Weekly
Email News for the Glass, Glazing and Fenestration Industries
18th May 2004
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Not Working? Go To: http://www.the-glazine.com
Promac
Window Machinery
has recently launched the Urban SV430 fully Automatic Corner Cleaning
Machine
More
Here:
Ritec
has now introduced ClearShield Glass Protect – a new improved
formulation that offers greater surface protection for all types
of glass from the damage caused by weathering and contamination
More
Here:
Float
Glass Industries (FGI) has a wealth of expertise in
the supply of quality processed and toughened safety glass for
interior fit-out design features such as balustrades
More
Here:
Venture
Tape
claims that its VG100 Series Security Glazing Tapes have been
shown to increase throughput and reduce rework at window manufacturers
More
Here:
In
response to demand from a number of RSL and local authority
customers, Sentinel Doors
has added a new Series 750 'narrowline' composite door to its
range
More
Here:
Customers
of patio door specialist
Sliders UK can forget bump stops, thanks to the company’s
latest development – a built-in patio door stop
More
Here:
Conservatory
roof manufacturer, K2, is looking
forward to a colourful Spring with the launch of blue/white products
across the extensive product range
More
Here:
PVCu
window and door system supplier Plus Plan,
a division of aluplast (UK) Ltd,
has recently launched several new product developments aimed to
help both the fabricator and installer
More
Here:
RegaLead
says that its recently launched fused glass system opens up a whole
new world of possibilities for decorative glass
More
Here:
Product
Archive
(300+ Listed Products)
Go
Here:
For a directory of products sorted by product type
Go
Here:
For a directory of products sorted by company in alphabetical order
Berkshire’s
recently opened West Grange Hotel is benefiting from both
good looks and high performance with the supply and installation,
throughout the complex, of Oak finish fire doors from
the Vicaima Dekordor
range
More
Here:
PVCu doors and windows from the Duraflex
Diamond Suite are providing a smart and secure solution
for tenants on the Oakwood Estate in Maesteg, South Wales
More
Here:
Window
hardware manufacturer Securistyle
Ltd has helped Aldwick Housing Association
initiate a window replacement project, just four months
after a major stock transfer.
More
Here:
Synseal
is growing at such a rate – it now produces in excess
of 1000 conservatory roofs a week, every week – that
the systems company has decided its sales team needs some
help. 'We’ve expanded our staff in line with our growth,'
explains Kevin Harvey, Director of Sales
More
Here:
PVCu
profile extrusion company Status
Systems has appointed Daryl Williams as customer
services manager
More
Here:
David
Fletcher is set to take Senior Aluminium
Systems (SAS) on a ‘quantum leap’ forward
as the company’s new chairman
More
Here:
Newdawn
has strengthened its technical, sales and production teams
following the launch of its Newera™ roofing system
More
Here:
Synseal’s
research and development programme is acknowledged as innovative
and pro-active. A stream of new products and new developments
to existing products are being launched, and it can be hard
for customers to keep up to date. Synseal’s innovative
answer is a new, dedicated website - www.syntek.co.uk
More
Here:
The
new Saracen Secure web site,
now live and extensively promoted to the public, is the centre
plank for the support available to registered companies
More
Here:
‘Window
companies not offering potential customers the option of an
on-line estimating service risk losing valuable sales leads
and incremental business.’ said Angela Coleman, Sales and
Marketing Director of FrameQuote.co.uk
More
Here:
Now
entering its fourth year, the Glazing
Industry Fun Charity Golf Day has become a regular
fixture in the diaries of glazing industry golfers. West Midlands
Golf Club will be playing host to the 2004 event on Thursday
29th July
More
Here:
Three
members of the British Woodworking
Federation have contributed to a charitable project,
aimed at helping the families of children with leukaemia
More
Here:
On
a sponsored trip on behalf of Hope House Children's Hospice,
the chosen charity of his fundraising activities, Deceuninck
non-exec and industry guru Gary Morton flew 150 miles north
of the Arctic Circle
More
Here:
Britain's
building site workers have been told to avoid slang, jokes and
irony in a bid to make sites safer for those speaking English
as a second language
More
here:
The
Association of Consulting Engineers
(ACE) is calling on the government to promote a bill to change
the law on joint and several liability in the construction industry
to address the problem of spiralling professional indemnity
insurance (PII) costs in the industry.
More
here:
Relationships
between industry and commerce and the public sector must strengthen
substantially before local authorities can achieve the high
recycling targets set by the government. This was a key message
from the third Industry and Public
Sector Waste Action Forum (IPSWAF) held recently
in Barnsley
More
Here:
Practical
guidance on recycling domestic window waste will be the result
of a new research project by
WRAP involving
the replacement window industry
More
Here:
The
first extensive industry study to quantify the amount of flat
glass waste produced in the UK has been unveiled by WRAP
More
Here:
The
latest GTL Newsletter
includes the news that small businesses in six areas in
England are set to benefit from £190 million, thanks
to the expansion of the Learning and Skills Council’s
Employer Training Pilots
More
Here:
The
GGF’s Training
Committee is able to help its members in the following ways:
More
Here:
Hardware
and ventilation manufacturer Siegenia-Aubi
Ltd is focusing on education and training through
its involvement in the Construction Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) Certification Service
More
Here:
Edgetech
reports that various configurations of PVCu windows with
hard coat low E and aluminium spacer bars struggle to get
below the required 2.0 U value
More
here:
As
the new Part L looks set to come into force three years
before originally planned, Derek Hodgson, SAS
technical manager and chairman of CAB’s technical committee,
looks at why the proposed changes to Part L regulations
‘could be a change too far’ for the aluminium
industry
More
here:
The
Council for Aluminium in Building
has taken steps to clarify its views about proposed changes
to Part L of the Building Regulations that are expected
in 2005, following publication of the Government’s
Energy White Paper last year
More
here:
Features
now archived include:
Horst Mertes discusses the role of IT centralisation
in todays glass business
Designers
must now comply with regulations to limit solar overheating
in buildings, as Paul Littlefair of BRE explains.
Dave
Frost on the implications of CE Marking to the sealed unit manufacturer:
Phil Mundell on what Part M means to the Door Manufacturer;
Full
list here
'Market
Churn' in the Conservatory Sector
Ultraframe's
Interim Results (for
the six months to March 26th), were announced at the end of last week,
which showed that turnover and profits were both much lower than for
the same period last year. Share prices dropped an alarming 27p (from
148p to 121.5p on the announcement. While the US market has a good future,
it is still waiting to take off. What appears to have done the damage
is 'market churn' in the UK and 'softening demand'. The fact that Ultraframe
has had to drop prices at the same time as losing market share has also
hurt.
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Companies
have been quick to register their interest in the new G
04 Awards taking place at the ICC, Birmingham in June. A
steady flow of entries have greeted the announcement earlier this year
that an industry awards scheme was to make a return to the industry
calendar.
More
Here:
In
this month's What's New section of the BBA
website there is news of an ETA award to Liquid Plastics along with
details of Certificates awarded, amended or withdrawn.
More
Here:
Alitex
Ltd designer and manufacturer of bespoke glasshouses, has
been selected as a finalist in the Institution of Mechanical Engineers'
Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2004.
More
Here:
Successful
Fensterbau for Portal
Cheltenham-based
PVCu door panel and composite door manufacturer, Portal
Products attracted interest from more than 30 different countries
worldwide during its recent debut at the four-day Fensterbau.
More
Here:
Titon
Provides Ventilation Solutions at PSCC
Titon
will be showcasing its latest ventilation products, including the company's
new Pax 200 series fans, and Vent Trex, a new extract and background ventilator
at PSCC, on stand 86, between 25 - 26 May 2004 at the Commonwealth Institute,
London
More
Here:
Join
in the Glassex Silver Jubilee Celebrations
Glassex,
the annual centre stage of the UK
glass and glazing industry,
is approaching its 25th consecutive year!
More
Here:
More Exhibition info at bottom of page.
Exhibition
Calendar
Go
Here:
for upcoming exhibitions in the UK and the rest of the world
P&P
Glass
is the lucky winner of an Isuzu truck thanks to a prize draw hosted
by Ultraframe UK at the Best
Conservatory Gala Awards Dinner.
More
Here:
Pearl
Window Systems
recently held an Open Day in conjunction with K2
for 20 of its top customers and suppliers on Friday 2nd April
at the company's show site in Bolton.
More
Here:
Eurocell
sponsored Eastwood Town travelled to Thackley in Yorkshire with
a 2 goal advantage from the first leg of the Presidents Cup final.
More
Here:
Retford-based
Classique Windows has been
presented with a £12,000 Renault Trafic van by Network
Veka for becoming the fastest-growing member company
in 2003.
More
Here:
Charlie
Berry, Owner of Ayrshire based home improvement company, Andrew
Wright Windows, first got to hear about Sarnafil
Roof Assured (SRA) in the trade press.
More
Here:
The
Synergebuild on line ordering system from Status
Systems is saving Norwich fabricator Pyramid
Windows up to five hours every week. This one of
the benefits that the company says it has enjoyed since changing
to the Status profile system.
More
Here:
Halifax
fabricator Polyframe fits
every side hung casement window with a Cotswold
egress friction stay as standard, and at no cost premium.
More
Here:
Hatfield
based Window Company Decro Glass
has announced the re-opening of its re-fitted retail showroom.
More
Here:
Six
different centres around the UK are now able to provide height safety,
environmental and occupational safety courses as licensees of The
Health & Safety Training Academy.
More
Here:
The
GGF’s GLASS Charter Scheme
supports its members and the industry to meet the Government’s
Revitalising Industry Programme
More
Here:
Every
year in the last full week of April, the National
Safety Council celebrates
National Window Safety Week in the USA.
More
Here:
Deceuninck
Ltd has introduced its step by step guide
to support the company’s E Business customer ordering system, SynergeBuild.
More
here:
Hafele
has announced the release of its new 12 page glossy publication 'A Touch
of Glass'.
More
here:
Homeowners
need to be sure before committing to any long term purchase. That is
why Everwhite has designed a new
stylish brochure for its installers to use when selling its roofline
products in the home.
More
here:
Full
details of the System 10 range of
PVCu windows, doors and curtain walling systems are now available in
a new, full colour, 24 page Specification Guide.
More
here:
The
Architectural Division of independent hardware distributor, Wagner
(GB) Ltd, has announced the arrival of the 2004-2005 Product
Directory for aluminium doors and windows.
More
here:
We
are finding out how to combat climate change thanks to a project being
supported by the Pilkington Energy Efficiency
Trust (PEET). The Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development
(IESD) at De Montfort University, Leicester is using the records of
energy consumption in over 200 schools to identify ways of saving
energy.
More
Here:
Alcoa
announced on March 9th that it has published its 2003 Sustainability
Report, a detailed, databased review of the company's global environmental,
social and economic performance.
More
Here:
On
19th January the Government published for consultation its draft National
Allocation Plan setting out how greenhouse gas emission allowances will
be allocated to the operators of UK installations for the first phase
of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, which runs from 2005 to 2007.
More
Here
Although there are those who say that insulating glass manufacturers do not need to employ a consultant to guide them through the complexities of the EN 1279 accreditation process, the recent experience of CEN Solutions Ltd suggests that many igu manufacturers and material suppliers do not agree
More Here:
January
9th, 2004 saw one of the world's largest solar power plants in Neustadt,
Germany join the grid. A total of 2 megawatts of environmentally friendly
electricity will be generated over an area of some 70,000 m2 (7 hectares)
– corresponding to the size of seven soccer fields. This is enough
to continuously power 700 households.
More
Here:
Eurocell
at Windowfab
Eurocell
Profiles
will be using WindowFab 2004 to exhibit its product range.
More
Here:
'Visions
of Glass' at BAU
A
special display entitled 'Visions of Glass' is being put on at BAU 2005,
in a fully restyled exhibition hall, to present the material glass.
Also, the GlasKon Congress will be integrated into BAU.
More
Here:
OmniDecor
at Fuori Salone 2004, Milan
OmniDecor Spa will be participating in the events taking place during
the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, Milan.
More
Here:
Focus
on Glass for Internal Finishing at Glasstec04
glass technology live is to be presented from 9-13th November 2004 at
glasstec in Düsseldorf.
More
Here:
'Market Churn' in this case means increased competition, and today we also run a piece on Synseal hitting an average of 1,000 roofs per week, a phenomenal achievement in such a short space of time and a vindication of the company's methods. Interestingly, Synseal does not think demand is softening and disagrees with what it regards as underestimated figures of UK conservatory sales.
Marketing
Director of Synseal Nick Dutton thinks the UK market for conservatories
was around 330,000 units in 2003, 15% up on the previous year. This
means that Synseal has achieved a 15% share of the market. That's quite
a bit of market churn!
The founders of Eurocell, Roger Hartshorn and Mike Bosworth must also
think the conservatory market is still hot as they have invested several
millions in a new polycarbonate company called Polyex, which we cover
below.
We also have some good news from Status Systems, which reports that
sales were up 14% in the first quarter of 2004, with signs of an even
better second quarter after signing up 20 new customers.
Finally,
this
week is the last chance for companies to enter the G04 Awards, as the
closing date is the 21st May. If you want the chance to shine on the
industry's big night, go to www.g-awards.com.
You've got to be in it to win it!
Tony Higgin, Publisher
tony@the-glazine.com
SPECIAL FEATURE
Solaglas
– the Future is Clear for Soft Coat Low-E
As
one of the UK’s leading processors and
distributors of glass and glazing products,
Solaglas has chosen to embrace soft coat low-E
products as a proactive move towards offering
advanced technology products, which are also
in line with the ever-increasing demands of
Document L legislation. We asked MD, Alistair
Higgins to tell us about his decision to use
the SGG PLANITHERM range from Saint-Gobain Glass,
his experience of soft coat low-E glass through
the network and how he overcame the processing
and handling requirements.
[More
on this Story]
PROJECT OF THE WEEK
Richard
Meier's Safety Squared
A
white giant in the modern Spui district of
The Hague, Richard Meier's gigantic complex
soars 12 storeys high in his characteristic
style - austerely geometric, quadratic and
brilliantly white.
[More
on this Story]
THIS WEEK'S NEWS
Ultraframe
Half Year Results on the Low Side
• UK results continue to be affected by
aggressive competitive climate, exacerbated
by softening consumer demand
• North American core sunroom dollar sales
flat; good growth from nascent Company-owned
retail stores
• Cash inflow from operating activities
of £10.6m (2003: £10.9m)
• Interim dividend held in line with last
year.
[More
on this Story]
Synseal
Hits an Average of 1,000 Roofs per Week
A relative newcomer to the conservatory roof market,
Synseal has demonstrated the power of product innovation
to shake up a market. Growth has been rapid from its
entry to the conservatory market in 2002, and Synseal
is being seen as a future market leader. Synseal’s
Shield and Global roofing systems are now being used
in over 1000 conservatories a week.
[More
on this Story]
Eurocell
Founders Set up New Polycarbonate Company
Formed
in Alfreton, January 2003, Polyex Ltd has been set
up by Roger Hartshorn and Mike Bosworth to take advantage
of the growing demand for conservatories and related
products. Roger and Mike made significant personal
investment in the new venture which has the capability
and capacity to have a major impact on the market.
[More
on this Story]
Status
Sales Up 14% - Over 20 New Customers
At the end of the first quarter
of 2004, profile extrusion specialist Status Systems
has reported that over the three months sales have
risen by 14 per cent on last year, and its sales
team has written over 20 new accounts. New accounts
consist of existing fabrication businesses and new
starts, which highlight interesting trends in the
industry at the moment, according to general manager
Chris Foreman.
[More
on this Story]
New
Partnership Bids for £1bn Market
Two
of the UK's leading companies in their specialised
markets WTL and Heywood Williams Group, have joined
forces to seize the enormous potential of the WPC
(wood plastic composite) market for extrusion and
injection moulding - a market that a recent conference
forecast to grow to more than £1bn in Europe
by 2008.
[More
on this Story]
Masco
Reports Record First Quarter
Masco
Corporation has reported net sales from continuing
operations for the first quarter ended March 31st,
2004 increased 19 percent to a first quarter record
$2.8 billion compared with $2.4 billion for the
first quarter of 2003. Income from continuing operations
for the first quarter of 2004 was $241 million compared
with $158 million in the first quarter of 2003.
Earnings from continuing operations increased to
a first quarter record $.52 per common share compared
with $.30 per common share for the 2003 first quarter.
[More
on this Story]
£50m
Call for Innovative R&D Proposals Under New
Technology Programme
Science
Minister, Lord Sainsbury, has called upon Britain's
businesses to put forward new project ideas for
a £50 million programme now available to support
technological innovation.
[More
on this Story]
New
Large-Scale Test Facility for the North East
A new facility has been established
by BRE Fire Division (FRS) to meet the needs of
construction and associated industries in North
East England for large-scale fire and other buildings-related
tests.
[More
on this Story]
Astraframe's
Shortcut Prosperous Year
Norwich based window manufacturer
Astraframe is anticipating a productive year ahead
following a £250,000 investment in its production
capability. The company has purchased a new Y-Welder,
following the recent additions of the latest replacement
Stuga cutting centre and Transom/corner cleaners. The
urban machine is able to produce two Y-Welds in
one working cycle, eliminating the less accurate
process of reverse butt-welding on single head welders
and manual V-notching.
[More
on this Story]
Versatile
Hits the Big Screen at Interbuild
With sales growing continuously amongst national
and local housebuilders, Versatile took the opportunity
to hit the big screen at Interbuild 2004, ‘And
we’re very glad we did’ says Kevin Barnard,
managing director. The company has previously been
a loyal exhibitor at Glassex, but after much consideration
decided this year to show at Interbuild instead.
[More
on this Story]
Size
Matters for Vetrotech Saint-Gobain in
Ground-breaking Test
A single sheet of glass from Vetrotech
Saint-Gobain, one of Europe’s leading
suppliers of fire resistant glass, has
proved itself to be in a large-span
class of its own – offering huge
new options for architects and designers.
A ground-breaking fire test in France
has certified that a single sheet of
SGG Contraflam-N2 over seven metres
square achieved 60 minutes of integrity
and insulation – a world first
for a single glass span of this size
and performance.
[More
on this Story]
Listers,
£400,000 & 15 Miles of Electrical
Cable
Back
in January Lister Trade Frames purchased a
new 90,000 square foot site in Stoke for its
expanding window, door and conservatory production.
And now, after spending an additional £400,000
the building has been totally refurbished
to Listers manufacturing standards and is
ready to start production.
[More
on this Story]
Technical
Update on Pultec
'As forecast at the time
of launch 18 months ago, Pultec has had no
trouble passing all the relevant British Standards,
with performance results substantially better
than PVCu and aluminium.' says the company.
Pultec's casement and tilt and turn window
systems meet the BS7950 specification for
domestic windows, also BS6375 for water resistance.
[More
on this Story]
Danny
Takes the Advantage
Danny
Hague has joined Advantage Windows and Conservatories
Ltd of Poynton, Cheshire, as Group Commercial
Director.
He re-joins the company after a two year absence
in an expanded role that oversees both the
window fabrication and the conservatory roof
divisions.
[More
on this Story]
Selectaglaze
Ltd - By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen
St. Albans based Selectaglaze has been granted a
Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen as Manufacturer
and Supplier of Secondary Glazing. Founded in 1966 by the late Chris
Childerstone, the company has gained a reputation as one of the country’s
leading secondary glazing specialists with particular expertise in
the sensitive treatment of listed facades.
[More
on this Story]
Patiomaster
South West Expands Delivery Fleet
Paignton-based PatioMaster South West has added
a new vehicle to its delivery fleet to meet rising demand from fabricators
and installers for its in-line sliding patio door. The addition of
a new DAF 7.5 tonne sleeper cab brings the total fleet to three to
further improve PatioMaster South West's delivery service throughout
the South West and South Wales.
[More
on this Story]
Profile
22 Scores a Big Hit with Customers
Profile 22 scores highly on brand awareness, technical
and specification back-up and marketing support, an annual survey
of its customers has revealed. The company has also made improvements
in areas such as the product's appearance, innovations and solid reliability,
as well as Business Development Managers and the benefits of having
a well-known brand, the research concludes..
[More
on this Story]
Passing
Quality Down the Line – ‘Everyone is a Quality Inspector’
'The
window spec has changed for the better.’ It may be a play on
words by the Managing Director of Birmingham-based trade fabricator
Window-Spec, but with new premises four times the size of the old
factory, a new profile supplier and new window system, it certainly
rings true.
[More
on this Story]
Europa
is Exclusive to Newstead Installers
Newstead
Trade Frames has now received confirmation from The Patent Office
that its Europa® brand has been authorised as a registered trademark.
‘We wanted our installers to have a further edge over their competitors
by differentiating our products even more,’ says Adrian Locker,
Director and General Manager of Newstead.
[More
on this Story]
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