68% of stockists and installers expect to sell more in the next three months (May to July 2006) compared with the previous three months (February to April 2006).

Profits
A net 30% of stockists and installers forecast better profits over the next 12 months compared with the previous 12 months. Mid-sized (net 42%) and large firms (39%) are most confident but small companies (15%) are also positive.
Across the country, stockists and installers in all regions are upbeat. Again, specialist stockists (net 38%) are more confident than specialist installers (14%).

Buying Prices
A net 59% of stockists and installers reported higher costs of materials compared with three months ago. Large companies (71%) and firms in the North (75%) were most affected. More specialist stockists (net 69%) reported rising costs than specialist installers (46%).

Selling Prices
To counter the increase in purchase costs, a net 22% of stockists and installers raised their selling prices compared with three months ago. Firms of all sizes and in all regions put prices up. On balance 40% of specialist stockists increased selling prices but worryingly 7% of specialist installers dropped prices.

A net 40% of stockists and installers expect to increase their prices over the next 12 months compared with the previous 12 months. Expectations are firmest among mid-sized firms (net 60%). However, large (33%) and small companies (23%) also expect to raise prices. Stockists and installers in the North (net 50%) and South (45%) are more certain to put up prices than those in the Midlands (23%). More specialist stockists (39%) are looking to increase prices than specialist installers (21%).

Prospects
A balance of 29% of stockists and installers are more optimistic now about the overall prospects for the roofline market than three months ago. The picture is similar across the board. Specialist stockists (net 45%) are significantly more confident than specialist installers (4%).

Problems
Price cutting in the market and margin squeeze (68%) and supplier price rises (56%) were the main problems for stockists and installers in February to April. Low sales volume was the single biggest problem, mentioned by 25% of those interviewed.

The Internet
Most respondents (66%) use the internet regularly i.e. daily or weekly and 23% use it to place orders with suppliers. Although 79% of firms interviewed have a website, only 19% offer the opportunity for customers to order online.

'What a difference a day makes,' says Tony Walsh, Managing Director of Freefoam which sponsors this report. 'On the 19th May yet another cellular foam roofline manufacturer, Permacell, was put into the hands of the administrator. Premier Procell collapsed the year before. Vekatrim and Kestrel-BCE were also bought by Latium to sit alongside Celuform in the largest industry grouping the market has seen. It's what people mean by consolidation, or rationalisation of the industry.

'Exits such as Permacell and Procell are painful to shareholders. But they are more painful for stockists who have to keep their customers happy and find a new, more stable supplier quickly. And that's becoming more difficult because there are fewer suppliers around now, and the process of consolidating isn't over. As they warn when you buy financial products, history is no guide to future performance. A respected brand that's been around from the 1980s is no guarantee of fitness for purpose in 2006 and beyond. Gradually the non-specialists are being weeded out. Those who make both windows and roofline are particularly vulnerable. It's an old classic, that when markets are easy everyone does well, but when competition begins to bite only specialists shine. Come harder times, generalists struggle to keep up with customer needs while specialists keep them smiling.

'So, whether you are scrambling to replace a failed supplier, or looking for a supplier to support your own growth in years to come, do your research and choose wisely.'

For survey details or a copy of the full report call: Lucia Di Stazio on 01453 521 621 or visit http://www.521621.com

Rehau has announced a number of changes to the Board of Management which is responsible for its operation in the UK.

Martin Hitchin, previously Sales and Marketing Director, has been appointed Chief Executive of Rehau UK with additional responsibility for its Automotive and Industrial Product divisions.

Darren Lock has become Director of the Building Solutions division which encompasses Rehau's PVC-U window systems, underfloor heating, cable management and civil engineering products.

There are also two new appointees to the Board of Management - Graeme Bainbridge assumes Darren's previous role as Operations Director, adding to his existing responsibility for Rehau's purchasing and logistics, and Volker Stinnes joins as Finance Director. Also on the Board is Clive Ware, Human Resources Director.

Volker replaces Derek Wood, Rehau's long serving and widely respected Finance Director who retired at the end of 2005 but will remain a non-executive director of Rehau UK until April 2007.

The Board of Management oversees all Rehau's day to day operations in the UK and is responsible for developing Rehau's brand, product and service.

Glass Strike Ends in Bulgaria with Wage Gains

A five-day glass plant strike in Bulgaria by ICEM affiliate National Federation of Chemical Workers of Podkrepa ended on 19 May. Some 700 workers, the majority of them members of the union, won a 17% increase in their total financial package, including a 10% raise in their basic salary.

The strike action occurred at Turkish-owned Sisecam’s Trakya Glass Bulgaria (Shishejam), a new facility that only went into production in February 2006 in the town of Targovishte. The Chemical Workers’ Union had conducted a one-hour protest outside the factory on 8 May over local management’s refusal to address several issues.

The flat-glass plant is the second of three plants that Sisecam has opened recently in Targovishte. A household glass plant opened for production in August 2005, while a potassium-glass plant and mirror operation will open in the northern Bulgarian town late in 2006.

Sapa Building Systems has subjected its Dualframe window system to a series of acoustic tests to demonstrate how the system can minimise noise pollution at sensitive sites.

With more and more new build developments taking place on 'brownfield' and other 'noisy' sites, there has been growing concern about the potential for noise pollution to affect the buildings with specifiers becoming ever more aware of the need to provide insulation that minimises the problem for the building's occupants.

BS8233:1999 - Sound Insulation & Noise Reduction for Buildings – Code of Practice gives recommended interior noise levels for various types of room occupancy and usage: This is increasingly being used by specifiers to ensure a comfortable and safe working and living environment. Specifiers now expect data to be provided regarding the performance of the window as a whole, not just the glazing materials, as this issue becomes an increasingly important design criterion.

Sapa’s involvement in a major project for Barratt Homes in Brighton demanded that they subject the Dualframe system to acoustic testing in order to be sure that it met the demands of the specifiers for minimising the noise pollution at the project site, which was adjacent to busy roads and a railway line.

Three Dualframe windows – 55mm Tilt before Turn, 55mm Pivot and 75mm Casement - were tested with varying configurations of Pilkington double glazed sealed units at Sound Research Laboratories and all were found to provide high levels of acoustic protection.

The success of the tests provides specifiers with a measurable performance when projects give rise to the need for good acoustic protection.

Not only are Home Information Packs (HIPs) going to make buying property easier and quicker, they're also going to save consumers money, according to a new Which? book, Buy, Sell and Move House.

HIPs will be introduced because more than 30 per cent of property transactions have been falling through, at an estimated cost in wasted money of £350 million - nearly £1 million a day - and with incalculable costs in terms of time and anxiety.

More than two-fifths of these failures were the result of survey or valuation inspection reports that found fault with the property. At present, many buyers without a survey get a nasty shock when they discover their new property is in need of repair.

The HIP is designed to make the whole process clearer: sellers and buyers will have more information about the property they are negotiating over at an earlier stage.

Buy, Sell and Move House explains exactly how a HIP will work. The guide estimates that the cost of the HIP will be around £600; cheaper than many previous forecasts.

Furthermore, conveyancing fees should fall as the HIP covers much of the conveyancer's work. Most of the items in the pack will have to be bought anyway, so the £600 is not all new, extra cost.

There certainly will be a shift in costs from the buyer to the seller, but since most sellers are also going to purchase another property, this balances out.

Kate Faulkner, author, Buy, Sell and Move House, says:

‘The HIP ought to make buying a property a more efficient process, and reduce the astonishing failure rate that means a third of accepted offers come to nothing in the end.

‘Fewer failed transactions means less wasted money. So they're going to save people cash as well as time and effort.’

http://www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk/home.aspx

Payne Windows & Conservatories, a member of Ultraframe’s Guild Approved Ultra Installer Scheme, has joined forces with Durawhite Windows enabling them to increase their number of showsites and extend their services throughout the South West.

The company, which says it has built its reputation on providing top quality products and service, is looking forward to growing its business alongside Durawhite Windows, which this year will be entering its 24th year of trading.

The venture with Durawhite means Payne Windows, and its sister company Payne Timber, now has additional sites in Tiverton and Exmouth and a total of eight sites across the South West of England.

Payne Windows & Conservatories was started ten years ago based at Newton Poppleford. The company has since expanded rapidly, establishing a reputation for quality. Managing Director Dave Phillips, said; 'Our company ethos is to offer the homeowner a complete service – the highest quality products coupled with expert advice. We operate to old fashioned values providing quality fitting by fully qualified craftsmen. Each member of our team is a specialist in their respective field and we believe this is what sets us apart from our competitors. As a result, Payne Windows has found that 64% of its business comes from recommendations.'

'Word of mouth and personal recommendations are absolutely invaluable to our business,' continued Dave. 'They are the perfect ‘money can’t buy’ marketing tools. This is also one of the reasons why we joined the Guild Approved Ultra Installer Scheme. Homeowners looking for a conservatory installation can have absolute confidence that they have selected a reputable company that only uses market leading Ultraframe conservatory roofing products.'

To become a member of the Ultra Installer Scheme Payne Windows & Conservatories had to pass a stringent vetting criteria including producing customer references. The company also had to commit to take part in ongoing inspections to ensure that the quality of its installations and service remains consistently high.

Dave concluded; 'We also regularly attend training and assessment courses at Ultraframe to ensure that we are fully up to speed with the latest product developments to ensure we can offer our customers the most advanced and efficient products on the market.'

Nick Brown, Sales and Marketing Director at Ultraframe, commented: 'We are delighted to hear of Payne’s ongoing success. Ultraframe is committed to building strong and lasting relationships with its customers and will continue to work in partnership with Payne Windows to develop this partnership with Payne and Durawhite to maximise their business opportunities.'

For more information on Payne Windows & Conservatories visit http://www.paynewindows.co.uk or call 01395 567333. For more information on Payne Timber visit http://www.paynelife.co.uk

Kolorseal has recently installed its third spray room to accommodate the ever increasing demand for colour coating PVCu products. The additional sprayroom now allows upto 8.5 mtrs in length allowing easier handling for bar length and roofline colour coating.

'In 5 years Kolorseal has gone from colouring other fabricators windows and conservatories to offering a full manufacturing and colour process using synseal synerjy profiles, this offers a cheaper alternative to sending virgin frames then having to collect them later and still having to put them back together in their factory, we can do it all under one roof in five days ' says Gary Copperthwaite.

Contact: Gary Copperthwaite
Tel: 01924 488881
Web: http://www.kolorseal.co.uk

Specialist lamination company Foilex has introduced 'Foilexpress' - a service that enables non-standard products and small quantities to be foiled without the long wait that is usually associated with this procedure.

The new Foilexpress lamination line features state-of-the-art technology which reduces the set-up time so that short runs can be scheduled into the production programme. In the past, customers could have expected to wait up to ten weeks for their specialist products to be foiled. This time is now reduced to the usual turnaround for standard products.

Richard Morris, General Manager, explains: ‘At Foilex we are always keen to introduce innovative ways to maintain high levels of customer service and flexibility, and Foilexpress is just one of a series of new developments launched this year.

‘Our new scheduling system, 'Preactor' has proved invaluable as a production planning tool. It considers both received and forecast orders, including the specials which will be run on the Foilexpress line, and produces the most rational and efficient programme for the factory, ensuring maximum capacity at all times.’

Foilex has more than a decade of foiling experience and the company says that it provides added value through its comprehensive customer service focus and partnership approach to business.

Richard concludes: ‘Our approachable team offers a truly unique, personal and confidential service - an overall package, managing every aspect of our customers' individual needs.

‘In this way we can satisfy the demands of the current consumer trends and maintain our position as a leading player in this increasing marketplace.’

Tel: 01952 289209
Web: http://www.foilex.co.uk

One of the UK's best selling cellular plastic foiled profiles will not disappear thanks to successful negotiations with the manufacturer of the foiling material.

Stocks of Expresso Brown, the only solid brown foiled product available for the UK building market, and offered across a broad selection of Celuform PVC-ue roofline and cladding products, were almost depleted because supplies of the heat reflective foil were unavailable.

The foil material was originally developed for the aerospace industry where the requirement has now lapsed but the manufacturer has been impressed by the strength of demand for Celuform's Expresso Brown range and will now continue to produce it exclusively for the Kent based cellular PVC manufacturer.

The colour stable PVF foil is produced by Du Pont and bonded by Celuform onto the profile surface. It is available on a large selection of Celuform's best selling roofline and cladding profiles, including Open V-Joint, Elite, Conquest and multi-purpose board.

Because of its original development criteria, Expresso Brown foil is designed to withstand extremes of temperature variation and ultra violet light exposure. These properties are vital where large areas of PVC are subjected to weathering, as on the cladding of buildings. The company says that the foil is only available from Celuform and is the highest specification product of its kind available in the UK.

The company's faith in the product is such that it recently extended the product guarantee against defects and discoloration to 15 years.

Because Expresso Brown is available for the Elite Conquest fascia system, as well as Open V-Joint cladding, the whole frontage of a property can be clad in matching dark brown roofline and weatherboarding.

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

Portal products says that European customers have been queuing to take advantage of the company's range of decorative glazing options for its PVC-U door panels.

Initially only available to customers in the UK, Portal's onsite glazing workshop can now fulfil orders for a range of standard designs in any colour combination to its European customers, offering a completely bespoke service and unique products.

As well as this, Portal offers several door styles specifically-designed for the European marketplace. The Oslo and Innsbruck designs are decorative panels, incorporating contemporary looks and the high performance, low maintenance properties of PVC-U.

Portal's sales and marketing manager, Haydon Statham, says: 'This is a real success story for British manufacturing. Europe is where PVC-U products began, but it is to the UK that European fabricators are now looking for the highest quality and best value products available.

'Customers appreciate not only the aesthetic appeal of our products, but the element of choice we offer them, giving them a valuable tool with which to close sales with their own customers.'

The company has been selling door panels to the European market for several years and has built a network of distribution partners covering France, Spain and Hungary.

It annually exhibits at the international Fensterbau exhibition in Nuremberg, where it has attracted interest from a large amount of fabrication companies from across Europe.

For further information on Portal Products range of panels and decorative glass options please contact Tel: 01242 267000 or visit the website: http://www.portal-products.co.uk

With the addition of a pick and place machine, composite door manufacturer Rockdoor now has a fully automated sash line. The new £45,000 machine picks up the door from the drum press and carries it over to the CNC line. This speeds up the production time and keeps the machines working to capacity.

With the addition of a pick and place machine, composite door manufacturer Rockdoor now has a fully automated sash line

Mark Simm, Rockdoor's Sales Director explains: ‘The new machine makes the process even more efficient. We now have capacity for 3,000 doors a week, giving us the largest capacity in the industry. We constantly look for ways to streamline the production process to give our customers the highest quality, on time, every time. And the pick and place machine does just that.’

Tel: 01254 662999

With 629 leads over four days, specialist sliding sash manufacturer Masterframe Windows Ltd found Interbuild 2006 its most successful show yet. ‘It was a consistently busy show,’ says Alan Burgess, Masterframe's Managing Director, ‘and the quality of leads was high too.’

Masterframe has already had enquiries for its new enhanced security vertical slider, which was launched at the show. Tested by Chiltern Dynamics, Masterframe's Bygone Collection window is the first sliding sash to pass BS:7950, which was only extended to cover vertical sliders in December 2005. ‘And it's the only Energy Saving Recommended sliding sash too,’ adds Alan.

‘We've seen interest in vertical sliders grow rapidly over the last year. It's no longer a niche market, and we expect significant growth in 2006 - so installers have to offer homeowners a product that stands out.’

Technical Director Ray Rabett is presented with Masterframe's new enhanced security BS: 7950 certificate by Chiltern Dynamics at Interbuild

Linda Perham has been appointed as a Board Director of TrustMark, the Government-backed scheme to help people find reputable firms for repairs, maintenance and improvement work in the home and garden.

Linda joins Paul Ramsden, Deputy Chief Executive of the Trading Standards Institute, as the consumer champions on the TrustMark Board.

Previously MP for Ilford North, Linda dealt with more than 10,000 cases on behalf of her constituents over eight years, including many consumer protection related issues. She was also a Member of the Select Committee on Trade and Industry for seven years, covering issues such as business, commerce, competition and consumer issues, and Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), where she introduced three Bills in Parliament on CSR. Linda successfully campaigned with Which? to change the law on the eligibility for struck-off doctors to apply for reinstatement to the Medical Register.

She is currently a Member of the Consumer Council for Water Thames, Justice of the Peace and Chair of East Living, the supported housing subsidiary of the East Thames Group and Member of the East Thames Board. Linda is also a Board member of the Housing and Community Association and Vice Chair of the London Voluntary Service Council.

Ian Livsey, Chairman of TrustMark, said: 'Linda will be an invaluable addition to the Board, bringing with her extensive inside knowledge of Westminster and Whitehall, as well as her long experience and skills in dealing with consumer problems. She joins us at an exciting stage, just as the TrustMark Board is preparing to review the latest applications from potential scheme operators, the scheme is really gaining public awareness and people are increasingly using the website to search for TrustMark tradespeople.'

Linda Perham says: 'I am delighted to join TrustMark and look forward to bringing my political and consumer related experience to this exciting new industry initiative. TrustMark is just what we all need – a single logo to look out for and a signpost to reputable firms. I am pleased to do my bit to tackle rogue traders and increase consumer protection particularly for the most vulnerable groups in the community.'

Web: http://www.trustmark.org.uk

Recognising the importance of customer service in its success, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced a new training initiative - the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' Academy. The Academy has been established to ensure every member of staff throughout the national Volkswagen Van Centre network has the training, skills and motivation to deliver the highest possible level of service.

The majority of courses will be available at the Volkswagen Group National Learning Centre (NLC) in Milton Keynes. Offering superb training facilities, the NLC is equipped with the latest visual training aids and computer technology, and provides a positive learning environment that allows people to try out new ideas.

Van Centre technicians will work towards the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA), while an Advanced Apprenticeship Programme for Service and Parts is available for young people looking for a different type of motor industry career with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Furthermore, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is currently in the process of developing qualification routes for management, sales, aftersales and administrative staff from the Van Centre network.

Academy Manager, Fiona Baldwin, said: 'The courses have been devised to provide a structured development and training programme to meet the specific requirements of the individual. We are confident the training will result in a level of customer service unparalleled in the commercial vehicle sector.'

By the end of the year, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles hopes to have assessed every employee from its network of over 70 Van Centres, whatever their role, identifying areas where training is required and then providing a personal development plan. Each individual‚s performance and progress will be closely monitored to ensure they are getting the relevant training for the role they perform.

The Academy will regularly review its courses and training programmes, updating content when necessary to adapt to market changes, new technology and network requirements. This ongoing process will ensure Van Centre staff will be equipped with the correct skills and knowledge they need to deliver a highly professional service.

Efficiency, expertise and professionalism have always been at the centre of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles‚ approach to customer service, and the Academy will play an important role in seeing these values are maintained.

For further information on the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' Academy contact Fiona Baldwin at fiona.baldwin@vwcv.co.uk

The National Glass Association (NGA) announced on 24th May that it has joined forces with shipping giant UPS to offer its members discounts of up to 25 percent on air and international shipping.

'We know that these substantial savings on UPS shipping costs will be a tremendous benefit to our member companies,' said NGA Vice President of Association Services, David Walker. 'What's more, our members will enjoy the confidence of having their shipping needs handled by the best of the best.'

The NGA shipping discounts include domestic, international export and international import. Association members can also take advantage of hassle-free on-line shipping, 24/7 access and the peace of mind that comes from advanced package tracking at your fingertips. NGA members are eligible for discounts up to 26% to help manage costs with no catch, and no minimums.

The shipping discounts, which increase the more packages or letters the user sends, will be applied once enrollment is complete. The enrollment process is fast and easy and is available to NGA members through the Web site http://www.savewithups.com/nga.

The technology group Linde has acquired the Turkey based industrial gases producer Karbogaz A.S. Karbogaz, formed in 1984, is a joint venture company between Ismail Aytemiz of Istanbul and U.S. industrial gases producer Praxair, Inc., Danbury, CT. Specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but it is subject to the approval of the Turkish competition authorities.

'With the acquisition of Karbogaz, we are strengthening our position in a growing region and complementing our European leadership', said Dr. Aldo Belloni, member of the Executive Board of Linde AG and responsible for the business segment Gas and Engineering. 'Karbogaz is one of the most important industrial gases suppliers in Turkey, and the regional market leader in the thriving carbon dioxide (C02) segment.'

'We are pleased to sell our shares in Karbogaz to another leading company in the industrial gases industry,' said Ismail Aytemiz, chairman of the Aytemiz Group. 'This sale is equally in line with our strategic goal to concentrate on the petroleum business and to provide our customers with a high quality service.'

In fiscal year 2005, Istanbul-based Karbogaz A.S. generated sales of approximately 27 million Euros, and currently employs a staff of around 230.

Linde is an international technology group, which occupies leading positions in each of its two business segments Gas and Engineering as well as Material Handling. In the financial year 2005, Linde achieved a turnover of 9.5 billion euros and currently employs approximately 42,400 people worldwide.

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2005 sales of 7.7 billion U.S. dollar. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technologies bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at http://www.praxair.com.

Aytemiz Petroleum, which has been one of the leading petroleum companies in Turkey for 44 years, is also active in the natural gas, lube oil and oil additives industry. Aytemiz Petroleum Group currently employs 225 people generating sales of 720 million euro in 2005.