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Euroglaze
Named Best Lean Manufacturer
Euroglaze
has won a further endorsement of its manufacturing excellence with an
award from Yorkshire Productivity for the best Lean Manufacturing adoption
by a Small to Medium Sized Enterprise (SME).
The
Barnsley-based REHAU fabricator has adopted world class lean manufacturing
techniques over recent years and has been rewarded for its successful
implementation of initiatives such as 5S, Kaizen and JIT.
This is the third award Euroglaze has received from Yorkshire Productivity
- a government sponsored body which provides consultancy advice and
training to manufacturing businesses across the north of England.
Euroglaze was successful this year not just because it could demonstrate
how it has adopted the principles of lean manufacturing and won the
support of its workforce but because it could demonstrate the really
positive benefits these have had on its quality and performance.
For example, Euroglaze now regularly achieves waste levels of less than
3% and rejection rates of less than 1.5%, and has reduced the average
man hours required to produce each frame from 2.4 to 1.8.
Glen Park, the company's Operations Director is justifiably proud of
Euroglaze's achievements. He says: ‘Too many businesses just pay
lip service to these types of new manufacturing and training initiatives
without ever undergoing the fundamental shift in attitude which is required
to become a true lean manufacturer.
‘We have demonstrated just what can be achieved if everyone in
the business has a genuine commitment to the success of lean manufacturing
and it is a tribute to our whole workforce that we have been named the
best adopter in the whole of the Yorkshire Productivity region.’
Euroglaze, which manufactures around 1,000 frames per week in the REHAU
S706 system, was awarded BS7412 and BS7950 during 2005 and recently
also achieved ISO9001/2000 quality approval. The company attributes
much of its success in these assessments to its adoption of the processes
associated with lean manufacturing.
John
Williams
has become the first company in Wales and Cheshire to achieve the British
Standard Institution Kitemark for the survey and installation of windows
and doors.
Established
over 36 years ago and based in Colwyn Bay, John Williams whose Head
Office and factory is based in Colwyn Bay is one of the largest home
improvement companies trading in North Wales and the Cheshire areas.
Mike Williams, Managing Director at John Williams, says: ‘In competitive
markets, the Kitemark is often used as a point of differentiation reassuring
customers and specifiers alike that the company in question has an ongoing
commitment to quality and safety by independent assessment. For this
reason it makes sound business sense for us to have Kitemark certification
for both our products and our survey and installation service’.
Elaine Durno, Product Manager at BSI, commented: ‘We are very proud
to present John Williams with this Kitemark license for the company’s
survey and installation service.
This latest Kitemark is a natural progression for John Williams and
builds on the fact that it has held two Kitemark licenses and two BSI
Registered Firm licences for its products and services for many years.
Now customers can have complete confidence that not only will they be
buying a quality product but now they can be reassured that the quality
of the survey and installation service is also endorsed by the Kitemark
- a widely recognised symbol of quality, safety and trust.’
Mike concludes: ‘This new Kitemark adds to our wide array of industry
awards and qualifications. At John Williams we pride ourselves on high
standards of customer service, product quality and professionalism and
the Kitemark helps us to demonstrate our commitment to these standards
and sets us apart from other companies in a fiercely competitive industry.’
Fireswiss
Foam Secures CERTIFIRE Approval
Fireswiss
Foam - the new fully insulated fire glass from CGI
International - now has the backing of a full CERTIFIRE listing.
This makes it even easier for specifiers and contractors to review its
use across a wide array of applications in both metal and timber frames
and doors up to a massive size of more than 3000mm x 2000mm - a potential
area per panel of almost 7.00 m2.
Phill
Millward, CGI's Sales and Marketing Director, believes the real benefit
of CERTIFIRE is to provide instant approval - or not - to a comprehensive
range of glass sizes, frame styles and glazing methods. He says: ‘In
fact, the rigorous assessment process of the CERTIFIRE scheme is not
just about size, the use of a 7.00 m2 pane area being limited, as much
as anything, by the ability to handle a glass pane weighing over a quarter-of-a
tonne!’
As a further benefit, the certification of CGII products covered by
the CERTIFIRE scheme can also be viewed on-line and downloaded from
the company's recently redesigned web site. This means customers can
check at the click of a button if a proposed installation of expensive
and life-protecting fire glass is being properly specified.
The company's new website at http://www.cgii.co.uk
provides a one stop source of information for anyone involved in specifying
and using fire glass, including glazing specialists, door manufacturers
and joinery companies. Useful features include a helpful guide to choosing
the right fire glass and rating, plus a regularly updated section on
current Fire Safety Standards. ‘Easy access to this type of information
and advice is crucial in ensuring correct specification and 'best practice'
methods,’ continues Phill Millward.
Following its successful launch in the UK, Fireswiss Foam is now readily
available for all types of contracts through CGII's stockist network.
Fireswiss Foam has already been successfully installed in many projects
nationwide, including the Biagio restaurant in Piccadilly and the National
Railway Museum in York.
Tel: 020 7078 6660
Web: http://www.cgii.co.uk
Double
Kitemark Licences Awarded to Advantage
Advantage
Windows and Conservatories Ltd, the Cheshire-based trade
fabricator, has been awarded two BSI kitemarks. The license certificates
were presented to Advantage's Operations Director Glenn Fern on the
BSI Product Services stand at Glassex 2006.
The first award is BS 7412 for windows made from PVC-u extruded hollow
profile. The general requirements for this standard include safety,
operation and strength and weather performance which include air permeability,
watertightness and wind resistance.
The second award is BS 7950/7412 - the specification for enhanced security
performance of casement and tilt and turn windows for domestic applications.
Advantage's
Kitemark presentation at Glassex. (Left) - Dennis Emms-Moss - Emms-Moss
Consultants, (centre) - Glenn Fern, Operations Director at Advantage
and (right) Mike Foley of BSI.
Advantage
manufactures both Rehau 70 and Spectus Elite 70 windows in the company’s
factories at Poynton in Cheshire. The license process involved the testing
of Advantage's windows by BSI Product Services to determine that they
meet or exceed the required levels of safety, operation and strength,
security and weather performance.The Kitemark process also involved
a thorough assessment of Advantage's quality management systems. In
the six months prior to the kitemarks being awarded, leading industry
consultant Dennis Emms-Moss worked closely with Advantage's Production
Director Glenn Fern.
They assessed all of Advantage's quality control and internal reporting
systems and brought them into line to satisfy BSI's rigorous standards.
BSI will also be conducting ongoing checks to ensure that the manufacturing
process continues to operate to the highest levels. There is also an
ongoing programme of product testing to ensure that the high standards
of product manufacturing that have already been achieved are continually
met.
Elaine Durno, Product Manager for construction products at BSI Product
Services, said, ‘BSI are delighted that Advantage Windows and Conservatories
have achieved Kitemark certification to BS 7412 and BS 7950/7412 for
their windows. The award of these two Kitemark licences is the latest
acknowledgment of Advantage Windows and Conservatories commitment to
quality. Consumers and specifiers can now have complete product confidence
through the credibility and assurance that Kitemark certification provides’.
Upon achieving the two Kitemark awards, Glenn Fern, Advantage's Operations
Director said: ‘by achieving the very high standards needed to
gain BS 7412 and BS 7950/7412, we as a company have shown a commitment
to manufacturing quality products and maintaining efficient internal
systems. I would like to pay tribute to all of the technical and manufacturing
staff here at Advantage who all played a part in gaining these awards.’
Tel: 01625 856488
Euroglaze
Secures ISO9001 at First Attempt
Barnsley-based
trade fabricator Euroglaze has secured
its ISO9001 quality approval with no issues to address.
The Rehau customer has transformed its performance over the past four
years through a dedicated focus on quality and efficiency and it has
been rewarded with the coveted ISO9001 status.
Euroglaze
achieved BS7412 in March 2005 as part of its drive for world class manufacturing
so according to Operations Director Glen Park ISO9001 was the next logical
step. However, it was very much a natural progression for the company
rather than a hurdle to overcome.
Glen says: ‘The vast majority of the requirements of IS09001 were
already in place as part of the Euroglaze routine. We were recently
named an Exemplar manufacturer by the Inside Industry body so we know
our procedures are among the very best not just in PVC-U window fabrication
but in general manufacturing.
‘Customer questionnaires and supplier performance monitoring for
example are an integral part of our efforts to become a world class
lean manufacturer. The assessor who visited us recommended us for IS09001
without any issues to be addressed which is fairly unusual in this sector.’
Euroglaze manufactures in the Rehau S706 70mm system and has doubled
its output over the past two years to current levels of 1,000 frames
per week. This is predicted to rise to 3000 frames once a major factory
expansion project is completed during 2006.
Predominantly a trade fabricator, its commitment to quality has tangible
benefits for installers but has also helped the company secure commercial
new build contracts where both BS7412 and ISO9001 are tender stipulations.
Mr
Bart Van Overschelde Managing Director of Belgium PVC extruder Plastivan
NV received the BBA certificate for its white roofline system
from Alan Thomas of the BBA at Interbuild 2006.
Mr Van Overschelde commented that Plastivan was pleased to be the first
extruder to produced a quality roofline system using Calcium / zinc
based stabilised in its formulation for both skin and core which has
received BBA accreditation.
Plastivan 18 months ago opened its Bristol distribution centre specialising
in the supply of interior claddings and roofline, it is anticipated
this certification combined with the recent investment in the UK will
increase Plastivan’s awareness in the market and acceptance as
a quality alternative to traditional suppliers.
For further information contact sales at plastivan Ltd 0117 3005625
or e-mail sales@plastvan.co.uk.
The
Conservatory Factory Awarded Best National Roof Supplier from Window
Fitters Mate
The
Conservatory Factory has been voted best national conservatory roof
supplier by the 23 branches of Window Fitters Mate.
Each branch manager was asked to vote for the best roof supplier and
The Conservatory Factory was clearly identified as the winner within
a number of other suppliers. Bob Lilley, managing director comments:
‘We are absolutely delighted with the award. As a long established
BBA accredited fabricator we understand the needs of our customers including
those of the branch managers at Window Fitters Mate. We will continue
to address the needs of the branch managers as we do with all of our
customers.’
‘Window Fitters Mate is perhaps unique in the fact that each branch
can offer a number of different products for the installer and not just
rely one supplier,’ commented Phil Davies, managing director. ‘Our
branch managers have made a clear statement in their voting as they
have the remit to choose between different suppliers. The Conservatory
Factory consistently perform and this award is clear recognition for
it.’
Bob Lilley concludes: ‘In a tight industry it is always nice to
be recognised for our product quality and the ability to provide a benchmark
for service. Our commitment to the customer is second to none and we
will look forward to continuing our great relationship with Window Fitters
Mate.’
Contact The Conservatory Factory:
Tel 01373 473900
Email: info@theconservatoryfactory.co.uk
UAP
Door Cylinders Make the New Standard
UAP
door cylinders have now passed the new Standard EN1303:2005 that specifies
levels of durability up to 100,000 cycles.
Door cylinders have a tough time in use: very little attention is paid
to them but much is expected.
According to UAP Sales Director John Cross, 'That little cylinder in
your hand is a highly engineered product made to very close tolerances
that would not look out of place in a factory making expensive watches.'
Close tolerances are vital to a good quality cylinder. The ability to
perform consistently well in all types of weather and many times a day
is obvious, but represent a significant challenge for the lock maker.
Continual testing is a major factor in UAP's Quality Control procedure
and re-testing always takes place whenever new Standards are announced.
'So we are delighted that our cylinders have now passed the new Standard
EN1303:2005 that specifies levels of durability up to 100,000 cycles,
levels of fire resistance, corrosion and temperature resistance, security,
and resistance against attack.
'Remember, if it doesn't say UAP on the cylinder barrel, then is not
likely to be one of ours.'
UAP is one of the biggest suppliers of cylinder locks in the country,
with a Direct Import option for its biggest bulk-buy customers who can
make substantial savings on costs.
Tel: +44 (0) 161 763 5290
Email: uap@btconnect.com
Web: http://www.universal-imports.com
Climatec
Windows Accredited by BM Trada
Established
in 1993, Climatec Windows has built
up a reputation for the quality fabrication of window and door components.
Using the Rehau range of profiles, the company has achieved numerous
quality awards, including ISO 9001 and BBA Accreditation, as well as
BS 7950, BS 7412 and PAS Security Standards 23 and 24. The quality of
the window components has been verified by BM TRADA as third party quality
auditors.
Climatec now employs 93 employees over three sites and an overall £750,000
investment in machinery over the past two years has brought the company
to a manufacturing capacity in the region of 1,300 frames per week.
‘We are proud of the achievements that we have made in attaining
such prestigious standards,’ comments Steve Barker who co-owns
the company with Phil Bates. ‘In addition, we received Secured
by Design approval in February 2006. We believe that by investing in
these standards, our customers will reap the benefits for large commercial
projects, supported by the validation of BM TRADA which is one of the
leading quality assurance assessors.’
Tel: 01494 569607
Email: qmark@bmtrada.com
Web: http://www.bmtrada.com
BBA
Approval for Saracen Hardware
The
BBA has published an assessment on Laird's
Saracen security hardware for windows.
The report gives an in depth assessment on the endurance, mechanical,
corrosion and resistance to wear and fatigue for the Saracen HS Shootbolt
(face-fixed bars and snap-fit rods) and the Saracen SXL friction hinge.
The programme followed a series of rigorous tests which confirmed that
the performance of these products were consistent with a 25 year predicted
service life for a PVC-U window.
The hardware was subjected to 25,000 operational cycles and security
tested in accordance with BS 7950: 1997. The SXL friction hinge was
further tested in accordance with BS 6375 -2:1987; and all operations
were found to be normal.
The corrosion resistance results indicated that Saracen hardware achieved
grade (class) 4 (240 hrs - very high resistance to corrosion) as defined
by BS EN 1670: 1998 making it suitable for coastal and industrial locations.
The Saracen HS shootbolt is an enhanced security system for windows
offering a unique central gearbox with twin mushroom cams which lock
the sash to frame and bi-directional bars or concealed rods locating
into profiled keeps.
The SXL hinge offers major advances in security, weathersealing and
operational performance offering a high level of durability and resistance
to attack.
The Saracen hardware package is licensed by Secured by Design and is
available under the Saracen Secure Guarantee.
For further information please call 0121 224 6000
Duraflex
Sets the Standard with BBA
Duraflex
has gained BBA Certification for its PVC-U casement and tilt and turn
windows, residential doors (Pas 23/24) and Duraframe cavity closer.
This accreditation is only granted to companies that manufacture under
a recognised quality management system, such as ISO 9001. The door products
must pass a series of physical tests relating to PAS 23 including air
permeability, watertightness, slamming resistance and abusive force
on handles and must also be security tested for enhanced resistance
to human intervention and mechanical loading in accordance with PAS
24.
Covering both white and laminated products, BBA Certification complements
the company's existing BSI Kitemark, which relates to white products
only. Where appropriate, BSI tests were used by the BBA to avoid repetition.
Further testing for durability and corrosion resistance was required
together with tests to include laminated products.
With BSI and BBA accreditation Duraflex can satisfy the differing demands
of its diverse customer base, from retail through to trade and commercial.
Also, because they will be fabricating BBA approved PAS 23/24 products,
Duraflex customers with BBA Certification will now be able to progress
to PAS 23/24 in their own right without incurring excessive costs. ‘The
ability to demonstrate compliance with such Standards helps fabricators
to compete in an increasingly demanding market and provides peace of
mind for specifiers and end users,’ comments David Riley, Quality
Services Manager at Duraflex.
BBA Certification is a key standard within the industry, particularly
in the new build sector. Duraflex's achievement will, therefore, help
the company continue its penetration of this growing market. BBA Certification
relates more to the Building Regulations than the BSI Kitemark and so
is especially relevant to the NHBC warranty for new homes.
David Riley concludes ‘Until such time as there is an acceptable
single accreditation, Duraflex will continue to obtain the necessary
national and international standards for its range for the benefit of
its customers. BBA Certification sends a clear message that Duraflex
products are fit for purpose across a broad range of applications.’
Tel: 08705 351351
Web: http://www.duraflex.co.uk
Masterframe
Reaches National Business Award 2006 Regional Finals
Sliding
sash specialist Masterframe Windows
has reached the regional finals of the Orange National Business Awards
2006 for Business Innovation of the Year, for its Bygone Collection
window. The only Energy Saving Recommended (by the Energy Saving Trust)
sliding sash in the UK, it can reduce CO2 emissions by 74% compared
to a single glazed timber window. It's also the only window with BBA
'system status', certifying a 20 year life expectancy, underlying its
longevity and sustainability.
Masterframe is one of four finalists for the South East region, including
innocent drinks ltd, KashFlow Software and Mustard Technologies. According
to the National Business Awards, the winning organisation must demonstrate
‘a proven ability to create, nurture and develop innovations or
processes that substantially improve the commercial performance or prospects
of the company.’
‘Since introducing our BFRC 'C' rated Bygone Collection window
we've had an average of 50 new enquiries a month,’ says Alan Burgess,
Managing Director of Masterframe. ‘And our product innovations
have created the most authentic-looking range of PVC-U vertical sliders
on the market. The competitive advantage for our customers is clear.’
The National Business Awards is one of the biggest business competitions
in Europe. The winners of the South East and Wales & West Country
Awards will be announced on 13th July. In 2005 Masterframe reached the
National Business Awards' Regional Finals for Customer Care.
Tel: 01376 510410
Web: http://www.masterframe.co.uk
Direct
Trade Joins the A-List Energy Band
Doncaster
fabricator Direct Trade has achieved
the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) Window Energy Ratings
A to E on windows fabricated from WHS Halo's
Eclipse (Chamfered) and Esthétique (Sculptured) system. In doing
so, the company is also the first WHS Halo fabricator to achieve a WER.
Achieving the rating means Direct Trade's windows can now carry both
the Energy Efficiency Recommended logo and the BFRC's own energy label.
Founded in 1998 by Steve Green and Mick Bowley, the company produces
around 800 frames per week and manufactures windows, doors and conservatories
for the trade.
Direct Trade Director Steve Green says of the WER achievement: ‘We
recognise that Window Energy Ratings are the future of the industry's
environmental positioning; and will similarly become an integral element
of any company's sales and marketing strategy. Achieving our WER so
quickly demonstrates our commitment to be in the vanguard of adopting
innovation and adapting to changing market requirements - to the benefit
of all our customers’.
Direct Trade also recently had its business performance recognised by
appearing in the Sunday Times annual Fast Track 100 in December. It
was the second successive year the company had featured, and it was
also the only business in the sector to have featured in the past two
years.Kitemark accredited to BS 7412, the company fabricates both WHS
Halo's Eclipse PCE chamfered suite and Eclipse esthétique five-chambered
sculptured profile - having changed to the systems in the spring of
2005. It also offers the Global conservatory roof system.
Tel: 01302 880066
Fax: 01302 887070