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Saint-Gobain Glass Short-Listed for Best Factory Awards
Saint-Gobain’s Yorkshire float glass plant has been recognised as one of the UK’s top manufacturing plants, having reached the finals of the prestigious Best Factory Awards 2005.
The
site, which is just five years old, is the only building products manufacturer
to have reached the short-list of 12, having undergone rigorous scrutiny
by a panel of judges. The Best Factory Awards programme, run by Cranfield
School of Management in partnership with the publication Works Management,
will announce the winners at a special ceremony on 20th September 2005.As well as producing the core base glass product, the Saint-Gobain plant produces SGG PLANITHERM® TOTAL 1.3 – the first ‘single stock’, toughenable and durable high performance low-E glass, launched last year following a £15million investment in the plant. Such product innovation is just one of the criteria by which Saint-Gobain Glass UK has been judged; others include operating performance, management leadership and continuous improvement. The plant’s health and safety track record, recognised recently by a RoSPA Gold Award, also formed an important part of the judges’ assessment.
Alan McLenaghan, site director for Saint-Gobain Glass UK says: ‘We’re very proud to have reached the finals of the Best Factory Award, which is testimony to the skills and hard work of the 160 staff who work at the Eggborough site. The innovation, management and operating performance demonstrated by Saint-Gobain Glass, and all the finalists, is evidence that manufacturing is alive and well in many parts of the UK.
‘Saint-Gobain is world-renowned for glass manufacture, and as a producer, processor and distributor of building materials. In just five years, the Yorkshire home of float glass manufacturing for Saint-Gobain has become a benchmark not only for the UK glass industry, but for our colleagues in Europe as well.’
Saint-Gobain Glass UK has been short-listed for the following categories:
* Process Plant Award
* Regional Best Factory Award
* People Management Award
* Health, Safety and the Environment Award
* Judges Special Award
* And the Overall Factory of the Year Award
Details of the Best Factory Awards can be found at http://www.som.cranfield.ac.uk
Use
of Toughened Glass in Shower Enclosures
Historically
in the United Kingdom the use of glass in shower enclosures has been
covered by BS 6340-3: 19851. This
standard lines up with BS 6262:19822 and BS 6262-4: 19943 as regards
the use of glass in wet areas.
The requirements are for safety glass in accordance with BS 6206: 19814.
In the case of thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass this
means a glass that has a classification against the pendulum impact
test and a minimum fragmentation level of 40 particles per 50mm x 50mm
square. The BS 6206 test only applies to flat 'safety glass'.
However, BS 6262 - Part 4: 1994: - clause 10 details a method for classifying
curved glass based on test results for a flat product manufactured using
the same procedure.
Present day
The European standard BS EN 144285 was published in 2004 and has replaced
BS 6340-3: 1985. This standard is effective from May 2005. The standard
contains a requirement for thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety
glass in accordance with EN 12150-1: 20006. BS EN 12150-1 is the European
standard for thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass. This
standard requires the product to have a minimum fragmentation and strength.
If the product is to be used for 'accidental human impact' then it must
also be classified according to BS EN 126007.
To comply with this new standard for shower enclosures the toughened
glass must have a minimum fragmentation of 40 particles per 50mm x 50mm
square. The test shall be undertaken on test specimens as follows:
* for flat toughened glass on a set sample size,
* for curved toughened glass on a production sample.
NOTE: EN 12150-1 is the product standard for thermally toughened soda
lime silicate safety glass in Europe. BS 6206, in the United Kingdom,
will be replaced by EN 12150-1 together with a classification to EN
12600. In Germany it has replaced the withdrawn DIN 1249 - Part 12.
1
BS 6340-3 Shower units - Specification for prefabricated shower
enclosures and shower cabinets
2 BS 6262 Code of practice for glass for glazing
3 BS 6262 - 4 Code of practice for glass for glazing - Part 4:
Safety related to human impact
4 BS 6206 Specification for the impact safety performance of
flat safety glass and safety plastics for use in building
5 BS 14428 Shower enclosures - Functional requirements and test
methods
6 BS EN 12150-1 Glass in buildings - Thermally toughened soda
lime silicate safety glass - Part 1: Definition and description
7 BS EN 12600 Glass in building - Pendulum test - Impact test
method and classification for flat glass
Tel: 0870 042 4255
Web: http://www.ggf.org.uk
WHS
Halo Manager Scoops Top College Award
WHS
Halo's
Warehouse and Distribution Manager Rob Sullivan is celebrating after
scooping a top college award in recognition of his learning achievements.
Rob,
who is responsible for the profile manufacturer's 145,000 sq ft Midpoint
distribution centre in Sutton Coldfield, was awarded 'Adult Learner
of the Year' by Solihull College, after completing the demanding NVQ
Level 5 in Operational Management in just 9 months.
Working in partnership with Solihull College, WHS Halo has funded and
developed a range of training and development opportunities designed
to help staff achieve a variety of business NVQ qualifications. Alongside
Rob's achievements, 98% of employees at the Midpoint site have completed
NVQ Level 2 in warehousing and distribution, with a number now progressing
onto Level 3.
Chris Baranowski, Assistant Managing Director, WHS Halo, comments: ‘We
are delighted with Rob's success and the dedication and commitment he
has shown not only to his own professional development but also to encouraging
his team to develop their skills.
‘Delivering a world class level of service is central to the ethos
of WHS Halo and training and development is a key part of this. By developing
the skills of our employees throughout the company, from production
operatives to management, we are able to respond to the needs of our
customers more quickly and efficiently.
‘WHS Halo prides itself on delivering 99.5% of goods on time in
full and the skills, knowledge and confidence of staff at all levels
is crucial to maintaining this world class level of service.’
Rob adds: ‘Obviously I'm extremely pleased to have received this
award. Working towards a postgraduate management qualification alongside
full time employment was challenging but certainly worthwhile, as the
course encouraged me to review our operating standards and practices,
and how they could be improved.’
WHS Halo's commitment to employee training forms part of an ongoing
people development strategy that has already earned the company a number
of prestigious awards, including Investor in People status and two Midlands
Excellence Awards.
The Midpoint storage and delivery complex, which is capable of holding
6000 stillages, operates 24 hours a day, six days a week, with vehicles
delivering to mainland UK locations and to Ireland.
For information on WHS Halo's System 10 products and services, visit
http://www.whs-halo.co.uk.
JG
Glass Achieves the C Rating
JG
Glass,
customer of Edgetech IG Inc, has become just the second company in the
UK to achieve a British Fenestration Rating Council ‘C’ rating
on a casement window, under the Window Energy Rating Scheme. Achieving
a ‘C’ rating means all JG windows can carry both the ‘Energy
Efficiency Recommended’ swing tag logo, as already seen on fridges
and other white goods, and the BFRC’s energy label.
Shane Tupaea, Operations Director of JG Glass explains: ‘We were
always confident of achieving a ‘C’ rating because we believe
in the benefits of Edgetech’s Super Spacer®. We are an ambitious
company with ambitious plans and expect to increase production by 44%
by the end of this year, and to double it again by this time next year.’
Joe Grima, Managing Director continues: ‘We see ourselves as pioneers,
striving to achieve the best in service, products and performance. This
rating endorses the fact our customers get the best of the best.’
Andy Jones, Sales Director and General Manager of Edgetech UK and Ireland,
comments: ‘I’d like to congratulate JG Glass for such a great
achievement. It’s great to see Super Spacer® helping ambitious
companies like JG Glass, really differentiate themselves in this competitive
market, and at no extra cost. Window Energy Ratings are the future for
the window industry and forward thinking companies with this endorsement
will reap the rewards.’
Tel: 02476 705570
Masterframe
Awarded BBA ‘System Status’ – A Golden Ticket for Installers
Since
the BBA upped the standards in 2004 for balance and hardware endurance
testing to whole window testing for at least 20,000 opening cycles,
Masterframe Windows Ltd says that
it is the only PVC-U vertical slider company in the UK to have met them.
‘In fact,’ as Ray Rabett, Masterframe’s Technical Manager,
explains, ‘the BBA has not only recently awarded our vertical slider
‘system status’, but has certified extra components not normally
required to be tested. It’s awarded a ten year life expectancy
to the patented clip system on Masterframe’s Georgian bars,
guaranteeing complete adhesion even when customers use the bars themselves
to open and close the window. Salt testing on hardware is simulated
to be the equivalent of a 20 year cycle.
‘It’s great news for Masterframe and our customers, as BBA
system certification underlies the longevity and integrity of our products
and creates another selling point. Sash windows without the new ‘system
status’ certification just can’t compete.’
Tel: 01376 510410
Web: http://www.masterframe.co.uk
Pilkington
CEO Presents Prize to ‘Activ In Architecture’ Competition
Winner
Fittingly
The Brunswick Centre in Bloomsbury, London – the winning project
of the 2005 ‘Activ in Architecture’ competition organised
by Pilkington - was the scene for a presentation ceremony at which Pilkington
plc Chief Executive, Stuart Chambers, formally presented the prize to
the winning entrant, architects for the project Levitt Bernstein Associates.
Levitt Bernstein managing director, Matthew Gaulcher, accepted the presentation
on behalf of colleague Peter Sanders who entered the project into the
competition, which was run in association with RIBA Journal to find
the most innovative and appropriate ‘live’ British projects
for the world's most innovative glass. As the winning entry, the extensive
stepped ‘winter garden’ glazing that characterises The Brunswick
Centre will now benefit from a free upgrade to Pilkington Activ™
self cleaning glass.
Neil Carron who represented Allied London, which owns the development,
and representatives of The London Borough of Camden, which leases The
Brunswick Centre, also attended the ceremony.
Located between Kings Cross and Russell Square the grade-II listed Brunswick
Centre was judged the clear winner of the competition due to its extremely
unusual design and the complexity of its glazing. Originally conceived
by architect Patrick Hodgkinson, the Centre is one of London’s
most recognisable and iconic buildings from the 1960s, providing low-rise
high-density housing, shops, offices/studios, a cinema and car parking
within a large concrete and glass mega structure comprising 314 individual
winter gardens. The winter gardens have long presented a maintenance
problem, with the rolling gantries installed when the Centre was built
seldom working properly. Cleaning has therefore been undertaken by operatives
clinging precariously to the guttering beneath each of the gardens.
Some of the 314 properties are seven stories high and others quite inaccessible,
which means that much of the glazing has not been cleaned properly for
years. The project is expected to be completed by August 2006.
The Brunswick Centre in Bloomsbury, London –
the winner of the 2005 ‘Activ in Architecture’ competition
organised by Pilkington - was the scene for a presentation ceremony
at which Pilkington plc Chief Executive, Stuart Chambers, formally presented
the prize to the winning entrant, architects for the project Levitt
Bernstein Associates. Left to right are: Councillor Raj Chada, Executive
Member for Housing, The London Borough of Camden; Matthew Gaulcher,
managing director of project architects Levitt Bernstein; Stuart Chambers
Chief Executive of Pilkington plc; and Neil Carron of Allied London,
owner of The Brunswick Centre.
Duraflex
Customers to get Security Boost
Duraflex
was formally recognised as a member of the Secured by Design (SBD) official
police security initiative during the Chartered Institute of Housing
Conference & Exhibition in Harrogate in June.
The presentation to Duraflex Sales Director Ian Cowan by Quality Services
Manager David Collins, Assistant Chief Constable for North Yorkshire,
was made on the first day of the show. This marks the start of a major
commitment by Duraflex in a pioneering move to provide its customers
with full backup to achieve SBD accreditation.
More and more specifiers now demand SBD accreditation on products, and
as one of the UK’s largest extruders of PVC-U, Duraflex recognises
the benefits, both for itself and its customers, of attaining the Secured
by Design accreditation. The company is further demonstrating its understanding
of the scheme’s value and importance by helping customers to gain
SBD.
certification. As a recognised member, Duraflex has been able to negotiate
a discount to be officially assessed and is also offering to take responsibility
for the administration involved, saving time and money for its customers.
To be accepted by the scheme, the minimum technical standard for windows
is BS 7950 ‘specification for enhanced security performance of
windows’ for domestic applications. A similar standard is applicable
for doorsets – PAS 24 ‘enhanced security performance requirements
for door assemblies’.
David Riley, Quality Services Manager at Duraflex, says, ‘Duraflex
is committed to driving industry standards forward by obtaining all
applicable accreditations for its products. We pride ourselves on achieving
and maintaining the highest quality of product and service which extends
to providing assistance and guidance, where appropriate, to our fabricator
network by helping them to gain these important accreditations in their
own right.’
SBD is managed by the Association of Chief Police Officers for England,
Wales & Northern Ireland (ACPO), along with its counterpart in Scotland
(ACPOS). Companies that meet this technical standard can use the Secured
by Design logo and ‘Police Preferred Specification’ can be
carried on their products.
Tel: 08705 351351
Web: http://www.duraflex.co.uk
The presentation to Duraflex Sales Director Ian
Cowan and Quality Services Manager David Riley by Steve Harris, Community
Safety Inspector and Mick Reynolds, Regional Development Officer, ACPO
was made on the first day of the show.
New
SBD Award means Another Selling Point for Newstead's Installers
Newstead
has recently won a Secured By Design (SBD) licence for its doors. This
new award complements the Secured By Design licence Newstead won last
year for its windows (using the Synseal Shield 70mm window System).
‘Security is a major concern for homeowners in the UK,’ explains
Duncan Maydew, Newstead's Sales Development Manager. ‘Victim Support
says burglary is the most commonly reported crime, with nearly half
a million victims of burglary being offered help each year. With the
replacement casement window market drying up, it's never been more important
to stand out from the crowd, as an already competitive market continues
to shrink. Awards such as Secured by Design can really make a difference
to the homeowner, and so win a sale.’
Newstead's doors passed standards BS: PAS 24-1:1999 and BS: PAS 23-1:1999,
for enhanced security and environmental performance. The SBD award certifies
that Newstead's doors have withstood a series of attacks based on common
methods of burglary. Each 'attack' lasts up to three minutes using hand
tools such as hammers, crowbars, chisels and hacksaws.
This new accreditation is in addition to quality standards Newstead
already has, such as BS EN ISO 9001:2000, BS 7412, BS 7950 and BS EN
1279.
‘Many trade fabricators claim to supply a quality product,’
says Duncan, ‘but not all have the standards to prove it. Our SBD
licences can help our installers differentiate themselves and reassure
homeowners that they're getting a high quality product.’
Tel: 01782 641 642
Veka's
Kitemarked Irvine Window Company Powers Ahead
Irvine-based
window, door and conservatory manufacturer and installer Andrew
Wright Windows - one of the longest running firms of its
type in Scotland - has achieved a double award that it believes will
enable the company to dominate the commercial supply market in Ayrshire
and beyond. Within a short period of time, the company has achieved
both BS EN ISO 9001:2000 quality accreditation for both manufacture
and installation, and the British Standards Kitemark Licence BS 7412:2000
for Veka window specification.
Andrew
Wright Windows is an unusual example of successful longevity in a market
that is often criticised for its 'boom and bust' qualities. The company
was first established in 1937 and steadily built up a reputation for
being a trustworthy and skilled manufacturer and fitter of windows.
As the birth of PVC-u windows, doors and conservatories saw an explosion
in domestic demand, the company grew rapidly, moving to new factory
premises in Irvine in 1978, where the company is still based. In the
last 20 years, the company has increased its workforce from 12 to 94
and caters to the domestic, commercial and public sectors alongside
sister company Andrew Wright Glass. It has two showrooms in Ayr and
Irvine.
The company is a long-time fabricator of the Veka Matrix PVC-u system
and was also a founder member of Network Veka. This choice of system
has already helped Andrew Wright Windows to gain a strong foothold in
the local commercial and public sector market, with clients including
North Ayrshire Council. However, Managing Director Charlie Berry wanted
to extend the company's commercial offering to make the most of growing
opportunities in the new build market:
‘With the Government's plans to build extensive affordable new
housing well underway and private house building also strong, we feel
we can offer an excellent product and service to respond to current
demand. In the new build sector in particular, Kitemark licences must
now be held by suppliers to any builder registered with the National
House Building Council (NHBC), so we felt it was important to pursue
this strategy and prove that we can offer consistent high-quality production
that is independently verified. Only 5% of UK installers have gained
ISO 9001:2000 accreditation, so the fact that we have also achieved
this quality seal of recognition will also, I believe, offer significant
advantages.’
The company, which has already doubled window production over the last
five years, now plans to do the same again and has also invested £500,000
in a new glass toughening facility for Andrew Wright Glass in anticipation
of further growth.
Pennine
Home Improvements Leads the Way
Pennine
Home Improvements
says that it is leading the way in the home improvements industry by
being 'the first - and only company in the North East' to land the new
BSI Kitemark Licence for Window Survey and Installation. This adds to
the company's wide array of industry awards - and the window, door and
conservatory specialist is proud to be one of only two retail companies
in the UK to have been awarded this prestigious Kitemark.
Ian Glenister, Head of Operations at Pennine, explained the hard work
that went into achieving the Window Installers Kitemark Licence:
'The BSI employs very stringent standards - and to achieve this Kitemark,
rigorous onsite assessments take place examining all aspects of installation
- from the initial survey, work in progress through to the completed
works. Regular audits throughout the year ensure continued compliance
providing complete peace of mind to our customers - demonstrating Pennine‚s
total commitment to quality workmanship. Pennine is very proud of this
achievement and it paves the way for the ever-growing business plans
for the company.'
Chris Lewis Business Sector Manager for Construction Products at the
BSI, commented:
'We are very proud to be able to welcome Pennine Home Improvements into
the exclusive Kitemark Window Installers 'Club'. It is a reflection
of the hard work and dedication that the company exhibited to achieve
the highest standards of quality installations. Pennine will now be
able to differentiate itself from its competitors and reassure customers
by displaying the Window Installers Kitemark - a mark that is recognised
by more than 80% of consumers as a symbol of quality, safety and trust.'
Ian concludes:
'At Pennine, we are focused on being the best - in terms of quality,
service and value. We adhere to strict regulations to ensure that our
products and services are of a high standard - this is supported by
a 10-year guarantee that spans our entire portfolio. Customer satisfaction
is vital to the success of our business. Achieving the Kitemark for
Window Survey and Installation is testament to our customer commitments.'
Partnership
Holds the Key for Radway
Two
of the major players in the building refurbishment sector have cemented
their 12 year relationship with a new commercial partnering arrangement.
Award winning national fenestration contractor Radway
was presented with the first ever Key Commercial Partner certificate
by The Litchfield Group of Companies at the recent Institute of Housing
conference in Harrogate.
The Derbyshire based Litchfield Group is one of the UK’s largest
independent thermoplastics processors. As the relationship between the
two organisations has developed, Radway has increased both the range
and volume of Litchfield Group brands in its portfolio. These include
Sheerframe, Hometrim and Masterdor and in 2004, its Masterdor composite
door business alone totalled £3 million.
(L-R)
James Litchfield - Managing Director L.B. Plastics Ltd, John Park-Davies
- Sales and Marketing Director Radway, Stephen Kent Operations Director
Radway, Bill Briggs- Managing Director Radway, David Strang – Sheerframe
Product Director L.B. plastics Ltd
‘The
certificate award is in recognition of the scale and nature of the relationship
which the two successful businesses have established,’ says Sheerframe
Product director David Strang. ‘In 2004, for example, we jointly
delivered a host of major window and door replacement contracts, notably
for Barnet Homes, Leeds City Council and Birmingham City Council.’
For Radway, the arrangement reflects the breadth of its construction
industry capability. Says Sales and Marketing Director John Park-Davies,
‘We are much more than merely a window fabricator and installer.
As a main contractor and subcontractor in the social housing and commercial
sectors, we are a complete service provider, and this capability is
something which has increasing appeal as the sector strives towards
realising the Decent Homes Standard.
‘For us, having ‘just a window systems supplier’ is simply
not enough. Partnering with an organisation like The Litchfield Group,
with its wide product portfolio and its commitment to market and product
development, positions us superbly to strengthen our already dominant
position in the market.’
As a Sheerframe fabricator, Radway is poised to benefit from the introduction
of Thermlock®, the thermally enhanced reinforcing profile, which
helps windows achieve optimum energy ratings. Radway is also a registered
Hometrim installer, and is planning to supply Sheerline ramps systems
as social housing providers move to comply with the Disability Discrimination
Act.
For Radway, the Litchfield Group Key Commercial Partner award follows
hot on the heels of its success in winning the Contractor of the year
2005 in the Housing Excellence awards.
Chipping
Norton Glass Proves its Quality
Two River Solutions Ltd has announced that the manufacturer of double glazed sealed units and installer of windows and doors Chipping Norton Glass Ltd has been awarded the Kitemark for the company’s sealed units.
(L-R)
Trevor Mouat of Chipping Norton Glass, Peter Brudenell of Two River
Solutions, Kevin Frewin of BSI Product Services
Over
the past nine months Two River Solutions Ltd has been working with Chipping
Norton Glass which has implemented the required quality management system
to meet the requirements of the BS EN 1279-2 Kitemark scheme.
Trevor Mouat said 'The most difficult part of implementing the requirements
was ensuring that all of our team have been trained and understand what
is required. Two River Solutions has made this process very easy for
us.’
Peter Brudenell (Director of Two River Solutions Ltd) said 'Working
with Chipping Norton Glass was a pleasure, as the team were all-willing
to learn. The company’s order book has already grown and should
continue to grow in the coming years.
‘Implementing a good quality management system should help every
company to reduce costs, increase customer focus and satisfaction and
ensure that the workforce is committed to quality and continual improvement.
‘For further information on how your business could benefit from
implementing a quality management system please contact Two River Solutions
Ltd.’
Tel: 01608 664814
Web: http://www.tworiversolutions.com