Glass Age articles from September 2005

Glass Age archives from September 2005

HW Plastics sold to Latium.
September 5, 2005... Heywood Williams Group PLC announces that it has agreed to sell its Plastic Systems Division (HW Plastics) to Latium Plastics Holdings Limited for a cash consideration of #3 million. In addition, Latium will assume certain product rectification...

NEWS BRIEF: Biggest glass furnace in Bulgaria.
September 5, 2005... Claimed to be the world's largest glass furnace, the plant in Targovishte was opened in July by Turkey-based Sisecam, and will be linked to separate plants for glassware and flat glass production. Much of the annual $20m output will be for the...

NEWS BRIEF: Radway is Contractor of the Year.
September 5, 2005... Radway, a Litchfield Group partner, has been awarded Contractor of the Year 2005 at the Housing Excellence Awards, recently held at Mere Golf and Country Club, near Manchester. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

NEWS BRIEF: Rehau achieves BS EN 12608.
September 5, 2005... Rehau has announced that all its BSI approved articles currently being produced in the UK now conform to BS EN12608:2003 PVC-U profiles for the fabrication of windows and doors, achieving severe classification. Rehau is now marking all approved...

NEWS BRIEF: 21 yr guarantee on white roofline.
September 5, 2005... Leading independent roofline manufacturer Everwhite Plastics Ltd has launched a 21 year guarantee on all white profiles, claiming the longest guarantee in the industry. Tel: 01685 882 447 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

NEWS BRIEF: OFT refers containers acquisition.
September 5, 2005... The completed acquisition by Ardagh International Holdings Ltd of Redfearn Glass Limited (previously Rexam Glass Barnsley Limited) creates a merged entity which controls 50% of most types of glass containers in UK. Copyright: CMP...

1279: the clock's ticking.
September 5, 2005... The clock is now ticking for Insulating Glass Unit (IGU) manufacturers, following the publication of Part 5 of EN 1279: Glass In Building - Insulating Glass Units in May 2005. Although the standard has not yet been cited in the Official Journal...

COMMENT: Codeword `April'.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Don't you just love comparing technical terms with what they actually mean? This month in the sale of HW Plastics we encountered `legacy product rectification issue' i.e. `pinking', that unwelcome discoloration of PVC-U. Last month's...

Tremco's illbruck buy `a good fit'.
September 5, 2005... Tremco, a wholly owned subsidiary of RPM International Inc., announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the pan- European illbruck Sealant Systems businesses from the Illbruck family. illbruck's UK based businesses...

Bowater buys Newdawn.(Bowater Building Products to acquire Newdawn & Sun Ltd.)
September 5, 2005... In the first step of a planned expansion programme, Bowater Building Products is acquiring the trade and assets of Newdawn & Sun Ltd, a leading independent manufacturer of commercial and conservatory roof systems. Newdawn, based in...

Charity calendar.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Alexander Windows added a touch of glamour to its production line in Stockport, with a photoshoot for a local radio station's charity calendar. The Kommerling fabricator sponsored `Miss September' (Louise Heaney) for Imagine FM, the radio...

PEOPLE BRIEF: Paul Lindsay joins Swish.
September 5, 2005... Swish Window and Door Systems has appointed a new General Manager to oversee the company's growth and development plans. Paul Lindsay has worked in the industry for almost 15 years and brings with him a strong background in sales. Swish, tel:...

PEOPLE BRIEF: Ian Cocken promoted at Quantal.
September 5, 2005... Ian Cocken has been promoted to National Sales Manager at Quantal Conservatory Roofing Systems. For further information on the unique BBA approved polyester powder-coated aluminium Quantal roofing system or the Approved Retail or Fabricator...

PEOPLE BRIEF: Sean Butler joins Kawneer.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Kawneer, a leading manufacturer and supplier of architectural aluminium systems, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Butler as Sales and Marketing Director, based at Kawneer's Runcorn site. Sean has been in the industry for 16 years,...

G-SPAN STRUCTURAL GLAZING.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Following a 12 month design, development and testing programme, G-span structural glazing was introduced onto the market towards the end of 2004. Since that time G-span has successfully demonstrated the system flexibility, quality and speed of...

Five safety awards in a row.
September 5, 2005... Spectus fabricator GIS PLC, of Luton in Bedfordshire has received a prestigious award from the British Safety Council at an event officially supported by the Health &Safety Executive. The International Safety Award can only be applied for...

Pyranova from Watsons.
September 5, 2005... Watsons Glass in Wolverhampton has been appointed to stock, process, distribute and install the new clear Pyranova fire resistant glass from Schott throughout the Midlands. This new multi-laminate offers up to 60 minutes insulation and...

`Fire protection explained' days.(Chiltern International Fire)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Chiltern International Fire is staging a range of active and passive fire protection events to cater for the needs of the fires services, specifiers, manufacturers, regulators and managers or owners of buildings and residential properties. ...

60 minutes integrity from Glaverbel Pyrobelite 12.
September 5, 2005... Pyrobelite 12 is the latest addition to Glaverbel's extensive range of fire-resistant glasses. Tested in large dimensions (914mm x 2400mm) at Warrington Fire Research to EN standards and approved to BS standards for fire performance, Pyrobelite...

Get face to face at Old Trafford.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... The range of confirmed exhibitors will ensure that there is something for everyone at the Glass Age Roadshow, which is due to take place at Old Trafford on the 19th of October. Organised by Glass Age, Roadshows are free-to-visit regional...

Veka Big Rig in Romford.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... The Veka Big Rig has been hitting the streets again, this time in Romford Market. Veka fabricator, Piper Windows has used the state-of- the-art mobile showroom to highlight its partnering arrangement with the London Borough of Havering's Decent...

Plus points from Quinn's.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Plastics Plus was pleased to welcome Quinn Plastics to its new branch premises in Nottingham recently. As the largest distributor of Quinn Plastics' products, Plastics Plus is now able to offer an even greater range and stockholding from its...

Macrolon sets the stage.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Makrolon sheets from Bayer Sheet have been used as the stage set of the Wagner opera Tristan and Isolde in Basel, Switzerland. The polycarbonate was selected as the main material for the impressive stage set due to its properties. The set...

Vitrum, back where it belongs.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... The organisers are expecting something of a return to form for the Italian Vitrum trade fair, with the 14th edition of the international showcase for machinery, equipment and systems for flat and hollow glass and products due to be held next...

Chinaplas proves it's a mega-show.
September 5, 2005... Despite torrential rain, Chinaplas 2005, Asia's plastics and rubber trade show, had drawn a total of 52,009 visitors from 80 countries at its close on June 24. This year, the show occupied an exhibition area of 77,000 square metres at the...

Tomorrow's growth markets today.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... German and Belgian systems companies have always looked beyond their borders for growth. Increasingly, other European systems companies are doing the same. But which countries are worth investing in? There are more than 60 producers of...

`Too many PVC window fabricators in Eastern Europe'.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... In 2004, the window market in Central and Eastern Europe showed the first signs of recovery in four years: the quantity of sales grew by 2.6 per cent to 8.4 million units, and growth by value was 3.1%. In 2007, the window market in the five CEE...

PEOPLE IN PROFILE: DAVID STAYS `AGE POSITIVE'.
September 5, 2005... INDUSTRY VETERAN STARTED HIS OWN BUSINESS AT 60 Whilst many of his contemporaries are taking it easy with their feet up and a glass of malt at their side, David Randall has absolutely no intention of retiring Whilst many of his...

Briman doubles up.(Briman Joinery doubles production capacity)
September 5, 2005... Briman Joinery, one of the West Country's leading and most successful bespoke joinery manufacturers, has seen its #1/2 million investment to double production capacity come to fruition with the official opening of its new Bridgwater, Somerset,...

THE VERIFIER: LIFE IN THE SNAKE PIT.
September 5, 2005... ROD APPLEYARD'S DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FENESTRATION SURVEYOR Expect the unexpected, says Rod Appleyard, who makes a welcome return after a hectic few months. After a snaking introduction, he notes a worrying sales trend This month I have...

FINANCE MATTERS: CAUSE FOR CONCERN?
September 5, 2005... INLAND REVENUE'S VICTORY ON FAMILY BUSINESS DIVIDEND PAYMENTS The legal precedent set by a ruling about a husband-and-wife IT consultancy may be a cause of concern for family businesses. Declan McCusker, a consultant at Perrys chartered...

FRAME FINISHES: TAKING FOIL FURTHER.
September 5, 2005... FOILED WINDOWS COMMAND PREMIUM PRICES AND IMPROVED MARGINS The route to added margins from woodgrain foiled frames depends on successful lamination of the foil to the profiles. To this end, Cova Products is working to make foils easier to...

GLASS & GLAZING: HANSEN CHANGES UP A GEAR.
September 5, 2005... LIVERPOOL PROCESSOR IS WELL PLACED TO BENEFIT FROM OLYMPICS New faces and substantial investment at HansenGlass spells an improved offering to the construction industry, writes Dominic Bentham HansenGlass enjoys a rarified position...

WINDOW SYSTEMS: THERMAL EFFICIENCY.
September 5, 2005... AMENDED PART L AND ITS IMPACT ON PVC-U WINDOWMAKERS With the arrival of tougher energy efficiency legislation for buildings just around the corner, David Strang of L.B. Plastics looks at its likely impact on windowmakers and the solution...

WINDOW SYSTEMS: RAPID FRAME CHANGES FORMULA.
September 5, 2005... EX-SCHUCO CUSTOMER PICKS ALUPLAST ON PRODUCTS AND SUPPORT Rapid Frame has chosen aluplast as its PVC-U window and door system supply partner. The Walsall trade fabricator sees the aluplast's new Ideal 70 system as the product to further...

WINDOW SYSTEMS: SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE.
September 5, 2005... MIKE STEVENSON SEES OPPORTUNITIES IN BSF PROGRAMME As the school summer holidays draw to a close, Mike Stevenson, Sales & Marketing Director, Public Sector, for WHS Halo System 10, takes a look at the opportunities on offer to window...

SCHOOLS BRIEFING: Top marks for SAS.
September 5, 2005... Senior Aluminium Systems (SAS) high performance glazing systems have received top marks from a school in Swindon. Working with fabricators Dorma UK, SAS has supplied its ground floor treatment and lightweight, high performance window system for...

WINDOW SYSTEMS: Sculptured performance.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Profile 22 says that its FS70 sculptured profile system successfully combines the advantages of PVC-U windows with the aesthetics of traditional timber products. FS70 is available in white and a choice of two woodgrain finishes, or with...

WINDOW SYSTEMS: Legend goes worldwide.(PFL Finesse Legend 70 window system makes a good sales record)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... The PFL Finesse Legend 70 window system, which was among the UK's first pre-gasketed window systems, has now reached sales of more than 54 million metres - a weight of over 32,000 metric tonnes, and more than enough to circle the equator in...

WINDOW SYSTEMS: Sapa achieves Kitemark.
September 5, 2005... Sapa Building Systems has been awarded a BS4873 Kitemark for its Dualframe dual-colour window system. BS 4873 specifies materials, construction, finishes and hardware as well as the weathertightness performance for aluminium windows. ...

WINDOW SYSTEMS: Rehau for Kingsoak.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Kingsoak Thames Valley, a leading specialist house builder, has specified Rehau PVC-U windows for installation in one of its most recent developments. Kings Reach at Napier Road in Reading is a prestigious development of apartments built...

WINDOW FABRICATORS: JOHN FREDERICKS' NEW MD - IN FOCUS.(Kevin Hill's views)(Interview)
September 5, 2005... JOHN FREDERICKS' KEVIN HILL FIELDS QUESTIONS FROM GLASS AGE Roland Ellison asks recently appointed John Fredericks MD, Kevin Hill for his opinion of the window fabrication market With more than 20 years experience in the building...

FABRICATORS: Same meat - less gravy.
September 5, 2005... Stockport-based fabricator Alexander Windows has come up with a solution for would-be trade customers who want the quality of the Kommerling window system, but can't compete in their market place on the price. Kommerling Lite has been...

FABRICATORS: Sheerframe is `partner of choice' for Asset.(patnership between window makers)(Asset Manufacturing Ltd)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Window maker Asset Manufacturing Ltd has teamed up with Sheerframe to develop the range of windows, doors and curtain walling that it offers to the social housing and commercial sectors. The move by Asset follows the acquisition of the...

FABRICATORS: NETWORK VEKA ROUND-UP.
September 5, 2005... Veka have been celebrating the success of their customers and members recently. In fact, they have even welcomed some old members back into the fold after they had previously left the network. Piper and WKHA The first thing to...

WINDOW FABRICATORS: 500 Technal windows for riverside regeneration.
September 5, 2005... Architectural aluminium systems specialist Technal, has supplied 500 windows and doors for an award-winning urban riverside regeneration scheme in London developed by St. George. Brewhouse Lane forms part of Putney Wharf - the mixed use...

WINDOW FABRICATORS: Affordable - keeping installers in the black.(Affordable Windows Systems)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Blackpool-based Affordable Windows Systems, has introduced Ebony or `Black' frames as standard to their Timberlook PVC-u window range. Ebony Timberlook windows are constructed from the Kommerling Connoisseur system with a Renolit foil layer...

WINDOW FABRICATORS: Coastal Open day success.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Tuesday 14th June saw Spectus trade fabricator Coastal open its doors to customers. An open day was held at the company's factory in Poole. The day was fully supported by Coastal's suppliers including Spectus Window Systems who supply...

WINDOW FABRICATORS: New suite from Sierra.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Sierra Windows has introduced Classical, a fully sculptured 70 mm suite, which they say looks as good as traditional timber and with all the benefits of PVC-U. Like Sierra's other product ranges, Classical is available in Rosewood and...

WINDOW FABRICATORS: Lister's five of the best.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... It's a difficult time for many fabricators with competition constantly forcing prices down. However, it's not all doom and gloom for Lister Trade Frames. The Stoke on Trent based fabricator is celebrating its highest ever sales figures for the...

WINDOW FABRICATORS: Installers Choose Deceuninck Status.
September 5, 2005... Bradford trade fabricator, Glass Tec Windows, has signed with Deceuninck Status to manufacture the company's decorative zendow 2800 suite. The choice to switch to zendow 2800 was deliberate and came as a direct result of installer preference....

WINDOW FABRICATORS: Duraflex Features.
September 5, 2005... Elderly residents at a sheltered housing development in Dorset are enjoying the benefits of new high performance windows and doors from the Duraflex suite. Bristol-based fabricator and installer, Fastframe Windows, has completed fabrication and...

PATIO DOORS: KAT DOORS ARE SHIPSHAPE FOR THE SHORELINE.
September 5, 2005... HIGH SPEC PATIO DOORS FOR NEW BUTLINS VENUE Butlins' new ship-shaped hotel is set to become a landmark on the South Coast. KAT UK supplied 143 patio doors for the up-market development KAT UK has supplied 143 three-pane patio doors to...

PATIO DOOR BRIEFING: Zendow patio door.
September 5, 2005... KAT UK announces the exclusive launch of the KAT Zendow patio door system,which also means that the 45 current Zendow window fabricators now have a complete window and door solution. The KAT Zendow patio door boasts original KAT UK features...

PATIO DOOR BRIEFING: Unitec door hardware.
September 5, 2005... National hardware distributors Unitec Hardware Ltd has recently introduced a comprehensive range of fittings for in-line sliding patio doors. The sets include, multipoint locks, keep options, tandem rollers, door stop, profile cylinder and...

DOORS: Permadoor launches new range of fibreglass doors.
September 5, 2005... Composite door manufacturer Permadoor has launched a new range of low- maintenance fibreglass composite doors, which combine high performance with styling based on timber doors. All doors in the new range are fabricated with durable...

FIRE DOOR BRIEFING: New Schuco fire door.
September 5, 2005... Firestop II EI 60 from Schuco International is an aluminium-frame fire door conforming to BS EN 1634-1: 2000, with a fire-resistance integrity and insulation rating of 60 minutes, the maximum standard normally required in the UK. An alternative...

DOORS & ENTRANCE SYSTEMS: Newstead `one of just 16'.
September 5, 2005... Stoke on Trent fabricator Newstead announces that it has attained a Secured By Design (SBD) licence for its doors, adding to the Secured By Design licence it won last year for its windows (using the Synseal Shield 70mm window System). ...

DOORS & ENTRANCE SYSTEMS: NVQs for door engineers.
September 5, 2005... The UK's first two door engineers to successfully achieve National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) status have been congratulated by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF). Philip Harrison and Steve Reeves, who both work at Crawford Hafa Ltd's...

DOORS & ENTRANCE SYSTEMS: Heritage's new joiners.
September 5, 2005... SW Plastics is the latest firm to become an accredited member of the Heritage Garage Door Ltd Approved Scheme. The Swaffham, Norfolk, firm has been established for 12 years, currently employs four staff, and is now looking to increase its...

DOORS: DOOR AWARENESS.
September 5, 2005... CHEAPER PRODUCTS CAN BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE 10 year gurantees don't always give as much protection as you would think, says Haydon Statham of Portal Products With 10 year warranties on PVC-U door panels and various types of composite...

DOORS: Norfolk Doors from Ashford Windows.
September 5, 2005... Ashford Windows Ltd has launched its established Norfolk Door range of composite doors to trade customers, available with a fast turnaround and tailored service options. The Norfolk-based company, a Network Veka fabricator, is to now sell...

DOORS: Shepley knocks on doors.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Salespeople now have the difficult task of encouraging homeowners to replace their outdated, but often `adequately' performing PVC-U door with the latest product offering, composite doors. The product has significant advances in strength,...

DOORS: Getting a handle on the market.
September 5, 2005... The total UK market for domestic doors and patio doors rose from 13.7 million doors in 2004. This represented an increase of some four per cent when compared with the market in 2000. This growth is primarily due to an increased willingness in...

TRANSPORT & HANDLING: HSE and GGF warn over safer handling.
September 5, 2005... Many of us will have read about the 'incident' described in the glass and building press which led the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to issue the glass and glazing sector a warning to operate safer systems when unpacking large sheets of...

TRANSPORT & HANDLING: Lightweight Chieftain safety wear.
September 5, 2005... Chieftain garments have been developed for industrial workers who handle objects with sharp edges, particularly within the glass and automotive industries. The Chieftain sweatshirt is manufactured using a specifically engineered knitted...

TRANSPORT & HANDLING: Combilift machines at Kaye Aluminium.
September 5, 2005... A repeat order for a fleet of Combilift 4-way forklifts at Kaye Aluminium's Doncaster extrusion facilities has confirmed the crucial contribution made by the initial consignment of trucks four years ago. The Combilifts' versatility enabled...

TRANSPORT & HANDLING: Adaptable Supertrucks.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... The modern HGV glass carrying body has changed over the last five years and is safer and much more versatile than its predecessors. Glass carrying bodies have always been produced purpose-made in small numbers to customers' requirements....

TRANSPORT & HANDLING: Single handed investment.(GAP- door panel manufacturers invests on machines)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Roofline stockist and door panel manufacturer GAP, now has a total of seven Combilifts, having recently invested in the latest bit of kit for the Nottingham warehouse. Each machine costs #40,000 taking the total investment to #280,000....

TRANSPORT BRIEFING: Vehicle & Plant Awards finalists announced.
September 5, 2005... Vehicles & Plant Technology magazine has revealed which companies and organisations have made it onto the short list for its inaugural awards, which will be celebrated by the waste management industry in September. The finalists announced...

GLASS PROCESSING: TOUGHENED LAMINATES.
September 5, 2005... OVERCOMING THE PROBLEMS OF LAMINATING TOUGHENED GLASS `How to prevent an architect's dream becoming a manufacturer's nightmare'. John Gilleeney, Technical Director of AGI Glass Pty Ltd, Johannesburg, shares his findings on toughened...

SOFTWARE & INTERNET: PRACTICAL SHAPE NESTING.
September 5, 2005... MANUFACTURERS ARE LOOKING AT SHAPE NESTING TO CUT WASTE Jotika Director John Gold explains how his shape nesting technology could help save manufacturers from wasting materials The rapid growth in the use of glass instead of...

SOFTWARE & INTERNET: BUSINESS MICROS' RECORD YEAR.
September 5, 2005... With a number of software providers reporting an increase in sales, Roland Ellison spoke to Business Micros MD Graeme Bailey about his company's success and future plans Software specialists Business Micros recently recorded their best...

SOFTWARE & INTERNET: Roofwright - `Cut costs, increase sales'.
September 5, 2005... Roofwright has developed a business information package especially for the conservatory business. Roofwright Enterprise is easy to use and allows you to keep track of all contact details, correspondence and documentation, concerning a...

SOFTWARE & INTERNET: New Schuco software.
September 5, 2005... Training courses designed to bring Schuco fabricators up to speed with the company's new Schucal+ estimating software have proved very popular. To date, there are 135 registered users of the software, which is increasing week on week. Gary...

SOFTWARE & INTERNET: Windowlink's Vector.
September 5, 2005... Windowlink's Vector design-to-sell conservatory package has been adapted for home extensions. The Midshire Spacemaker build system, developed by Steve Ford, uses construction techniques that Windowlink says can add a single-storey...

SOFTWARE & INTERNET: John Fredericks launches satellite software.
September 5, 2005... Following a period of extensive programming and successful trials, John Fredericks has launched a satellite software system for customers. The new system, which has been designed to enable customers to quickly and easily generate orders for...

SOFTWARE & INTERNET: Turkingtons saves #15,000 pa thanks to Profitmaker.
September 5, 2005... Sometimes it can be hard to quantify in monetary terms the savings that can be made by choosing the right software. Ian Young, General Manager of Turkington Windows and Conservatories, a long standing Profitmaker customer has done the sums:...

SOFTWARE & INTERNET: Advantage Windows in a click.
September 5, 2005... Advantage Windows and Conservatories Ltd - the Cheshire based fabricator, has launched a new pricing software package that has been developed exclusively over the past six months. Commenting on the new software, Danny Hague - Advantage's...

SOFTWARE & INTERNET: New Technology is key for Kenrick.
September 5, 2005... Window hardware manufacturer Kenrick has taken a determined step into the future by investing in new Cosmos software technology, consigning many of the initial cumbersome and time-consuming prototypes to the past. The technology, which is...

Kat UK rewards employee's idea.
September 5, 2005... John Hitchener has been rewarded for a waste reducing idea that will save his company up to #15,000 per year. After a few months working on steel reinforcements for patios, John suggested buying in aluminium interlocks at 2.1 metres rather...

WHS Halo manager scoops colllege award.
September 5, 2005... WHS Halo's Warehouse and Distribution Manager Rob Sullivan is celebrating after scooping a top college award in recognition of his learning achievements. Rob, who is responsible for the profile manufacturer's 145,000 sq ft Midpoint...

No more borrowing from the boys.(sponsership for girls rugby team)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Edgetech IG Inc recently agreed to sponsor the John Cleveland College Girls' Rugby Team. The girls, all aged between 14-18, now have their own rugby shirts, with further equipment to follow from Edgetech. `We don't have to borrow from the boys...

40 years of Sash UK.(forty years anniversary )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... South Yorkshire window door and conservatory manufacturer, Sash UK Ltd, celebrated 40 years of business this summer with a Medieval themed family event. Over 800 guests - dressed in authentic period costume - enjoyed medieval entertainment and...