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Kömmerling Stalwart Chris Breeze Dies aged 63

profine UK Ltd. announces with sadness the death of its General Manager, Chris Breeze. Chris, who was 63, died suddenly of a heart attack while playing golf on holiday in Portugal.

He had spent his working life in the window industry, and is best remembered for his 23 years with Kömmerling.As Kömmerling’s General Manger when the brand’s parent group, profine, was created two years ago, he then took on joint responsibility for profine in the UK.

He also took personal charge of the day-to-day running of Kömmerling’s biggest account, Speed Frame. Speed Frame Managing Director Ian Harrison says: 'Chris had become a well-known face at Speed Frame over the last ten years and one who I regarded as a personal friend. He brought his good humor and wide ranging product knowledge to the table and was instrumental in the development of our five-chamber profile.

'He knew both Kömmerling and Speed Frame inside out and was a key factor in enabling the two companies to cooperate so successfully, which has seen both companies grow to be market leaders. He will be sadly missed by many in the industry and in particular by all his friends at Speed Frame.'

Amongst the developments Chris oversaw during his time with Kömmerling, were the introduction of the 70mm chamfered system, the clasically-curved Connoisseur ovolo system, the introduction of the UK’s first profile to be extruded using Calcium-Zinc stabilisers instead of Lead, and the setting up of the Kömmerling warehouse and national distribution system.

John Warburton, who has jointly taken over temporary responsibility of the general day-to-day running of Kömmerling says: 'Chris Breeze brought great stability to Kömmerling, taking it from a brand which had very little volume and sales in the UK, to its market-leading position today.'

Before joining Kömmerling Chris had worked in the window industry in Bermuda – a place he loved returning to for holidays after coming back to the UK when his children reached school age.

Chris had been a keen sportsman and athlete, in his younger days running the London and New York marathons and playing football and rugby -- latterly turning to golf. He also enjoyed seafishing, and rebuilding classic cars.

He leaves a wife, two children and several grandchildren.

Deceuninck Group Wins Entrepreneur Award

The Deceuninck Group, Belgium, have recently been awarded the prestigious 2004 Ernst & Young 'Entrepreneur of the Year' award. Deceuninck was chosen as the overall winner from a selection of six finalists, short-listed from some 900 Flemish growth companies. These growth companies are a source of progress, growth and prosperity for Belgium.

Deceuninck were chosen to receive this award due to the company's 'innovative production methods that contribute to a striking expansion of the activities, which results in an impressive international growth. Deceuninck constantly aspires to product innovation and efficiency improvement in purchasing and distribution' explained the Chairman of the Jury team, Baron Paul Buysse.

A delighted Chairman, Arnold Deceuninck and CEO Clement De Meersman received the trophy from HRH Prince Filip of Belgium in the presence of Prime Minister, Guy Verhofstadt.

Deceuninck is a worldwide, integrated group specialising in all aspects of PVC-U systems and profiles for the building industry. Active in more than 32 countries, Deceuninck is the Global leader in technology and product development.

Glassex Conservatory Design Competition Secures Headline Sponsor

The Glassex Conservatory Design Competition, which was successfully launched at Glassex in 2004, has a headline sponsor for 2005: Ultraframe, the industry’s leading designer and manufacturer of conservatory roofing systems.

With the help of Ultraframe, the competition has been expanded to include more categories, additional awards and an enlarged high profile judging panel. There will be Gold, Silver and Bronze awards in each category for Portals, Conventional Domestic and Conventional Commercial, and there will also be a new category dedicated to Innovative Design. A special Ultraframe award will also feature within each category.

Linda Doughty, Marketing Director, Ultraframe said: 'As part of our commitment to support the industry as a whole, Ultraframe is delighted to sponsor the Glassex Conservatory Design Competition. To underline the importance of this event we are consolidating our own Conservatory Awards initiative within Glassex, creating the best conservatory design competition the industry has seen.'

Stephen Redman, Exhibition Manager of Glassex commented: 'We are delighted to join forces with Ultraframe. This partnership will create an event that will showcase the very best in conservatory design.'

The judging panel comprises experts drawn from all aspects of the industry and this year will include Andrew Thomson, Design and Development Director at Ultraframe. Andrew said: 'Innovation is key to Ultraframe’s values, and we believe that this competition will reflect some of the highest quality and innovative conservatory designs in the industry. I am very excited to be part of the judging panel and am really looking forward to reviewing the entries.'

The competition last year was extremely well received by both visitors and the press. The winners will be announced at Glassex 2005 (13 – 16 March inclusive at the NEC, Birmingham) and their entries will be prominently displayed during the exhibition. To obtain an entry form and further details please contact Jennifer Calvert at jennifer.calvert@emap.com or on 020 8272 5208.

Henkel Teroson Goes for Double Positive Test Results with New Facade Service

The increasingly complex structure of modern facade constructions requires a greater number of their constituents to be tested. This is why Henkel Teroson, too, has extended and optimised the test procedure for its products under its in-house monitoring. With a double positive result: Henkel Teroson gives the insulating glass manufacturers not only tested insulating glass sealants in their excellent proven quality, but also a monetary benefit in the form of test results, allowing their own tests to be dispensed with.

In conformity with EN 10204, the test results with respect to the criteria of smoothness, potlife, sag resistance, viscosity and tensile strength have always been recorded in the batch inspection certificate, together with the criteria related to EN 1279-6, such as shelf life (in accordance with part 6 A.A), Shore-A hardness (part 6 A.E), adhesion to glass (part 6 A.F3) and volatile contents (part 6 A.G).

The following inspections, in particular those referred to in EN 1279 part 6, have now been added: Test of the A and B components' density, impurity check (in accordance with part 6 A.A), tests of the permeation to gas (argon) (part 6 A.B5) and of the permeation to water vapour (part 6 A.C). Items that are relevant with regard to EN 1279-6 are expressly mentioned with the criteria tested.

In the future, Henkel Teroson's customers will receive this extended batch inspection certificate together with each delivery. It provides them at the same time with a monetary service, because it is much more easier now for insulating glass manufacturers to comply with their comprehensive obligations regarding documentation pursuant to EN 1279-6: they can simply tick off the respective points of annex A of this standard, adopt the batch inspection results and thus save themselves expensive tests for these points.

In the financial year 2003, Henkel Group's sales amounted to 9.436 billion euros, and its operating result (EBIT) was 706 million euros. The Group has 50,000 employees worldwide. People in 125 countries of the world rely on brands and technologies from Henkel.

Windowlink Teams up with Quantal to Develop VectorQ

Windowlink has teamed up with Quantal Conservatory Roofing Systems to develop VectorQ, a specially customised edition of its popular Vector conservatory sales presentation package for Quantal’s retail network. The bespoke software forms part of its comprehensive new range of support initiatives for its approved conservatory installers, which also includes training, technical backup and advice on marketing and showroom planning.

According to Tony Marshall, Quantal’s Director of Sales, the key reasons for choosing Windowlink as its partner are the software supplier’s well-respected reputation and superior graphics, compared with other products on the market. 'In addition to the usual White and Woodgrains, we offer our roofs in a comprehensive range of traditional flat colours, Windowlink reproduced these special colours and their descriptions. In addition, we are proud of our unique appearance of our roof bars and Windowlink have also re-created these within the software so that the computer design looks every bit as realistic as the real thing. With these features we are able to offer a package that’s fully tailor-made for the Quantal product,' he comments.

VectorQ is primarily designed for use by salesmen in the home due to its speed and flexibility, the 3D views can be viewed or printed out together with base plans if required. Sales personnel can also superimpose the conservatory onto digital images of the customer’s house and garden to show how it will appear when looking at it from the garden and also how the garden will appear from inside the conservatory, The effect of changes of roof material, feature fanlights, flooring etc can be seen at the click of a button.

Quantal is offering VectorQ to its customers via a dedicated team of Retail Network Co-ordinators at a substantially reduced price. Tony Marshall continues, 'Ready-to-run and really easy to use, the package has been well received by our customers. Indeed, it’s proving a very useful sales tool and a valuable addition to our exciting new collection of initiatives for members of our flourishing retail network.'

Giles Hayhurst, Managing Director of Windowlink, views the partnership as a significant step in the expansion of its user base: 'By working directly with leading industry players like Quantal and their customers we can extend the commercial benefits of our design-to-sell software solutions to even more installers.'

Total Glass Continues to Expand Throughout UK

Further expansion across the Pennines is creating new business for Total Glass, one of the UK's fastest growing manufacturers, as more and more customers recognise the quality and service offered by one of Profile 22's largest fabricators.

Since moving into the Yorkshire and North Midlands areas earlier this year, the company has increased its customer base through offering a comprehensive quality product range and five-day turnaround backed with superior customer service.

Now supplying from Walsall and Wolverhampton across to Hull and south to Sheffield, Total Glass has put in extra resources to further improve efficiency and maintain its reputation as a market-leading supplier of quality windows, doors and conservatories to a broad customer network.

'Our customers value the quality and reliability of our product range and service and we pride ourselves on maintaining that reputation,' says Managing Director Frank Deary. 'Every day, new customers are coming on board and we welcome them to our Total package of service and delivery.'

To meet rising demand for its wide choice of products, which includes conservatory roofs in a range of colours, Total Glass is planning to move into a purpose-built £3 million factory, at Knowsley near Liverpool, in the New Year.With 100,000 sq ft of production and office space, the factory is thought to be the biggest industrial building currently under construction in the Merseyside area and will provide the extra space needed by the 145-strong company.

Total Glass has experienced year on year growth of more than 25% year in both its trade and commercial sectors. Frank puts the continued success down to a combination of a quality product reliably delivered with the service and backup their customers deserve.

For more information, contact Total Glass on 0151 549 2339.

Yorkshire Trade Windows Aims High with Styal

Having already experienced an average growth of between 30 and 40% every year since the company began trading, Wendland Roof Solutions Styal fabricator Yorkshire Trade Windows (YTW) Ltd has now purchased a new fully equipped 30,000 sq ft factory unit. The new factory, which features a dedicated roof fabrication facility, allows the company to double its conservatory output, something it hopes to achieve within the next two years.

Founded in 1997 by Managing Director Stuart Drewell, YTW has gradually built up a reputation as a reliable, high-end fabricator servicing customers throughout the North East of England, Yorkshire, Humberside and the North Midlands. The company has grown quickly, moving out of its first factory within its first year of trading due to lack of space and reaching maximum capacity in its second unit by the end of 2002.

The new factory – a former plastic recycling facility completely refurbished by YTW – is based just off the A1 in Castleford and constitutes a £1.5 million investment. The new unit accommodates window, door and conservatory fabrication lines as well as new offices for sales and administration staff. New machinery including a Stuga flowline, 5 head welder and computerised saw have been purchased to enable YTW to achieve its goal of doubling its output across all sectors by 2006.
The company also hopes to increase its staff from 50 to 70 employees by 2007 and has invested in expanding its own delivery fleet to service customers from further south and east.

YTW has been a Wendland customer since 2000, and Stuart Drewell has a lot of praise for the company’s level of support and for the Styal system:
‘When we started shopping around for the right roofing system to suit our product portfolio, we knew we wanted a good quality model. We’re not a ‘pile it high and sell it cheap’ type of fabricator – we use high quality Rehau profile for our windows, doors and conservatories and we wanted a roof system that matched this level of quality. Wendland impressed us with its expertise and enthusiasm and we liked the company’s products from the start, but the Styal product really is quite special. It’s less bulky than comparative systems but very easy to use all the same – and it’s clearly a superior product both to look at and to work with. It’s been good for us to grow alongside Wendland and I look forward to the company’s continuing support as we develop still further.’

A Wakefield conservatory company started by two ambitious brothers with just £200 has grown into a £5m business and is celebrating its tenth anniversary with the launch of a new brand and a £10,000 recommend-a-friend competition.

West Yorkshire Windows was founded by Matthew and Andrew Glover in 1994 out of a small outlet in Middlestown, Wakefield, and has grown to become Yorkshire’s premier conservatory showroom and installer, and has been featured in BBC and ITV DIY programmes, such as Carol Vorderman’s Better Homes and DIY SOS.

To celebrate the firm’s landmark birthday, Andrew and Matthew are launching the Conservatory Village brand, a dedicated conservatory showroom unrivalled throughout Yorkshire.

Within the Village over the next 12 months there is also going to be an installation with a difference – a mini glasshouse showing a replica of the £10,000 cash which will go to the winner of a 'recommend-a-friend' competition. The prize will go to the person who refers the most customers to the company over the next 12 months in the Conservatory Village’s 'premier league' of recommendations.Andrew Glover, co-founder of West Yorkshire Windows and the Conservatory Village, said: 'We think this is a fun and fitting way to celebrate our anniversary.

A large proportion of our customers over the last ten years have chosen us because of recommendations from previous satisfied customers, so a league table which rewards those who refer us to others is the best way to say thank you.

'We hope that the people taking part really compete to finish top of the table, which they can monitor throughout the competition through the interactive website at www.westyorkshirewindows.com

The competition begins in January and anybody can recommend-a-friend, not solely previous Conservatory Village customers. A successful referral will require the customer to register the person who recommended the company to them.

Matthew Glover added: 'A note to any potential burglars, the money on display will only be show money, so if you have any ideas of stealing it, you’d better enjoy Monopoly, because that’s all it will be good for. The real money is safe and sound in the bank!'
West Yorkshire Windows and the Conservatory Village currently employ more than 70 staff and install an average of 20 conservatories a week, making them the largest installer in Yorkshire.

It is their commitment to customer satisfaction that Andrew and Matthew believe has led to the continued success of West Yorkshire Windows and helped them achieve their tenth birthday.

Andrew said: 'The Conservatory Village is our way of making the process of choosing and buying a conservatory as easy and transparent as possible for our customers.

'We don’t believe you can choose something suitable from the pages of a brochure, so we want people to come into our showroom and see for themselves.

'We have a different approach at the Conservatory Village, we ask our customers to come in to our showroom first, and browse the possibilities open to them in a relaxed environment where they won’t be hounded by the traditional pushy salesman.'

The Conservatory Village is hoping to exceed a turnover of £15 million in the coming years and increase their installations to more than 50 conservatories a week. They are also looking to add to the already broad skills-base of their workforce by applying for Investors in People status.

Radway Door and Windows Ltd LHC Partner of the Year 2004

When Radway was advised that it had been selected as LHC Partner of the Year for 2004, it was delighted. To be appointed as the Partner of the Year is the premier accolade of the Construction Industry, where emphasis is placed on the providing products and services of the highest quality, on time and to budget.

LHC component arrangements are widely known and are recognised as a valuable tool for public sector users seeking ‘Best Value’ within the Construction Industry. Being appointed as a LHC contractor involves a lengthy qualification period, where all aspects of an organisation’s capability are examined.

The Midlands based company is the longest standing fenestration contractor of the LHC, of 11 years’ uninterrupted service, undertaking window and door refurbishment programmes throughout the social housing sector nationwide, bringing homes to the Government’s ‘Decent Homes’ Standard.

The LHC (formerly London Housing Consortium) is a public sector consortium of local authorities and housing associations; it partners its customers in the public sector by providing a specialist technical service. Operating one of the largest building component procurement programmes in the UK, the service provided by this organisation is free of charge, for the benefit of specifiers in all types of public sector bodies. There are currently 31 appointed companies across the Construction Industry providing an extensive range of trades including roofs, kitchens, doors and windows. John Park-Davies, Sales and Marketing Director, comments:

‘The award of LHC Partner of the Year is evidence that Radway is committed to providing the best service for its customers. The whole team is united in putting clients and residents first and Radway will continue to meet and exceed its customers’ expectations.’

Radway specialises in large-scale, long-term fenestration refurbishments through Partnering. Adopting the principles set out in Sir John Egan’s report ‘Rethinking Construction’ and the Audit Commission’s document ‘Rethinking Excellence’ has been a natural progression for Radway. Being flexible to respond to specific requirements is key to the success of large-scale programmes, offering long-term benefits and sustainable solutions.

Eli Kienwald, Director of the LHC concludes:
‘I am delighted that the panel of judges chose Radway as our Partner of the Year 2004. This was in recognition of the tremendous service the company has been providing to LHC customers throughout the UK. Partnering is a relatively novel approach within the construction industry and Radway has embraced the Egan principles with enthusiasm and professionalism, leading to some outstanding results in terms of Best Value’

Tel: 01527 585558

Redrow Chooses Celuform Roofline Products

PVC-UE FASCIA, soffits and bargeboards from Celuform are being specified for all developments built by Redrow.

The housebuilder says the plastic building products manufacturer has been chosen because of high quality standards and the company's outstanding experience in the market. Redrow plans to build up to 4500 units this year.

'What we're looking for is product consistency, the ability to ensure the material is where we want it when we want it, and a competitive price,' said Clive Parry, Redrow's Group Commercial Director.

'Celuform's pedigree and the various quality management and other accreditations the company holds, satisfied us that they were one of the few suppliers in their market that could fulfil all our criteria,' he continued.

There are a full range of Celuform systems to suit all applications. Features include plain or decorative choices, square or bull-nosed profiles, as well as a wide selection of white finishes and colours such as Expresso Brown, Mahogany, Golden Oak and Ebony. Widths range from 150 - 450mm. Widely specified Celuform brands include Conquest, Elite, Esprit and Duoform.

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

Windowmaker Grows to 80 People

Windowmaker has grown to a total of 80 people across the world. From its humble beginning as two people working in an apartment Windowmaker has grown into a worldwide organisation serving the software needs of window and door companies.

Goronwy Jones, founder and MD, expressed his delight in this achievement ‘I am proud to say we now employ 80 people. This gives us a huge resource dedicated to our future and the future of our customers. It represents an increase of 67% over the past six years and we plan to maintain at least the same rate of increase for the coming six years.’

Web: http://www.windowmaker.com

Pultec’s Canine Contract not to be Sniffed at

Pultec has supplied the windows in new specialist kennels made for the working dogs belonging to HM Customs and Excise at Hull docks. The kennels were built to a modular design by Parasol Kennels, the premier UK manufacturer of purpose-built quality housing for service and working dogs.

The recently opened Hull unit provides living quarters on site for highly trained spaniels working with HM Customs and Excise to sniff out drugs and other illegal imports. It complies with requirements laid down by the Ministry of Defence and includes sleeping and exercise areas for these valuable service animals, as well as facilities for the dog handlers.

Pultec says that it was the only supplier in the UK able to match the specification for fibreglass structural materials demanded by the contract. Pultec’s window systems are manufactured from fibre reinforced polymer (FRP), the building material of the future, according to BRE, and the new alternative to PVCu and aluminium.

John Flavell, Parasol’s architect who was responsible for the new design, said: ‘In Pultec, we have found a window profile that matches our requirements for quality of finish, strength and durability.’

Tel: 0117 947 4727
Email: mailto:windows@lindman.co.uk

Innovation Fits the Bill

When Nottingham fabricator One Stop Window Centre was looking to switch profile suppliers, the company says that it found the product innovation and total business support package on offer from Profile 22 fitted the bill perfectly.

Having recently achieved Investors in People status and currently pursuing further quality accreditations, including ISO 9001 and BBA, the company was keen to find a system supplier whose philosophy matched its own.

Founding director Mark Fletcher has clear ideas about where he wants to take the company he set up in 1996, initially buying in frames. Since the firm started fabricating the Profile 22 system at the beginning of 2004, it has steadily expanded and now offers an installation service to builders if required.

Mark is driving the company forward concentrating on sales and marketing together with the customer service and installation side of the business. Everything the installer needs, from frames and glass to trims and ancillaries, can either be collected or delivered direct to site in one go.

Profile 22’s ‘added value’ support package was a big factor in the company’s decision to choose a systems supplier that could most closely meet its needs. Says Mark: ‘We were looking for a leading and experienced systems supplier that could offer not just a quality system, but a total support package to help us to grow our business and our customers’ businesses.

‘Product innovation incorporating the latest improvements in design and thermal efficiency, such as a pre-gasketted system and 1.8 u-value, was also a major reason for our choice. We find the Profile 22 Bubblex 60mm and 70mm pre-gasketted profiles save us valuable time in fabrication as there is no hand-gasketting and of course, we don’t have to stock separate gaskets either,’ he continues.

‘Our customers like the aesthetics of the windows and appreciate the slimmer profiles which create a nice-looking window, in turn making it easier for them to sell in the home,’ adds Mark.

With the emphasis firmly on customer service and delivery, 2005 looks set to be another successful year for the One Stop Window Centre with its formula of offering everything for the installer under one roof. For further information, contact the One Stop Window Centre on 0800 9801461.

World Record! First-time ever Kilometer-long Cutting of Flat Glass with Laser

Grenzebach has commenced tests for online cutting with laser. A change of the colour of the glass melt at Pilkington's Weiherhammer plant provided a good opportunity for an initial test run of 100,000 sqm of glass ribbon. The expectations of the development team were totally fulfilled during the test. Very precise continuous scoring of the glass ribbon stopped exactly to the millimetre at the defined cutting end.

Unlike conventionally scored edges, the laser cut glass edge is smooth and free of micro cracks. As a result the breaking strength of the glass sheet is many times greater.

The new technology, developed in the network project LiST, sponsored by BMBF, Federal Ministry of Education and Research, facilitates online cutting of all glass thicknesses. Until now, only thin glass could be cut by laser; alternatively the processing speed had to be extremely slow and the glass had to be cut on special stationary cutting tables.

LiST has been researching laser cutting of glass in the laboratories of Fraunhofer Institute for Material Engineering in Freiburg, Germany since 2001. Under the supervision of Grenzebach, online developments proceeded in Weiherhammer and continued until October 2004. The results will be on display at this year's Glasstec Laser Innovation Forum. The Technology will be presented in a symposium on 11th November 2004.

Contact: Wolfgang Friedl
Email: mailto:info@grenzebach.com
Web: http://www.list-info.de

DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions for a Better, Safer World

'DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions provides materials, services and innovations for a better, safer world. The business operates as part of DuPont’s Performance Materials growth platform.' says Luigi Robbiati (pictured) in the 10th anniversary issue of Laminated Glass News.

'Since I took up the job of vice president of DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions a year ago, I have been constantly amazed by the spirit of innovation in our business. Today we are reinvesting for growth, backed up by a strong quality drive. Meanwhile, a thirst for ever-improving solutions for our customers is driving a range of exciting new programmes.'

SentryGlas® Plus™ structural interlayers
I believe that DuPont™ SentryGlas® Plus™ structural interlayers are the building blocks for a whole new generation of laminated glass. Since the launch of SentryGlas® Plus™, we have seen architects and auto designers enthusiastically adopting it as a enabler to marry their aesthetic dreams with excellent structural and building performance. Demand is currently growing in excess of 50 percent per year. This is because laminated glass incorporating SentryGlas® Plus™ allows architects to design more light into buildings with less obstructions. It enables glass laminators and window companies to make advanced safety glass for automobiles and buildings. Structural engineer Tim Macfarlane has famously compared the introduction of the product in significance to the invention of reinforced concrete 100 years ago.

Investments
To support significant demand for SentryGlas® Plus™, we announced in April of this year that we will add a US$15 million glass interlayer manufacturing line at our site in Fayetteville, North Carolina (USA). To serve our customers better, DuPont will install cut-to-size sheet finishing capability at the new plant. This will enable us to ship ready-to-use sheets that reduce customer storage, handling and trimming costs.

This followed an announcement in February that we had acquired Retrim, a safety glass interlayer manufacturer with plant operations in Zlin, Czech Republic. The acquisition includes proprietary technology that allows the reuse of PVB trim materials produced during the manufacture of automotive and architectural laminated glass. This acquisition is consistent with one of the DuPont company’s stated goals: increasing our presence in growing geographical markets including Eastern Europe, China, Latin America and India. In addition, Retrim’s proprietary technology promises to help DuPont Laminated Glass Solutions offer improved efficiency and value added services, and underlines our company’s commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing.

Quality and innovation
Best in class quality will continue to be a driving force in our expanding business. This is underlined by the appointment earlier this year of a new global quality director. We are constantly looking to expand in our business in new areas of research as well. Our new Research and Development director is strengthening ties with DuPont’s central R&D facility, in research programmes working with some of the biggest companies in the world.

LGN: 10th anniversary issue
This issue of Laminated Glass News, the tenth anniversary issue of the magazine, is full of examples of where we’re still working with customers – as we have done since our first issue in 1994 - to forge a range of exciting industry firsts. This issue of the magazine alone showcases a new, ‘UV breathable’ grade of SentryGlas® Plus™ that nourishes animal life, new safety products such as bushfire resistant glass for houses, as well as new commercialisations throughout the world for architectural projects using SentryGlas® Plus™ structural interlayer and DuPont™ SentryGlas® Expressions™ decorative glass interlayer.

New ‘Buildings Innovation’ venture
The DuPont Monster Bridge is a great example of where we are now linking with other DuPont businesses to innovate under the corporate umbrella of our new Building Innovations business venture. This underlines one stop shopping for our architectural customers. No less than 13 different DuPont materials were used to build the Monster Bridge – including the complete DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions portfolio of products.

These are exciting days for DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions. We invite you to join us in transforming your design dreams into high-performance glass solutions for a new century.

Luigi Robbiati
Vice President
DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions

Assa Abloy has Increased Sales from SEK 3 to 25 Billion in 10 Years

On 8th November Assa Abloy celebrated its ten year anniversary. Since its creation in 1994, Assa Abloy has increased sales by SEK 22 billion. At the same time the number of companies in the Group has grown to 100 with operations in 40 countries and a global market share of close to ten percent. It makes Assa Abloy the strongest global player in the industry.

'We have had ten exciting years, expanding our business and our Group. During these years we have delivered strong results. And we will keep on doing so. Last week we summarised yet another good financial report with strong sales and strong organic growth. This gives us the strength and the economic muscle to develop our Group further,s says Bo Dankis, President and CEO of Assa Abloy.
 
'Our first move is to expand our businesses. We have already taken the first step in some of our business areas by launching new security solutions and testing new consumer concepts. Now it is time to use the global strengths of the Assa Abloy Group to create maximum customer value,' says Dankis.
 
A merger gave birth to Assa Abloy
Assa Abloy was created on 8th November 1994 through a merger of the lock operations of Securitas in Sweden and Metra in Finland and has grown from being mainly a Nordic company to an international Group. Today Assa Abloy is an example of a company which has succeeded in creating an innovative continuous improvement culture, where the companies within the Group achieve better profitability and organic growth than before entering the Group.
 
One of Assa Abloy's most important acquisitions, during the history of Assa Abloy, was the acquisition of Intruder Security Group in 2000, which contributed to the Group's global coverage and added strong brand names such as Yale and Chubb.
 
Assa Abloy celebrated ten years on 8th November but many Group companies have been around for hundreds of years. JPM, the Group's oldest company, was founded in 1645. Today its door closers can be seen all over the world.
 
Web: http://www.assaabloy.com

Hydro to Reorganise Building Systems Units

Hydro Building Systems will reorganise some units in France and Spain to focus on core products and improve competitiveness. The restructuring will directly impact 210 employees, most of whom will be offered other positions or retained by future owners in units sold.
 
In 2002, Hydro Building Systems acquired the French company, Technal, with operations in several countries including France and Spain.

Technal is a key part of Hydro Building Systems, a global business with revenues of approximately EUR 640 million and 2,300 employees worldwide.

The so-called Product Business sector in Technal and certain other support functions, mainly in Toulouse, France, will now be restructured.

The activities of Product Business will focus on aluminium windows and doors from one production site in Toulouse.

Some 12 local workshops and a fabrication unit in Marseille will be closed. Product units supplying non-aluminium windows and shutters will be sold.

The support services in Toulouse will be adapted and simplified to ensure the future competitiveness of Hydro Building Systems France.

The restructuring will reduce the workforce by 140 in France and 70 in Spain.

A total of 90 jobs will be transferred along with ongoing operations in units sold. Hydro Building Systems France will also transfer 50 employees to other jobs inside the company.

Present talks with Technal customers may result in up to 40 Hydro employees being transferred to new positions outside Hydro.

Talks are ongoing with employee representatives to reach agreements that minimise social impact.

Acquisition of LOH Group by Schweiter Technologies Concluded

As announced in September, Schweiter Technologies is acquiring the LOH Group, the global leader in spectacle lens surface treatment. An agreement with LOH's family shareholders on the acquisition of all company shares was signed to take effect as of 1st November 2004.

The merger with Schweiter Technologies' Satis Vacuum division will create an all-in provider for the treatment of spectacle lenses with a world market share of over 60%. LOH posted sales of CHF 102 million in 2003, and Satis Vacuum reported sales of spectacle lens coating machines of CHF 65 million.

Tel: +41 1 718 33 11
Email: mailto:info@schweiter.com
Web: http://www.schweiter.com

Nine-Month Figures: Linde Achieves Increases in Sales and Operating Profit

In the first nine months of 2004, the technology group Linde has achieved increases in sales and operating profit (EBITA). The Group confirms its forecast for the full year 2004 and is still anticipating slight increases in sales and operating profit compared with the prior year figures before special items, after adjusting for the effects of the disposal of the Refrigeration business segment.

By September 30th, Linde had achieved an 8.8 percent increase in Group sales to 6.903 billion euro (2003: 6.345 billion euro). Incoming orders were also higher than in the previous year, rising 7.6 percent to 7.382 billion euro (2003: 6.860 billion euro). Operating profit (EBITA) climbed to 493 million euro (2003: 430 million euro). This represents a 14.7 percent increase on the prior year figure before special items. The special items related to prior year expenses of a provident nature of 70 million euro incurred in fiscal 2003 to safeguard and expand the Group's optimisation programmes. Earnings before taxes on income (EBT) and special items rose from 175 million euro to 298 million euro. Net income increased from 75 million euro to 153 million euro. The figure for earnings per share (EPS) at the end of September was 1.28 euro (2003: 0.63 euro). Earnings per share excluding the amortisation of goodwill was 2.11 euro (2003: 1.40 euro).

In the largest and most profitable business segment, Gas and Engineering, Linde achieved a 6.8 percent increase in sales in the first nine months of the fiscal year to 3.876 billion euro (2003: 3.629 billion euro). EBITA climbed 8.7 percent above the prior year figure before special items to 511 million euro (2003: 470 million euro).

In the Linde Gas division, sales rose 2.4 percent in the first nine months of the current fiscal year to 2.958 billion euro (2003: 2.888 billion euro). EBITA increased 4.7 percent to 466 million euro, compared to a prior year figure before special items of 445 million euro. The Group continues to anticipate higher sales and an increase in operating profit before exchange effects for the full fiscal year in Linde Gas.

In the Linde Engineering division, sales rose this year by 30.5 percent in comparison with the first nine months of 2003 to 1.035 billion euro (2003: 793 million euro). Incoming orders of 1.230 billion euro were slightly above those achieved in the comparable prior period of 1.215 billion euro. EBITA showed a significant rise of 20 million euro to 45 million euro. It is anticipated that sales and EBITA for the full year in the Linde Engineering division will continue to be up on the figures for the previous year.

In the Material Handling business segment, Linde has profited from the rise in global demand, achieving a 12.6 percent increase in sales by the end of September to 2.413 billion euro (2003: 2.143 billion euro). During the same period, incoming orders rose 12.4 percent to 2.529 billion euro and EBITA showed a 23.6 percent increase to 110 million euro over the prior year figure before special items of 89 million euro. Linde also confirms the existing full-year forecast for the Material Handling business segment and anticipates that sales and EBITA will both be up on the prior year figures before special items.

The Refrigeration business segment, which was acquired by the US company Carrier Corporation with effect from October 1st, 2004, achieved a 4.9 percent increase in sales by the end of September to 578 million euro (2003: 551 million euro). Incoming orders of 733 million euro were 4.3 percent up on the previous year (703 million euro), while the operating loss was 4 million euro (2003: 8 million euro).

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