Weekly Email News for the Glass, Glazing and Fenestration Industries
8th June 2004
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A Week can be a Long Time in any Business
It's still sunny and still June, but we have some mixed news from the market this week. Kyro Corporation, which last year combined Tamglass and Bavelloni, has announced rather disappointing interim results. Volumes are down, with many depressed markets worldwide still hesitating before committing to large capital investment projects.

In 2005 the Ernst Abbe Fund will be presenting the Otto Schott Research Award for the eighth time. The prize will be awarded for outstanding achievements in basic research, technology and applications.
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Solarcentury scored a 'double whammy' in the prestigious Interbuild 2004 New Product Awards at the end of April scooping prizes in two categories.
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Expressions has been awarded the BS 7412 certificate for its frames and BSEN 1279 certificate for its glass units.
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A new feature in Groupco’s 2004 CD catalogue allows its customers to share product information quickly and efficiently as individual pdfs can now be downloaded as required.
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Synseal Extrusions Ltd has recently launched 5000 CD Roms as part of its latest marketing campaign for the Global roof.
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Eurocell Building Plastics Ltd has launched a new Pocket Product Guide, to add to the current range of literature.
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Deceuninck Ltd has recently introduced a new retail brochure to complement the company’s existing literature suite.
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Staff at Barnsley based Sash UK were thrilled to see that their efforts to be more environmentally friendly had paid off, with the arrival of two swans to the company’s site.
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British Glass, in partnership with web development company NetConstruct, has revolutionised the way data from glass manufacturers is collected and collated. This initiative supports industry action to further increase energy efficiency and cut greenhouse gas emissions to combat global warming.
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More than 20 national and local environmental and regulatory groups recently came together with Alcoa Power Generating Inc. in an historic signing ceremony overlooking Calderwood Lake, officially agreeing to a pact that will preserve more than 10,000 acres of land.
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A recent project has researched into the reasons why individuals take risks when working at height. In particular it has evaluated whether there is any difference between people who have been involved in a fall from height at work and those who have not.
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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.
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The GGF’s GLASS Charter Scheme supports its members and the industry to meet the Government’s Revitalising Industry Programme
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According to the final report of the independent Dutch test institute TNO-TPD, Edgetech´s Super Spacer® has passed the test according to EN1279-3. In addition, the Rosenheimer Institute ift confirms an outstanding psi-value for the Edgetech Super Spacer®.
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Dave Frost, managing director of CEN Solutions Ltd, has expressed concern at the recently announced delay, possibly to early next year, to the publication of EN 1279 Part 5. He says: ‘The delay itself is bad enough, but it seems that it may have been caused by a bureaucratic mistake and that is truly alarming.
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As a part of glasstec 2004 in Düsseldorf, 9 - 13th November, the special glass technology live show will focus, amongst other things, on the potential of glass in the field of solar building components.
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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.
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'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.
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Focus on Glass for Internal Finishing at Glasstec04
glass technology live is to be presented from 9-13th November 2004 at glasstec in Düsseldorf.
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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

Ultraframe, meanwhile, has issued a rather game statement in mitigation of its poor results (announced in The Gl@zine last week), in which it stands squarely behind the fact that it is still the UK's biggest conservatory roof manufacturer. One wonders, however, how much longer this will be the case with Synseal snapping at its heels as Number 2 and K2 - always the obvious contender for Ultraframe's crown - now losing its marketing director Iain McInnes.

Elsewhere, the Style Group announces increased volumes and Permasteelisa appears to have turned the corner, but the Heywood Willliams AGM didn't sound like much of a knees up...

Good news for some though: the shortlist of contenders for the G 04 Awards are available here.

Finally, GM Fundraising's Charity Golf Day is at Patshull Park Hotel Golf & Country Club on 21st September. Details here.

Tony Higgin, Publisher
tony@the-glazine.com

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PROJECT OF THE WEEK

New Enclosures are the Cat's Whiskers
Listers' new Qristal doors and windows are turning up in some surprising places these days. Stoke on Trent installer Norman Barker chose Qristal when he was asked to install first class pet accommodation at Blakeley Farm Cattery in Staffordshire.
[More on this Story]

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WE HAVE EMAIL

Any Advance on £10,000 for EN1279?
In line with our policy of keeping the industry informed about important issues concerning EN 1279, I thought the following examples of less than perfect practice might be of interest to your readers.
[Read this Email Here]

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THIS WEEK'S NEWS

Kyro Blames High Value of Euro for Lacklustre Interims
Kyro President and CEO Pentti Yliheljo, in announcing the group's interims, said: 'Our volumes have grown in the glass machine markets of the Far East and America. The strengthening of the euro, however, has reduced growth of net sales and earnings outside Europe. In the EU area, a weak level of investment has also been reflected in the glass machine market'.
[More on this Story]

First Quarter Results Shine at Safestyle
Safestyle UK, retail supplier of PVCu windows and doors has seen a significant ten percent rise in first quarter results. The Bradford based company is now on target to break the £100 million barrier by the end of the calendar year. Although traditionally one of the quietest periods for the home improvement market, turn over has increased to £24.15 million compared to £21.89 million for the corresponding period in 2003.
[More on this Story]

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First Quarter 2004: Permasteelisa Regains its Profitability
Permasteelisa approved on May 13th the First-Quarter Financial Statements for the period to March 31st, 2004. The consolidated value of production amounted to Euro 213.8m with an increase of 3.6% over the corresponding period of the previous year. Maintaining the same consolidation area and exchange rates as the previous year, the increase would have reached 11.8%.
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Ultraframe Upbeat about Future, Despite Poor Results
Ultraframe confirmed its position as market leader and its increasing commitment to defending market share, but with disappointing interim financial results that indicate first half UK sales down 13% for 2004 (reported in The Gl@zine last week). This in large part reflects the structural change of the conservatory market in the past year including new entrants from the home improvement window market, together with a significant shift towards a younger, more price-conscious conservatory buyer.
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Heywood Williams Express Guarded Optimism in AGM Statement
'In 2003 Heywood Williams experienced one of the most difficult and challenging years it has encountered in its long history. It was a year of major structural reorganisation, made necessary because an ambitious growth programme, launched in 2001, failed to deliver on the promises made' Heywood Williams Executive Chairman, Roger Boyes, said at its Annual General Meeting.
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mg technologies Sells its Participation in Dynamit Nobel AG
mg technologies ag has sold its participation in Dynamit Nobel AG, excluding the plastics business, which is currently in negotiations with separate bidders. The purchase price amounts to Euro 2.25 billion. The acquirer is Rockwood Specialties Group Inc., a U.S.-based specialty chemicals company.
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Sash UK Enters the Uzone and Comes out with FitriteXpress
Sash UK has launched the FitriteXpress conservatory, built for speed of installation and incorporating components from some of the industry’s most respected and outstanding brands. Backed by more than £3m worth of investment, the Uzone roof from Ultraframe quite literally clicks into place and being practically bolt free, it takes under 90 minutes to assemble. This is further supported by profile from Veka – recently voted number one overall and first for value for money in an independent survey.
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Tradelink Joins the Global Network
Tradelink, a UK trade fabricator, has been buying in a leading brand of conservatory roofs for a number of years. But recently the company decided to manufacture roofs. Before Tradelink took the final decision, it looked at all the roof systems available to see if any could offer the range and versatility it was looking for. Synseal Extrusions’ Global was the only roof that fulfilled the criteria.
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Everglade Joins the Quantal Network
To welcome the company to the Quantal national network, Everglade Windows was presented with a certificate celebrating the company’s membership. Managing Director of Everglade, Vinod Gopal, received the framed document from Tony Marshall, Director of Sales, and Ian Cocken, National Key Accounts Manager, of Quantal.
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Ian McInnes Leaves K2 After 5 Years
In a joint statement, K2 has announced that Marketing Director Iain McInnes will leave his role to pursue other activities after nearly five years at the company. Iain commented 'I have thoroughly enjoyed my time and experiences with K2 over several exciting years but felt that the time was right to move on to a new challenge.'
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Planet PVC Group Heads for New Heights with Opening of Birmingham Showroom
Planet PVC Group Ltd, the UK conservatory installer, has announced the opening of its latest showroom. The new 15,000 sq ft showroom opened last Bank Holiday weekend and should be instrumental to Planet’s growth as it looks to install over 200 conservatories a week by 2005.
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Global Windows Announces Opening Date for Conservatory Village
Conservatory company Global Windows has announced that it will officially open its new window and conservatory village at Birley Moor Garden Centre in Sheffield on the weekend of 19/20 June.
The new show village will feature six of the designs for conservatories from Global, demonstrated in their natural environment – outdoors.
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Pilkington Chile Launches Window Assembly Franchise Scheme Throughout its Distribution Network
The first Ventana Express outlet was opened in Santiago in June, offering a fast, 40-minute service to independent glaziers. Glass and aluminium is cut and drilled to order as necessary and can then be assembled either by the Ventana Express team or by the customer. Fittings are also available.
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Vitro Reinforces Leadership in Domestic Market
Mexican glass manufacturer Vitro aims to revolutionise its domestic glass market by offering a Solution Centre for construction and interior design glass requirements, applications and use, by opening its first of 150 stores located in approximately 100 cities in the country.
[More on this Story]

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IMI's Improvements Based on Investment in Czech Republic, Mexico and China
Gary Allen, Chairman of IMI plc, said at its 2004 AGM: 'Our cost base is significantly lower than three years ago, partly by reorganisation and also by major investments in new factories in the Czech Republic, Mexico and China – they are impressive developments which have improved our competitive position without diminishing our reputation for quality and customer service.
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RoofWright Links to Clear Thinking for Glass Optimisation, and Announces Increase in Timber Customers
According to RoofWright, interest in timber windows and conservatories is on the up. Whether out of successful marketing, spiritual desire or in recognition of timber’s energy saving qualities, wooden conservatories are apparently making a come back.
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BPF Reaches Agreement with ‘Plastics-Europe’
The British Plastics Federation has in principle concluded a three year agreement with the European resin producers association ‘Plastics-Europe’, which was formally constituted on 17th May. The agreement will cover: affiliation of Plastics-Europe to the BPF, location of Plastics-Europe’s North Region office in the BPF’s London offices and provision of a range of services to their North Region office.
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Newstead Offers Double the Security with TSL Casement Locking System
To offer installers the opportunity to sell higher security products, in line with its achievement of the Secured By Design award, Newstead has launched a TwinCam security lock (TSL) with dual action locking system.
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Newdawn Conservatory Leads to Expansion at Cleveland
Demand from trade customers has contributed to expansion for Newdawn customer, Cleveland Conservatories Ltd. The Middlesborough-based company has relocated within the town due to the continuing popularity of the Newdawn conservatory roofing system and a loyal customer base that has quickly built up in the Middlesborough and surrounding areas.
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Alcoa to Purchase RUSAL's Samara and Belaya Kalitva Facilities, Expanding Alcoa's Russian Presence
Alcoa and RUSAL recently announced an agreement in principle under which Alcoa will purchase RUSAL's controlling interests in two fabricating facilities in Samara and Belaya Kalitva in the Russian Federation. Terms of the transaction are not being disclosed at this time. Closing, subject to government approvals, is expected to be completed by June 30th.
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IGA and NGA Announce Agreement for Joint Cooperation
The Independent Glass Association (IGA) and the National Glass Association (NGA) have announced an Agreement for Joint Cooperation to benefit members of both associations. The agreement was reached recently after months of talks between the IGA and NGA staff.
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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]

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