People and Careers June 2003

LATEST MOVES IN THE INDUSTRY

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Aztec Expands South

Aztec Conservatory Roof Systems has expanded its salesforce with the recruitment of Steve Gent.

Steve, 30, joins Haydock, Lancashire-based Aztec from Nomad plc, where he has worked for the past three years. As southern regional sales manager, Steve will be responsible for representing Aztec from the Midlands to Cornwall and across to Kent and East Anglia, establishing and supporting the company's growing network of fabricators.

Married with two children, and a jet-skier in his spare time, Steve has been in sales all his working life, working for Potterton for nine years before being head-hunted by Nomad to establish a new division. He has built conservatories himself, so appreciates the issues facing fabricators and installers.

Comments Aztec managing director Colin Bennett, 'Steve will be a great asset to the team, with his impressive enthusiasm, and understanding of the job and the industry. He will provide an enhanced level of sales and technical support to our ever-expanding fabricator base.'

Tel: 01942 720044
Email: mailto:enquiries@aztecsystems.co.uk
Web: http://www.aztecsystems.co.uk


Growth at Business Micros Necessitates Key Appointment

Growth in sales has led to a complete restructuring of the Business Micros software sales and installation teams. The company's Evolution manufacturing program has been ordered by some of the largest fabricators in the UK, necessitating a dedicated manager to handle all aspects of the installation procedures.

Sales manager Gary Brown will therefore be transferring his skills, knowledge and expertise into this more complex area of fabrication IT. Gary is one of the most experienced IT experts in the industry, built up over a period of 15 years as sales/Installer and for the past four years Sales manager for Business Micros. His new role as Project manager will guarantee a consistency in terms of service, with the added reassurance of those 15 years of working exclusively with Business Micros software.

'Some of these larger Evolution contracts will take upwards of a year to complete, primarily because they are very in-depth set ups,' said Gary Brown. 'We are talking about vast tracts of machinery that all have to be integrated into the overall business, administration and processing systems. They involve highly technical, highly complex procedures that require a dedicated approach. The demand for Evolution has been so overwhelming that we all decided a restructure was necessary.'

The sales team will be managed by Business Micros director Graeme Bailey.

'Evolution has been a crucial commercial step forward for Business Micros, and it was therefore an obvious decision to put our best man on the job,' he said. 'For 15 years Gary has developed strong relationships with these larger fabricators, and the success of Evolution has given him the opportunity to become more involved with them. Meanwhile the time and energy he has put into building, training and leading the sales/Installation team will ensure Business Micros will continue to service the rest of the industry with as equal consistency in the quality of service and products.'

Tel: 01848 330588
Email: mailto:info@businessmicros.co.uk
Web: http://www.businessmicros.co.uk


Connecting 2 Customers

Sev Holt, general manager of the national distribution network, Connect 2 National Plastics, is making sure that continued expansion doesn't mean losing sight of customer needs or compromising on service.

'The more we grow, the harder it becomes to maintain the kind of individual service our customers are used to,' explains Sev. 'No matter how good your product and service offering, personal communication is the only way to truly understand and fulfill customer needs.'

With that philosophy in mind, Connect 2 has welcomed three new faces during 2003, all of which are enjoying the challenge of working for this dynamic company.

The recent appointment of Maxine Bosley, as business development manager, is proving to be of great assistance to Paul Newman, area manager for Wales, who has a mammoth task in keeping his seven branches running smoothly.

Maxine has over thirteen years experience within the industry and is using her extensive knowledge to introduce both existing and prospective customers to the new products and services available from Connect 2 branches throughout the region. A large percentage of her client visits include builders and specifiers who are often surprised to find that, despite their demanding requirements, the majority of their product needs are available directly off the shelf.

Connect 2's rapid expansion throughout England has resulted in the need for two area managers. Steve Ditchburn, accepted the position of area manager for Northern England at the beginning of the year and has responsibility for three branches, Sheffield, Rotherham and Newcastle and is already working on setting up a new branch to be announced in the very near future. Further south, new recruit Michael Toll, area manager for the midlands region, has been with the company for just a few weeks and is amazed at the sales being achieved in the Stafford branch which only opened in March of this year.

Despite the vast experience all three new faces have within the plastics building industry they all echo the same sentiments when it comes to Connect 2 National Plastics. 'The product range is far more extensive than most of our competitors and it offers some really innovative items, quite different to the norm.' They also agree that they are looking forward to progressing their careers through the company and are eager to play key parts in the future expansion of the network.

Tel: 01495 244551
Web: http://www.connect2nationalplastics.com


Top of the Class for K2 Employee

Jason Emmett, an employee of The Burnden Group plc has successfully gained a BA Hons Degree in Business Studies.

Jason who emerged with an exceptional 2:1 grading, has spent the last two and a half years juggling part-time studies at The Bolton Institute to complete the BA (Hons) Business Studies, with his full-time position as warehouse systems supervisor for the Group's conservatory roof system brand, K2.

Jason, who has been with the company for 2 years and 8 months commented: 'During the course you cover all aspects of business today, which helps you to gain an understanding of how businesses work, how to manage people, financial aspects of business, and factors effecting the modern business manager.

'There are also extra benefits such as giving presentations, working with other people, debating current issues, managing your time, research techniques and IT Skills, all of which will help me to fulfil my position at The Burnden Group plc more efficiently'.


Plastics Plus Appoints New Directors

Plastics Plus appointed three new directors on the 1st May, the 12th anniversary of the business.

These appointments are as follows (L-R):
Richard White, Director and General Manager, Nottingham
Dave Cox, Director and General Manager, Wolverhampton
Tim John, Production Director

Barry White, Chairman, commented 'Plastics Plus has gained a reputation for the high level of service offered to its customers, based on an understanding of their business needs and the market they operate within. With our strengthened Board of Directors we intend to continue to develop on this philosophy and to grow the business each year, just has been the case since its inauguration.'

Tel: 01902 715131
Email: mailto:sales@plasticsplus.co.uk
Web: http://www.plasticsplus.co.uk


A Job is for Life not Just for Christmas!

The average double-glazing company in the UK trades for just three years. So when an individual celebrates 35 years of continuous service with one firm there is a definite cause for popping of champagne corks.

Steve Clement started work at the family company, Clement Windows way back in 1968, learning the window and glass trade from his uncles Les and Denny Clement at the premises they occupied, 64 Weyhill, Haslemere.

Currently based at Clement House next to Jewson in the station yard, Steve is involved in the Clement Home Improvements division and if you want advice on replacement windows or a conservatory its highly likely that Steve will be the one who comes to see you.

Steve lives in the town and is married to Isobel. They have two children, Katie and Paul. Looking back over so many years in the industry, Steve comments, 'I am enjoying this new lease of life as the Home Improvement Representative.'

Having worked in the industry for so long Steve is able to offer an encyclopaedic knowledge of PVCu, Steel or Aluminium windows, and is happy to advise individuals on the most beneficial for their type of property.

Clement Windows has been trading in Haslemere for almost 100 years and takes pride in being an integral part of the community. Employing a large number of local people, Clements has an extraordinarily low staff turnover, which reflects the company philosophy that its people are its business.

Contact: Steve Clement
Tel: 01428 643393
Web: http://www.clementwg.co.uk


Siegenia-Aubi Strengthens Team

Manufacturer of window and door hardware and ventilation solutions, Siegenia-Aubi Ltd, has made two new appointments at its UK headquarters in Coventry.

Lisa Allen joins Siegenia from her previous position as a regional co-ordinator for a furniture company. In her new role as customer service administrator at Siegenia-Aubi, Lisa joins the existing team to provide a high level of support to customers, the UK sales force and potential new clients. Having recently returned from in-depth product training at the company's German headquarters, Lisa is well briefed in the full range of Siegenia window hardware and ventilation products.

Polish born Kat Affeldt takes on the role of PA to UK general manager, Lèann Hearne. Whilst her primary responsibilities will be secretarial and organisational, Kat will also have the opportunity to use her fluent German language skills to liaise with customers and Siegenia's German headquarters on an everyday basis.

Says L
èann Hearne: 'I'm pleased to welcome Lisa and Kat to Siegenia-Aubi. It is vital that we have a strong support team in place to maintain the high levels of service that are synonymous with the Siegenia name. Kat and Lisa have an important role to play in providing that support, enabling us to build on our strengths and develop the business.'

Tel: 024 7662 2000
Email: mailto:si-uk@siegenia.com
Web: http://www.siegenia.de


Schüco Announces Sales Director Appointment

Schüco International has announced the appointment of James Keller as its Sales Director for the recently formed Metal Construction Division.

Responsible for Schüco's sales activities in both aluminium and steel, James will report directly to Schüco GB Chief Executive, Friedhelm J. Stellet.

With a long and successful track record in both architectural and fabrication fields, James brings to Schüco a wealth of experience which will enable him to work closely with Schüco's many partners within the complete design and supply chain.

'Having worked in the industry for many years, I was well aware of Schüco's excellent reputation as a major innovator in the market. It's a fantastic opportunity for me to join the market leader in the systems field and I am very excited to be helping Schüco push the boundaries even further to develop new and better systems and services for our clients.'

Tel: 01908 289115


Senior Appointment at Freefoam

Freefoam Plastics has appointed Kevin Reed to the position of Product & Sector Development Manager in the UK, responsible for growth of the new Freeflow rainwater system and Freefoam's penetration into the New Build and specification sectors.

Before joining Freefoam, Kevin worked as New Build Manager with Summers PVC Ltd, where he oversaw all aspects of the division supplying roofline products to major housebuilders.

Prior to that, he spent over 10 years building up the rainwater division at Marshall Tufflex, where he took sales from zero to over £7m per annum by the time he left. During this time, he was promoted to Divisional Sales Director for Rainwater and Building Products responsible for sales, marketing and strategic growth initiatives.

'The new Freeflow rainwater system is truly 'Next Generation' in design and function, and will challenge the best of the best in rainwater solutions', comments Kevin Reed.

Tel: 01604 759871 in the UK or 021 4911055 in Ireland
Web: http://www.freefoam.com


NGA Announces New Chairman of the Board

The National Glass Association (NGA) has announced the election of Chris Tate to the office of Chairman of the Board.

Tate, of Old Dominion Glass located in Richmond, VA, has been a supporter of the NGA for many years, having served as Treasurer of the NGA Board of Directors and a member of the board since 1998. Tate took office in March during NGA's annual convention held in Atlanta, and will serve a one-year term.

As Chairman, Tate joins the executive officers of John Heinaman, Chairman-Elect, Thomas D. Lee III, Treasurer, Richard M. Bakke, Immediate Past Chairman, Philip J. James, President, and board members Al Gauntlett, Tom Koehler, Bob Lawrence, E. Don Lewis, Joe N. Mesko, Stephen W. Mort, Robert Rosenfield, Wesley Topping, Jr., Rodney Van Buskirk, and Richard Voreis. Lawrence, Mort, and Van Buskirk are new to the 2003-2004 board.

Founded in 1948, the National Glass Association is the largest trade association representing the entire flat glass industry. Based in McLean, VA, NGA offers certification, education and training, and serves the industry with the trade publications-Glass Magazine, Window & Door, and AutoGlass. NGA currently hosts GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window & Door Expo and the National Auto Glass Conference & EXPO.


Everwhite Appoints New Business Development Manager

Everwhite - manufacturer of PVC UE building products and systems has appointed John Wright as Business Development Manager for South East and East Anglia.

John has over twenty years experience in the building industry. He joins Everwhite from Anglian Windows having worked for Kestrel where he was Business Development Manager for three years.

His also has experience of the distribution side with Carlton Building Plastics of Croydon, where he was Sales and Marketing Manager.

Tel: 01685 882 447
Email: mailto:sales@everwhiteplastics.com
Web: http://www.everwhite.biz


Appointment News from Tamglass

Effective May 1st, 2003 Engineer Matti Hämylä has been appointed Sales Engineer for Tamglass and Z. Bavelloni products. His sales area is Finland and Scandinavia. Mr. Hämylä has worked before as an Installation Supervisor at Tamglass Maintenance Services Unit. Mr. Hämylä will report to Pekka Nieminen, Area Director for Far East and Scandinavia sales area.

 
(L-R) Matti Hämylä and Pekka Nieminen



Effective May 19th, 2003 Engineer Pekka Nieminen has been appointed Area Director for Far East and Scandinavia. He is in charge of the sales management and development of these areas. Pekka Nieminen has worked before as a Sales Manager at Glassrobots Oy. Mr. Nieminen will report to Pentti Salin, Vice President, Sales.

Tel: +358 3 3723 103
Email: mailto:pia.salonen@tamglass.com
Web: http://www.tamglass.com


Securistyle Strengthens Specifications Sales Team

Mike Witherspoon has joined the specifications sales team of Cheltenham-based Securistyle, the UK manufacturer of window hardware.

As Southern Specifications Sales Manager responsible for Wales and the South West region, Mike will play a crucial role in the continuation of Securistyle's policy to inform specifiers of the issues surrounding window hardware choice. He will be responsible for ensuring that specifiers are aware of the current British Standards, compliance to safety and security as well as lifetime costings and performance.

'Securistyle manufactures only high performance hardware that offers the maximum safety and security benefits. However, with many specifiers unaware of the added value potential of these products, one of the key functions of the Securistyle specifications team is to deliver regular CPD accredited seminars.' says Nick Haskins, Securistyle's National Specifications Sales Manager.

'There is an increasing trend towards detailed specification for window components and it is our company policy to ensure that specifiers are provided with the necessary information to make an informed choice. We are delighted to welcome Mike to Securistyle and are confident that he will play an important role in the continuing success of the company.' Nick added.

Tel: 01242 221200
Email: mailto:info@securistyle.co.uk
Web: http://www.securistyle.co.uk


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