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Two
Kitemark Licences Confirm Glazerite's Quality
Trade
fabricator Glazerite Windows is
celebrating as the company’s Veka matrix 58mm and 70mm fully sculptured
casement window systems recently received the Kitemark seal of approval
from BSI Product Services.
Both
systems achieved the highly regarded Kitemark against BS7412 for weather
performance and BS7950/7412 for enhanced security levels.
John Hewitt, Glazerite's Managing Director, commented, ‘We have
always strived to exceed the requirements of the BS7412 as standard
and the speed with which we received the accreditation is confirmation
of the success of our efforts. Thanks must also go to Sean McCarthy
and Mike Carroll of Glazerite, who played a key part in the process,
which inevitably involved much administration work.
‘Glazerite has aimed to offer an unparalleled product range and
quality level since its inception and the company demonstrates this
by continuous investment in systems and processes. For example, in the
last 12 months alone we have invested in excess of £550 000 in
plant and machinery.’
The company's belief in offering superior products and service is evidently
something that increasing numbers of customers find attractive - the
recent investment in machinery has resulted in a 50% increase in production
capacity to keep up with demand. Being awarded these Kitemark licences
can only reinforce the company’s reputation in the industry.
Amy Collins, Product Marketing Manager at BSI Product Services says,
‘The Kitemark licenses that Glazerite has received shows a determined
commitment by the company to benchmark themselves to the highest levels
of fabrication. The highly stringent testing and assessment methods
utilised by BSI certify that the company’s processes and products
measure up to the standards that installer and specifiers are increasingly
looking for.'
Glazerite Windows is based in Wellingborough in Northamptonshire. A
member of the Network VEKA group, the company’s portfolio includes
bespoke products such as Bi-folding, stable and composite doors.
Tel: 01933 443222
Email: andrew@glazerite.net
Trident
Joins Siegenia-Aubi's 'Maximum Security' Line Up
The
Trident three-in-one safety, security and egress hardware system from
Siegenia-Aubi is the latest in
the manufacturer's portfolio to receive Secured By Design status.
Launched last year, Trident eliminates the need to compromise between
safety, security and egress. Its unique hook and cam combination uses
security technology previously only used in door locks to deliver new
single-mechanism casement window hardware.
After meeting the requirements of BS7950, Trident now joins the Siegenia-Aubi
shootbolt espagnolette; PVC and aluminium tilt and turn hardware systems
to become the fourth product in the Siegenia-Aubi portfolio with Secured
by Design accreditation. The AS4900 and AS4904 multi-point locks from
KFV, which are now part of the Siegenia-Aubi product range following
the acquisition of the lock manufacturer last year, are currently awaiting
certification.
There are 350 firms in the UK with Secured by Design registered products,
and the scheme managers estimate that the number of accredited products
stretches into the thousands.
According to Siegenia-Aubi general manager, Léann Hearne, Secured
by Design is becoming increasingly important from a manufacturer's perspective:
‘The public is now undoubtedly more aware of Secured by Design
as a concept than in recent years, and it's becoming an instantly recognisable
'seal of approval'.
‘Although the number of domestic burglaries is dropping year on
year, the British Crime Survey reports that in 2005/06, around two in
every hundred households were burgled - a total of more than 730,000
break-ins.
‘The majority of burglars still use force to gain entry, so our
industry must respond with stronger, higher security products. Any reassurances
that we as manufacturers can give end users about the security performance
of our products have to be good news.’
Web: http://www.siegenia-aubi.co.uk
Brunel
Makes the Grade
Brunel,
the Tamworth UK based manufacturer of zinc diecastings,
metal pressings and assemblies such as hinges, handles and rod based
locking mechanisms, has recently completed a final BSI ISO9001 :2000
quality audit and achieved the standard required with only 5 minor non-conformances.
Brunel expects to be in possession of a certificate within the next
few weeks. This major milestone further establishes Brunel as a reliable
UK manufacturer of bespoke items such as keeps, one piece keeps, fixing
lugs, brackets, hinges, handles and bespoke hardware assemblies for
specific requirements.
Brunel has a new information resource website at http://www.bruneltamworth.co.uk
Rohm
and Haas Receives Sustainability Award
Rohm
and Haas Company has received the 2007 Hydro Sustainability
Award during a recent conference held in Hafnersee, Austria.
The award was presented by Dr. Karl-Henrik Róbert, founder of
The Natural Step, a non-governmental organisation that has pioneered
an extensive set of principles to advance society toward sustainability.
Rohm
and Haas employees (from left) Louis Sederel, Muriel Hebrard, Gareth
Oubridge, Jon Hastings and Robin Madgwick accept the Hydro Sustainability
Award from The Natural Step founder, Dr. Karl-Henrik Róbert (second
from right).
The
conference and a multi-day workshop was hosted by Chemson but organised
by Hydro for 10 top global suppliers. It provided a forum for participating
companies in the PVC supply chain to report their progress in utilising
the sustainable development methodology developed by The Natural Step
during the last year.
Rohm and Haas was elected as the best performing company by Hydro and
The Natural Step at the conclusion of the conference. ‘This award,
and the fact that many other very worthy participating companies chose
to recognise Rohm and Haas for our work in sustainability, is quite
gratifying,’ says Jon Hastings, European general manager for Rohm
and Haas's Packaging and Building Materials business. ‘The close
working relationship we have with Hydro Polymers has greatly influenced
our sustainable efforts. It has paved the way for coordinated efforts
between our companies, and enabled us to further elevate sustainability
values in our company.’
As winner of the award, Rohm and Haas will act as a leader for sustainable
development issues within its circle of suppliers, co-suppliers and
customers. The company will co-sponsor a distance learning course regarding
The Natural Step sustainability development principles scheduled to
begin this fall. The course is created for professionals in the chemical
industry and aims to equip 'agents of change' with information to address
sustainability within their own companies.
Hastings adds that Rohm and Haas has been spurred on by the award. ‘We
recently completed a presentation on the The Natural Step programme
to the senior leadership within Rohm and Haas, and there already exists
new and exciting proposals for its continued use throughout our company.’
Web: http://www.rohmhaas.com
Rotherham
PVCu Fabricator Gets Another Award-BBA Certificate
Calendar
Home Improvements,
who only recently was awarded three BSI Kitemarks simultaneously has
now achieved the BBA Certificate.
Phil Curry of the BBA says 'The BBA is the UK's major approval body
for new and innovative construction products and installers. Certificates
are recognised by specifiers and other industry decision-makers as proof
that the products covered by them have been rigorously assessed, so
Calendar's achievement of the BBA Certificate further re-inforces the
company's commitment to quality within the industry.’
Left
to right: Jim Churchill, Managing Director of Calendar Home Improvements,
Phil Curry, Area Business Manager BBA
Calendar
operates a modern computer-controlled window, door, conservatory manufacturing
factory and produces high performance PVCu products designed to comply
with the most stringent building regulations. Calendar offers a fast
and professional manufacturing service to builders and installers across
the Midlands and Yorkshire and the North East.
Calendar's Managing Director, Jim Churchill says, 'These awards are
only part of what we intend to achieve over the coming months as our
drive for quality improvement continues'
Ultraframe
Short-listed for Best Factory Awards
Leading
conservatory roof manufacturer Ultraframe has been short listed for
the 2007 Best Factory Awards.
The prestigious Best Factory Awards acknowledge and reward manufacturing
companies that demonstrate pioneering working practices.
The award programme is run by Cranfield School of Management in partnership
with the magazine Works Management and the winning companies will be
named at an award ceremony in London on Friday September 21st.
Mike
Price front row centre and Ultraframe's highly successful operations
team
The
Clitheroe firm has been nominated for Best Engineering Plant, People
Management, Supply Chain, Judges Special Award and Factory of the Year.
Ultraframe has grown from strength to strength over the past 18 months
and the short-listing for the prestigious awards underpins the firm's
relentless pursuit of excellence in every area, ranging from innovative
product design to unrivalled customer service.
Mike Price, Ultraframe's Operations Director commented, 'We are delighted
to be short-listed for such a major award as it acknowledges the company's
hard work and forward thinking to create new and more efficient practices.'
The award categories for 2007 are Judges Special Award, Best Small Company
Award, Innovation Award, Most Improved Plant Award, People Management
Award, Supply Chain Award, Health, Safety and Environment Award.
Then there are four sector categories, Engineering Plant Award, Process
Plant Award, Electronics and Electrical Plant Award and Household and
General Products Plant Award.
The overall winner will be chosen from the four winners of the sector
categories and will be named 'Factory of the Year 2007'.
Eleven other leading companies including Coors Brewers of Hampshire,
Reckitt Benckiser of East Yorkshire and Coca-Cola Enterprises of London
join Ultraframe on the awards short list.
Eurocell
Reaches Finals in Business Awards
Eurocell
Profiles has beaten off competition from hundreds of entrants
to be one of just four finalists in the prestigious Derbyshire Business
Awards.
Eurocell
impressed the judges with the way it has managed to expand its business
against the challenges of an ever increasingly competitive market. The
company demonstrated how it had achieved 12 years of consistent growth
by focusing on investment, innovation and customer satisfaction.
More than £64m has been invested in the business over the last
eight years, which has led to improved production capabilities, reduced
delivery leadtimes and provided a stream on new product innovations.
Managing director David Leng explains: 'We are really excited about
being short listed for the awards. We feel we have come so far in the
last 12 months that our staff deserve this recognition for their efforts.
In addition to investing in new equipment we have also focused on training
our staff and improving factory conditions. The result has been greater
staff retention and the continued growth and prosperity of our business.
We are keeping our fingers crossed for the results!'
This is the second major achievement for Eurocell in recent weeks following
the company’s accreditation to IS0 14001, the internationally recognised
environmental standard. This represents Eurocell’s commitment to
recycling and reduction of waste throughout its business.
The winning company will receive £10,000 worth of professional
advice from accountants KPMG, law firm Geldards and Lloyds TSB are up
for grabs and the winner will be announced at a special awards ceremony
held at Chatsworth House later in the year.
For more information, contact Eurocell Profiles on 01773 842100 or visit
the website www.eurocell.co.uk.
System
10 Supplies Award-Winning Birmingham Supply Chain
WHS
Halo
System 10 is celebrating after its collaboration with the Birmingham
Construction Partnership took centre stage at the prestigious 2007 Building
Awards, where Birmingham City Council's construction alliance scooped
the Integrated Supply Chain of the Year Award.
WHS
Halo System 10 is the majority window systems supplier to the Birmingham
Construction Partnership which operates a unique two-tier supply chain,
based around a first tier of three contractors; Thomas Vale Construction,
GF Tomlinson and Wates Group. The second tier comprises 61 different
companies, including Shelforce, Bowater Windows and Plastex, which fabricate
and/or install System 10 windows for the three contractors across Birmingham's
social housing portfolio.
Says Richard Garland of WHS Halo: ‘Over 100,000 System 10 windows
have been installed as part of Birmingham Construction Partnership's
capital building programme. The two-tier supply chain has set a new
precedent for how public sector projects are managed. The emphasis on
collaboration plus the continuing sharing of best practice has brought
measurable benefits, with fewer defects, more projects completed on
time and greater use of local labour. We are delighted to be part of
what is now acknowledged to be the best integrated supply chain in the
UK.’
Birmingham Construction Partnership was also a runner-up in the Client
of the Year category at the building industry's equivalent of the Oscars.
The Partnership works across all council services and its work with
the housing department on improving the Council's stock has been identified
as an example of best practice.
WHS Halo System 10 has supplied PVC-U windows, doors and curtain walling
to the public sector for more than 20 years and according to its figures,
it is estimated that 1 in 5 windows installed in social housing are
now System 10.
For further information on System 10, please visit http://www.system10.co.uk
or contact WHS Halo's Commercial Development Managers on 0121 749 3000.
In
this month's What's New section of the BBA
website there is the latest information on the BBA's Buildoffsite
Seminar at Offsite 2007, BBA Approval for KAT UK - PVC-U Window System
and the BBA welcomes Brett Wood as the new Area Business Manager for
the West and South West.
New
Certificates added between 08 May 2007 and 04 June 2007
07/4440 SYNSEAL PVC-U WINDOW SYSTEM - Younger Homes Ltd
Amendments to Existing Certificates between 08 May 2007 and 04 June
2007 05/4243 EUROCELL PVC-U WINDOW SYSTEM - M & B Trading Ltd
Volkswagen
Commercial Vehicles Scoop Double Award
The
Volkswagen Caddy was awarded the
best small van honour and the Crafter won the hard fought best large
panel van title at the prestigious Professional Van and Light Truck
Awards, held in Birmingham recently.
The Caddy was singled out for particular praise, commended by the judges
as it scored an emphatic win. John Fife, Editor of Professional Van
& Light Truck Magazine said: 'The new Caddy introduced new levels
of driver and passenger comfort to the small van market. The introduction
of the DSG gearbox to the range highlights Volkswagen's commitment to
commercial vehicles.'
The cut glass trophy was presented to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles'
head of marketing, Ralf Schueler. On collecting the award Schueler said:
'This is a tremendous honour, the Caddy has proved a sustained success
for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and continues to grow in popularity
- helping us to achieve record sales in the UK.'
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles enjoyed a record 110,100 sales worldwide
in the first-quarter of 2007. Revealing the results Stefan Shaller,
spokesman for the Volkswagen board, commented: 'Volkswagen Commercial
Vehicles has continued its record journey in the first quarter of this
year which is great motivation. This is the best first quarter in the
history of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.'
The Crafter scooped the best large van award on the first anniversary
of its debut at the 2006 Commercial Vehicles Show. Now available with
the advanced new Shiftmatic automated gearbox which deletes the clutch
pedal and speeds up changes and with a range of new official conversions,
including a tipper and dropside bodies the Crafter has proved a hit
with UK van buyers.
Fife commented: 'The judges liked the vehicle's versatility and the
new 2.5-litre, five-cylinder engine which not only performs well but
also sounds good!'
Robert Hazelwood, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK, commented:
'To win two awards is a tremendous achievement which underlines the
quality of the product. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles continues to
go from strength to strength with exciting new vehicles and a committed
network of Van Centres striving to build on our already high standards
of customer care.'
Web: http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk
Mighton's
Ecotilt Timber Sash Window System Passes BS7950
Mighton
says that its Ecotilt sash window set new standards when it achieved
a 'B' Window Energy Rating. It's done it again. On the 22nd June Ecotilt
passed BS7950 - 'Specification for enhanced security performance of
windows for domestic applications'. The standard enables the installer,
after auditing, to achieve Secured By Design accreditation.
Vincent Kerrigan, Deputy Tech Manager at Chiltern International Fire
and Chiltern Dynamics praised the achievement: ‘In passing the
BS7950 standard with a timber sliding sash window, Mighton has in one
stroke shattered the defeatist view in the industry, that timber windows
are not capable of meeting today's standards.
‘Mike Derham has a keen eye for innovation and design and he and
his team went back to the drawing board to address the specific issues
presented by a timber sash window. Mighton has invested two years of
research and development to manufacture what is proven to be a first-class,
robust product, and Chiltern Dynamics was proud to work with the Mighton
team.’
Mike Derham, Managing Director of Mighton says: ‘Classic styling,
energy efficiency and police-backed security levels are now all available
with Ecotilt. As the PVC-U industry has been quick to recognise, there
is a big demand for security tested products as well as energy rated
ones. Ecotilt enables them to seize this opportunity and capitalise
on architects and specifiers' love affair with timber.’
Visit http://www.ecotilt.com
for more information.