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THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 217 25th April 2006
Tradesmen
get Interbuild 2006 Started in Style
Interbuild
2006 got away to a flying start at the NEC
on Sunday as tradesmen turned out in force.
The first day attendance of more than 6,000
visitors was an improvement on 2004, when
the UK's premier construction event last
took place.
[More
on this Story]
Solar
Innovation Wins Interbuild 2006 Best Overall
Award
An
innovative Complete Solar Roof has won the
prestigious Overall Best New Product Award
at Interbuild 2006. solarcentury took the
title for its fully integrated solar roof
- a world first which features the award
winning C21e solar electric rooftile.
[More
on this Story]
Sealant
Partners Show Pilkington Activ™ at
Interbuild
Henkel
Building Systems, and Soudal UK Ltd, both
of which manufacture the silicone free
sealants approved for use with Pilkington
Activ™, are showing the world's first
self cleaning glass on their respective
stands at the Interbuild exhibition, which
is taking place at the NEC between 23rd
and 27th April.
[More
on this Story]
MRA
Defends Conservatory Market Study
'In a recent statement Ultraframe disputes
the accuracy of the conservatory roof
systems market shares published in our
latest study of the UK Conservatory Market',
Lucia Di Stazio, Manager Research Division,
Michael Rigby Associates writes.
[More
on this Story]
Deceuninck
Develops On-line Stock Control Program
Deceuninck
has been working very closely with the
company’s customers to develop an
on-line bespoke Stock Management Program.
The newly launched program is fully integrated
with its total e commerce solution, SynergeBuild,
thereby offering the customer a one-stop
shop to all products and services.
[More
on this Story]
Greenberg
Invests in Atlantic Tilt Table to Increase
Capacity by 25%
Time
and cost savings, better productivity
and increased protection for its workforce
all prompted Greenberg Glass's recent
£16,500 investment in a new Atlantic
tilt table for warm edge Super Spacer®
application. ‘We manufacture bespoke
glass units up to a maximum of 4m x 2.43m,’
says Robert Jack, Branch Manager for Greenberg
Glass.
[More
on this Story]
Million
Pound March
for Everwhite
Everwhite
Plastics achieved
sales of more
than £1
million in
March. ‘We're
delighted
to exceed
the £1
million mark,’
explains Simon
Reynolds,
Everwhite's
Sales and
Marketing
Director.
‘We achieved
this milestone
for the first
time last
August'.
[More
on this Story]
The
Hills Were
Alive with
HOPPE Hardware!
Secured
by Design
and PAS24
certification
successes
were just
two of the
latest product
developments
on the agenda
during HOPPE's
annual customer
visit to
Europe last
week. The
trip to
the door
and window
hardware
supplier's
head office
in Mustair,
Switzerland
also included
educational
tours.
[More
on this
Story]
ETF
Gets into
Shape with
VEKA
ETF
(Fylde)
Ltd is adding
another
VEKA profile
to its door,
window and
conservatory
range to
meet demand
from its
trade customers.
Currently
using the
Matrix 70
profile,
the company
has made
the decision
to use the
latest offering
from the
VEKA Matrix
portfolio,
the Matrix
FS Fully
Sculptured
suite, as
part of
its standard
production
output.
[More
on this
Story]
Everwhite
Recruits 87 Registered
Installers in 2005
Everwhite
Plastics Ltd, the
independent roofline
manufacturer, recruited
87 registered installers
to its new Registered
Installer Scheme in
2005. Simon Reynolds,
Sales and Marketing
Director, comments:
‘When a Registered
Installer Scheme is
put together properly
by suppliers who really
understand the market,
it can make a big
difference to installers.
[More
on this Story]
Two
more A's for Edgetech - from
Corby and Ashton
Corby
Window Group and Ashton Windows
are the latest companies to
achieve 'A' rated windows, both
using Edgetech's Super Spacer®.
Corby has achieved a rating
of 0 kWh/m2/yr with a double
glazed window, with Ashton Windows
following quickly with a triple
glazed product achieving 4 kWh/m2/yr.
[More
on this Story]
BSI
First for Coral Windows!
Successful
retail fabricator, Coral Windows,
has emerged as the first company
in Yorkshire to achieve BSI
Kitemark status for 'survey
and installation of replacement
window and door sets'.
[More
on this Story]
Success
in the South West for
Fireswiss Foam
The
Cornwall Glass and Glazing
Group is gearing up
for expansion with CGI's
new Fireswiss Foam.
The flat glass specialist
has recently started
stocking the fully insulated
fire glass, which uses
a production process
for achieving superior
quality and larger sheet
sizes.
[More
on this Story]
Increase
in Demand Puts Cervoglass Ahead of the
Competition
Despite
a variable trend in the market trading
conditions, conservatory glass roof
manufacturer, Cervoglass has seen a
78% increase in sales over the last
year and the expectation is for this
trend to continue.
[More
on this Story]
'Easy-clean'
vs 'Self-clean'
Significant
growth in the roof-glass sector and the availability of
technologically advanced glass coatings is raising customer
expectations of glass performance.
[More
on this Story]
New
Customer Support Package from Wendland
Wendland
Roof Solution's new customer support package is designed
to solve any queries arising from the company's Sympla software,
faster and with minimal disruption to the user. Should any
problems arise with the installed software, Wendland operatives
are on call on a dedicated helpline
[More
on this Story]
Complete
Solution from The Conservatory Factory
The
Conservatory Factory is now able to offer a complete conservatory
product offering thanks to a recent supply agreement with
Premier Trade Frames for windows and doors.
[More
on this Story]
BM
TRADA Q-Mark is Answering the Fire Test Questions
BM
TRADA reports increased interest from product manufacturers
and specifiers in the Q-Mark Schemes for fire door manufacture
and installation.
[More
on this Story]
NGA
Announces First Annual Glazing Executives Forum
The
National Glass Association (NGA) announced on 5th April
that Patrick MacLeamy, chief executive officer of prominent
architectural firm HOK, will be the keynote speaker September
18th, 2006 at the first annual Glazing Executives Forum,
to be held in Las Vegas in conjunction with its annual
trade show, GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window &
Door Expo.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 216 18th April 2006
Ultraframe
Challenges Synseal No. 1 Claim
As a plc, it is often difficult for Ultraframe
to give details on sales performance, not
least now during a closed period. However
in our opinion the market share analysis
for 2005, put forward by Michael Rigby Associates,
is inaccurate.
[More
on this Story]
Could
Family-Friendly Budget Signal Return To
Health For Conservatory Sector?
While hopes of income tax cuts to kick start
consumer spending may have been dashed by
Gordon Brown's recent Budget, there were
some hopeful signs that recovery could soon
start to take place in the conservatory
sector.
[More
on this Story]
Greenwood
Reacts as Market Faces Regulations Changes
Greenwood Airvac, leading manufacturer
of both passive and mechanical ventilation
solutions, has offered its support to
consultants, local authorities, housing
associations and window fabricators facing
the changes to Parts F and L of the Building
Regulations and the adoption of a performance-based
standard for domestic ventilation.
[More
on this Story]
March
2006 Sales of Super Spacer® up nearly
80%
Warm edge technology is transforming the
window market. Edgetech sales are up 79.11%
in March compared to the same period last
year and up 58% year on year for the first
quarter of 2006. 'And we're 4.6% up on
budget too!' says a delighted Andy Jones,
Sales Director and General Manager of
Edgetech UK.
[More
on this Story]
Be
a World Cup Winner with EBP
World Cup mania is in full swing at the
Eurocell Building Plastics' (EBP) depots.
From 01 May the depots will have some
amazing prizes up for grabs in the lead
up to the 2006 World Cup.
[More
on this Story]
The
Freefoam Expansion Story Continues
Freefoam Plastics, a leading manufacturer
of quality approved environmentally friendly
roofline and rainwater systems, have installed
a further production line at their Northampton
plant in line with ambitious expansion
plans announced by the company last year.
[More
on this Story]
Lister
Delivers the
Goods!
Lister says
that its 'Right
first Time'
(RFT) and
'On Time in
Full' (OtiF)
performance
criteria was
set at an
incredibly
high standard
for this part
of the business.
[More
on this Story]
Fredericks
Hinges on
Hardware
Improvements
Trade
super-fabricator
John Fredericks
has made
improvements
to its hardware
suite with
the addition
of a modern,
versatile
new hinge,
which has
been specially
designed
to combine
the advantages
of flag
hinges and
butt hinges.
[More
on this
Story]
Elumatec
SBZ 615
Fits in
New Factory
As
part of
an overall
expansion
programme
for S Notaro
Ltd (a manufacturer
of doors,
windows
and conservatories),
which saw
the business
move into
larger premises
in Somerset
back in
November,
the family
owned company
wanted to
increase
its productivity
capacity
of its operations
and Elumatec
provided
the solution
with the
installation
of its SBZ
615 profile
cutting
centre.
[More
on this
Story]
Automatic
Desiccant Filling
Finally Reaches Maturity
Bystronic
says that its automatic
desiccant filling
system has reached
full maturity, as
illustrated by the
example of Glas Trösch
in Memmingen, Germany.
The company has been
using the new desiccantfiller
AT from Bystronic
for a year and says
that it has proved
a great success.
[More
on this Story]
Arla
Plast MULTICLEAR™ Sheet
Launched
Sheet
extruder Arla Plast has launched
MULTICLEAR™ a range of
high quality extruded multiwall
sheet. The production facility
in Kadan, Czech Republic is
a Greenfield site, which has
the latest extrusion technology
purpose built to focus on high
quality production and flexible
service dedicated to the multiwall
programme.
[More
on this Story]
UKae
Reports Surge in Mill Finished
Spacer
IGU
consumables manufacturer UKae
is reporting a strong trend
towards the use of Mill Finished
Spacer Bar in line with mainland
European preferences.
[More
on this Story]
Electronic
Tendering Confirms Sash
Partnering
Commercial
partner, Sash UK Ltd,
has successfully secured
the partnering tender
for North East Derbyshire
District Council (NEDDC).
The two-year contract
began in March with
an option to extend
for a further two years.
[More
on this Story]
'Nesting
Syndrome' Brings in £1/2 Billion
a Year for the Building Industry
Pregnant
women in the UK spend £1/2 billion
on home improvement work annually (see
note 1) when the ‘nesting urge’
strikes and they rush to prepare the
perfect home for their new baby.
[More
on this Story]
New
NGA Partnership to Provide Additional Benefits Programmes
to Member Companies
The
National Glass Association has joined forces with a leading
benefits provider, the Creative Solutions Group, to offer
its member companies a varied menu of cutting edge benefits
plans and services that will help them save money and retain
workers.
[More
on this Story]
UKae
Reports Surge in Mill Finished Spacer
IGU
consumables manufacturer UKae is reporting a strong trend
towards the use of Mill Finished Spacer Bar in line with
mainland European preferences. The primary reason for the
move believes UKae, is the lower cost of this type of spacer,
not just in product terms but also the lower production
costs possible.
[More
on this Story]
Spring
Showcase Brings in Orders for New Range of Newstead Products
'Our
two day showcase in March was a resounding success,’
says Newstead's Managing Director Adrian Locker. ‘We
wanted to demonstrate the depth of Newstead's product
range to existing and potential customers. We've already
had orders directly from the open day.’
[More
on this Story]
GTI
Open Day Success
GTI
has reported the company's factory open days a success,
generating an excellent level of enquiries with several
orders taken over the four days. 'Visitors to our working
showroom knew what they were looking for - the right machines
to improve their efficiency and increase output'. says
the company.
[More
on this Story]
Finesse
Windows Anniversary Celebrations are a Success
Finesse
Windows Ltd of Melchett Road, Kings Norton began the company’s
25th Anniversary celebrations last weekend and hailed
the event as a great success.
[More
on this Story]
New
Plant Inspires 50% Turnover Leap for Glass UK
In
a recent move to a new plant in Iver, Bucks., Glass UK
has taken steps to further cement its position as a leading
UK manufacturer and supplier of not only oversize glazing,
but also other new product lines that fall into its TRICS
category (Technically Robust Innovative Clever Solutions).
[More
on this Story]
Europe's
Leading Introducer of Vetted Tradesmen Welcomes UK Trade
Associations
Quotatis,
an established European company generating over 1000 genuine
leads a day for reputable tradesmen in France alone has
been launched in the UK.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 215 11th April 2006
ASA
Helps to Clarify Misleading Claims over
Part L
Claims that a Dupont product obviates the
need to ventilate roofs in order to pass
Part L were weakened by the Advertising
Standards Authority (ASA) in a recent judgement
Building Products Design and Hambleside
Danelaw had both objected to an advertorial
and a trade press ad for a roofing manufacturer
and also a mailing and a leaflet.
[More
on this Story]
fensterbau/frontale
2006 Sets New Record for Visitors
The
exhibition duo fensterbau/frontale and HOLZ-HANDWERK
2006 has set a new record with 100,762 trade
visitors (2004: 92,294) and a distinctly
larger international share. 1,184 exhibitors
from 30 countries showed their products
and services for woodworking, windows and
facades in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg
from 22-25 March 2006.
Pictures and Show Reports.
[More
on this Story]
Synseal
is Officially Number One in Conservatories
Synseal is number one in conservatories.
It’s official. Synseal has sold more
conservatory roofs, and taken the top spot
according to The UK Conservatory Report
- 2005 Market & Forecasts.
[More
on this Story]
UK
Joins Germany as Poor Performer in Deceuninck
Fiscal 2005
The Deceuninck Group has announced its
2005 results: the 10.6% increase in sales
was much higher than expected at the beginning
of the year. The increased cost of raw
materials was largely compensated for
and the operating cash flow was 84.3m
euros, a rise of 12.7% on 2004. Pre-tax
earnings rose vigorously (+32.5%), as
did net earnings (+92.3%).
[More
on this Story]
Eastern
Europe Boosts Profine’s Results
The
Profine window profile group achieved
4% overall growth in sales in 2005 to
721.9m euros, the company announced on
the first day of Fensterbau in Nuremberg.
[More
on this Story]
Tessenderlo
Group: Net Profit of 35.1 Million EUR
in 2005
Tessenderlo
Group’s revenue improved by more
than 4.2 % in 2005 compared to 2004 going
from 2,062.9 million EUR to 2,149.5 million
EUR. In the UK, Fairbrook was faced with
difficult market conditions. The renovation
sector in particular weakened in 2005.
Tessenderlo Group nevertheless succeeded
in maintaining business at the level of
2004, thanks to its distribution network.
[More
on this Story]
Last
Opportunity for GlazeKart Entries
Entries
for GlazeKart on 5th May are just
closing but there is a last opportunity
for companies to enter teams of
up to 4 drivers.
Event organiser Nick Moss confirmed,
'we have 16 firm entries and another
7 or 8 that are wavering on a
decision so we are already in
my target range of between 15
and 20 teams.
[More
on this Story]
First
A-rated Window Achieved Using
SGG PLANITHERM®
The race to develop energy efficient
windows under the new window energy
rating scheme (WERs) has certainly
gathered pace and Saint Gobain
Glass congratulates Tradelink
for achieving the UK's first double
glazed 'A' rated window.
[More
on this Story]
Synseal
is the First Choice for Conservatories
Directors
Steve Hacking and David Worden
have over 30 years experience
in the conservatory industry.
When they joined forces to start
up their own company, PVC Solutions,
they knew exactly what they
wanted from a conservatory roof
system - and they found the
solution in Global.
[More
on this Story]
BBA,
BPF and CAB to attend Energy
Efficiency in Focus Seminar
With
a month to go, 152 delegates
have already registered to attend
the industry-wide seminar Increase
your profits: Energy Efficiency
in Focus, held at the Ricoh
Arena in Coventry on 10th May.
[More
on this Story]
Swish
goes Zoom
The
new Zoom conservatory roof system
is now available as a Swish-approved
product. The complete, easy
to install system will give
Swish Authorised Fabricators
and Installers the ability to
cope with 'any roof style imaginable'
according to the company.
[More
on this Story]
UAP
Enjoys Continued Growth
While
many companies in just about every sector
of the market are having to struggle with
a significant downturn in trade over the
past 12-18 months, by contrast, door furniture
to bevel bond adhesive and decorative
glass products supplier UAP announces
continuing increases in both turnover
and profits.
[More
on this Story]
OFT
Refuses Credit Licence to Rotherham Home
Improvements Trader
The OFT has refused an application for
a consumer credit licence from Ideal Home
and Improvements Ltd, a manufacturer &
installer of kitchen, bedroom & bathroom
furniture, also conservatories, windows
& doors based in Rotherham, South
Yorkshire.
[More
on this Story]
Rapra
Sold to US Testing Company
The
Smithers Group, an independent testing, consulting and contract
research organization based in the US, announced today that
it had closed a deal to purchase UK company Rapra Technology.
The terms of the transaction were undisclosed.
[More
on this Story]
Schmidlin
Bought by TSK
Supplies for Schmidlin UK have been secured after its Swiss
parent was bought by a German firm. The assets of Schmidlin
Facade Technology were acquired by TSK troester Group. The
new company will operate under the Schmidlin TSK name and
has been in a position to re-start design and production
activities on current contracts from Monday 20th March.
[More
on this Story]
Budget:
an Environment Hit or Miss?
Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) Chief Executive Nigel
Rees welcomed Gordon Brown's initiatives as far as energy
efficiency was concerned.
[More
on this Story]
Industry
Seminars Sell Out
The
first date for the Purplex Sales Masterclass and Business
Supergrowth Seminars has been a sell-out.
[More
on this Story]
World
Public Debut of Crafter Set for Commercial Vehicle Show
This
year's Commercial Vehicle Show at Birmingham's NEC will
see the worldwide public debut of Volkswagen's latest
model, the Crafter. Replacing the Volkswagen LT, the Crafter
will be the biggest van in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles'
range
[More
on this Story]
Shepley
Celebrates 5 Years of Conservatories
Shepley
conservatory roof division celebrates five successful
years. Manufacturing over 50 conservatories per week using
the Wendland system, Shepley roofs are BBA approved, prefabricated,
and come complete with a manufacturer backed 10-year guarantee.
[More
on this Story]
Hard
Work Pays Off for Lister
Lister’s
latest figures show the company off to a good start this
year with the first three months reporting window sales
up by 8% on last year and March figures up by more than
13%.
[More
on this Story]
Statistics
Prove Tradelink's Conservatory Roofs Can Save Thousands
Tradelink's
individually fabricated conservatory roofs, pre-assembled
to ensure the correct fitting of individual elements,
are helping installers save thousands of pounds - that's
according to new statistics.
[More
on this Story]
'Nesting
Syndrome' Brings in £1/2 Billion a Year for the
Building Industry
Pregnant
women in the UK spend £1/2 billion on home improvement
work annually (see note 1) when the ‘nesting urge’
strikes and they rush to prepare the perfect home for
their new baby.
[More
on this Story]
AND
FINALLY...
Kleentec
Products are a Headache!
The
Ribble Steam Railway on Preston Docks, Lancs sent its
supplier Kleentec an email concerning its glass cleaning
and renovation products: ‘I just want to thank you
for the excellent products you gave us and to tell you
of an amusing incident that came about after I used your
products on one of our shunting locos.
[More
on this Story]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 214 4th April 2006
Is
The Window Industry Warming to Kyoto?
Paul Lindsay, general manager of Swish Window and Door Systems, comments
on the recent news that Britain is likely to miss its 2010 Carbon emissions
target.
[More
on this Story]
‘Take
Advice on Fire Egress’ Urges Securistyle
Window
hardware supplier Securistyle is urging fabricators and installers to
take advice before replacing windows to ensure that recent changes to
Building Regulations compliance regarding fire egress are met.
[More
on this Story]
Pilkington
Building Products - UK Commits to Cumbernauld
Customers
in Scotland and the North East of England stand to benefit from £2.8million
investment at Pilkington Cumbernauld. The UK glass manufacturer has
announced the opening of a purpose-built manufacturing facility at Wardpark
Industrial Estate, Cumbernauld.
[More
on this Story]
Hackney
Chooses Veka and Fabricator Partners for £40m Refurb
VEKA
PLC has secured a four-year, multi million pound partnership with Hackney
Council to supply replacement windows for thousands of council owned
properties. The £40 million contract involves three companies
from the Network VEKA scheme - Sovereign, Pipers and Ashford, with work
having already commenced after the seasonal break.
[More
on this Story]
Brunel
- Smaller, Leaner, Quicker....
Brunel,
now based at Tamworth Staffs, has gone through a substantial set of
changes in the last year involving a major downsize and a re-think as
to how a UK based manufacturing business supplying hardware can prosper
in todays international markets.
[More
on this Story]
Finesse
Launches Search for First Customers
Finesse
Windows Ltd of Melchett Road, Kings Norton is hoping to trace all customers
that placed orders with the company when it opened its doors for the
first time in 1981.
[More
on this Story]
Masterdor
Leads the Way in the Fight Against Crime
Manse
Masterdor ltd says that it has found a solution to the security issues
concerning cylinder locks used in doors, and is urging housing providers
not to panic.
[More
on this Story]
Eurocell
Gains Secured by Design Member Status
In
a meeting with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) David
Leng, Eurocell's Managing Director, signed a contract for Eurocell's
High Security Window System with BS7950 accreditation to receive Secured
by Design member status.
[More
on this Story]
ETF
Upgrades with Avocet Door
Furniture
ETF
(Fylde) Ltd, specialist manufacturer
of door, window and conservatory
components for the trade,
is constantly looking at ways
of improving production. Having
recently incorporated the
new fully sculptured Matrix
FS profile from VEKA, the
company has also upgraded
and employed the latest Avocet
Pioneer door furniture.
[More
on this Story]
Anchor
Windows adds SynerJy
Ebbw
Vale based Anchor Windows believes commitment
to continual improvement keeps customers
coming back. ‘We're always looking
at ways to improve,’ explains Kevin
Barnard, Anchor Windows' General Manager.
[More
on this Story]
New
Approved Stockist for EBP in North Yorkshire
Eurocell
Building Plastics (EBP) has recently
announced that it will be working closely
with a number of selected companies
around the country offering them approved
stockist status. A & G Trade Plastics
in Skipton, North Yorkshire, has signed
up as one of the first approved stockist
for the Northern Division.
[More
on this Story]
Conference
Announcement Marks Guild Success
The
Guild of Architectural Ironmongers is unveiling its plans
for its annual conference in June of this year, the culmination
of a successful and rewarding year for the Guild as the
voice of the whole architectural ironmongery sector.
[More
on this Story]
glasstec
2006 in Düsseldorf - the Global Trade Fair for All
Things Glass
From
the 24th - 28th October 2006, glasstec will once again
open its doors to the worldwide glass and glazing industries
in Düsseldorf. Over the years, it has earned its
rightful reputation as a leading global trade fair, and
for 2006, organiser Messe Düsseldorf is planning
to make sure it stays right at the top.
[More
on this Story]
Names
Set to Replace Numbers in Directory Enquiries Business
Following
a recent survey’s discovery that thousands of business
numbers just can’t be found by ‘phone, TagMe™,
a new service that connects companies by names instead
of numbers is launching in the UK.
[More
on this Story]
A
Clearer View for Business and Homeowners
0845Glassman
is the brainchild of Manchester born Carole Melia and
Wayne Pitt, who have a wealth of experience in the fields
of business and the building trade. Carole is no newcomer
to success having already enjoyed a highly successful
and well-respected business career.
[More
on this Story]
Network
VEKA Members Applaud Steve Davis at 10th Anniversary AGM
Network
VEKA members have unanimously welcomed the signing of snooker champion
Steve Davis to endorse the organisation in its future advertising and
marketing.
[More
on this Story]
REHAU
Registered Installer Scheme for Dimension Plus
REHAU
launched its first ever registered installer scheme at Glassex specifically
for customers fitting the REHAU-Dimension Plus complete conservatory
superstructure system.
[More
on this Story]
AND
FINALLY...
So Who Can You Trust?
aluplast
Commercial Sales Executive Wayne Wing has returned from a short break
in Spain just a little older but a lot sadder and wiser. The surprise
trip had been organised by Wayne's partner Natasha as a joint celebration
of Wayne's birthday and the arrival of the newest member of the Wing
clan Jack who was born in January.
[More
on this Story]