RIDING COWBOY BUILDERS OUT OF TOWN
...as Quality Mark scheme goes national today

The Quality Mark is launched by Construction Minister Brian Wilson and guests at the Ideal Home Show, today Tuesday 26th March. The Quality Mark aims to 'bring peace of mind to homeowners and repute for tradesmen'.

Following successful pilots in Birmingham and Somerset the scheme is to be rolled out nationally. The Gl@zine tested the site extensively, searching for 'Glaziers' in various parts of the country.

Although early days, the database does seem to be a bit sparse to say the least: no window companies are listed in Manchester, Hull or Scotland, while one company (Mr Plastic Trade Warehouse Ltd of Maldon Essex) appears to be the only one serving the entire south east, and again, The Midlands (Birmingham to Nottingham) only has one company listed, Rhino UPVC Installations of West Bromwich.

It would surely have made more sense for the Construction Minister to have worked more closely with websites already offering a similar service, such as HomePro.com

L to R: Paul Weston (Age Concern), Brian Wilson (Minister for Construction), Councillor Jim Whorwood (Lord Mayor of Birmingham), Robert Higgs (Construction Liaison Group) and Tony Merricks (Cowboy Builders Working Group) in front of QM visual at the launch of the scheme in Birmingham

Homeowners can call the Quality Mark hotline on 0845 300 8040 or log onto www.qualitymark.org.uk to find an independently assessed tradesman in one of 18 trades to work in their home.

Julie Miller of Leicestershire Trading Standards is keen to recruit contractors to the Quality Mark, she said:
"Trading standards are often asked by householders to recommend builders when they need work on their homes. The rising levels of complaints in Leicestershire meant we had to do something. Quality Mark offered a ready made package and will give a good deal to local consumers."

Barry Stephens of the National Federation of Builders endorses Quality Mark, saying:
"The Quality Mark provides a transparent method for clients to be able to confirm the professionalism and technical competence of companies they are considering using. Using a Quality Mark company will ensure that they get value for money."

John McNulty of Quality Mark builder TR Morgan Ltd of Wells, said:
"The industry has gone through year and years of a small minority letting down the rest of builders that do a very good job. We have to be seen to be more professional and more trained in our response to the public and the product we provide, so it's very important that this scheme succeeds."

Last chance to take the WRAP

Companies involved in recycling or manufacturing recycled products find it difficult to attract the necessary investment and financial support. Investors are also largely unaware of the business opportunities and growth in the sector.

WRAP's mission is to create stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products. A key element in achieving this is its Financial Mechanisms Programme, which aims to assist businesses and bring an additional £10 million annual investment into the recycling sector.

WRAP has the potential to use a significant proportion of its own resources to facilitate new financial mechanisms that will encourage greater investment in new and existing recycling opportunities. To identify the most appropriate mechanisms. WRAP needs to understand in detail the problems in accessing finance that businesses in the sector find and must also understand the perspectives of the financial community.

To help achieve these goals. WRAP has held a series of free consultative workshops bringing together investors and recycling businesses. These events will develop a framework that WRAP can develop to deliver improved levels of investment in recycling. The last one will be held this Wednesday 27 March at Cabot Hall, Canary Wharf, London (in the morning finishing with lunch).

If you wish to attend please:
Email details to: wrap@oxygenmarketing.co.uk or
Register online at: www.wrap.org.uk or

For more information on WRAP on this website, please click here

Another Hat Trick for Bohle in Scotland

A fully specified Bohle Twin-belt machine has been installed at Supaseal Glass in Glasgow taking the companies count of Bohle machines to 3 in just 12 months!

Pictured left: detail of the pnuematic belt and roller system

The high volume twin-belt arriser will feed Supaseals toughening plants, having the capacity in one machine of the 2 current machines the company used to use, and features the full list of options including a pnuematic guide system, edge corner dubbing and twin speeds to run high speed diamond belts.

The machine recently featured on the Bohle stand at Glassex, from which, say Bohle, at least 4 further orders for the machine where taken, with several others under offer. Supaseal have become a loyal Bohle customer in the last year, buying a Bohle Double-drilling machine, a Bohle Single Belt mutli-task grinder and now their "Rolls-Royce" (or should we say Mercedes) Twin-belt model.

Nelson Graham, Bohle UK Sales Manager said " Our experiences with Supaseal are now becoming more common-place in that several customers now have 2 or 3 machines from us after initially been very pleased with the first product they bought. We believe that fundementally this is due to the facts that we are the manufacturer, not an agent, and that we take time to understand the customers needs and plans and advise on the correct machine and specification accordingly. The customers in turn vote on our machinery by often ordering other items within a short peroid of time."

The Bohle Twin-Belt KSA Model

Commenting on the increase in this area Gary Dean, Bohle UK MD, told us " There is a surprise factor here too- many people understand the quality aspects that they can expect from Bohle, but few realised that we make not only the famous glass cutters and lifters, but these high end machines too- but what really takes them back is the price of our equipment because this is very high quality machinery at competitive prices- we can do this only because we build them, there is no middle-man here"

More from Bohle UK on 0800 61 61 51
gdean@bohle.de
www.bohle.ltd.uk

CONSOLIDATION AT KAT

Patio door manufacturer KAT UK has consolidated all its manufacturing interests into a single site, and is now running three dedicated factories from its Macclesfield site. The company has also invested around £300,000, strengthened its operations team, brought in an eighth delivery vehicle and streamlined internal procedures. The company is now in a very strong position to increase production from its current 350 doors per week to 500 this spring.

Previously the company was running three factories for its various specialised product ranges. With precious factory space becoming available at its Macclesfield head office, the company jumped at the chance to nationalise its various fabrication operations and bring them all under one roof.

'Having different sites worked well initially to give us a better geographical reach and a more focused view on the different product ranges,' said KAT director David Richards. 'However the company has since grown radically, and it makes better commercial and financial sense to restructure operations in line with the size of company we are becoming.'

Tel: 01625 439666
Email: mailto:sales@katuk.co.uk
Web: http://www.katuk.co.uk

Glasstec founder and VDMA md Udo Köstlin dies, aged 60

Udo Köstlin, Managing Director of the Construction, Building Material Machinery and Mining Equipment Division in the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on February 22nd, only a few months after his 60th birthday. With him these industries lose an outstanding and highly committed representative of their interests.

Born on December 3rd 1941 in Konigsberg, Udo Köstlin studied economics in Berlin, Erlangen and Nuremberg. After his final exams he started his professional career with VDMA on August 1st 1968 where he initially became Manager in the Construction Equipment and Building Material Machinery Association.

He was appointed Managing Director of this Association on June 1st 1975 - being the youngest Managing Director ever in VDMA history. From 1991 onwards he also headed the Mining Equipment Divison. Along with the increasing number of member companies, he successfully strengthened the industries' influence. He was also the driving force for the associations to expand their activities into market research, export promotion and trade fairs. His name is closely connected with the internationalisation of the leading trade fairs BAUMA, Glasstec, Ceramitec and Stone+Tec and the reorganisation of the mining trade show sector.

Udo Köstlin also used his strategic skills and long-sightedness to open new export markets. Under his management his associations initiated technology symposia, trade fairs and trade missions to all major export regions worldwide, among them China and Iraq. Bilateral working groups such as the German-Soviet one on construction contributed to foster the industries' export business.

Among the industries' companies - especially among the 400 member companies of his associations - he was regarded as a competent and highly valued adviser, as a personality with comprehensive expertise and as a mediator between politics and the ecomomy. With his gift to inspire people, Kostlin managed to bring people together. With him the German Engineering Federation and its member companies lost a visionary and a long-time companion who trod new paths in Germany, Europe and all over the world.

Tel: +49 69 66 03 12 62
Email: mailto:bub@vdma.org
Web: http://www.vdma.org/construction

ldeal Exhibition for Speed Frame

No wonder Mike Burns of Speed Frame assumes a huge smile whilst being congratulated by BBC Changing Room's Linda Barker on a job well done at this year's ldeal Home Exhibition. Linda was visiting the Bellway Showhouse constructed in the two weeks running up to the opening of the show.
This is the second year running that Speed Frame has supported Bellway in designing, supplying and fitting all the windows for Bellway's showcase event. This year's house took the theme of a traditional rectory house family home.

(Pictured left) Mike Burns of Speed Frame with Linda Barker from Changing Rooms on the Bellway Showhouse at the Ideal Home Exhibition

Speed Frame was keen that this year's windows incorporated low E glass ensuring that the house met with new Part L regulations. At a time when the proposed changes to Part L are imminent, energy efficiency is at the top of house builders' agenda. Speed Frame has chosen to use Pilkington K Glass to ensure the highest level of thermal efficiency is achieved in its windows.

Speed Frame opened its own dedicated glass plant late last year in order to have full control over the quality and performance of the finished product. The sealed units produced at the plant utilise technological advances in robotic handling, loading and offloading. A high speed toughening plant will ensure that the company never experience shortages at any stage.

'We'll be able to achieve a level of thermal efficiency using low emissivity glass, argon gas filling of sealed units and an advanced thermoplastic spacing (TPS) technology that will see Speed Frame well into the next decade of window development' explained lan Harrison, MD.

Tel: 01709 888005
Email: mailto:postroom@speedframe.co.uk
Web: http://www.speedframe.co.uk
caption: Mike Burns of Speed Frame with Linda Barker from Changing Rooms on the Bellway Showhouse at the Ideal Home Exhibition

SOFT SOAP FOR YORKSHIRE VEKA FABRICATOR

VEKA trade and retail fabricator John Oldridge Windows is enjoying national fame through appearances on one of TV's most popular soaps - all for the cost of local bus advertising.

The Harrogate-based company has been advertising on the back of the local town buses, known as the Harrogate Hoppers, for approximately five years. However, unbeknown to the company's owners John and Linda Oldridge, the vehicles appear regularly in the school bus scenes in TV soap Emmerdale. It was only when John and Linda started receiving phone calls fro m would-be customers in various parts of the UK that they realised their detaiis were being advertised on television. As a direct result at least one local contract has been landed, for £10,000!

John and Linda might be in danger of becoming rather blase about television participation as they have also assisted in another locally filmed soap, Heartbeat. A few years ago on the site of a house they were building, they discovered an original 1960's forklift truck still in working order. This has been put to good use unloading the weekly order of VEKA profiles, but has also been used in two episodes of Heartbeat, having also been spotted by the soap's props department.

Said John: 'We've been supplying windows, doors and conservatories using VEKA profiles for over 15 years - it's nice to get some serious recognition even though it wasn't quite what we expected. Perhaps we can now put 'as seen on TV' in our ads!' he joked.

For more information on products supplied by John Oldridge Windows contact 01423 884338

BYSTRONIC LENHARDT UK LTD AND SAINT-GOBAIN IRELAND
REVOLUTIONISE IRISH GLASS MARKET

The impetus of two new Bystronic Lenhardt UK Ltd installations at Saint-Gobain Glass Solutions Ireland is set to transform the Irish glass market. The two full production lines at Saint-Gobain Dockrell Glass, Dublin together with the semi-automatic IG line at Solaglas, Belfast are the first of their kind to be introduced in Ireland.

In a contract worth nearly £1million Bystronic AG and Lenhardt GmbH have provided the high-tech manufacturing equipment that will guarantee to place Dockrell Glass and Solaglas ahead of their contemporaries.

The team from Bystronic Lenhardt UK and Dockrell Glass/Saint-Goban Solaglas

Whilst other companies were considered, Martin Bates, Managing Director Saint Gobain Glass Solutions Ireland together with his project team decided after a visit to see various installations in Germany that Bystronic Lenhardt equipment would assist in consolidating their market position as Ireland's leading IG glass manufacturers.

Solaglas, Belfast has been part of the Saint-Gobain group in Northern Ireland for nearly 25 years and it has seen an increase in turnover of more than 25% in the last 3 years.

Rod McMullen, Installation Manager and David Newell Commercial Manger, at Solaglas Belfast comment, 'We were impressed by the scale and technology behind Bystronic Lenhardt UK Ltd. For us it is imperative that the equipment we use is efficient, reliable and durable. We also have to ensure that our products are thermally efficient so it is vital that machinery will easily comply with the legislation laid down in the newly proposed Document L regulations.'

Dockrell Glass, Dublin also holds an important market position as part of the Saint-Gobain Ireland group. Strict criteria was laid down to further improve productivity and at the same time allow for expansion of the product range.

Martin Bates, Managing Director comments, 'In such a fiercely competitive market we have to ensure that we have the ability to diversify and develop new products. Bystronic Lenhardt UK Ltd provided the best solutions in terms of quality, product and service'

Steve Powell, 01952 223377
Saint-Gobain Ireland: Martin Bates, 00353 1450 0155

Lister Trade Frames purchase CNC machines from Winmac

Lister Trade Frames have recently commissioned some of the latest CNC machines from Winmac UK to help meet the demand for their trade frames.

Over £200,000 has recently been spent on a Hollinger Verti-quad welder, two Rotox CNC corner cleaners and a number of Rotox routers to further improve productivity. These state of the art machines have improved the efficiency of the factory and the quality of Listers products.

Tel: 01782 205605
Email: mailto:sales@listertf.co.uk
Web: http://www.listertf.co.uk

Research Frontiers' SPD-Smart technology is now available for order

After over three decades of research & development, the building up of a supply chain, and licensing its 'smart glass' technology to various film, emulsions and end-product manufacturers, Research Frontiers' SPD-Smart technology is now available for order.

SPD Inc., a subsidiary of Research Frontiers licensee Hankuk Glass,has announced that window manufacturers and other commercial customers can now place orders for SPD-Smart laminated glass and insulating glass units (IGUs), which will then be delivered in 30 days.

SPD Inc. mass produces SPD film at its Incheon, Korea factory, which has a capacity to produce over 4 million square feet of film per year. 'Products using this film allow users to control light, manage glare, gain privacy, etc.automatically or with the turn of a dial.' says the company.

The new SPD-Smart IGUs (IGUs are the standard in residential windows worldwide) are available to the glass, architectural and automotive industries in standard or custom sizes, and are already fabricated for installation. The IGUs consist of a pane of low-E glass, a spacer with sealants, and then a piece of SPD-Smart laminated glass -- offering the above benefits as well as enhanced energy efficiency, blocking of harmful ultraviolet light, and additional security and sound-proofing benefits.'

The windows and IGUs, along with other 'smart' products, were on display March 20-22 at the National Glass Association show in Houston.

Alberto Bertolini, general manager of Italian manufacturer ISOCLIMA S.p.A, RFI's newest SPD-Smart products licensee, said: 'We have worked other types of switchable glass technologies such as liquid crystals and electrochromics, and believe that SPD technology will offer better performance at a more affordable price. We look forward to working with Research Frontiers and its supplier licensees to offer innovative SPD smart windows to our customers.'

Web: http://www.refr-spd.com/press96.html.

WHITELINE INTRODUCES LARGER TRUCKS FOR LONGER DISTANCES


Following a period of sustained growth and expansion, the Whiteline Group, the South East specialist trade fabricator, has added two further Mercedes trucks to its fleet of dedicated delivery vehicles. The new trucks which represent an investment of £95,000 will be used for longer distance deliveries to East Anglia and the West Country.

Featuring a sleeper cab, the trucks have been custom-built to Whiteline’s specification. A fixed body, one measuring 7.5 metres and the other 8 metres has been designed to take an increased number of frames, facilitating deliveries to Whiteline’s recently extended customer base outside the core markets in the South East.

Detailed research was undertaken into loading at the factory, with dedicated areas set aside for sills and conservatory roofs and loading poles used to reduce the risk of accidental damage in transit. Attention has also been given to unloading at customers’ premises, with a low loading floor and built in step to access the main floor. A ramp is carried to assist in unloading the heavier frames.

Liveried in Whiteline’s distinctive Goldline brand navy and gold, the new trucks bring the Whiteline fleet of vehicles up to a total of eight.Founded in 1984, the Whiteline Group has been based in Eastbourne for the last 18 years and has grown to become a major local employer, with 250 employees.
Tel: 01323 723724
Email: mailto:sales@whiteline.ndo.co.uk
Web: http://www.whitelinewindows.com

TWO APPLICATIONS OF TECHNAL'S FAÇADE SYSTEMS HONOURED IN RIBA STIRLING AWARDS

Two innovative applications of Technal’s façade systems have been honoured in the RIBA Stirling Awards – the most coveted prizes in UK architecture.

Rick Mather Architects’ sensitive modernisation and additions to Sir John Soane’s Dulwich Picture Gallery won the Crown Estate Conservation Award. The judges said, 'It is hard now to imagine the Dulwich Picture Gallery without its glazed walkways or its café that blurs inside/outside spaces.'
The £8.3m project involved the construction of an extension, which is partially glazed using Technal’s CD sliding doors. The aluminium systems were adapted by Cantifix of London to accommodate large 4m wide spans of glass in the café and for a single storey covered walkway or cloister, which links the gallery to the new building.

The Stephen Lawrence Prize for the best example of a project with a construction budget of less than £200,000, went to Hatherley Studio – a modernist private house in Winchester designed by Richard Rose-Casemore. Here, extensive use of Technal’s MC curtain walling helped to create an open-plan area for living and work which, according to the judges, combines 'sheer elegance and spacious airiness'.

For further information on Technal’s portfolio of aluminium curtain walling, door, window and ground floor framing systems, visit their new website – http://www.technal.co.uk.

Conservatories Cover Even More Ground

To keep up with the demand for the new Shield Conservatory System, Synseal have had to increase their delivery fleet. An expansion already warranted with four conservatory system trucks doing 4,000 miles a week between them, a total of 208,000 miles a year.

'The demand for the system was increasing at such a pace we needed specialised conservatory trucks,' comments Vince Irving, Logistical Director of Synseal Extrusions Ltd. 'The way a conservatory is loaded is different to window profile, so different trucks are required to ensure that the quality product that leaves the factory is still a quality product when it reaches the customer.'

Tel: 01623 443200
Web: http://www.synseal.com

Wagner keeps windows and doors working for longer

Window and door hardware distributor, Wagner (GB) Ltd, has launched a new service.

In this, Wagner Architectural Hardware Division’s 10th anniversary year, it is pleased to announce the formation of Wagner Maintenance.

The aim of the new enterprise is to provide a commercial hardware maintenance service for aluminium, PVCu and timber window and door systems. This is seen as an ideal solution for organisations such as banks, hotels, schools etc where the sourcing of hardware can be time-consuming and problematical and can lead to long-term maintenance programs often being overlooked.

Wagner’s ability to source hardware through the world-wide VBH network, as well as reproduce bespoke items domestically puts them in a strong position from which to offer expert advice.
The company’s experienced staff will provide technical reports and carry out full on-site remedial work according to a client’s instructions.

All work is guaranteed and the company offers a nationwide service.

For further information contact:
Dave Morgan, Technical Manager (Architectural Hardware Division)
01675 466411
Gary Gleeson, Technical & Marketing Manager (Residential Hardware Division)
01634 263263
Email: mailto:sales@wagnergb.com
Web: http:www.wagnergb.com

Solutia Continues Auto Glass Design Trend on GM Concept Vehicles at Chicago Auto Show

The trend of using colored auto glass as a design element continued with the unveiling of two of GM's latest concept vehicles at the Chicago Auto Show on February 5th and 6th. At the show, the world got its first glimpse of the Saturn Sky and the GMC Terra4.

Vanceva™ Color, a new, innovative glass interlayer product from Solutia Inc., provided the color that GM designers used to help distinguish the two vehicles, elegantly complementing the body colors. The Saturn Sky sported a Vanceva™ Color light gray interlayer, and the Terra IV featured a Vanceva™ Color bronze-colored interlayer

'The continued use of color in these concept vehicles is an indication of the direction designers may take in future production models to offer their customers a personal choice in the look of their vehicle," said Victoria M. Holt, vice president of Solutia's Performance Films Division.

'Vanceva™ Color allows designers and consumers to look at the glass instead of simply looking through it,' said Holt.

In addition to the aesthetic benefits that Vanceva™ Color adds to the vehicles, the sound, solar, safety and security benefits inherent in laminated glass are retained.

Vanceva™ Color for automotive capitalises on the growing trend of using high performance auto glazing, and allows more versatility than any other glazing component on the market. Further, it gives consumers greater flexibility to express individuality, while retaining the benefits of laminated glass. Unlike some other color offerings, Vanceva™ Color for automotive provides long lasting, durable performance confirmed through rigorous testing.

The Vanceva™ family of products represents Solutia's response to customer needs and ongoing market research. Vanceva™ products, offering superior benefits such as color, design and higher security, will be available through glass company partners that manufacture automotive glazing systems. Further benefit enhancements are currently in development. Information about Solutia's Vanceva™ brand is available at http://www.vanceva.com or call 1-248-740-0480.

NB: Solutia Inc., an independent, publicly owned enterprise headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, has a major presence in both national and international markets. It is the world's largest producer of the PVB plastic interlayer that is used to manufacture the laminated glass used in automotive windshields, architectural and residential applications throughout the world, and the only producer of PVB for aircraft -- the most demanding application. The company's other businesses include synthetic fibers, resins, aviation hydraulic fluids, high-performance specialty chemicals and other performance products.

GUARDIAN INDUSTRIES’ GLASS COATING GOES GREEN

With savvy consumers demanding greener automobiles and government agencies raising the fuel-economy bar, Guardian Industries’ SilverGuard™ infrared reflective glass is engineered to help meet today’s tough vehicle standards. SilverGuard™ rejects more than 50 percent of the sun’s energy so it lessens demand on air conditioners while maintaining passenger comfort.

“Vehicle passengers will feel less of the burning sun, or infrared heat, with SilverGuard™ glass,” says Steve Markevich, group vice president at Guardian Industries. “The vehicle cools more rapidly so occupants dial down on air conditioning use while driving. That translates into better fuel economy and lower tail-pipe emissions.”

Markevich adds that laminated SilverGuard™ glass blocks more than 95 percent of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, which damage the skin and, over time, break down vehicle interior components such as plastic, leather and fabric.

Guardian Industries is working closely with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to develop gains in fuel economy and lower tail-pipe emissions through smaller vehicle HVAC systems. Where powertrains were once the focus of fuel-saving initiatives, scientists are also turning their attention to kilowatt-hungry air conditioners.

The impetus for the research is a new federal emissions regulation, the Supplemental Federal Test Procedure, now mandating air-conditioning as part of emissions testing procedures. By model year 2004, 100 percent of the vehicle will be subject to the new regulation.

Currently, 80 percent of all vehicles in North America use air conditioning, with some drivers keeping the cool air cranked up 70 percent of the time. “With the air on, fuel economy drops by 20 percent in today’s vehicles, and by as much as 50 percent for high efficiency autos,” says NREL’s Dr. Rob Farrington, principal mechanical engineer with the Office of Transportation Technologies and Systems.

Using Department of Energy 1998 statistics, some 114 billion gallons of gas were consumed by more than 200 million cars and light trucks that year. Using those figures, a savings of just one mile per gallon translates into six billion fewer gallons burned.

And with prices at the pump fluctuating, consumers are starting to do the math. Future vehicles outfitted with Guardian’s SilverGuard™ infrared reflective glass could help toward shaving air compressor weight while reducing air conditioning use. The result: at $1.22 per gallon, fuel savings of roughly $7.35 billion a year.

“Guardian’s goal,” says Markevich “is to help NREL meet its target of reducing by 50 percent the amount of fuel used for climate control. SilverGuard™, already used very effectively throughout Europe, is doing just that.”

Guardian Industries Corp., based in Auburn Hills, Mich., is a leading worldwide manufacturer of float glass and fabricated glass products for the commercial and residential construction industries. One of the top 100 global automotive suppliers, Guardian Automotive Products, Inc. provides complete exterior systems to the global automotive industry. Guardian Fiberglass, Inc., a Guardian subsidiary, is one of the largest manufacturers of fiberglass in the world and occupies a significant and growing position in the building materials distribution business. Guardian, its subsidiaries and affiliates employ 19,000 people and operate facilities throughout North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

* Calculations based on figures provided by the Office of Transportation Technologies’ Web site at www.ott.doe.gov, and the Department of Energy.

ASSA ABLOY strengthens its market position in Brazil

ASSA ABLOY has signed a letter of intent to acquire IMAB Ltda, one of the leading lock companies in Brazil. The company was founded in 1965 by the Barosas family and has been owned by them since then.

IMAB is a well-respected player on the Brazilian lock market with strong growth in recent years. The company has built a strong distribution network of more than 3000 retail outlets.

The main products are mortise locks and cylinders, produced in the factory in São Paulo. IMAB has sales of BRL 15 million (SEK 80 M) and 320 employees.

The Brazilian market is of great interest to ASSA ABLOY, being the largest lock market in South America with a growing need for better locking solutions.

ASSA ABLOY’s existing company on the Brazilian market, La Fonte, has a leading position
at the higher end of the commercial market with sales of BRL 35 million. The acquisition of IMAB will strengthen ASSA ABLOY’s position and ambitions for leadership. The two brands will complement each other very naturally. There is also considerable scope for synergy in the production area.
Completion is expected by the end of May subject to final due diligence and regulatory approvals.

Tel: +46 8 506 485 00, Fax: +46 8 506 485 85
Visiting address: Klarabergsviadukten 90
www.assaabloy.com