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Pilkington Warns of 10% Profits Drop in Building Products Worldwide, but Good Performances from UK and Automotive Maintain Expectations Overall
In a Trading Statement issued yesterday, Pilkington Glass Group Chief Exec Stuart Chambers reported that Building Products (BP) markets remain generally weak, with the exception of the UK and Australia. 'Efficiency improvements and cost savings continue to mitigate the impact of weak markets, though price pressures will result in operating profit for the business line being approximately 10% down on last year. .
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Glassex Conservatory Design Competition ‘A Stunning Success’
Created as a new event at Glassex this year, The Glassex 2004 Conservatory Design Competition succeeded, according to one of the event’s judges, in ‘bringing out the very best that the British conservatory industry has to offer.’ So proclaimed the judges of the competition, who also described the event as ‘a stunning success for a first event’.
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You Don't Have to be Mad to Work at Winlock - but it Helps!
For most of us there is a certain level of predictability about our working day. Arrive at office, check my appointments, prepare Board Report, check sales figures, send emails, wrap a huge boa constrictor snake around my neck….. Wait a minute!
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K2 Targets Interbuild Trade Summit
Conservatory manufacturer K2 will be providing expert advice to visitors at THE BIZ, a new area created by the Federation of Master Builders in partnership with Interbuild. The doors on this one-stop-shop offering help, advice and guidance on the latest services and products for small and medium sized builders will be open throughout the exhibition at Birmingham's NEC from April 25th to 29th.
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Dual Seal gets Tough with £1.25 Million Investment
Over £1.25 million has been invested in new plant and premises by Dual Seal Glass Limited, independent manufacturer of ‘long life’ sealed units and specialists in soft coat low emissivity glasses. ‘Already certified to EN 1279 Part 2 (part 3 pending), Dual Seal is one of the UK’s leading sealed unit manufacturers and one of very few able to deliver soft coated units giving U-values as low as 1.1.’ says the company.
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Heritage Glass Launches New Garage Door Division
Heritage Glass Group has just launched a new garage door division, which will be managed by Paul Histon. The new division will cover all of Shropshire and Runcorn, and supply the area with a wide selection of top quality garage doors from suppliers such as the Cardale Group.
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Monkey Business as Glasslam Celebrates in China
Glasslam has just had a double celebration in China, firstly Glasslam and its 300 employees welcomed in the year of the Monkey in traditional style. Secondly the company was celebrating the opening of its second factory in Mainland China.
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New Distributor Agreement for Carl F
A trading relationship dating back to 2001 between hardware distributor Carl F Petersen and Hoppe has been cemented with a distributor agreement.
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James Price Expands Fleet to Meet Demand
The James Price Group has expanded its vehicle fleet in order to meet the increased glass business across all divisions of the Group. Substantial investment in new technology and systems has seen the processed glass division double its turnover in just 12 months.
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Wendland and K2 back new Conservatory Market Report
A recent, in depth study of the important UK Conservatory Market confirms, with detailed statistical analysis, the surging growth most companies have been experiencing. The report, by industry researchers Michael Rigby Associates, is described by Alan Fielder, Sales & Marketing Director of Wendland Roof Solutions as ‘probably the most important, detailed and comprehensive report ever produced for our industry. No company making its way in this exciting and dynamic sector can afford to be without it’.
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GGF Fact Sheet explains Collision and Impact – Approved Document K
Glazing comes under Approved Document K under the heading of pedestrian guarding: it calls for guarding to be provided '….where it is reasonably necessary for safety to guard the edges of any part of a floor….', including at opening windows, and at glazing to changes in level (i.e. to provide containment). Any wall, parapet, balustrade or similar obstruction may serve as guarding. When placed in front of glazing, the guarding should be a minimum of 800mm high, whatever the building.
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Supreme O Glaze Home Products Ltd Advert Attracts Complaint
A complaint, objecting to a leaflet for glazing company Supreme O Glaze Home Products Ltd of Ilford, Essex was upheld according to published details from the Advertising Standards Authority.
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Kevin Warner Appointed Sales & Marketing Director at Status
Kevin Warner has been appointed sales and marketing director for PVCu profile extrusion company Status Systems. As Kevin enters his 13th year with the company, his appointment reflects a mutual commitment to Status' ambitions for growth, and Kevin's own personal ambitions.
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No Call Backs and Higher Margins
Edgetech says that installers increasingly want a more thermally efficient product, and not just because of Part L legislations. ‘Professional installers don’t want the hassle and the cost of call backs for sealed units that have failed – something that happens more often with aluminium.’ says the company.
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LGT Toughens up Bangladesh
LGT is to install the first ever Toughening Plant in to Bangladesh, an event of such high prestige that the top government ministers of Bangladesh will be present for the first line of production.
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Planet PVC Group Makes Strategic Appointments
Planet PVC Group, the UK conservatory installer has made two senior appointments to accelerate its drive towards flotation on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
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IMI plc Preliminary Results
IMI plc, the major international engineering group, has announced its preliminary results for the year ended 31st December 2003. IMI includes Polypipe, the parent company of Premier Profiles.
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DuPont Acquires Czech Republic PVB Business
DuPont announced on February 18th that it has acquired Retrim, a safetyglass interlayer company, with plant operations in Zlin, Czech Republic. Terms were not disclosed. DuPont said Czech Republic government regulatory approval was received in January.
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Alcoa to Open Extrusion Facility in Northwest Romania
Alcoa announced on March 12th that its European Extruded & End Products division will start construction of a new extrusion facility in Arad County, in northwest Romania, to serve customers in the building and construction market.
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Alcoa Expects Chinese Government Approval of Pingguo Joint Venture
Alcoa announced on March 12th that it expects Chinese government regulators to approve the company's proposed joint venture with Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (Chalco) for an integrated alumina-aluminum facility in Pingguo.
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Glassex 2004 Confounds the Doubters as Exhibitors Report yet Another Successful Year
Some would call it a success against all odds, particularly those who read more this year into the annual churn of exhibitors. But to the vast majority of customers who did host stands at Glassex 2004, the fact that it was yet another excellent event – borne out by the many enthusiastic comments heard throughout the show – was really all that mattered.
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A Dozen get their Hands Dirty in the Live Action of the Glassex Challenge
In what quickly became a highlight of this year’s Glassex visitors witnessed a dozen teams challenging each other, the clock and a band of skilled judges at Glassex 2004, as they took the Glassex Challenge to prove themselves the Glassex Installation Team of the Year.
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Low Cost Manufacturing Opens Doors to Higher Profits at Laird
Laird’s Chief Executive, Peter Hill, commenting on the results, said: '2003 was a year of significant progress, with earnings per share up 25% despite the adverse translation effects of exchange rate movements. We are expanding into related market sectors with good growth potential and we will continue with our programme of making bolt-on acquisitions.'
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Structura Sets up Planned Maintenance Division
A new Planned Maintenance division headed by Leroy Graham, 47, has been set up by Structura Special Projects, specialists in the repair and replacement of curtain wall facades, windows and doors. Of particular interest to facilities and building managers, the new division has won a contract to maintain atria glazing, screens and doors of a high-profile government building in central London, and is maintaining the front entrance doors and rear doors of an office building in Ashford, Middx.
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Halo Fabricator Doubles Production with new Factory
A Scarborough based trade fabricator experiencing unprecedented growth is celebrating the completion of an ambitious expansion project. SWC Trade Frames Limited, one of WHS Halo's most successful UK fabricators, has added a new 57,500 sq ft site to its current window, door and conservatory operation in North Yorkshire.
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Synseal Customer Celebrates Large New Build Contracts
Hertfordshire based Crystal Clear (Manufacturing) Ltd, has used Synseal Extrusions’ roofs in its conservatories for three years. Producing 1000+ frames and 2000+ sealed units a week means that Crystal depends on its suppliers for a reliable service, something Synseal delivers according to Martin Manning, Crystal’s Director of Sales.
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Pechiney - 2003 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results
Pechiney announces earnlngs from operations in the fourth quarter of 2003 of Euro 66 million, down Euro 5 million from the fourth quarter of 2002, and up Euro 8 million from the third quarter of 2003. Net result for the fourth quarter was a loss of a 443 million as a result principally of impairment charges and other one-off charges.
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PPG Reports Strong Earnings, Cash Flow in Fourth Quarter
PPG Industries reported on January 15th fourth quarter net income of $122 million, or 71 cents a share, including an aftertax charge of $8 million, or 5 cents a share, to reflect the net increase in the current value of the company's obligation under the asbestos settlement agreement reported in May of 2002. Sales were $2.18 billion..
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Celsius Offers Hot Prospects to New Recruits
Twelve months on, sales of Celsius performance glass continue to far exceed expectations resulting in K2 Glass Ltd having to increase its workforce by more than 25%.
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Vitro Continues Positive EBITDA trend in 4Q03
Vitro S.A, de C.V, one of the world's largest producers and distributors of glass products, announced on 17th February 4Q03 and 2003 year end un-audited results. For the quarter, Vitro posted a 57.0 percent and a 24.1 percent YoY increase in consolidated EBIT and EBITDA respectively..
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Six and a Half Million Metres of Laminated Profiles
PVCu profile lamination specialist Profoil Ltd produced six and a half million metres of foiled profile lengths in 2003. The Kettering based company has been offering a dedicated lamination service, to the industry since 1996, and now runs four lines, supplying systems companies and conservatory roof companies nationwide.
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Bespoke Vehicles for Sliders
When was the last time you loaded or unloaded a patio door? Occasionally large windows or doors can be a struggle to load on smaller vehicles. ‘For patio doors – especially in large numbers – this is always the case,’ said Sliders UK’s director Mike Spain. ‘Right from the start we specified 7.5 tonne drop well trucks with ramps – modified Luton vans were never going to be suitable or big enough for us.’
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Bryco Appears to be the Medicine Coldseal Needed
In our regular report on Company Notices and Liquidations last week we made a rather off the cuff remark about the Coldseal Bryco conglomerate which we have been well and truly corrected on. We are happy to report that the new Coldseal appears to be a combination of all the good things about Bryco and all the good things about Coldseal rolled together as a national entity. What is more, the new company is already delivering a healthy profit (according to January 2003 figures) and is keen to get back into the conservatory market - but this time doing it properly.
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Heywood Williams Takes it on the Chin with £61m Write-Offs
Heywood Williams has reported losses of £71.8m for the financial year 2003, £61m of which relates to goodwill write-offs. The group has taken drastic action to reverse the slide: the DIY window and door businesses and the composite door operations have been closed, the UK head count has been reduced by 15%, and Coldseal, Creation, Cestrum and Coastal have been sold off. Although share prices did not move much on the announcement, no final dividend has been recommended. On the positive side, Robert Barr is due to join as group chief exec in the summer and the company has announced a new system - the Elite 63 - and enhancements of the Elite 70 suite with the introduction of a tilt-turn window.
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MBO at Warmseal
Warmseal says that it stands ready to develop its strong market position following the announcement of a successful management buyout. Warmseal, based in Throckley near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has been purchased from its founders by the board of directors responsible for running the business over the last two years. However, the new owners maintain that it is very much business as usual.
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K2 Launches FMB Partnership at Interbuild
Interbuild 2004 is to provide the forum to launch an innovative partnership between leading conservatory roof system manufacturer, K2, and the Federation of Master Builders, one of the most highly regarded trade bodies in the UK. K2 will be showcasing its new, FMB-backed Approved Installer scheme at the show as part of THE BIZ, a new area created by the FMB in partnership with Interbuild.
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Alcoa's $200,000 Grant to NYC Mayor's Fund is Largest of $1.7m Alcoa 9/11 Relief Fund
Alcoa has announced a $200,000 grant to the New York City Mayor's Fund to Advance New York that will be used to help educate New York residents on disaster response, specifically, what individual households should do to prepare for disasters. 'As a corporate citizen in New York, Alcoa hopes that this initiative can help make the city even safer,' said Alcoa Chairman and CEO Alain Belda.
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James Harcourt Helps Put the Wind in Blue Peter's Sails
Prestige window, door and conservatory brand James Harcourt, have offered a helping hand to the world's fastest shammy‚ Terry Turbo‚ Burrows, by donating a set of windows for his latest record breaking attempt on popular BBC television Programme Blue Peter.
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Eurocell Profiles (UK) Invests in a New Extrusion Hall
Eurocell Profiles Ltd, part of the Plastics Converting division of Tessenderlo Group (Belgium), is investing in the construction of a new extrusion hall. With the investment, which amounts to 4 million GBP, Eurocell Profiles is extending its production and storage capacity at its main Clover Nook site in Alfreton, Derbyshire. The new extrusion hall is to be operational by the end of 2004.
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Record Sales for Siegenia-Aubi Confound Pundits
The latest sales figures from hardware and ventilation specialist, Siegenia-Aubi Ltd, will surprise industry pundits predicting a decline in the UK tilt and turn market. The UK arm of German parent company, Siegenia-Aubi KG, is celebrating record sales in January on the back of significant growth in 2003 - including 15% increases via one distributor alone - and the firm is expecting to double its growth through 2004.
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Deceuninck North America to close Delaware Plant in US
Deceuninck, worldwide manufacturer of PVC window systems and profiles for the construction industry, announces that its U.S, subsidiary Deceuninck North America will be closing its Wilmington plant (Delaware, US). This decision is part of the consolidation of extrusion sites following the acquisition of Vinyl Building Products (VBP) in July of 2003.
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Wymar Group Invests in a New Product Line
Wymar International NV, part of the Plastics Converting division of Tessenderlo Group, has invested in a new product line 'S3000' of PVC window and door systems and in an extension of its production capacity. The investment of over 2 million EUR, is to consolidate Wymar’s market share in Benelux and France and to strengthen its presence in growing markets, primarily in Eastern Europe.
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Sapa Acquisition Set to Transform UK Business
Last year's acquisition of Belgium-based Remi-Claeys by Sapa AB is set to impact heavily on Sapa Building Systems' business in the UK. The addition of Remi-Claeys, renowned throughout much of Europe for its strength and expertise in the fenestration sector, means that Sapa Building Systems can now offer a greatly extended product range to the European and more specifically, the UK markets.
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Absolute Power: Bolton Fabricator Takes Another Step Up with New Trade ‘Cash & Carry’
Trade and commercial fabricator, Absolute Windows Ltd of Bolton, has opened a Cash and Carry superstore for window installers. Based in Manchester, the new 12,000 sq ft unit will hold ready-made frames in stock, offering an ideal service for the smaller installer and builder.
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Muskita Aluminium to Cover the Athens Olympic Stadium
The contract to supply aluminium glazing profiles for the roof of the Athens Olympics stadium has been awarded to Cyprus based Muskita Aluminium Industries. The roof – locally nicknamed ‘the jewel in the crown’ – will cover an area of 10,000 square metres, meaning that almost 95% of the 75,000 seated spectators will be covered.
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Glassex 2004: They Came, They Saw, and They Shopped Around
After the first day of Glassex, the general consensus was that the content of the show was good and a testament to the effort put into the event by the exhibitors. 'What you get out of a show is directly related to how much you put into it' explained Stephen Redman, event organiser. We spoke to a few of the key players, including Synseal, Planet, Bohle, and Windowlink and took a few pictures, which you can see below
More here

Planet Announces Intention to Float on AIM
Planet PVC Group has announced it is looking to dramatically accelerate growth via new franchised operations followed by a Stock Market flotation on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Nationally the company is aiming to install 135 conservatories a week this year, growing to 200 installations by 2005, which will firmly establish it as the largest conservatory installer in the UK (Planet is on Stand C020).
More here

Window Energy Rating Label Launched at Glassex
The Energy Saving Trust is at Glassex, launching the new Window Energy Rating Label in conjunction with the British Fenestration Registration Council. The label is similar to the EU Energy rating label found on fridges, dishwashers etc and it is quite an exciting development for the industry. (Visit the EST on Stand E050).
More here

Network VEKA teams up with new product ranges
PVC-U gates, fencing, and even decking are to become part of the Network VEKA offering in a new initiative launched at Glassex in association with VEKA’s foam division, VEKATRIM. Members are being urged to take a wider view on home improvements by including these new ranges along with their existing range (Network Veka is on Stand E064).
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Promac’s Silver Jubilee at Glassex
Promac is celebrating twenty-five years of service to the fenestration industry at Glassex this year and once again, the company has pulled out all the stops to present the most comprehensive range of window fabrication machinery and consumables at the show (Promac is on Stand G020).
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How do you Produce a Sealed Unit only Touching the Glass Three Times?
Tradelink has invested a total of £1million to move the company forward and continue its successful growth rate. A large proportion of this investment bought the company a semi-automated Bystronic Lenhardt line to apply Edgetech’s Super Spacer® bar, the first one of its kind in the UK. Every 30 seconds a sealed unit comes off the line (Edgetech is on Stand No F087).
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RE-FLEX Performance Glass Goes Global
Roof-Maker Ltd a Global roof fabricator in Leicester is now offering the new performance glass called RE-FLEX to all its customers. Roof kits can now be delivered with hand measured 'Glass Packs' thanks to a new package from Sky-Vent Ltd (Sky-Vent is on Stand A058).
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Congratulations to Sarnafil Roof Assured 60th Installer Topline
Topline is the 60th Sarnafil Roof Assured registered installer. Topline is exactly the sort of progressive company that is fully prepared to develop the potential for maintenance free flat roofing (Sarnafil is on Stand E060).
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Sliding Sash Sales Double at KAT UK
KAT UK has announced that sales of its VS vertical sliding sash window products have more than doubled over the last year.
The company attributes this growth to a policy of product innovation and development, and a proactive marketing focus on the new build market.
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THE GL@ZINE ISSUE 113 9th March 2004

Nick Gale Given Notice as Ultraframe Profits and Share Price Tumbles
Ultraframe PLC has announced it is giving its UK managing director notice as it warned first half profits will be significantly lower than a year earlier and that full year results will fall short of management expectations. Shares dropped 15% to 194p on the announcement and analysts cut their profit forecasts by as much as 20%.
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Burnden Group Acquires Foothold in DIY market
The Burnden Group plc has extended its interests into the DIY multiple sector with the acquisition of Cestrum Conservatories Ltd. The acquisition, which was completed on 27th February, is part of The Burnden Group’s ambitious growth strategy for K2.
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Laird and Emap Join Sponsors and Jack Dee to Present G 04 Awards
The G 04 Awards received a fitting boost, when Laird Security Systems joined the ranks of the event sponsors, along with Glassex and GPT show organisers Emap Maclaren. This news, however, was put slightly in the shade when it was revealed that comic, actor, and Celebrity Big Brother winner Jack Dee had agreed to act as host for the Awards Presentation Gala Dinner taking place at the ICC on June 18th.
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Insolvencies, Winding up Orders, Petitions and Creditors' Meetings
Some big names from the double glazing market turn up in this week’s look at recent Notices from the Company Courts: The Bryco/Coldseal empire appears to be tidying up its operation with a string of liquidations. Other well known names include BAC Ltd, Corinium Windows, Hi-Lite Window Co, GUS Windows, Taylor Made Windows and Glass Transport Systems.
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Former Pilkington European Marketing Boss Launches Consultancy
Stephen Lipscombe, who for the last eight years has developed and shaped Pilkington’s image and marketing services throughout Europe, including the launch of Pilkington Activ™, has now launched his own operation to offer similar services to other organisations.
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Stuga Announces Irish Sale
After selling the Stuga Flowline cutting and prepping centre successfully in Northern Ireland for four years, Stuga has now agreed a deal for a Flowline with a customer in the Republic.
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Sarnafil Roof Welcomes Tony Poole to new Business Development Role
The maintenance-free, PVC flat roofing system manufacturer, SRA now has a nationwide network of 60 approved installers. To keep up with demand and to show even more installers the benefits this highly profitable, fast growing market, SRA welcomes Tony Poole in the new role of Southern Business Development Executive.
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Sliders UK - Investing in Quality
Machinery investment of over £180,000 has provided patio specialist Sliders UK with a platform for continued unprecedented growth in 2004. The latest new machines are from Elumatec and include a double stacking verti-quad welder, CNC corner cleaner, automatic screw fixing station and a computerised saw. A CNC copy router is also on order.
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Listers Stokes it up with Factory Expansion
A new window manufacturing plant in Fenton heralds good news for the Stoke workforce. When Listers updated its trade supply counter last year, no-one could have predicted the far-reaching effects that would follow. Now, just a few months later, the company has completed the purchase of a new 90,000 square foot factory that quadruples its manufacturing space.
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Tackling Bogus Trading - OFT Publishes Position Paper on Legislative Options
In advance of its market study report on doorstep selling, the OFT has issued a statement on options for tackling bogus trading through new legislation. This is to make its views available before a debate on a private member's bill in Parliament on the subject.
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Exposure to Lead: an HSE Report
The total number of workers under medical surveillance in the lead working industry in 2002/03 fell for the fifth consecutive year to 12,773 persons, a fall of 2,332 on the previous year. Men accounted for 97% of workers under surveillance in 2002/03, a similar proportion to that seen in previous years.
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No ‘Room for Improvement’ Needed as Dream Conservatories Puts the Styal into Channel 4 Series
TV stardom beckons for Styal fabricator Dream Conservatories: The Romford based company was chosen as the official conservatory supplier and installer for new Channel 4 lifestyle series Room For Improvement. Several projects were completed by the company and filmed for the series, which started in January 2004.
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Solaglas Fined for HSE Breach
Solaglas Ltd of Coventry has been fined £35,000.00 with £7,470.52 total costs awarded to the HSE for breaching HSE rules.
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Management Buys Coastal from Heywood Williams
A Management Buyout of PVC-U window, door and conservatory fabricator, Coastal, has been secured from the Heywood Williams Group effective from 1 March 2004. Coastal Windows Ltd is now a new privately owned company, which will continue to trade under the Coastal brand name under the direction of Jeremy Beling as Managing Director and Peter French as Sales & Marketing Director.
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Planet Invests to Produce 100 Roofs per Week
Planet PVC Group’s new £500,000 roofing factory based in Bamber Bridge near Preston is now up and running, with production gearing up for the manufacture of over 100 thermally efficient roofs per week. The new factory, which has resulted in a four-year supply agreement with Ultraframe, has created 25 new jobs with another ten likely to be created before the end of the year.
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New Owners for KEB Fabrications
One of Profile 22's largest commercial fabricators, KEB Fabrications Ltd has announced the retirement of Tony Berwick; Tony had been the company's MD for 10 years and owner for five of them. Lawrence Breakspear, who takes over as Managing Director, has purchased the Birmingham-based company with Garry Lacey, the company's Financial Director.
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Synseal’s Chairman ‘A True Hero’ says Management Today
On the strength of Synseal’s outstanding performance over the past five years Management Today ranks its chairman Gary Dutton equal 14th, ahead of the founders of lastminute.com and Lakeland, in its list of Britain’s top 100 entrepreneurs in January’s edition of the respected magazine.
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Total Glass Invests Over Half A Million in Dedicated Disabled Production Line
Liverpool based fabricator Total Glass Ltd is investing £560,000 in a sixth production line that will be modified to be operable by disabled workers. As well as increasing production capacity by 25 per cent, Total Glass will work with the local Knowsley Council in the creation of better working opportunities for the disabled.
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Portal Expands Glass Division
UK door panel manufacturer, Portal Products, has expanded its existing decorative glass shop into a new 5,500 sq ft unit next to its Cheltenham site to boost production efficiency and meet rising customer demand for glass designs.
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EFCO Glass Temperer - 'First in Cornwall'
Although involved in the glass industry for over 20 years, the Directors of Cornwall Glass & Glazing were self confessed 'toughened glass virgins'. So, when it came to installing glass tempering equipment to meet the increasing demand for this type of glass, Managing Director Mark Mitchell was understandably cautious.
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KAT UK Increases Patio Door Capacity by 25 Per Cent
With more growth predicted for its PVCu patio door products, KAT UK has invested £250,000 in another patio door production line at its Macclesfield manufacturing plant.
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Profoil Invests in Building Products Lamination
PVCu lamination specialist Profoil Ltd has recently invested £50,000 in a 650mm foiling head at its Kettering based plant. The head is ideal for foiling wider foam products such as fascias and end boards.
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Association Issues A Cautionary Warning to Chancellor
In advance of the Chancellor's Budget Statement, the Construction Products Association's President, Roy Harrison, has called on Gordon Brown to act with caution and not undermine industry's competitiveness in the global market place.
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Geocel Seals Deal with Stelmax
In addition to its range of silicone and acrylic sealants and adhesives, Geocel can now offer glazing installers Stelmax 1961 and 1965 Gap Fillers and Sealants, 1985 Adhesive and Ultraclean PVCu cleaner.
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GEPVP Commits to European Standards
The members of GEPVP, i.e. flat glass producers belonging to the Glaverbel, Pilkington and SaintGobain groups, have committed themselves to strictly follow the rules of the new European Standards on glass products for buildings.
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