Sharing
the Benefit of Experience
The
British Plastics Federation (BPF) has launched a new Internet based
service provided through BPF-Online: The Business Support Network.
The Business Support Network is a concept initiated by analysis of the
needs of the BPF membership and aims to give UK plastics businesses
a competitive advantage by sign posting 'best in class' service providers,
as recommended, vetted and approved by the BPF membership.
'With the speed of modern business, decisions must be made fast. One
poor choice can mean the difference between success and failure. Decision
makers must be well informed and trust is vital.' Commented the BPF
MD Peter Davis, 'Using the new Business Support Network can remove the
stress from decision making, eliminate the burden of trawling through
junk mail to research possible suppliers, and give the user peace of
mind that they are being put in contact with approved service providers.'
Jason Markham, Listgrove Managing Director spoke of his enthusiasm for
the project: 'Listgrove are delighted to be a part of this exciting
new initiative for the plastics industry. We are looking forward to
working with the BPF, the other partners and those companies who have
found our service through the Business Support Network.'
The current partners involved in the Business Support Network cover
a cross section of business solutions.
Listgrove:
Provide progressive and resourceful recruitment solutions appointing
across all functions typically associated with modern manufacturing
organisations. Listgrove operate four integrated practices offering
substantial market intelligence and business experience in the following
disciplines: manufacturing, technical, sales and commercial, and HR
consulting.
Norwich Union Risk Services:
The specialist division of Norwich Union dedicated to providing training
and consultancy services on health, safety and environmental issues
within the workplace.
Norwich Union Risk Services offers a wide range of products and services,
developed to provide you with the skills and knowledge to understand
your risks and establish systematic controls to comply with your legal
obligations. Whatever the product or service, companies can be assured
that by using Norwich Union Risk Services they will receive expert advice
and guidance from professionally qualified and experienced staff, supported
by the reputation of Norwich Union.
John Hall Associates (JHA):
An energy consultancy with a reputation for expertise and integrity.
The company's core competence is energy procurement. It is retained
predominantly by blue chip companies with large energy spend.
JHA currently works with a number of BPF members helping to reduce or
contain energy costs. Its efforts have enabled companies to cut millions
of pounds from their energy budgets.
Envirowise:
You can save as much as £1000 per employee through the effective
use of raw materials. But many continue to throw away profit in the
form of avoidable waste. Help is at hand. Every year, the Envirowise
Programme helps thousands of businesses across the UK improve profits.
It has published more than 70 best practice guides and, in the last
year alone, saved British businesses more than £100 million. Envirowise
is a government programme offering free, independent advice on practical
ways to minimise waste and convert turnover into profit.
PICME (the Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Excellence):
The PICME service is designed to make the best use of any company's
resources, and save money by reducing wasted manufacturing costs. PICME's
confidence in its ability to do this is such that it expects its fees
to be paid out of - and represent a small fraction of - the cost savings
to be made by its clients.
PRAS: The Plastics and Rubber Advisory Service (PRAS) was established
by the British Plastics Federation in 1982 to provide expert advice
on plastics use, material selection, process selection and design.
Housed in BPF Head Office, the PRAS Expert Help Line (09061 90 80 70)
is manned by a team of expert consultants. (Calls cost £1.50/min).
Fully supporting the launch of the Business Support Network, Brian Mann,
Managing Director of McKechnie reflected the thoughts of many of the
members:
'Sharing knowledge is vital to the ongoing development of our industry.
We must use our trade association to support us in initiatives such
as this.'
The Business Support Network is another free service provided by the
BPF and is easily accessible though BPF-Online: http://www.bpf.co.uk
On-Line
for Speed and Efficiency
Error
free ordering has been the over-riding benefit of Deceuninck's Synergebuild
internet based trading system, according to Kent based MJ Plastics.
Since installing Synergebuild, the Deeplas distributor has not had one
wrong order, highlighting how Synergebuild technology has significantly
improved administrative communication in the work place.
Speed
and efficiency has also been a key benefit. After pricing an order,
Synergebuild sends back confirmation within minutes. If any anomalies
occur, such as the: wrong pack quantities, Synergebuild will highlight
these on the original order for immediate attention. This means that
any mistakes can be rectified within minutes, guaranteeing an error-free
order.
'With the best will in the world, paper based ordering will always be
fraught with mistakes,' said MJ Plastics director Andy Butler. 'Faxes
go missing, the print quality can obscure what is written, handwriting
can be misread, mistakes can be made when in-putting data into the system...
Synergebuild has eliminated all this from the procedure. The system
is precise, intelligent, and exceptionally user friendly.
'The whole company was using it efficiently with minimal training, and
it has slipped effortlessly into our daily operations,' continued Andy.
'Also Deceuninck maintains a proactive approach to consistently improving
the system, maintaining an on-going dialogue to assess our comments
and experiences, and how our suggestions can be applied to Synergebuild.'
Andy is particularly pleased that Synergebuild has been adaptable to
the way MJ Plastics works, rather than the other way round. He is also
the first to admit that they are not getting the full potential out
of Synergebuild.
'It needed so little training that we have just got on with it,' he
concluded 'Now I would like to spend a little more time with Deceuninck
delving deeper into its wider potential.'
Tel: 01249 816969
Web: http://www.deceuninck.com
Pictured: Andy Butler, director, MJ Plastics
British
Glass Website Relaunch
British
Glass launched its new second-generation website on 1st December 2002
- the site provides information on all aspects of the glass industry.
The website, designed to be visually clear and easily navigable, enables
users to find the information they require fast and easily.The British
Glass audience is wide-ranging, made up of schoolchildren, students,
MPs/MEPs (or their researchers), relevant bodies interested in health
& safety, issues such as climate change, recycling, the environment
and waste, governmental bodies, local authorities and of course its
own members and others with an interest in glass and/or the glass industry.
Features on the site include:
* News and Events, including British Glass training courses
* A History of Glass and Types of Glass and Glass Forming
* Education and Public Awareness information
* Information on Recycling and the Environment
* History of the Trade Federation and other information
* Industry Health & Safety & Technical issues
* The Glass Charter - an initiative to reduce accidents
* Jargonbuster - a glossary of terms
Also to be found on the relaunched website are the glass industry's
Position Papers - of particular importance as they provide an industry
perspective on the legislative issues affecting it, thereby assisting
opinion-formers, government policy researchers and other governmental
and relevant bodies.
Web: http://www.britglass.co.uk
Tel: (0114) 268 6201
Email: mailto:j.knights@britglass.co.uk
Dynamic
Web-based Knowledge Resource Underpins TRADA 'Revolution'
TRADA
is undergoing a revolution in its approach to membership and will adopt
a more aggressive, proactive role in building markets for timber. This
was the clear message from Andrew Abbott, Managing Director of TRADA
Technology Ltd, at the Timber Research and Development Association's
annual seminar for members in London recently.
The drive to 'do things differently', Mr Abbott added, 'is in line with
the Egan Task Force recommendations which had put construction 'under
scrutiny to perform'. Superficially, the construction industry has not
changed. On the building site it's more evolution than revolution. But
that's going to accelerate and we intend to be ahead of the changes.
TRADA is poised to help members profit from these new opportunities
by influencing specification and increasing bottom line performance.'
To deliver this new role, he continued, 'we are taking two radical steps.
We are investing in marketing to extend TRADA's outreach and promote
the benefits of membership and we are investing in IT to enhance the
competitiveness of timber and the performance of members' businesses.'
The revolutionary new TRADA had been born from necessity, Chairman Geoff
Shaw conceded. 'Membership income continues to be under pressure from
industry consolidation and it was clear that a thorough overhaul of
our role and objectives was essential.' A far-reaching strategy review
produced clearcut guidelines for the future, including raising brand
awareness, developing a dynamic and evolving knowledge resource and
developing partnerships with kindred organisations. Above all, he said,
'TRADA has to be more vocal and influential.'
The primary tool in TRADA's armoury is a new website, 'ask TRADA', available
worldwide from October, said David Bentley of NetConstruct, who has
been working closely with TRADA Technology for the past 12 months to
develop the site. 'It is quick to access, easy to navigate and contains
everything you need to know about timber online,' This comprehensive
knowledge resource was prepared specifically for the internet, enabling
members to download information with ease, and is regularly updated
by a team of specialist writers.
In the run up to the October launch, TRADA's new membership package
was promoted directly to architects, engineers and surveyors by Teamwork
Marketing. Managing Director John Clark said his team built on TRADA's
strengths. 'There is already a good relationship with industry professionals.
TRADA is undeniably known, respected and used. Our marketing objective
was to turn all the good vibrations into membership involvement and
commitment, to create a more meaningful relationship.'
Tel: 01494 569600
Email: mailto:information@trada.co.uk
Web: http://www.trada.co.uk
New
HSE Website for Construction Students
A
new online teaching aid for construction students and practitioners
has been launched by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The website: http://www.learning-hse.com,
contains information on health and safety in construction, including
legislation, safe working practices and case studies.
Developed as a result of recommendations in HSE's contract research
report 'Identification and Management of Risk in Undergraduate Construction
Courses', published last year, it is designed to supplement existing
undergraduate courses by supplying an easy to use and constantly updated
resource for students. It is also anticipated that the site will prove
valuable to people already working within the industry.
The material is not designed to represent an entire module or course;
instead it provides background data, explanations, case studies and
reference material to illustrate common principles in health and safety
risk management, on which students may draw to further their research
and study. This freely available material will form a useful starting
point for anyone embarking on a career in the construction industry.
Trevor Allan, HSE principal inspector who initiated the research report,
said:
'The website is an excellent tool for studying the identification and
management of risk in the construction industry.
'A wide range of sources has been used to put together a clear and coherent
package which will be invaluable to undergraduates and those who teach
them. We are launching the website to coincide with the start of the
academic year and we believe that the people we are targeting will find
its content of immediate use in their studies.
'Industry has been crying out for graduates who have an understanding
of health and safety risk issues in construction, and proper use of
the material on this website will go a long way to fulfilling that need.'
The authors of last year's research report, consulting engineers Symonds
Group Ltd, who also helped develop the website, found that the quality
of delivery and the support given to health and safety risk concepts
within construction undergraduate courses were generally inadequate,
and that substantial improvements needed to be made.
They concluded that there was universal agreement between teaching staff
and students that some form of teaching and learning support was essential
to the overall delivery of health and safety risk management within
the curriculum. Of the options looked at, the most popular was web-based
material and case studies.
'MyGlaverbel.com':
an Interactive Encyclopaedia of Glaverbel Products for the Construction
Sector
With
'MyGlaverbel.com', the Glaverbel Group is offering a new approach to
and vision of its world of glass for use in architectural and decorative
applications. Launched on 28th October at Glasstec 2002 (Düsseldorf)
'MyGlaverbel.com' provides general information on glass and gives full
descriptions of Glaverbel products as well as performance figures. The
site is easy to navigate and products are organised by brand, application,
function and type of glass. Hundreds of photographs of projects from
around the world using Glaverbel products are included to illustrate
their many applications.
Powerful search functions complement the site's user-friendly features
and efficiency. Content is continually updated and offered in seven
languages: French, English, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and Czech.
More than 25,000 pages of text can be easily accessed with just a few
clicks. When registered visitors (whether private individuals, architects,
glass companies, etc.) access the site after their first visit the site
will immediately be displayed in their language with information specific
to their own market *. They will also enjoy an enhanced level of information.
*Some products are not available in certain markets, or have names specific
to a given market.
Tel.: +32 (0)2 674 31 11
Web: http://www.myglaverbel.com
Barbour
Report 2002: Getting the Most out of Construction Information on the
Web
Each year, Barbour Index commissions independent research into important
topical issues affecting the construction industry. This research is
published in an annual report. The tenth Barbour Report was published
at the beginning of July.
The Barbour Report 2002, 'Exploring the Web as an Information Tool',
addresses the following issues:
* Specifiers use of web-based product information
* The perceived advantages of electronic over traditional media such
as literature and directories
* The major limitations of the web and how to provide information more
effectively
* Current web offerings and specifiers' opinions in detail.
The Report provides practical advice for building product manufacturers
on how to maximise the commercial benefit of their online investment.
The emerging message for manufacturers is clear. The web is only a starting
point in an ongoing dialogue with specifiers, but while the web is unlikely
to secure business in its own right, failure to satisfy specifier needs
online can seriously damage a manufacturer's business.
Key findings include:
87% of UK specifiers are now online, yet only half use the web on a
weekly basis to source product information and only 6% consider manufacturers'
websites as their principle information source. Hard copy formats, such
as directories and literature, are still the first port of call for
75% of professionals.
However, 87% of specifiers anticipate that their use of the web will
increase. Historical deterrents such as connection speed have significantly
reduced, with nearly 70% of specifiers having high-speed web connections.
The main barriers to usage are an inadequate depth and breadth of technical
and product information, compounded by poor site navigation and searching.
Only 15% of manufacturers' sites are meeting specifier requirements,
with over half considered average or poor. Users will spend less than
3 minutes exploring a manufacturer's site, and a poor electronic experience
creates a poor company perception.
In 90% of cases, a specifier will contact the manufacturer following
a visit to their website. This is predominantly driven by their need
for more customised information such as specific project applications,
product availability and pricing. By comparison, background company
information and online ordering are of minimal importance to specifiers.
The Report was published at the beginning of July and launched at a
series of seminars across the UK. For more information on the Barbour
Reports and how to obtain copies, visit the Industry Research section
of http://www.barbour-index.co.uk
Tel (01344) 884121
Open
for Business 24 hours a day
Chicago Glass (UK) Ltd has set up a new website: http://www.scratchremovers.co.uk
- containing information on their distortion free polishing system, for
the removal of scratches and graffiti from glass.
'Chicago Glass, in its association with Glas·Weld Systems, Kent,
leads the world in glass repair technology. Our unique scratch repair
polishing system, 'Renovator', is believed to be the only system able
to produce distortion free results with little or no optical deviation
or visibility distortion.' the company says.
Established in the UK since 1989, over 150 technicians offer a nationwide
service through 95 regional offices, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The website covers all aspects of this service, including: Graffiti Removal,
Scratch Removal, Automotive, Industrial, Commercial, and Residential applications;
also test reports from both the BSI (UK) and SGS (USA) - plus case studies
from one or two more unusual projects.
Tel: 01474 543616
Email: mailto:glasscare@lineone.net
Web: http://www.scratchremovers.co.uk
Glassequipment.com
Glassequipment.com is an e-commerce
company and web site dedicated to the cost effective supply of high
quality products to the glass industry.
To ascertain the competitiveness of prices or the quality and abilities
of products visit http://www.glassequipment.com to check the company's
product range or to access its product opinion and sourcing service.
Glassequipment.com and etec electronic products can now offer two new
Twin Check (2 in1) Low 'E' coating Detectors:
Model 1 - Etec standard twin check Low 'E' coating detector for single
glaze and double glaze detection (2 in 1). A one-button operation Low
'E' detector using dual side detection.
Model 2 - E class blackbox twin check Low 'E' detector for single glaze
and double glaze detection (2 in1). With twin independent button operation
using only one side of the detector for detection.
Tel: 0120 282 6407
Email: mailto:ken@glassequipment.com
Web: http://www.glassequipment.com
Volkswagen
Fleet Services Launches Dedicated Website
Volkswagen Fleet Services recently launched an interactive website,
designed specifically to cater for the needs of fleet managers and user
choosers.
The website, developed by Volkswagen's digital agency, Tribal DDB London,
gives the Fleet Services department an online presence, and a medium
through which to communicate with both new and existing customers. By
visiting the site, customers can discover the breadth of services available
from Volkswagen. The site also has many interactive functions including
an email enquiry system.
One of the interactive functions which is likely to prove most popular
is the company car tax calculator. There are in fact two available,
one with Volkswagen's own product database which provides the user with
the most up-to-date costs on the company's model range; and a second
set up in conjunction with accountancy leaders Deloitte & Touche,
which enable users to calculate the tax for other manufacturers' model
ranges.
The website also features a quick reference guide for every Volkswagen
model containing all the essential technical specification details and
insurance groups. The latest edition and back copies of Fleet Outlook
- the company's fleet news service - are available to download from
the site, while there is also information on residual values and whole-life
costs.
The address for the website is the same as that for the main Volkswagen
site http://www.volkswagen.co.uk.
Users need then simply click on the Volkswagen Fleet tab to access the
area.
For any queries about Volkswagen's range of fleet services, please call
the Business Centre on 0800 38 989 38.
Peter
Hawkins website is now online
The
new Peter Hawkins website is now online at http://www.phawkins.co.uk.
The site illustrates the complete range of machinery available including:
Straight line, double edging and drilling from Schiatti
Glass cutting from macoTec
CNC workstatioins from CMS Tecnometal
Glass washing machinery from Triulzi
Spacer bar bending from Bayer
Gas filling from Helantec
On lone Spares and Service order facility
New and used machinery enquiry
email: mailto:sue@phhawkins.co.uk
Plimsoll
launches www.whatcompany.co.uk
Plimsoll Publishing has launched a new website - www.whatcompany.co.uk
- aimed
at owners/managers in the UK Windows & Doors industry looking to
make an acquisition or to sell their own company.
This service from Plimsoll helps companies gain a better understanding
of what their own company is worth and presents company names and analysis
of what companies would be their best options for buying or selling.
'The idea for the website and the buying or selling service came from
a great deal of interest we were receiving from companies keen to go
on the acquisition trail. Yet they did not have a simple, cost effective
means of assessing what companies to go after. I knew we could offer
a real insight into specific companies in the industry our clients could
target. Now, prior to calling in the professionals, owners can take
a good look at the possibilities for themselves,' says David Pattison,
Acquisitions Manager at Plimsoll Publishing Ltd.
'There has never been anything like this kind of service before that
I am aware of. Traditionally buyers have waited for companies to hit
the receivers before they look to buy, but Plimsoll's model of analysis
actually spots 'what companies' are showing signs of failing several
months or years before the company folds.
'Of the 624 companies currently in the UK Cleaning Equipment & Materials
industry that we've {Plimsoll} put a value on, 186 of them have good
future potential and could be transformed under new ownership,' says
Pattison.
Plimsoll's buying or selling service includes valuing their client's
company, locating and analysing companies that they could afford as
well as locating and analysing companies they could sell their company
to. Also included is a full study of 1696 UK Windows & Doors companies
including valuations and analysis of current and future performance.
The fee for this service is £600 plus VAT.
Tel: 01642 626400
Web: http://www.whatcompany.co.uk
Misleading
Domain Name Ads Stopped: First UK/US joint action
In the first case of its kind the OFT has stopped two companies from
publishing misleading advertisements for website domain names that
are difficult to view on the world wide web. The OFT worked alongside
the US Federal Trade Commission on this case.
Quantum Management Ltd and TLD Network Ltd, based in London, were advertising
and selling domain names with suffixes such as .brit, .usa, .scot and
.sex to UK and US consumers. Most domain name suffixes such as .com,
.net or .uk can be accessed by all internet users. However, the domain
names offered by the two companies can only be accessed through alternative
networks and will not be found by a normal search function
without a modified web browser.
Quantum Management and TLD Network sent out unsolicited email and advertised
on their websites promising that 'the latest domain name extension had
arrived'. The OFT took the view that the adverts gave the impression
that the domain names on offer operated in the same way as top-level
names such as .com and that this was misleading.
Thomas Goolnik, who is the director of both companies, has given written
assurances to the OFT that he will not publish these or other similar
adverts for the registration of domain names. Edward Goolnik, the former
Company Secretary of both companies, has also signed similar assurances.
Welcoming the assurances John Vickers, Director General of Fair Trading,
said:
'It is important that consumers and businesses seeking domain names
know exactly what they are buying and how accessible the domain names
will be.
'This case illustrates that consumers can be protected wherever traders
are based. The OFT will cooperate with international enforcement partners
to achieve this.'
MASTERDOR
DEMONSTRATES ORDERING MADE EASY
Manse Masterdor Ltd has introduced an innovative database, with a comprehensive
and flexible range of applications. The service has attracted a particularly
high level of interest from contractors who welcomed a system that enhances
their opportunities to plan and monitor allocated production, helping
to improve tenant liaison and reduce costs.
When using the database to order doors, contractors expect to be asked
to provide the information about the style, height and width of the
door being ordered, and the address and location details. But where
the specification has already been agreed, the database identifies the
approved specification and inserts all the necessary information, radically
reducing the typical ordering time.
The internet order processing system gives customers greater flexibility
and peace of mind by providing immediate, automatic confirmation upon
receipt of an order and issuing each order confirmation with a unique
identity number. Where accidental damage and vandalism occur, the design
and specification of Masterdor, combined with the comprehensive database,
simplifies the ordering of component parts or full replacements. This
permits cost effective repairs in situ, rather than the expensive and
inconvenient replacement of the product even due to small damage.
Manse Masterdor offers the PAS23/24 accredited range of made-to-measure
doorsets with a capacity of around 50,000 units per annum.
Says Masterdor director, Mike Hudson, 'The interest shown in the Masterdor
internet order processing and recording system suggests that it will
prove to be an important facility, enabling contractors to carefully
plan an organised supply chain. Masterdor's innovative online system
enables them to order quickly and easily, cut costs and so improve customer
service.'
Saint-Gobain
Glass - the New Online Profile
Saint Gobain Glass has launched a new website and online profile presenting
the Group network in the UK and Ireland. This new website is the flagship
of all the lnternet projects of Saint-Gobain Glass.
A common brand
Two years ago a decision was taken to unite all the activities of the
flat glass branch on the internet under a single banner of Saint-Gobain
Glass. This has culminated in the new site for both the float glass
manufacturing operation, Saint-Gobain Glass UK, as well as the downstream
network of glass distributors, processors and installers:- Solaglas
(UK) and Dockrell Glass (Eire).
Features
Special features of the site include a virtual showroom where visitors
can step inside a virtual world and be inspired by glass. Search for
the most appropriate glass solutions for various applications and performance
requirements.
At the heart of the new site is a product database - indeed the only
dynamic pan-European products database of its kind. This is an electronic
version of the Saint-Gobain Glass product catalogue, the 'Glass Guide',
and is complemented by numerous UK project profiles.
Discover, too, about the latest initiatives of the Group, new product
launches, recently completed projects and search for glass specialists
in your area.
Contact: Alex Peaty
Tel: 024 7654 7544
http://www.saint-gobain-glass.com
BSI
launches on-line information service for the construction industry
BSI has launched an on-line information service for the construction
industry: the CPD Standards Tracker (http://www.cpdtracker.com).
The CPD tracker shows the status of the draft European harmonized standards
being produced in the 31 mandated product areas under the Construction
Products Directive.
BSI's new electronic product is endorsed by the UK Government's Department
of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, and the Scottish Executive.
Visit the main website at: http://www.bsi-global.com
or contact:
BSI Product Services
Phone +44 (0)1442 278 607.
Email: product.services@bsi-global.com
Wright
Style Unveil New and Interactive Website
Wright Style, the UK steel glazing systems specialists with an intemational
customer base, has launched a new and interactive website.
The Devizes- based firm has developed the new web site in order to provide
greater information and technical support to architects, consultants,
specifiers and its world wide customer base.
Underlining the company's use of interactive support, the new web site
allows for CAD, video, specification and literature downloads. In addition
there are printable data sheets on each glazing system, providing the
user with as much relevant information as possible, whilst also giving
an overview of the services that the company offers.
The download area, which is available to registered users, includes
assembly video clips that demonstrate the nature of the Wright Style
systems.
The web site covers each of Wright Style's propriety glazing systems,
including curtain walling and roof glazing, screens and partitions,
doors and windows, and fire resistant glass for integrity only or integrity
and insulation.
Lee Coates of Wright Style Ltd said: 'We wanted to avoid the pitfalls
that you often see on other web sites, with gimmicks that get in the
way and slow the site down. Visitors want to get the information they
require and are not interested in clever site designs that take forever
to load. They simply want to obtain the information they're looking
for as fast and as easily as possible.'
The web site will have regular updates, to keep users informed of Wright
Style's project references and new system developments, a recent example
being the new lightweight F1 series fire resistant system.
Other new systems featured on the website include:
* The new large-span four sided structurally glazed SG curtain walling
system, a development ofthe existing SR steel and stainless steel systems.
* The new and soon-to-be-available SGP point fixing curtain walling
system, with it's design of sealed unit retention and performance protection.
* The T series curtain walling system, which allows the designer greater
flexibility over conventional facade systems.
Tel: 01380 722 239
Email: mailto:info@wrightstyle.co.uk
Web: http://www.wrightstyle.co.uk
Hardware
Debate Goes Live
An industry barometer has been launched in the form of 'In Your Perspective,'
an on-line forum page from Cotswold Architectural Products, designed
to stimulate industry discussion and encourage more widespread use of
websites and e-commerce in the industry.
'While some industries have welcomed e-commerce and the internet with
open arms, the window industry appears to have been relatively slow
to pick up on the potential this offers,' comments Iain Morgan, Cotswold's
sales and marketing director. 'Even e-mail has seen a slow uptake in
our industry compared to others, and even now many company websites
are little more than on-line brochures. We'd like to encourage industry
debate on key issues, and the internet is a prefect vehicle.'
The 'In Your Perspective' debate, which can be viewed on the Cotswold
website, has kicked off with comments on the potential dangers of top-hung
egress. Mila, Window Ware, Wagner, Maco UK and SAC Systems are leading
the way, raising points about the need for better end-user understanding,
the possibility of applying egress legislation (stipulating use of at
least one egress windows in upstairs habitable rooms) to existing properties
as well as newbuild houses, and improving industry communication. Further
comment on the issue from other industry players is welcomed.
'Our industry is affected by a number of pieces of legislation and it's
undergoing a constant change,' explains Iain. 'We need to join forces
to provide solutions and I'm pleased to discover that there are industry
players out there prepared to take a responsible role. Feedback so far
has been entirely supportive of what we have set out to achieve.'
Tel: 01242 233993
Email: mailto:imorgan@cotswold.clara.net
Web: http://cotswold-windows.co.uk
Ambersil
Industrial goes dotcom
Ambersil, manufacturer of industrial consumables, and maintenance chemicals,
has launched its new industrial web site, http://www.ambersilindustrial.com
The new site features information on all Ambersil's products including
applications, technical data and health and safety data sheets. It is
also possible to use a product finder to allow the user to find the
right product for the job in hand.
Users can subscribe to a newsletter to be kept informed on all latest
products and innovations from Ambersil. All previous releases can also
be viewed on the site.
The site breaks down Ambersil products into market sectors where they
are most commonly used. The ranges featured are Electrical Servicing,
Moulding, Engineering, Specialist Applications, and General Maintenance.
Web Master John Boardley, creator of the site said: 'We are delighted
to see the Ambersil Industrial site live. It opens up a key communication
channel for new and existing customers alike. It has been designed with
'ease of use' as the principal objective. Users can have accurate information
at their fingertips at any time'
Tel: 01278 424200
Email: mailto:industrial.sales@ambersil.co.uk
Web: http://www.ambersilindustrial.com
