Please click on 'THE GL@ZINE' links to view the whole issue, or on 'more on this story' just to see that particular story:
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 297 18th December 2007
VEKA
Appoints Jones as New MD
Systems supplier VEKA plc has appointed Dave Jones
as Managing Director, from his former role as Operations Director
at the company. Jones replaces Mark de Meza and assumes the role with
immediate effect.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Partner
with Pilkington and the Energy Efficiency Revolution
Following the successful launch of Pilkington energiKare™
in May 2007, the St Helens-based glass manufacturer has responded
to customer feedback to ensure more of the industry can become partners
and supply the energy efficient insulating glass unit.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Therma-Tru
to Shut UK Plant, New President Takes Reins
Citing overall market conditions and a comprehensive
review of its United Kingdom business, Therma-Tru has announced its
intention to close a 52,000-square-foot facility it operates in Wales.
More than 150 jobs will be eliminated as a result of the closure.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Zero
Carbon Homes move a Step Closer
Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper has
announced details of the housebuilder who will build England's first
eco-village. Barratt Developments PLC has been selected by English
Partnerships, the Government's National Regeneration Agency, as the
preferred developer.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Eastern
European Window Market Surpassing West
With growth rates that have exceeded Western Europe
for years, the window market in Eastern Europe is poised to surpass
the West's in size by 2008, predicts Interconnection Consulting.
[Read
the Rest Here]
CBA
Blasts ‘Excessive’ REACH Fees
The
Chemical Business Association (CBA) has hit out at the ‘excessive’
fees proposed by the European Chemicals Agency for the EU-wide chemicals
regulations REACH.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Network
VEKA Welcomes a Record Eight... and Evicts One
Network VEKA is celebrating a record intake of
eight new members accepted at the latest Steering Group meeting.
But the same body reinforced the organisation's commitment to upholding
standards by suspending one existing member.
[Read
the Rest Here]
e-business
Processes Help a Leicestershire Supplier
Like many other businesses, Premier Building Plastics
Ltd understands that the internet can transform working practices.
Indeed, so important was e-business technology for the Leicestershire-based
supplier that it was one of the deciding factors in its choice of
systems partner.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Pilkington
energiKare™ Hits the Road
The
Pilkington energiKare™ evolution has stepped up a gear now
that Nijman-Zeetank, one of the UK hauliers for Pilkington, has
had eight of its floatliners branded with the logo of the new energy
efficient insulating glass unit.
[Read
the Rest Here]
International
Automotive Glass Federation Formed
National trade associations from the United States,
Japan and some European countries decided to form the association
International Automotive Glass Federation.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Crystal
Direct and Total Hardware: a Successful Partnership
Hertfordshire-based national trade fabricator Crystal
Direct says that it has seen its customer base grow by 11% in 2007
and sales by 17% because it has got great relationships with suppliers,
such as Total Hardware.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Choices
of Energy Ratings
CWG Choices Ltd, manufacturer and supplier of PVC-u
double glazed products, can now offer both trade and commercial customers
‘B’ and ‘C’ energy rated windows using the Kömmerling
Connoisseur Gold profile.
[Read
the Rest Here]
EBP
Launches New Tool Range
Eurocell Building Plastics (EBP) has launched a
new range of competitively priced hand tools offering a complete 'start
to finish' tool range for both trade professionals and DIY customers.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Emplas
Tape Records Increase in Profits
Examination of Emplas' strategic business plan has
revealed that during the last 12 months trade sales have increased
by 60%, partly due to the company’s Bespoke Marketing initiatives
for customers.
[Read
the Rest Here]
GAP
Expands Glass Production
Home improvement stockist and door panel manufacturer
GAP has expanded glass production at its manufacturing facility in Blackburn.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Kestrel
Helps Installers Boost Sales
Kestrel, the next generation of PVC-UE and PVC-U building
products, has launched a new Registered Installer Scheme, to help its
installers differentiate themselves even more.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Newdawn
for Aurora Conservatories
Aurora Conservatories has been so impressed with the
quality of service and product from Newdawn, it is continuing to use
the conservatory roof specialist as it begins to export its bespoke
conservatories to Europe.
[Read
the Rest Here]
All
Time Production Record at Phoenix Door Panels
November 2007 was a landmark month for PVC-U door
panel production at Phoenix Door Panels - one of the UK's largest privately-owned
composite and PVC-U door panel manufacturers - contributing to a 17%
overall year-on-year sales growth.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Record
PVC-U Recycling Rates Forecast by Recovinyl
Nearly 40,000 tonnes of PVC-U will have been recycled in 2007, according
to record figures forecast by Recovinyl, the PVC-U industry's recycling
initiative. This volume comfortably exceeds the year's target of 30,000
tonnes.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Clearshield
- Attacking Marine Glass Corrosion for 25 Years
Ritec's ClearShield glass renovation and protection
system is celebrating 25 years of winning the war against the enemies
of marine glass which cause costly and unsightly surface corrosion.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Thomas
Sanderson Supports Conservatory Design Competition
Thomas Sanderson has added its support to the 2008
Glassex - GP&T Conservatory Design Competition in association with
ConservatoriesOnline.com, by offering the main competition winner £3K
worth of blinds for use in a conservatory showroom.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Dedicated
TimberWindows.com Contact Centre to Warm up leads
In response to requests from Registered Installers,
engineered timber window system company, TimberWindows.com has opened
a contact centre to receive and cement leads.
[Read
the Rest Here]
UAP
Cylinder Locks Now Bump-proof as Standard
UK-based door furniture supplier UAP has announced
that all door cylinders supplied by the company are now pre-treated
with the anti-bumping remedy Pickbuster (‘shock absorbers for locks’)
as standard, and at no extra cost to customers.
[Read
the Rest Here]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 296 11th December 2007
Freefoam
Continues Strong Growth
Freefoam Plastics, the specialist in UV-protected
PVC roofline and rainwater systems, has experienced significant growth
in 2007, with turnover over €35m during the first three quarters
of 2007.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Complete
Siegenia-Aubi Product Range Now Available Through Mila
SIEGENIA-AUBI has solidified its distribution partnership
with Mila UK by extending the range of its products available through
the Daventry-based distributor.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Sovereign
launches to Trade with VEKA Hat-Trick
Lancashire-based Sovereign Group is launching a
trade division, Sovereign Direct, making it the only fabricator north
of the M62 to offer installers all three VEKA systems as well as the
supplier's new Vertical Slider and Fully Reversible.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Edgetech
Expands its Customer Service Offering
Some companies focus so much attention on getting
new business they forget to look after the customers they have. Edgetech,
the Warm Edge Technology supplier, takes a different approach.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Emplas
Works into the Twilight Hours
Emplas says that it has seen real growth this year
and has attracted several new trade customers to its already substantial
base, including four former fabricators who now buy in their product
requirements from Emplas.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Synseal
Scoops Top Prize at the CMAs for the Third Year in a Row
Synseal has scooped the top prize for Best Use of
Direct Marketing at the Construction Marketing Awards. For the third
year in a row Synseal has been recognised at these prestigious awards.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Kestrel
Highly Commended for Customer Focussed Approach at CMAs
The no tin, no lead, next generation cellular building
products supplier, Kestrel achieved Highly Commended status at the
prestigious Construction Marketing Awards.
[Read
the Rest Here]
New
Rainbow Benders in Town
St Helens welcomes yet another new PVC-U profile
bending company, but the first that claims to be a little different.Owned
and led by Pauline Raymond, formerly of Radius Plastics, and Dave
Roberts, ex- Arch Craft, Rainbow Arches says that it promises to get
off to a good start.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Glass
Surface Treatments ....All You Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask
Clearing up the confusion about glass surface treatments,
the different technologies, terminologies and marketing claims was
the focus of Ritec's recent trade press seminar.
[Read
the Rest Here]
GAP's
New Format Trade Counter Proves a Hit in Blackburn
GAP's new style of trade counter has proven to be
a hit with its customers in Blackburn. The 1,500 sq ft trade counter
forms part of the UK's leading home improvement stockists' flagship
warehouse.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Shepley’s
Tale of Two Pauls
Shepley
Window Systems says that it is about to embark on one of its most
exciting years ever and this will be headed up by two new Pauls to
help drive the sales team, launch a new product range and continue
to build customer relations.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Bostik
Adds Weight to VAT Campaign
Global sealants and adhesives expert Bostik is adding
its weight to the campaign for a reduced rate in VAT on energy efficient
windows.
[Read
the Rest Here]
New
Edition of Windowbase's Specifiers Database
Incorporating recent changes in responsibilities,
the names of those responsible for specifying building materials and
services for five million dwellings in major Housing Associations (over
250 dwellings), Local Authorities, Housing Trusts & ALMOs (Arms
Length Management Organisations), are included in the 2007 update of
the Social Housing Specifiers database.
[Read
the Rest Here]
CELL
Productions' New Sound Insulation System
CELL Productions, a producer of acoustic materials
and sound insulation systems in The Netherlands has announced high profile
applications of its new product, 125 Hz Acoustic Frames.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Crossland
Returns to the CPA Fold
Crossland Conservatories of Kettering is committed
to caring for its customers and has been using the Consumer Protection
Association (CPA) for all of its insurance requirements for the past
four years.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Green
Ratings to Benefit All Home Buyers
First time homebuyers will see their upfront costs
drop and all home buyers will, for the first time, receive A-G green
ratings for their properties which will help cut fuel bills and carbon
emissions, with the roll out of Home Information Packs (HIPs) and Energy
Performance Certificates (EPCs) announced recently.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Council's
Attack On The Private Sector Shakes Housing Market
The illegal action of Sedgemoor District Council in
Somerset is damaging the private sector and causing serious delays to
the Government's Home Information Packs (HIPs) it has been claimed.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Westward
Bound for Kenrick
Hardware supplier Kenrick has developed a unique and
exclusive version of its Excalibur multi-point locking system for timber
window hardware specialist Westward.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Masco
Implements Previously Announced Leadership Changes
Masco Corporation has announced that Alan H. Barry,
64, has stepped down as President and Chief Operating Officer effective
November 30th, 2007 in connection with his previously announced retirement
from the Company.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Mumford
& Wood Scores a Personnel Hat-Trick
Mumford
& Wood, the Tiptree, Essex-based manufacturer of timber windows
and doors, has announced with immediate effect the promotion of three
members of the senior management team.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Crystal
Windows Benefits from
USA
Living Space Trend
A Cheshire conservatory designer is seeing the benefit
of a house-design trend in the USA. Poynton-based Crystal Windows, a
designer of premium upmarket and exclusive conservatories, is receiving
more and more design briefs from North West homeowners wanting to turn
their houses into North American 'living space' designs.
[Read
the Rest Here]
New
Winter Care Offers from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
To help keep your van in full working order this winter,
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is introducing two convenient and good
value service offers - an Express Visual Check and a Warm-up Package
- which are available from any of Volkswagen's nationwide network of
dedicated Van Centres and authorised repairers.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Business
Micros Software Chosen by Bi-Fold UK
Business Micros was the first choice software supplier
for new PVC-U folding door manufacturer Bi-Fold UK Ltd when it opened
its doors in October 2007.
[Read
the Rest Here]
New
Report Shows Giving to Charity is Down
Latest figures released by leading charity body, the
National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), and the Charities
Aid Foundation (CAF), show that the proportion of the UK population
that gave to charity in 2006/07 dropped to 54%, down 3% from 2005/06.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Contaminated
Land - New Service Launched
Wastefile UK, the waste management solutions provider has introduced
what it says is a turnkey approach to contaminated land identification
and remediation-with a 24-hour response and rapid turnaround service
for sampling.
[Read
the Rest Here]
JELD-WEN
Appoints Regional Door Distributors
JELD-WEN
UK, one of the UK’s largest door manufacturers, has established
eight individual door distributors around the country to enhance its
service to its smaller local merchant customer base.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Government
Signals Crackdown on Rogue Employers who Avoid Minimum Wage
The Government is to crack down on rogue employers
with a range of new powers, including potentially unlimited penalties
for the most serious offenders and stronger powers for inspectors to
investigate evidence of wrong-doing.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Refocus
Consultants - The Return of a Winning Team!
The management team that brought success and national
recognition to Omnico, the plastics specialist, has reunited to form
a new business - Refocus Consultants Ltd. The team comprising Colin
Evans, Steve Binney, Duncan Perry and Doug Pipe, the former Directors
and owners of Omnico, is back together once more having left the business
following the sale in 2005 to SIG plc.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Latest
UK Regional Trade Estimates
UK Regional Trade in Goods estimates have been released,
for the third quarter of 2007.
* Total value of UK exports for the 12 months ending September 2007
was £214,628m.
* The value of UK exports for the 12 months ending September 2007 dropped
by £32,666m (13 per cent) compared to the 12 months ending September
2006.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Growing
a Business with Profitmaker
Turkington's Windows and Conservatories is expanding
its Profitmaker software to include Profitmaker.Net. After using Profitmaker
Office for seven years, Turkington's believes the software has helped
the company realise significant sales growth over the past three years
[Read
the Rest Here]
THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 295 4th December 2007
Price-fixing
Glass
Makers
Fined
Four
of
the
world's
biggest
glass
manufacturers
have
been
fined
a
total
of
486.9m
euros
($717.5m;
£348.2m)
for
illegally
co-ordinating
price
rises.
The
firms
are
Guardian
of
the
US,
Pilkington,
which
is
the
UK
unit
of
Nippon
Sheet
Glass,
Saint-Gobain
of
France
and
Belgium's
Glaverbel.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Edgetech
and
Worcester
Bosch
Debate
the
Drive
for
Energy
Efficiency
Andy
Jones,
Managing
Director
of
the
warm
edge
technology
supplier
Edgetech
has
been
busy
again
rallying
support
for
the
5%
VAT
campaign
on
Energy
Saving
Recommended
windows.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Non-Energy
Efficient
Homes
-
Worse
than
Air
Travel
says
GGF
Chief
Executive
at
CBI
Conference
The
Glass
and
Glazing
Federation
(GGF)
attended
the
CBI
Conference
&
Exhibition
last
week
in
London
where
the
UK's
top
business
leaders
and
the
Prime
Minister
and
other
Government
Ministers
gathered
to
discuss
business
and
economic
issues.
In
addition,
this
year
the
subject
of
sustainability
was
a
focussed
upon
very
intently.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Vizor
Tempered
Glass
Fined
£50,000
after
Glass
Incident
The
Health
and
Safety
Executive
is
urging
employers
to
stamp
out
dangerous
working
practices
after
a
Port
Talbot
company
was
prosecuted
for
an
incident
in
which
one
of
its
employees
suffered
horrific
injuries
when
he
fell
into
a
skip
full
of
broken
glass
and
then
had
a
pane
of
glass
fall
onto
him.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Freefoam
Continues
to
Grow
in
Mainland
Europe
Freefoam
Plastics,
a
manufacturer
of
PVC
roofline
and
rainwater
systems,
has
seen
its
sales
in
Mainland
Europe
grow
by
30%
a
year
over
the
last
four
years.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Excellent
Results
for
the
15th
Vitrum
Exhibition
The
15th
Vitrum
2007,
held
from
3
to
6
October
at
the
new
exhibition
complex
in
Rho,
attracted
large
numbers
of
exhibitors
and
visitors.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
FUX
Moves
to
New
Manufacturing
Plant
FUX
machinery
moved
into
its
new
manufacturing
plant
for
Profile
Lamination
and
Bending
machinery
plant
at
the
end
of
October
ahead
of
schedule.
A
week
later
half
a
metre
of
snow
fell
and
has
continued
to
fall
every
week
since.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Hermann
Gutmann
Comes
to
the
UK
Gutmann,
with
a
70
year
history
in
the
aluminium
industry,
is
the
biggest
privately
owned
extrusion
company
in
Germany
and
with
the
recent
acquisition
of
Gartner
and
Nord-Alu,
has
become
one
of
the
biggest
in
Europe.
It
has
now
entered
the
UK.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Major
Expansion
Demonstrates
Leading
Status
for
TuffX
A
major
new
expansion
phase
at
TuffX
highlights
the
company's
ascendancy
within
the
processed
glass
market.
After
a
substantial
increase
in
demand
throughout
2007
for
the
company's
products
a
new
15,000
sq
ft
facility
has
been
opened
at
Widnes
worth
in
excess
of
£1.2
million.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Pilkington
Activ™
Cleans
Up
at
the
IPA
Award
Since
launching
its
television,
print
and
new
media
advertising
campaign
back
in
2006,
the
Pilkington
Activ™
brand
has
made
serious
waves
in
raising
its
awareness
to
homeowners
across
the
length
and
breadth
of
the
UK.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Pilkington
Activ™
Joins
Saints
with
Full
Season
Shirt
Sponsorship
Following
the
enormous
success
of
St
Helens
Rugby
League
team
-
Saints
-
Pilkington
has
announced
its
full
sponsorship
of
the
team
for
the
front
of
shirts
for
the
whole
of
next
season.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Schüco
Launches
New
London
Technical
Office
As
part
of
a
major
expansion
programme
driven
by
sharply
increased
UK
sales
of
its
window,
door
and
façade
systems
and
solar
products,
Schüco
has
set
up
a
new
London-based
technical
office.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Best
ever
October
for
Spectus
Spectus
Window
Systems
had
its
best
October
ever
with
a
10%
increase
in
overall
sales
during
October
2007
compared
with
October
2006.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Omega
Wins
£2.1m
Kier
Project
with
Spectus
Spectus
customer
Omega
Group
UK
Ltd
has
recently
won
a
large
£2.1million
new
build
project
in
Peterborough
with
Bellwinch,
a
Kier
Group
Company.
The
first
phase
of
the
project
is
underway
and
has
already
raised
a
number
of
interesting
technical
issues
and
potential
challenges.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Tru-Investment
Melton
Mowbray-based
Truframe
has
just
invested
in
a
BJM
machining
and
cutting
centre
from
Promac
to
help
improve
productivity
at
the
fast
growing
fabricator.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Kawneer
Opens
New
Offices
in
Singapore
and
UK
Alcoa
has
announced
the
opening
of
two
new
offices
in
the
United
Kingdom
and
Singapore
of
its
Alcoa
Building
and
Construction
Systems'
Kawneer
business.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Aluseal
Turns
over
New
Leaf
with
TimberWindows.com
After
seeing
TimberWindows.com's
windows
and
doors,
Aluseal
Ltd
has
diversified
and
re-branded
as
New
Leaf
Timber
Windows
to
focus
on
the
timber
market.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
ASSA
ABLOY
Acquires
Leading
UK
Manufacturer
of
High
Security
Steel
Doors
ASSA
ABLOY
has
acquired
Powershield
Doors,
a
manufacturer
of
high
security
steel
doors.
The
Company
is
based
in
Northern
Ireland
and
it
employs
90
people.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Total
Satisfaction
with
Wegoma
Machines
Significant
investment
in
two
new
Dubus
machining
centres,
supplied
by
Wegoma,
is
making
a
dramatic
difference
for
Liverpool-based
fabricator
Total
Glass
in
terms
of
efficiency,
space
and
labour
savings.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
CCS
Makes
Finance
Easy
A
company
specialising
in
consumer
credit
within
the
home
improvement
market
has
extended
its
remit
to
cover
a
far
wider
range
of
products.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Crystal
Direct's
Sales
Smash
Expectations
Following
September's
record-breaking
sales
figures,
Crystal
Direct
has
reported
another
set
of
record
achievements.
The
18th
October
topped
all
previous
single
day
sales
in
the
national
trade
fabricator's
history
with
sales
exceeding
£115,000.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Door
&
Shutter
Quality
Mark
Accreditation
Scheme
goes
Live
A
long
awaited
nationwide
Quality
Mark
accreditation
scheme
for
the
repair
and
maintenance
of
metal
doors
and
shutters
has
now
gone
live.
It
is
set
to
significantly
raise
standards
throughout
the
industry,
according
to
the
Door
and
Hardware
Federation.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
HSE
Warns
on
Dangers
of
Work
at
Height
The
Health
and
Safety
Executive
(HSE)
is
warning
companies
whose
business
involves
working
at
height
to
ensure
they
provide
suitable
safety
equipment
and
have
appropriate
procedures
in
place
before
allowing
their
staff
to
work
in
potentially
dangerous
situations.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
K
2007
Düsseldorf:
Optimistic
Expectations
Topped
K
2007
closed
its
doors
with
a
total
of
over
242,000
visitors
from
around
100
countries,
showing
a
healthy
increase
over
2004,
where
231,000
people
attended.
Exhibitor
levels
too,
were
higher,
with
2007
producing
3,130,
(2004:
2,904).
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Masterdor
and
Harrow
Take
Care
of
Tenants
Masterdors
fitted
with
standard
keeps,
but
pre-routed
ready
to
receive
electronic
release
door
entry
systems
that
meet
both
DDA
and
the
Disability
Equality
Duty
requirements
have
been
specified
as
standard
by
the
London
Borough
of
Harrow.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
NSG
to
Dissolve
a
Subsidiary
Nippon
Sheet
Glass
Co.,
Ltd.,
the
ultimate
holding
entity
of
NSG
Group,
(hereinafter
‘the
Company’)
has
announced
its
plan
to
dissolve
its
subsidiary,
as
below.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
It's
Official
-
Xtruda
is
Exclusive
to
Roof-Maker
Roof-Maker,
the
Leicester-based
manufacturer
of
specialist
conservatory
glass,
has
received
confirmation
from
the
UK
Patent
Office
that
its
Xtruda
brand
has
been
authorised
for
use
as
a
registered
trademark.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Total
Satisfaction
with
Wegoma
Machines
Significant
investment
in
two
new
Dubus
machining
centres,
supplied
by
Wegoma,
is
making
a
dramatic
difference
for
Liverpool-based
fabricator
Total
Glass
in
terms
of
efficiency,
space
and
labour
savings.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]
Wastefile
UK
in
Takeover
Britain’s
leading
single
source
waste
and
environmental
management
company-Wastefile
UK-is
expanding
its
services
following
the
acquisition
of
North
Lincolnshire-based
aggregates
to
groundworks
company,
YWM.
[Read
the
Rest
Here]