As you were?

As we hear more and more news of companies, both in the industry and in the wider commercial world, relaxing from lockdown, we are at the same time hearing ever more polarised views on the possible outcome, as the thoughts of all shades of experts vary from anticlimax to total disaster.

But whether it is reopening a factory to help restart the supply chain or rubbing suntanned shoulders with a thousand other park and beach partygoers, the country is returning to as-you-were mode and we may not have to wait long to see all too clearly which of those expert camps was right.

Whichever way it may turn, we hear of two more lockdown-hit events as glasstec holds its breath for another year and VinylPlus goes virtual for its annual Sustainability Forum.
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And, as if to prove the old adage about the mother of invention, we follow last week’s story of a Covid-diagnosing door lock with news of a gadget for opening a pull-handle door with no hands.
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We hope there is something in this week’s issue to keep everyone a little more informed.

Chris Church Editor

Please send all your news stories to news@the-glazine.com

This Week's News

Profine sells-on Norvik
and Calibre from Synseal acquisition package

Profine Group, owner of the Kömmerling PVC-U systems, which last week announced the acquisition of the former Synseal brand assets from Aperture Trading administrators, has sold-on the Norvik and Calibre Doors manufacturing facilities to a newly-created vehicle based on the owner and managers of Solar Windows and Interframe (SW).

Solar Norvik Ltd and Solar Calibre Doors limited, with owner/management team led by MD Carl Lewis, will however continue to operate at the former Aperture/Synseal Huthwaite site on the basis of a partnership deal with profine.

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Covid hits Glasstec
and VinylPlus

Two more industry events have succumbed to the virus this week with the news that Glasstec has been postponed until next spring and the VinylPlus Sustainability Forum 2020 is to become a virtual event.

The biennial glass industry fair, originally planned for the coming October 20-23, will now be held on June15-18 next year, organiser Messe  Düsseldorf announced this week.

Egbert Wenninger, Chairman of the glasstec advisory board and Chairman of VDMA’s Glass Technology Forum said the effects of the pandemic had forced many companies to put investments, including trade fair participation, to the test.

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Rehau returns

Rehau today announced that it has begun a phased return to work at its Blaenau Ffestiniog profile extrusion site after ceasing production at the end of March.

Chief Executive Martin Hitchin said: “This decision was taken after extensive consultation between the UK management team, health and safety experts and our employees - and only after a full risk assessment and ‘return-to-work’ plan was devised and implemented.

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Look, no hands – push/pull opener launched for hands-free use

A new device enabling push/pull doors to be opened hands-free has been developed by German hardware company FSB.

The glass-fibre-reinforced polyamide forearm shield enables doors to be opened and closed with the forearm, avoiding hands coming into contact with any part of the door.

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GGF pledges ‘even more support’ through Covid-19

The GGF says it is now aiming to provide even more support to help the industry survive the Covid-19 crisis after publishing more than 55 articles including its recent safe guides for homeowners and companies.

Managing director John Agnew says the federation’s priority will always be to members but it is in everyone’s interest for it to help the entire industry to recover:

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