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GAP
Recruits new Production Manager for Door Panels
GAP,
manufacturer of the Cosmopolitan door panel range, has recently employed
John Harrop as its Production Manager. John explains why he made the
move:
‘The timing was right to change from the declining UK car industry
in my position as Production Manager at Jaguar. I wanted to work for
GAP because it’s a proactive company. It is growing fast and is
on course to double the manufacture of door panels from 2000 to 4000
a week.
'I look after over 60 shop floor and office staff so it’s important
to have good people management skills. I’m impressed by the company
culture at GAP – it encourages everyone to be involved and listens
to their ideas.
'A member of the shop floor team came up with a new way to speed up
dispatch and already that’s been put into practice. A good working
environment is important – so we can get on with our job of providing
high quality door panels for our customers.’
Charles Greensmith, Joint Managing Director, explains: ‘The main
reason for employing John from a highly efficient industry is to further
improve our goal of absolute efficiency. That’s what we are striving
for.’
Tel: 01254 682888
Email: mailto:simmy@gap.uk.com
Record
Growth at Business Micros
Windows
software specialist Business Micros says
that it has set a new high for
growth and profitability for the sixth successive year. The company
achieved growth of 28% in 2004 and crossed the significant milestone
of 3,000 customers.
Managing Director Graeme Bailey commented: ‘Business Micros is
a dynamic business with very ambitious growth targets which I am delighted
to say we are achieving year after year. We believe passionately that
we have the best products on the market but have also invested to ensure
that we have the people and infrastructure in place to support those
products.
‘We are certainly not resting on our laurels and are continuing
to invest in order to meet our targets for 2005!’
In
line with this, Business Micros has just appointed three new field staff
bringing its total workforce to 35. Jon Bailey joins the company as
a pre-installation and network engineer and Paul Evans and Stuart Hymas
join as field installers based out of South Wales and Liverpool.
All three have experience of the window fabrication industry and are
experienced in working with the company’s key software products.
Business Micros has also increased the size of its Warrington office
to service customers throughout the north of England and has opened
a new office in Gloucester specifically to look after the needs of its
customers in the commercial aluminium sector.
Tel: 01925 422957
While
his job title is Specification Manager, Groupco’s
Andrew Oldham describes himself as ‘an enabler’. His role
is to help customers by working with them to come up with a long-term
hardware solution, while at the same time creating opportunities for
his sales teams.
Groupco
offers a wide variety of quality door and window hardware, including
all products in the Peder Nielsen range, but Andrew says he is not a
salesman as such. Covering most of the UK, his role is talking to local
authorities, housing associations and, sometimes, architectural practices.
‘It’s window replacement more than new build,’ he says.
‘But, while I’m a problem solver, I’m also there to sell,
of course.’
He is able to discuss all aspects of hardware specification, from locks
and handles to complete systems, which presents potential customers
with the advantage of talking to just one person, and involvement at
an early stage can lead to the development of a bespoke package for
a project.
Andrew explains, ‘There are often problems with hardware supply,
particularly with the service element. We try to give the specifiers
that bit more, with competitive pricing and good back up, and, of course,
consistent quality products, so they know it’s a system that won’t
let them down.’
He says that while he talks to specifiers about the benefits of the
Groupco products, the actual sales are to the window fabricators, which
is a different sell with different requirements. He points out, however,
that if the specifier has indicated a requirement for Groupco hardware,
it is clearly in the fabricator’s interest to use those products.
‘We are not looking for a quick fix. My job is to come up with
a long-term solution,’ says Andrew.
Having worked in the window industry since 1983, he is able to use his
broad trade experience of working in different areas of the chain to
solve the hardware issues affecting window replacement projects.
Andrew has now been with Groupco for six years, and as his patch includes
most of the UK, he is on the road a great deal of the time, acting as
a kind of advance party working with local authorities and housing associations
to ensure that they ultimately obtain first rate hardware at a competitive
price, with the assurance of a full backup service.
While he is paving the way for Groupco sales, he can rely on the full
support of the Groupco salesforce, which is divided into three areas
– Scotland, Northern England and Southern England. These experienced
sales teams understand the specific needs of fabricators working with
PVC, aluminium or timber, and for both commercial and domestic applications.
Andrew says, ‘It’s great knowing that the Groupco portfolio
consists of only high quality hardware from leading UK and European
manufacturers, including Fuhr, Hoppe, Maco, Roto, GU, PN, ISEO, Basta
and Winlock.
‘We have solutions to suit any requirement, whether PVCu, aluminium,
timber or composite systems, with a service and delivery set up to back
that up. Our ISO 9001 registered distribution centres at Peterborough
and Cumbernauld offer a nationwide next-day service on most products,
which can be very important to our customers.’
Tel: 01733 234750
Email: mailto:sales@groupcoltd.co.uk
Web: http://www.groupcoltltd.co.uk
£800,000
Sales from New Area Sales Manager in First Week at Synseal
From
his first week’s appointments, Andy Miller, new Area Sales Manager,
Synseal Extrusions Ltd has signed
up over £800,000. ‘I didn’t sit in front of that much
potential business in the whole of last year with my previous company,’
explains Andy, who recently made the move to Synseal from another leading
profile company.
‘I used to meet prospects that wanted to change systems but the
profile company I was with then didn’t have the range of products
or the support they needed.
With Synseal you get the whole package: the window, gasket, conservatory
roof, and bar lengths. Even the sample bags are designed well, and it
all comes together to make my job easier. Profile sales is a serious
business. Gone are the days when you just drop in for a coffee and chat.
Fabricators like to deal with business people. The professionalism of
Synseal is second to none. I am really impressed with all the products.
Everything is made in house and fits together perfectly.
My first customer came on board on my first day, and from my first week’s
appointments have sold over £800,000.’
Tel: 01623 443 200
New
Systems Support Manager for Synseal
Steve
Marshall has joined Synseal Extrusions Ltd
as Systems Support Manager. ‘I used to work for another large conservatory
company but Synseal’s name kept coming up as a company that was
moving forward,’ explains Steve. ‘Working on the support side,
I’m out and about most of the time and I can see what’s really
happening in the market.
‘Over the last year, I’ve witnessed a large number of fabricators
switching to Synseal while other companies were losing out. I lost one
of my key customers to Synseal last year. That’s why I’m delighted
to be part of the team.’
Steve has over seven years experience in Systems Support. His new role
will see him travelling the country and setting up new systems for Synseal
customers.
Tel: 01623 443 200
Dr.
Christof Kemmann Appointed New Chairman of the VDMA
Dr.
Christof Kemmann, a 57-year-old businessman from Sonthofen/Allgäu
was elected Chairman of the VDMA
at a board meeting. Kemmann is a managing partner of BHS-Sonthofen GmbH.
Kemmann takes the function from Dr. Reinhold Festge who was chairman
for six years.
Kemmann wants to support the member enterprises primarily with expansion
abroad.
Dr.
Reinhold Festge (on the left) congratulates Dr. Christof Kemmann. Photo:
VDMA
Web:
http://www.vdma.org/construction
AFG
Glass names Edwards Director of Benchmarking
Tom
Dougherty, Vice President, Primary Glass has named Ben Edwards as Director
of Benchmarking for AFG Glass. In
the new role, Edwards will be responsible for International Benchmarking
efforts and direct the process throughout AFG. Dougherty states: 'The
benchmarking process allows us to compare many operational and systems
variables and determine those that result in the most favourable outcomes
– making AFG a stronger company.'
With a long list of experience with the company, Edwards has had a variety
of responsibilities within AFG including Glass Technologist, Quality
Supervisor, Quality Manager, Technical Manager, and most recently Production
Manager. He was involved with the initial start-up of AFG’s Spring
Hill, KS plant and most recently was assigned to AFG’s Greenland,
TN facility. Edwards is a native of Kingsport, TN and a graduate of
Clemson University with a degree in Ceramic Engineering. He, his wife
Sandra, and three children will continue to reside in Kingsport.
New
Siegenia Appointment Set to Make Waves in Specification
Jonathan
Bunn has joined Siegenia-Aubi, the
manufacturer of high performance window and door hardware and ventilation
solutions, as specification manager to develop the Siegenia-Aubi share
in this growing market sector.
Jon will draw on more than fifteen years’ experience and a technical
background in the window and construction industries to work closely
with the Siegenia technical sales team and specifiers and architects
in the public and private sectors, providing technical advice and support
across a range of commercial, new build and refurbishment projects.
He says, ‘Siegenia has an extensive product range designed specifically
to overcome many of the issues specifiers face on a day-to-day basis.
Egress, security, quality, the environment and public health are all
vital considerations and it’s important specifiers are aware of
the full range of solutions available to them.
‘It’s great to be working with a forward-thinking organisation
that has taken the concept of introducing fresh air into buildings way
beyond windows. The Siegenia approach encompasses innovative window
and door hardware as well as a range of ventilators that will manage
airflow, combat allergens and eliminate noise pollution in residential
and commercial buildings. It’s very strong product portfolio that
has much to offer the specification sector.’
Siegenia -Aubi general manager, Léann Hearne, adds, ‘Jon’s
skills and experience are an excellent fit with those of our existing
sales force, which means we now have both the products and the resources
we need to support specifiers and fabricators alike.’
Tel: 024 7662 2000
Email: mailto:si-uk@siegenia.com
Web: http://www.siegenia.de
Rachel’s
Input Brought to Masterframe’s Accounts
Masterframe
Windows,
manufacturer of high-quality PVCu sliding sash windows, is expanding
its accounts team with the appointment of Rachel Morton.
Though this is Rachel’s first full position since college, she’s
already impressed with the friendly professionalism of the Masterframe
team. Taking a quick break from her accounts work, Rachel says: ‘People
often think accounts is dull and boring. Masterframe must be doing something
differently because there’s a great atmosphere here. Knowing that
we are supporting such a good product is really exciting!’
Founded in 1988, Masterframe says that it has built a solid reputation
for the quality and product innovation of its PVCu sliding sash windows.
Masterframe knows how important it is to have a good finance team behind
its product and prides itself on its strength and fairness to customers
and suppliers alike.
Tel: 01376 510410
Web: http://www.masterframe.co.uk
New
Management for Assa Abloy's Division EMEA
Hans
Johansson has left his position as President of Assa
Abloy's division EMEA. The management of EMEA has been taken
over by Bo Dankis, also President and CEO for Assa Abloy. Bo Dankis
will be assisted by Matti Virtaala, President for Abloy Oy and Regional
Manager Finland, and also by Ulf Södergren, President for Assa
AB and Regional Manager Scandinavia.
The action, which was initiated by the company, is based on different
views regarding the future management and organisation of the business.
Web: http://www.assaabloy.com
Continued
Expansion at Everwhite with new Business Development Manager
Due
to continued expansion, roofline company Everwhite
Plastics Ltd has appointed a new Business Development Manager
for the North East, Andrew Hornigold.
Andrew comments: ‘I was already working in roofline and was looking
for a new challenge. I was approached by lots of companies and, even
thought about going into a different market, but once Everwhite was
interested I did my homework and made up my mind that it was too good
an opportunity to miss. The benefits of Everwhite over my old company
both for customers and employees are vast. Interestingly, my previous
employer kept a close eye on Everwhite as the only one to be reckoned
with and I’m delighted to be part of the team.’
Tel: 01685 882 447
Securistyle
makes a Gem of an Appointment
The
Securistyle specifications team
has recruited John Pearl as specification support manager in London
and the south east.
The
five strong team of Cheltenham-based, Securistyle - UK manufacturer
of window hardware - covers the whole of England, Scotland and Wales
and Northern Ireland, offering a specifications support service to specifiers
and window fabricators.
As part of the team, John will play a crucial role in the continuation
of Securistyle's policy to inform specifiers of the issues surrounding
window hardware choice. He will be responsible for ensuring that specifiers
are aware of the current British Standards, compliance to safety and
security as well as lifetime costings and performance.
Originally from Chelmsford, Essex, John has recently returned to the
UK following three years living and working in Switzerland and Austria,
and has previously worked in a production engineering environment in
the south east.
National specifications support team manager, Ken Evans, commented,
'As a team we offer a unique package Led not by sales, but by customer
service. We can provide potential and existing customers with expertise
and advice regarding the often complex regulations, standards and technical
specifications surrounding window hardware. Being a team we can share
best practice and cover the whole of the UK. John has excellent credentials
and has fitted in perfectly.'
Securistyle manufactures only high performance hardware that offers
the maximum safety and security benefits. However, with many specifiers
unaware of the added value potential of these products, one of the key
functions of the Securistyle specifications team is to deliver regular
CPD accredited seminars.
To arrange a free seminar or for further information about Securistyle
and its product range contact Maria Fatica on 01242 221200 or visit
http://www.securistyle.co.uk.
Avocet
Appoints New Head of IT
With
a programme to rationalise the product range, review the product quality
and improve customer service well underway, Avocet
Hardware is now putting its IT systems under the microscope,
following the appointment of James Naylor as Head of IT.
James, who has a BA Honours degree in Office Systems Management, joins
Avocet with a proven track record of success in developing companies
through the use of information technology. In his new role he will be
challenging existing practices and developing systems to drive organisational,
managerial and cultural change.
‘In so many cases the only time companies review their IT systems
is when problems start to occur and by that time it is too late,’
said James.
‘For IT to be truly effective a company has to be pro-active not
re-active. I will be looking for opportunities for improvement at Avocet
both internally and externally so we can interact more effectively with
our customers.
‘I have been impressed by the ambitious and forward-looking approach
at Avocet. The team are keen to invest in the latest systems, which
will provide a more efficient service and create new business opportunities
and increased competitive advantage.’
James joins Avocet from Belzona Polymerics, prior to which he was an
IT consultant working with a number of blue-chip accounts.
The £45 million turnover company forms part of the $10.9 billion
multi-national Masco Corporation, which is one of the world’s largest
manufacturers of brand-name consumer products for the home and family.
Tel: 01484 711700
Web: http://www.avocet-hardware.co.uk
Three
new staff members lend their support to the team of Edgetech's
European branch. Lena Malanicheva, Georg Janik and Horst Matias have
joined the company as sales specialists reporting to managing director
Torsten Keemss.
‘The launch of the new Super Spacer TriSeal edge seal with a new,
fully automatic applicator by Lisec and the strategic partnership with
Finnish measuring device specialists Sparklike have created strong demand
in Europe too. Over the past two years we have succeeded in establishing
Edgetech as a strong brand in Europe with a reputation for high quality
and competence. Our success has made it necessary to increase the workforce
at our Neuss branch - not least because of the good market situation
in Eastern Europe.
‘The increase in the workforce is aimed primarily at dealing with
the strong demand for Edgetech products on the Eastern European market.
In Lena Malanicheva we have acquired a motivated addition to our back
office whose language skills make her an invaluable support on the Russian
market’, says Torsten Keemss, managing director of Edgetech Europe
GmbH, in explanation of the current situation.
Georg Janik has been a specialist in the sale of insulating glass technology
for more than ten years and will be in charge of sales in Eastern Europe.
Horst Matias, previously a sales specialist in the furniture sector,
will in future be responsible as sales manager for sales of Edgetech
products in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Email: mailto:t.keemss@edgetech-europe.com
Web: http://www.edgetechig.com
Wakefield
Window Company Expands Senior Team
West
Yorkshire Windows
has appointed John Olkiewicz as Production Manager of its Conservatory
Village division.
John
will manage the company’s in-house manufacturing process and also
aim to improve on the company’s installation targets.
Wakefield’s Conservatory Village is Yorkshire’s largest conservatory
installer and home to the regions largest showroom.Founded ten years
ago with a £200 investment by brothers Matthew and Andrew Glover,
the company now has an annual turnover in excess of £5 million.
The company manufactures its own frames, enabling them to provide a
completely unique plan and design while also cutting on costs for the
customer by removing any third party.
The Conservatory Village began manufacturing its own products to ensure
that customers receive their exact requirements.
John, 55, who is married with a 15 year-old son, arrives with a wealth
of experience in the conservatory industry having spent the last 15
years as a Managing Partner with Noel Clarke Windows in York. Matthew
Glover, co-founder of the Conservatory Village said: ‘If we want
to sustain and improve on our continuing growth we need to invest in
the best people.
‘John’s experience in every aspect of the conservatory business
gives him an indispensable edge in managing our production process and
ensuring that our customer’s requirements are matched quickly and
efficiently.’
The
Laird Group PLC
announced that Mr. Martin L. Rapp was appointed to the Board as an Executive
Director with effect from 1st January 2005.
Marty Rapp has been CEO of Laird Technologies, Inc. since 2001. He joined
Laird in 1996 as General Manager of the Group's EMI shielding business,
becoming President of Advanced Performance Materials in 1997. He was
with Monsanto from 1981 to 1996, holding research, engineering, technology
management, sales and marketing and operations management positions
internationally.
Marty Rapp, a US citizen, holds a BS degree in Chemical Engineering,
MS degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biology, and an MBA. He is a
Registered Professional Engineer.
Announcing this Board appointment Nigel Keen, Chairman of Laird, said:-
'We welcome Marty to the Board of The Laird Group. He has provided outstanding
leadership in the profitable development of Laird Technologies into
the leading global electronics business it is today. His experience
and insight will be extremely valuable to the Board as we continue to
develop and grow The Laird Group.'
New
Sales Director Europe North for Bystronic
Hermann
Frey is the new Sales Director Europe North for Bystronic
within the field of architectural glass.
For more than 25 years Hermann Frey has been working as a technical
sales manager in the machinery industry.
During the last 12 years in the glass industry he worked for a well-known
glass machinery producer as sales manager for tempered glass machinery
and equipment.
In the course of the overall expansion activities of Bystronic glass,
Hermann Frey is responsible for the sales of system solutions for the
manufacturing of architectural glass.
Included as well as Bystronic glass cutting solutions and Lenhardt I.G.
manufacturing lines are Armatec handling equipment resp. laminated glass
production lines.
Bystronic is a global supplier of total solutions for the economical,
application-engineered manufacture of architectural and automotive glass.
Tel: +41(0)62 958 77 77
Web: http://www.bystronic.com
The
Heywood Williams Group
has announced the appointment of Paul Neilson as Managing Director of
HW Plastics Ltd.
Paul joins from the Kingspan Group, where, as Managing Director of their
pollution control business, he led growth across the UK and Europe.
Prior to this Paul ran the cellular side of Heywood Williams.
His specific remit is to accelerate sales whilst continuing to drive
the service and quality improvement initiatives already well underway.
Comments Paul: ‘I have over 10 years experience of HW Plastics'
markets, products and customers. I am looking forward to expanding the
sales of Elite 70, a product, which has already exceeded our budget
expectations for 2004. Elite 63 was launched at the beginning of November
this year and the response to date has been very encouraging.
‘Mike Dunlevy has stepped down as Sales & Marketing Director
for the Windows Division. In the meantime, the sales and marketing teams
will report to me, so it's business as usual.
‘People who know me from the cellular business will know that I
have always had close contacts with customers and I will certainly be
keeping this up in my new role.’
Quality
Appointment for Avocet
Avocet
Hardware
is continuing to strengthen its commercial team with the appointment
of Neil Gokhale as Design, Development and Quality Director.
Initially briefed to improve the product offering for windows and doors,
he will eventually be responsible for the whole of Avocet’s product
range.
Neil aims to make improvements within the hardware sector by streamlining
the process between identifying the customers’ needs through to
the delivery of the product. His ambition is to deliver the products
to the customers in half the time, by working more closely with both
the profile manufacturers and Avocet’s Far East factories and toolmakers.
His first assignment therefore will be to visit China to introduce new
more compatible information systems.
‘Having worked in injection moulding for a number of years I have
become used to the efficiency and high standards that are common-place
within the automotive and electronics sector,’ he said.
‘There is no reason why the expectations set by those industries
cannot also be achieved within the hardware sector too.’
Tel: 01484 711700
Email: mailto:swright@avocet-hardware.co.uk
Web: http://www.avocet-hardware.co.uk
