Glass Age articles from September 2006

Glass Age archives from September 2006

Currys launches solar panels.
September 4, 2006... Currys, the electrical retailer, has teamed up with Sharp to offer a range of solar energy solutions for homes in the South East. This is the first time solar panels for the home have been available from a major retailer in the UK. The...

IN BRIEF: Asahi glass gets smarter.
September 4, 2006... Asahi Glass Company, Ltd has acquired a worldwide non-exclusive license to use Research Frontiers' patented SPD-Smart light-control technology for various automotive glass products, including sunroofs and other roof glass systems, as well as...

IN BRIEF: Trades directory expands.
September 4, 2006... 118 trades, one of the UK's leading directory services of tradespeople and businesses with checkable references covering almost 80% of the UK population is now gearing up to launch in Europe. 118 trades was founded in 2005 and has almost 40,000...

IN BRIEF: Charity Ball Alert.
September 4, 2006... Conservatory Outlet's annual charity ball is in Huddersfield on Saturday September 30, in aid of Health and Education for All (HEAL). To book a table or to donate an item for auction call 01924 373471 or email matthew@...

IN BRIEF: Carl F celebrates top turnover.
September 4, 2006... The Carl F Group, which includes Carl F Petersen Ltd, is celebrating its best ever financial figures with a combined growth in turnover for all global divisions that topped more than #90 million. www.carlf.co.uk Copyright: CMP...

COMMENT: Greener arguments.(Editorial)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Green issues figure strongly this month. It's exciting news that solar panels are going mainstream, and the product is within the installation company's ballpark. You might want to ask yourself, if you started out in business tomorrow, what...

Industry names lobby on Energy and the Environment.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Well there's nothing wrong with aiming high. Andy Jones, Sales Director and General Manager Edgetech UK has written to Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, in an effort to promote Window Energy Ratings, and no doubt his company's Super Spacer...

UV and Plastics.(Freefoam Plastics)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Concerns about Climate Change are the basis of a letter published in the Financial Times from Tony Walsh, Managing Director of Freefoam Plastics. Extracts of the letter read: `Most plastic building products already installed contain...

Final call for Glass Age day at the races.
September 4, 2006... Fancy a day at the races with industry folk?The Glass Age Race Day is due to take place this month on 7th September at Haydock Park Racecourse. Hosted in the exclusive Park Suite overlooking the racecourse, the Raceday package includes a...

IN BRIEF: Tax breaks not taken.
September 4, 2006... Small businesses are missing out on millions of pounds of government tax breaks designed to encourage innovation in the UK, according to research by Deloitte, the business advisory firm. Less than half (45%) of eligible small and medium sized...

IN BRIEF: Construction projects slowdown.
September 4, 2006... The headline Construction Purchasing Managers' Index dropped back further from March's six-month high, falling to 50.8 in July - its lowest level since January. Purchasing managers reported the steepest fall in housing projects in the survey's...

IN BRIEF: Industrialised equals efficient.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... The new report for the EU finds that the more industrialised approach generally adopted in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the Nordic countries results in buildings which consume significantly less labour and materials compared with those...

IN BRIEF: 42.5% of SMEs bank online.
September 4, 2006... The British Bankers' Association's monitoring of the main banks servicing the SME market shows that term lending rose by 10%, overdraft lending rose by 8%, to #9.2bn, and deposits, standing at #41.1bn, saw annual growth of 8% over the year. ...

Breast Cancer appeal's sponsorship money.
September 4, 2006... Five members of the internal team at Carl F Petersen Ltd ran 5km in the Breast Cancer appeal's Race For Life. The girls, who met the challenge of all crossing the line, were delighted when the Carl F organisation doubled their sponsorship money...

Charity riders bike Tower to Tower.
September 4, 2006... A team from software specialists Business Micros will be joining the GM Fundraising Tower to Tower bike ride when it sets off on Sunday 10 September. Sales Director Graeme Bailey, General Manager Keith Aspinall and Senior Techician Adrian...

OBITUARY: John Laing.(Obituary)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... It is with regret that we announce that John Laing passed away suddenly whilst on holiday. John served the company as a Sales Account Manager and Specification Rep for Scotland and was a loyal and valued member of the VEKA team. John...

COVER STORY: 100% exclusive designs from Hurst.
September 4, 2006... Hurst Plastics' stunning new triple glaze panel design features on the cover of this month's Glass Age. The company has a new brochure, packed with classic and contemporary door panel designs. Hurst has exclusively commissioned most of the...

Elecon buys Foilcraft UK.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Foilcraft UK Ltd, a UK lamination company, has been bought by the Elecon Group. The acquisition of the Washington-based company was made by Peter Gray, the managing director of the Elecon Group. The company operates from a 15,000 square...

Age Positive award honours Heritage glass.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Heritage Glass Group has won the West Midlands' Age Positive Award, a government led initiative, which received entries from companies throughout the UK. The awards honour organisations which defy ageist stereotypes and employ a mixed-age...

SFS intec Valence plant goes green.
September 4, 2006... European fastener manufacturer, SFS intec, has started a multi-million pound investment project at its Valence plant in France. The project aims to make the factory one of the most eco-friendly of its kind. Sustainability is becoming...

Slim frames feature on Channel 4 TV.(Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems)(MPS Glass Ltd)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Channel 4's Grand Designs programme recently featured aluminium and glass in an ultra-modern glass pavilion supplied by Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems and MPS Glass Ltd The build was in two parts, a cottage and a walled garden. The...

RIBA prize for Arches project.(Royal Institute of British Architects)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... A health centre in Belfast, using aluminium glazing systems from Technal, has won a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) award. The Arches, a #15m community health and social services centre, uses about 100 windows in different...

REHAU'S open day.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... REHAU's extrusion plant in Blaenau, north Wales held an open day for suppliers, customers and the local community. The day was organised to demonstrate Rehau's new `Unlimited Polymer Solutions' branding and its PVC-U window profile production...

NVQ helps achieve top Eurocell figures.(Eurocell Profiles Ltd)(National Vocational Qualifications )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... In May Eurocell Profiles Ltd achieved record production figures at the same time as 44 employees gained an NVQ certificate in polymer processing and related operations. Eurocell Managing Director, David Leng, said: `We are starting to see...

New walkway glass flooring at a York college.(Firman Glass)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... A new fire glass flooring product has been supplied by Firman Glass for a new walkway at a York college. Firminfloor was developed by Firman Glass and CGI International, manufacturer of fire glass solutions. It combines a 30 minute integrity...

Holborn Travelodge contract complete.(English Architectural Glazing)(GallifordTry)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Contractor English Architectural Glazing has completed a nine month #1.8m contract with GallifordTry. They have designed manufactured and installed specialist glazing to the new Travelodge in High Holborn, London. The contract was part of...

Quickslide competes for patios.
September 4, 2006... At a time when all we hear about is rising material prices, interest rates and fuel levies, Quickslide is re-launching its in-line Patio doors with prices from #195 and delivery times as short as five days. The company built its reputation...

Lorraine's a World Cup winner.(Lorraine Allsey)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... To mark the launch of its new international corporate identity, all of Rehau's 14,000 employees worldwide were invited to enter a competition answering questions about the company and its operations and all the correct entrants were put into a...

EVENTS: Bohle's pre-Glasstec open day.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Want to see the latest glass processing tools and machinery but can't make it to Dusseldorf for Glasstec? On Friday 6th of October 2006, Bohle will be exhibiting new products among a wealth of machines and tools at its UK head office in...

EVENTS: The UK is show weary, says Litchfield.(James Litchfield)(Glassex and Interbuild )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... There is an increasing level of `show weariness' in the UK according to the Litchfield Group's James Litchfield, who believes that organisers need to listen to the industry and start evolving shows like Glassex and Interbuild into meaningful...

EVENTS: Industry names give it 100%.
September 4, 2006... A selection of industry names will be at London's Earl's Court this month for 100% Detail, the building materials exhibition for specifiers. One ticket gives full access to 100% Design, 100% Detail and 100% Light - a combined event for the...

EVENTS: DHF extends its door and hardware show.
September 4, 2006... The first ever Conference and Expo for the door, shutter and hardware sectors will take place Loughborough University's Sir Denis Rooke Building, Holywell Park on Thursday, September 28. Its organisers, the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF),...

GLASS DESIGNS: Clearshield: Cruise control for glass.(Bohle Clearshield Benelux BV)
September 4, 2006... The new P&O Crown Princess cruise liner is a spectacular example of Ritec's ClearShield glass protection at work in the harsh marine environment. Dominic Bentham joined the ClearShield team in Montfalcone, Italy The marine environment is a...

NEW PRODUCTS: Fitrite's affordable gazebo.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... The Fitrite division of Sash UK Ltd introduces a range of Gazebos which are designed to combine a high-end luxury appearance with the practicality of low maintenance. Fitrite is working to establish this new market sector to enable window, door...

NEW PRODUCTS: Trojan redesigns cockspur.(Trojan Hardware and Designs )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Trojan Hardware and Designs presents its new ergonomically designed cockspur handle. The handle comes in two stack heights of 15.5mm and 9mm with a choice of three locking wedge heights - 2.5mm, 4mm and 5.5mm. There is a `push to open'...

NEW PRODUCTS: Sealed and secured doors.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Building on its System 10 range of composite doors, WHS Halo has introduced a new triple seal door. Developed in response to customer demand, the new door has a single rebated door slab with a sash that is flush with the outer frame, in...

NEW PRODUCTS: Spray brings wider choice.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Sash Windows UK has introduced a coloured spray plant and now offers coloured products. Fabricators can create coloured products within their own range by using Sash's free collection and delivery service for fabricated PVC-U products. The...

NEW PRODUCTS: Decra push on aesthetics.
September 4, 2006... Decra Led branded coated leads and newly launched dichroic bevels and soon-to-be-launched fused tiles featured at the recent China Glass 2006 exhibition in Beijing on North Western Lead's stand. It is hoped these new products will inspire...

NEW PRODUCTS: Four heads from Elumatec.(VP 124)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Elumatec has introduced a new four head corner crimper machine to its product range. It has designed the new VP 124 to help with the crimping process of aluminium and steel profiles. Unlike comparable crimpers, the VP 124 is vertical and...

NEW PRODUCTS: Options open at Wendland.(Wendland Roof Solutions)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Wendland Roof Solutions has developed the Styal+ conservatory system. Options now include decorative capping and cornices. For the eaves beam, two options are available - Sleeved, comprising an external PVC-U sleeved eaves beam and inner...

NEW PRODUCTS: Lean-to top cap potential.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Eurocell has added a new component to the Pinnacle Conservatory Roof range. The deep skirt top cap can now be used on lean-to hipped-end conservatories. The deep skirt top cap has been introduced for conservatories where there is a large...

TALKING SHOP: TIME TO FACE THE FUTURE.(glass market conditions)(Market overview)
September 4, 2006... Adapt to the new market and enjoy the benefits of change The market place for glass has changed and businesses must change with it to protect profits. The industry must stop waiting for the old market to return it's gone forever. Gary Dean,...

FIRE SAFETY: REGULATORY REFORM ORDER.
September 4, 2006... New fire legislation places contractors in the firing line From 1st October 2006 the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO) will effect the the biggest change to affect fire safety for 30 years. Mike Wood, Global Consultant for...

WINDOW FABRICATORS: SHEPLEY CELEBRATES 20.(Shepley Window Systems)
September 4, 2006... Manchester fabricator has come a long way since 1986 2006 is a landmark year for Shepley Window Systems. The Manchester fabricator is celebrating its 20th year of trading Shepley has come a long way since 1986 when the company operated...

WINDOW FABRICATORS: SEAL-LITE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Somerset retailer beefs up manufacturing operation Chris and Jim Shearn, brothers and joint Managing Directors of Seal- Lite are fulfilling their investment aspirations. A new manufacturing plant on the Hither Green Trading Estate in...

WINDOW FABRICATORS: Omega picks Deceuninck.(Omega Glass)(Deceuninck Plastics Industries N.V.)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Omega Glass, a sealed unit manufacturer in Gwent, have increased their offered products by using Deceuninck's 2800 Decorative system for a range of windows, doors and conservatories. The company has also changed its name to Omega Glass and...

WINDOW FABRICATORS: Hospital beds stay open.(Royal Sussex County Hospital)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Minimal patient disruption was a key requirement of FineLine Windows during its window refurbishment at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The #330,000 contract involved replacement windows for the hospital's Charles Barrie and Jubilee...

WINDOW FABRICATORS: Modern move for Everbrite.(Everbrite Windows and Doors)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Everbrite Windows and Doors has moved to a modern factory, designed by Duraflex, to enable production to expand to 1000 frames a week. The company renewed its partnership with Duraflex in 2004 after four years with another PVC-U systems...

WINDOW FABRICATORS: Partnerships cemented.
September 4, 2006... A double celebration is in order for Veka plc, it is celebrating its 20th anniversary and has officially confirmed its long term supply agreement with Sash UK Ltd. This signing follows other inter-group agreements, in which Veka and Sash...

WINDOW FABRICATOR BRIEFING: KAT PVC-U a success in Georgian conversion.(Suburban Heights)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... KAT UK has supplied 85 vertical sliding sash windows for luxury development Walpole Heights, Cliftonville Kent. The property development company, Suburban Heights, converted a Georgian building into nine luxury apartments and obtained...

WINDOW FABRICATOR BRIEFING: Sash's search for innovation finds Spectus.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Sash UK Ltd has decided to use Spectus' Elite 70 system. David Ruzicka, Joint Managing Director Sash UK Ltd, said: `We decided to run with Spectus and the Elite 70 following a four month search to find a supplier that could deliver quality...

WINDOW FABRICATOR BRIEFING: Highseal moves premises to increase output.(Highseal Windows)
September 4, 2006... Highseal Windows, based in Scunthorpe, has relocated to a purpose-built 60,000 square foot factory, near the old premises. The move amalgamates two old premises into a new #1.6 million site, which accommodates all office-based staff and the...

FABRICATORS: Huge contract for Norfolk.(Norfolk Frames)(Freebridge Community Housing Association)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Norfolk Frames has won a #22 million contract with Freebridge Community Housing Association, in West Norfolk. The four-year contract is one of the largest ever awarded by a housing association and will involve work on 6,852 council homes....

FABRICATORS: At your delivery service.
September 4, 2006... The Camden Group has introduced a delivery service, which guarantees British customers a two day turnaround, on unglazed PVC-U frames, or they'll get their money back. The Camden Group can offer this service because significant investment...

FABRICATORS: Traditional look in demand.(Daisy Windows)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Daisy Windows, supplier for West Wales, has started working with new partner Deceuninck. There has been a regional increase in demand for traditional sash windows because owners of victorian houses and traditional cottages wanted frames...

FABRICATORS: Stuga's small footprint.(new window production centres)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Stuga, specialist cutting and prepping centre manufacturer, have increased its range of window production centres. Stuga recognised the need for a cutting and prepping centre with a small footprint availbale at an economical price. The...

FABRICATORS: One man for one machine.(Elumatec's profile machining centre)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... The SBZ 610 profile machining centre, from Elumatec, aims to increase efficiency for fabricators. It was designed for the smaller fabricator and only needs one person to operate it. It also aims to alleviate problems related to increasing costs...

FABRICATORS: Confidence in Kombimatec.
September 4, 2006... Radway Plastics, Bedford Trade Frames, Murnane & O'Shea have chosen to install the Kombimatec HDX cruciform welder. It cuts profiles once, joining the four pieces simultaneously to produce the cross and cleaning in one final operation. ...

WINDOW FABRICATOR BRIEFING: Newstead saves tenants from pigeons.(window supply)
September 4, 2006... Newstead has helped tenants at Range and Pennine Court, in Macclesfield, to get rid of nuisance pigeons. The company supplied 194 windows to close off the balconies of the two 15 storey apartment blocks and keep the pigeons out. Newstead...

WINDOW FABRICATOR BRIEFING: Community benefits from Roseville.
September 4, 2006... Roseville Enterprises, PVC-U fabricators, and public sector specialist WHS Halo System 10 have teamed up to develop employment opportunities for local disabled people. Roseville Enterprises, operated by Leeds City Council, is a supported...

WINDOW FABRICATOR BRIEFING: Safe and secure in Preston.(Securistyle )(Sovereign Windows)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Securistyle and Sovereign Windows have continued their relationship with a window replacement scheme with The Community Gateway Association, Bramhall Construction and Preston City Works. The scheme replaced 5200 windows in 900 two storey...

LOCAL AUTHORITY CONTRACTS: Sheerframe cill standing.(Chesterfield Borough Council )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Chesterfield Borough Council has notched-up 21 low window-maintenance years with the Sheerframe PVC-U window system. An assessment of its very first installation revealed window frames in excellent condition. More than two decades on, the...

LOCAL AUTHORITY CONTRACTS: Per-fit match at schools.
September 4, 2006... Rehau fabricator Per-Fit has won contracts at William Henry School, in Brighouse, and Kingfisher Special School, in Oldham. Both premises have had replacement PVC-U windows fabricated and installed by Per-Fit in the Rehau S706 70millimetre...

LOCAL AUTHORITY CONTRACTS: SOCIAL REWARDS BECKON.
September 4, 2006... Increased government funding for public sector regeneration has opened up huge opportunities for any businesses that can understand the market. Mark Simm, Sales Director of Rockdoor, reveals some insider tips for success Public sector...

Twin Valley Homes Ltd (formerly Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council).(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... When Twin Valley Homes took over from Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council, it promised residents #80 million upgrades on their homes. Over five years 8,000 doors were supplied by Rockdoor. John Hargreaves, Asset Manager for Twin Valley...

HARDWARE & SECURITY: CATALOGUE OF INNOVATIONS.
September 4, 2006... Manufacturers extend possibilities of design and functionality Hardware is there to fulfil a function and if it does that well, why change it? Bruce Bradshaw, Business Development Manager for Carl F Petersen Ltd, looks at companies taking...

HARDWARE: Greener finish from Roto.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Fabricators and Installers familiar with the gold finish on many Roto hardware items will notice a big change in the appearance of the products over the coming months, as the company introduces a new surface treatment to all of its window and...

HARDWARE: Lister's secure first choice.(Lister Trade Frames introduces Twin-cam Security Locking system)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Trade fabricator, Lister Trade Frames, of Stoke-on-Trent, has introduced Roto's Twin-cam Security Locking (TSL) system across its entire range of Elitis casement windows after comprehensive testing. Listers managing director, Mark Warren...

HARDWARE & SECURITY: Hoppe is a one stop shop.
September 4, 2006... Hoppe (UK), is known for its handles, but its range of brass hardware might be about to steal the limelight. Keith Holt, Joint Managing Director of Hoppe (UK), says: `With many supply chains operating on `just in time' principles our...

HARDWARE & SECURITY: BBA assessment for Laird.
September 4, 2006... The British Board of Agrement have published an assessment on Laird's Egress hinges and handle hardware for windows. The report gives an in depth assessment on the endurance, mechanical corrosion and resistance to wear and fatigue for the...

HARDWARE & SECURITY: Centurion Secure by Design.(Kenrick receives accreditation)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... The Centurion four point locking system from Kenrick, window and door hardware manufacturers, has gained Secured By Design (SBD) accreditation. SBD is the UK police initiative which supports the principles of designing out crime by using...

HARDWARE & SECURITY: Tilt and slide does Art Deco.
September 4, 2006... The Cape in Brighton, an Art Deco style scheme, has installed aluminium tilt and slide hardware from Siegenia-Aubi Ltd. The hardware has been used to help protect patio doors withstand the rigours of a sea front location. The...

HARDWARE & SECURITY: Bi-fold doors made easy.
September 4, 2006... The rising popularity of bi-fold doors may have many fabricators and installers quaking in their boots at the thought of tackling what, at first sight, appears to be a specialist application, but help is at hand in the form of Roto's new Patio...

HARDWARE & SECURITY: Five year refurbishment.
September 4, 2006... Newark & Sherwood Homes have chosen window hardware from Securistyle for a five year project to refurbish 5,500 council homes in Nottinghamshire. Chris Gold, cyclical maintenance manager at Newark & Sherwood Homes, which is undergoing the...

HARDWARE: Avocet brave office flood.(Avocet Hardware)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Collapsed ceilings, flooded rooms and fallen debris greeted horrified employees at Avocet Hardware's headquarters in Brighouse, West Yorkshire. The source of the devastation was traced to a water pipe feeding the canteen coffee machine....

HARDWARE: It's springtime for Geze.(door closer for Chelsea Flower Show )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... GEZE UK supplied a door closer for a Chelsea Flower Show garden design. Garden designer Stuart Perry created a modern, Scandinavian themed garden entitled `These Four Walls' for the prestigious event, and wanted to incorporate a...

HARDWARE BRIEFING: Sales are up 10%, says Siegenia-Aubi.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Siegenia-Aubi has seen a significant upturn in sales over the first half of 2006, according to General Manager Leann Hearne. She says, `Our sales are up 10% on the same period in 2005, which in itself is encouraging in a market where many...

HARDWARE BRIEFING: A Swish range of hardware.(Swish Window and Door Systems )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... In addition to a revamped Authorised Fabricator and Installer scheme and a selection of new products, Swish Window and Door Systems has launched a full range of high security window and door hardware. The new products include: hinges,...

HARDWARE BRIEFING: 2D hinges in colour.(SFS intec's products in Dynamic 2D hinge line)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... SFS intec has developed eight standard colour options for its stylish Dynamic 2D hinge for PVC-U and composite doors, offering fabricators the scope to add a stylish popular colour feature easily to their doors. In addition to white, the...

HARDWARE BRIEFING: UAP door cylinders make the new standard.(EN1303:2005)(Union des Assurances de Paris)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... UAP announces that its new door cylinders have now passed the new Standard EN1303:2005 that specifies levels of durability up to 100,000 cycles, levels of fire resistance, corrosion and temperature resistance, security, and resistance against...

HARDWARE BRIEFING: Cash and Carry gets Sold Secure.(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... A Lancashire door and window fabricator has joined GU Ferco's Sold Secure Scheme. Based at Thornton Cleveleys near Blackpool, Cash and Carry Windows is a `supply only' specialist to trade and DIY customers across the North West and beyond....

CE MARKING TRANSLATED.
September 4, 2006... The September deadline for mandatory CE marking is here Eurojargon could put you off getting to grips with new European standards and CE marking. But it's only words, says Phil Brown, European Standards Development Manager, at Pilkington...

INSULATED GLASS: A VERY MODERN METHOD.
September 4, 2006... Increase production with innovative IT and updated machines Major changes to IT software and thorough machinery renovation should put Douglas Glassworks' production ahead of its competition. Is it worth the effort? Raymond Douglas, Managing...

INSULATED GLASS: Hollowseal, where next?(Fraser Nichol's interview )(Interview)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... With Hollowseal, the question is, what type of sealed unit is wanted? Annealed glass, toughened, laminated, tinted, sunscreens, self- cleaning, soft or hard coated low E types, coloured spacer bar, and many more variations, all to suit a wide...