Industry Events

HOPPE Presentation Followed by Recreation

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is well publicised but awareness of its implications remains low. HOPPE (UK) Ltd, the door and window hardware supplier, felt it was important for staff and customers to be made aware of new regulations being brought in under the DDA. So on the 2nd November 2005 HOPPE hosted a seminar, 'The Disability Discrimination Act - Implications and Solutions for the Hardware Industry' at Warrington Speed Karting. The seminar was followed by an afternoon of go-karting.

About 40 invited guests heard Simon Scowcroft of Jebron Ltd and Peter Rea of HOPPE, discuss the changes being made to the way the hardware industry specifies product for public buildings.

HOPPE's Commercial Director and Guild of Architectural Ironmongers' President, Arthur Taylor also discussed the differences between the DDA, Approved Document 'M' of the building regulations and the Code of Practice BS:8300. Peter Rea and Simon Scowcroft discussed the impact door hinges and door closers have on door opening forces.

Simon also talked about how closers and fire doors are seen by some disabled people as a barrier. Peter Rea concluded the presentation by speaking about changes to lock and door handle dimensions recommended in BS:8300.

After the seminar the guests and invited staff from HOPPE spent the afternoon go-karting. After a series of heats the final was won by Stewart Gordon, the Scottish agent of HOPPE, second place went to Richard Ellis of Ellis Direct in Grimsby, and third place went to Robbie Chrimes, Regional Sales Manager of HOPPE.

Web: http://www.hoppe.co.uk


North American Show Success for Windowmaker

Manufacturing software solutions provider, Windowmaker, has just completed three successful shows in North America as part of an ongoing expansion programme in several key countries.

These key events in the North American exhibition calendar have been utilised by Windowmaker to expand the company’s presence in the important North American market. The shows included Win-Door in Toronto, InterGlass Metal in Boston and Glass Build America in Atlanta.

Much of the interest at the shows was centred on the introduction of a new range of integrated products with Microsoft Business Solutions.

Windowmaker ERP has been developed to allow companies to benefit from operational efficiencies and therefore provide a tangible opportunity to reduce costs.

Managing Director of Windowmaker, Goronwy Jones comments: ‘These shows form an important part of our global strategy and this is becoming increasingly relevant given the integration of our products with Microsoft Business Solutions.’


Get 'Six Appeal' at G06!

Make Friday 15 September a night to remember - the date for the G06 Awards Presentation, the industry's most sparkling event, has been announced. Once again, this official recognition of our industry's achievements and innovation will be held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, NEC Complex in conjunction with the GGF Annual Convention. The Awards will culminate in a Gala Dinner hosted by another top celebrity.

Event sponsors already include Glass & Glazing Federation, WHS Halo, FENSA, Laird Security Systems, Emap Maclaren, Pilkington Activ and Aluplast with further sponsors to be announced very soon.

This year the categories are:

• Fabricator of the Year
• Installer of the Year
• Conservatory Installer of the Year
• Social Housing Project of the Year
• Glass Company of the Year
• Energy Efficiency Initiative
• Training & Development Award
• Customer Care Initiative
• Health & Safety Initiative
• Promotional Campaign of the Year
• Glass Project of the Year
• Specialist of the Year

The brand new G06 fully functional website will go live at the end of January giving full details and regular updates about the event as well as the facility for applicants to enter the Awards category of their choice quickly and efficiently on line. The web address is www.g-awards.com.

To discuss any of the above or other exciting sponsorship opportunities now available, contact event organiser Tony Higgin at tony@theglazine.com.

Proskills Apprenticeship And HR Events

Proskills, the Sector Skills Council with responsibility for the Glass and Glazing industries, in partnership with The Glass and Glazing Federation, British Glass and the Learning and Skills Council, is holding three, free of charge, Glass Industry launch workshops for Training and HR staff within the industry, Knaresborough 7th March, Watford 9th March, Birmingham 30th March.

The workshops will cover:

* How Proskills will carry out its Government remit to ensure that employers in the Glass and Glazing industry have people with the right skills to boost productivity and competitiveness
* Current and future Employment Law - including the latest information regarding age discrimination legislation
* Best Practice in Leadership Skills - Developing inter-personal relationships
* The new HR model - recently launched best practice from ACAS
* Proskills Glass Apprenticeships - the availability of funded career paths

The events are being supported by ACAS, local funding organisations and Unions in the Glass industry. To book a place, please contact Proskills, tel. 01235 833 844, Email:info@proskills.co.uk, or visit http://www.proskills.co.uk


Patiomaster Conference Draws Crowds

In-line Patio door specialist Patiomaster's latest conference saw Patiomaster Fabricators from as far away as East Kilbride, County Antrim and Devon converge at the company's headquarters in Telford.

Representatives from the nine regional Patiomaster distributors listened to presentations on market performance, forecasts, product development and new hardware in an event presided over by Jeremy Richmond, Patiomaster's general brand manager.

The attendees were given the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas on increasing sales of the popular product range in 2006 and beyond.

Jeremy Richmond said: 'It was fantastic to run an event that proved so popular with Patiomaster distributors. Our aim is to give them the tools and support to develop their businesses and allow them to make the most of being part of a national family of Patiomaster specialists.

'2006 will be a difficult year for all in the market but we are confident that Patiomaster will succeed. With the benefit of a strong brand and quality product behind us, more and more people are being convinced that buying in an expertly-made specialist product is the way forward.'

Patiomaster will exhibit at Glassex 2006, demonstrating a growing range of hardware and other product innovations on stand B060, just inside the main entrance to the exhibition.

For further information on Patiomaster products or to locate a local supplier, please contact Tel: 01952 210850, email: sales@patiomaster.co.uk or visit the website: http://www.patiomaster.co.uk


Ultraframe Hosts Nationwide Installer Days

Conservatory roofing systems company, Ultraframe, has held a series of workshops for members of its Guild Approved Ultra Installer Scheme across the UK. The events introduced Scheme members to the Scheme's new Insurance Backed Guarantee and presented an opportunity to preview and trial new product developments.

The new Insurance Backed Guarantee from Ultraframe is exclusively available to Ultra Installers. Alongside a Certificate of Authenticity for all Ultraframe roofs, the Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) gives homeowners peace of mind by covering them financially should their installer cease to trade.

The IBG is fully comprehensive and comes at the extremely competitive price of £18.50 + Insurance Premium Tax per conservatory up to a retail value of £25,000. This includes 25% deposit protection and work in progress cover.

Ultra Installers attending the events also had the benefit of receiving an exclusive preview of Framelock, Ultraframe's new product to be launched at Glassex 2006. Framelock is a new side frame fastening system which connects to the Ultraframe roof using easy-to-fit Clicklock technology. It ensures the structural integrity of the complete conservatory by integrating the load bearing capabilities of both the roof and side frames for the first time.

Ultraframe also introduced installers to its new Tie Bar Replacement Kit (pictured) which offers an alternative to the traditional tie bar. 'While giving a greater level of structural stability than available with any competitor tie bar alternatives, it also offers simple installation for the fitter and a more pleasing aesthetic for those consumers who do not like the appearance of a tie bar in their conservatory,' says the company.

Marketing Director at Ultraframe, Linda Doughty commented: 'The workshops were a great opportunity to introduce and talk our Ultra Installers through Ultraframe's new product and service offerings. They also created an ideal venue for Ultraframe staff to meet our customers face to face and encourage a flow of communication from both sides. We can listen to feedback from Installers regarding the Scheme and Ultraframe products, which ultimately means we can respond better to their needs and help them offer the best possible service to their customers.'

Members of Ultraframe's Guild Approved Ultra Installer Scheme have undergone independent inspections by the BBA, which gives them a head start in advance of any Building Regulations introduced and increases their credibility with homeowners. Benefits of the Scheme include immediate communication about 'hot' sales leads, monthly updates on consumer referrals through the Ultraframe call centre and website, as well as outstanding marketing support to help boost business.

Mark Ashwell of Trademark Windows attended the London workshop. He said: 'The event was really useful. It enabled me to network with people in the business and we were able to discuss how we are finding the Scheme and share our ideas and comments with fellow Ultra Installers and Ultraframe representatives.'

Installers were also reminded of the advantages of using Ultraframe's Marketing Toolbox service to assist them with ideas and production of their own promotional activities. The Toolbox is designed to take the stress and time burden out of marketing their company by offering easy-to-use templates for personalisation to produce items such as radio campaigns, promotional literature and advertising.

Linda Doughty concluded: 'The workshops have been of great value for everyone involved and Ultra Installers can look forward to similar events in the near future.'

For more information on the Guild Approved Ultra Installer Scheme and Ultraframe products or the Insurance Backed Guarantee Scheme call 0870 756 0173 or visit http://www.ultraframe.com


First Intelligent Building Middle East

A new exhibition plant is growing out of the desert sand: More than 2,800 trade visitors and conference participants attended the first Intelligent Building Middle East (IBME), which was organised by Nürnberg Global Fairs together with the local exhibition centre and the Bahrain Society of Engineers. 117 exhibitors from 14 countries, including more than 50 German companies, presented their products on a net display area of 2,500 square metres. The Bavarian pavilion alone, whose organisation was also entrusted to Nürnberg Global Fairs by the client Bayern International, attracted 28 companies from the Free State.
 
The strongly focused IBME is designed as a bridgehead in the booming Middle East construction market and clearly stands out from horizontally orientated exhibitions in the region, which primarily concentrate on a variety of building materials and related goods. The organisers have instead supported vertical penetration of a theme that in view of the innumerable building and large-scale projects in the region is right at the top of the agenda: Bearing in mind the extreme climatic conditions, intelligent building will constantly increase its importance in the Gulf region in the coming years. There is still an ample supply of low-cost fossil fuels in the Middle East, but their reserves will run out in the foreseeable future. The planners, architects and system suppliers are accordingly focusing more on the potentials for energy saving and efficient building management, which in some cases are barely utilised in current building projects. The programme for the three-day conference accompanying the exhibition was correspondingly ambitious and well attended. The list of around 60 top presentations almost read like a Who’s Who of experts. In addition, a special show in the centre of the exhibition hall examined individual research and practical projects. 
 
Patience is needed for business in the Gulf
 
The exhibitors particularly gave good marks for the quality of the visitors. Some of the exhibitors registered surprisingly qualified contacts as early as the first and second day of the event in Bahrain, including newcomers to the region as well as companies already present with their own offices in the Middle East for years. 'People get to know each other,' 'Here you need time to build up trust.' These or similar comments are the verdicts of many companies that are already firmly planning to be present here for a number of years. Many stated their aim at the exhibition as observing the market for themselves and forming their own impression on the ground. Whether Achenbach, Creaton or Heraklith from Bavaria, Airzone from Spain, Dow Corning or Johnson Control, to name just a few: Widely differing companies from medium-size planning consultant to large group are counting on the boom region – and looking for long-term personal contact. This is essential as the basis for trust for business in the Arab region, where in any case a different understanding of time exists than in Western industrial nations. No company should rely on quick large-scale business in the region – and especially not as a new market player. 
 
High quality of visitor contacts  
Hence, an interim summing up often heard in Bahrain: Even organising our own orientation tour of the region would not have achieved the same number of good, unplanned contacts as at the exhibition; the theme focus is aimed at exactly the right clientele. The exhibitors are accordingly counting on more contacts with the flourishing GCC states. 
 
Another opportunity will be offered in Manama in just under a year’s time: The 2nd Intelligent Building Middle East takes place in the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre at the same time as the Bahrain International Property Exhibition from 20-22 November 2006. A Bavarian pavilion sponsored by Bayern International is also firmly planned for the coming year. 
 
 
Further information on Intelligent Building Middle East 2005:  
 
Nürnberg Global Fairs  
Messezentrum 
90471 Nürnberg 
Germany 
 
Contact for exhibitors:  
Frank Venjakob 
Tel: +49 (0) 9 11. 86 06-86 97 
Fax: +49 (0) 9 11. 86 06-86 94 
Email: frank.venjakob@nuernbergglobalfairs.com 
Web: www.intelligent-building-middle-east.com

Anyone for Gulf?

Hoppe recently exhibited at The Big 5 in Dubai, one of the world's premiere building and construction exhibitions. Held at the end of November, it was a chance for industry leaders to showcase their products to an audience thirsty for growth.

Roger Benton, Joint Managing Director of Hoppe (UK), explains why it was important to exhibit there: ‘The domestic market has been slowing for a while so it's important to make your products accessible to the widest possible customer base.

The Gulf is a big growth market and because many of the developments are high spec it means that our premium quality products are well suited to their needs. We displayed a wide range of handles and our ARRONE range of panic hardware, closers, locks and hinges. Although we don't go to these exhibitions and plan to do 'the hard sell', we received several new orders. The response was fabulous and as a result of the success we have already booked our stand for this year's exhibition!’

Web: http://www.hoppe.co.uk


It's Go, Go, Go for GlazeKart!!

GlazeKart, the recently announced industry karting competition, is all set for the starting grid. Organiser, Nick Moss of Walnut Motorsport confirmed that the response to the launch announcement has been tremendous. ‘We've had over 20 companies expressing an interest in entering a team and we're ready to announce some exciting developments,’ he said. ‘First of all I can confirm that the date and venue are now fixed. The 3 hour endurance race will take place on Friday, 5th May at Daytona Milton Keynes, the events starting at 3.00 pm and finishing around 9.00 pm.

‘We are delighted to announce that Alcoa Extrusions have agreed to sponsor the team hospitality, providing the drivers with teas, coffees, soft drinks and a barbecue. We are also pleased to confirm that Swish Window & Door Systems will be an associate sponsor and will have an involvement in the event, as will Glassex. In fact GlazeKart will have its own dedicated stand at the exhibition in March!

‘Although only a small presence, GlazeKart should create quite a stir at the show, being an unusual product for our industry! It also comes at a time when there is very good news about Glassex and the growing number of companies planning to attend this year, so hopefully we can be part of that positive momentum. 2005 hasn't been the easiest year for many in our industry; I hope Glassex will signal the start of a much better market environment in 2006.

‘We have a maximum number of 30 team places available for the event on May 5th, but, if we get even more interest we will explore the possibility of holding another GlazeKart later in the year.’ The fee for entering a team is just £599 + VAT. Event details and entry forms are available from Nick on 01386 710106 or at nick.moss@walnutmotorsport.com.

‘I have also decided to organise another karting competition for those who are really keen on developing their experience of the sport,’ Nick continued. ‘In the autumn we will be holding a unique new team event using race prepared 100cc 2-stroke TKM engined karts. It will be a very unusual format with 7 races during a full day of karting in which each of the four team members will all be involved in at least 3 races. It will be open to all companies in the UK construction industry and is tentatively called BuildKart. The costs are a little higher with fees of £799 + VAT but the GlazeKart winning team will be given the option of a free entry!

‘BuildKart will also be open to qualifiers from some of the other industry events we are planning for 2006. These include CladKart for the roofing and cladding industry and PlumbKart for those from heating and plumbing!'

For the latest information on GlazeKart visit the dedicated pages on Nick's website at http://www.walnutmotorsport.com


Elevating Days at Lister

Lister Trade Frames recently held two trade days to feature a range of new products being offered from the company’s premises in Stoke. The event attracted around 200 customers who not only saw the new items; they also got a free breakfast and lunch.

‘We try to make the trade days as enjoyable as possible’ Says Phil Warren, Lister’s Sales Director, ‘It's not just about the new products, it's about meeting, greeting and most of all listening to our customers. And doing this while sharing a breakfast seems to work just fine for us.’

Listers which was established in 1976 already offers two window systems, one of which is five chambered and fully featured, along with 4 conservatory roofing systems and over 5000 lines of building plastics, So why offer even more new products? ‘You just can't stand still!’ Says Phil ‘We are always looking for new things that our customers need to advance their businesses and keep them ahead of their competitors. They are the most important part of our business.’

 

Listers' customers looked impressed as they were given demonstrations on a range of new items including the updated Elevation lean-to conservatory system, a simple and fitter friendly carport and canopy system, new sealants and fixings, plus most impressive of all the new thermal cappings for the classic conservatory system.

‘We are always a little apprehensive before these events, wondering if we have produced the right things to offer our customers. But once again we were over the moon by the end of week after hearing all the excellent comments and appreciative remarks from our business partners.’ It seems that Listers has the right approach to these events: ‘Listen to your 'business partners, source what they need and then offer it in a format that encourages them to use it.’

Listers says that it is one of the few window companies to be showing an increase in sales figures despite the industry downturn. With turnover up by six and a half percent over last year it says that it shows the company’s tactic of elevating its customers is paying dividends.

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


Sales Plough on for Glassex ‘06

Stand sales are pushing ahead, buoyed by a clutch of new exhibitors, the return of some old friends, and born-again interest from the systems companies.

Steve Redman, Event Manager, while known for his optimism, has reason for being positive as Glassex exhibition space sales for 2006 are significantly ahead year-on-year: 'My preference is to be cautious with my announcements and predictions for exhibition sales but we have reason to be optimistic,' he said. 'Sales, based upon contracted exhibitors, and contracts issued, are just under 10% ahead of this time last year. But if I can allow myself a little licence, the current figure does not include some large players that have told me they are definitely taking part, but which are just finalising their plans.'

Some interesting new names join others more familiar to Glassex visitors, for the ’06 event, which is taking place from 5th to the 8th March at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.

Of particular note is Stürtz Maschinenbau, regarded as one of the world’s leading producers of high-end frame production equipment, and a leader in production technology. The company’s decision to exhibit at Glassex comes at a time when many British fabricators are investing heavily in automated plant to increase their flexibility and efficiency as forecasting becomes increasingly difficult.

GE Money Home Lending, a unit of General Electric Company (GE) will be taking a large stand at Glassex '06 to explain its industry-leading consumer finance products and packages to window, door and conservatory installers who are looking for that extra competitive edge.

Hardly a new name of course but one that is always welcome at Glassex is WHS Halo, adding to a list of systems companies that is growing by the day, making a pleasant return to the event. The company joins VEKA, Synseal, Plastmo, Selecta and Aluplast, with more names expected to join the list soon.

The Energy Saving Trust returns to the exhibition floor, in addition to once again supporting the seminar theatre. EST’s presence at Glassex is crucial for window makers to understand the opportunities that lie ahead with schemes such as the Energy Saving Recommended initiative.

In the meantime hardware manufacturer J. Banks will be at Glassex, and with a positive conscience to boot, after securing the company’s stand through space donated by Glassex for the charity auction held at the recent Unitech Golf Day.

Glassex 2006 will take place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) between 5th and 8th March 2006. For information regarding stand space please contact Lesley Stevenson, 020 8277 5733; email lesley.stevenson@emap.com.


Henkel Joins List of Interbuild Newcomers

Henkel is among the key names on a growing list of 63 companies set to make their first appearance as exhibitors at the UK's premier building and construction show.

The international adhesives giant, which employs more than 1,700 people in the UK and Ireland, believes Interbuild 2006 will be the perfect venue for increasing the company's brand awareness.

At this stage, Henkel prefers not to reveal plans for the show, which takes place at the NEC from April 23-27, although Kevin Clinch, a Division Manager for Henkel Building systems, confirmed that new products would be on display.

He said: 'We are planning to bring a number of new products into the UK and some of these will be shown for the first time at Interbuild.

'Henkel has an adhesive for all sorts of constructions but we are especially interested in promoting our wider range of products.'

Added Kevin: 'We decided to go to Interbuild because it's the right place to reach a big cross-section of people involved in the industry, including architects, contractors and specifiers.'

Said Interbuild Event Director Gordon Thomas: 'Henkel is an extremely influential name in its line of business and we are delighted that the company has decided to attend Interbuild 2006.

'Henkel will be one of many companies attending the show for the very first time and this is further evidence that the construction industry recognises that Interbuild 2006 really is the place to do business.'

More than 44,000 trade professionals attended Interbuild when it was last held in 2004.

The 2006 show takes place from April 23 to 27 at the NEC in Birmingham and entry is £20 on the day but free to visitors who log on at http://www.interbuild.com to register their details in advance.


HOLZ-HANDWERK & fensterbau/frontale 2006

The exhibition duo HOLZ-HANDWERK and fensterbau/frontale takes place again in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 22-25 March 2006. The combined trade fairs with over 1,200 exhibitors and well over 90,000 trade visitors will again be a unique industry platform and the meeting-place for the industries concerned in 2006.

Walter Hufnagel, Member of the Management Board of NürnbergMesse, is looking confidently to spring 2006: 'Both exhibitions will grow again over 2004 and offer a really full range of products – the visitors will not be disappointed.'
 
HOLZ-HANDWERK 2006 – Ideas for my Future  
HOLZ-HANDWERK in Nuremberg focuses on processing and working the living material wood. The Trade Fair for Machinery, Equipment and Supplies for the Wood Crafts is one of the most important events for carpenters and joiners. 
 
'The present situation in the trade is forcing many carpenters and joiners to reorganise for the future,' says Dr. Bernhard Dirr, General Manager of the Fachverband Holzbearbeitungsmaschinen im VDMA. 'They will find everything they need for this at HOLZ-HANDWERK, especially the partners to help them realize their ideas.' 
 
The exhibitors offer a comprehensive range of products under the motto of 'Ideas for my Future': 
 
* Woodworking machinery 
 
* Electrical and pneumatic tools
 
* Tools, grinding and polishing aids
 
* Finishing technology
 
* Software and organisation 
 
* Disposal equipment
 
* Fixing equipment and hardware 
 
* Components, semi-finished materials, finished components and systems for furniture-making and interior finishing
 
* Wood and wood-based materials
 
* Environmental protection and industrial safety 
 
* Technical colleges, associations, trade press  
 
Following its successful première at HOLZ-HANDWERK 2004, the action forum vector organised by the VDMA-Fachverband Holzbearbeitungsmaschinen and ProWood Stiftung will also present new products in 2006. The forum located centrally in hall 11.0 invites visitors to source information about new products and innovations from various segments of the exhibition and offers live demonstrations hosted by presenters and projected onto screens. The special show on the stand of the Fachverband Schreinerhandwerk Bayern, which moves to hall 6 at HOLZ-HANDWERK 2006, is geared completely to new ideas for marketing. 'Dreams of Wood' in the foyer of hall 12 will attract visitors again as in the previous years with creative, playful, useful and decorative objects. 
 
HOLZ-HANDWERK is organized by the Fachverband Holzbearbeitungsmaschinen im VDMA and NürnbergMesse GmbH. The co-sponsors of HOLZ-HANDWERK are the Fachverband Schreinerhandwerk Bayern (FSH) and the Fachverband des Deutschen Maschinen- und Werkzeug-Großhandels e.V. (FDM). 
 
fensterbau/frontale 2006 – Technologies, components, prefabricated units  
fensterbau/frontale in Nuremberg is Europe’s leading trade fair for windows and facades, the related technologies, components and prefabricated units and the associated range of machinery and services. Visitors to fensterbau/frontale in Nuremberg can look forward to an even bigger and more comprehensive event than in 2004 – the available display space was practically fully booked around six months before the event. 
 
Products on display at fensterbau/frontale 2006: 
 
* Structural and profile systems  
for facades, windows, French windows, industrial doors and gates, doors, conservatories
 
* Semi-finished materials
 
* Materials, production aids  
Coatings, sealing products, timber and wood-based materials, glueing products, cleaning agents, abrasive products, blocking systems
 
* Glass, glass products 
 
* Components, prefabricated elements
 
* Hardware, fixing and safety equipment
 
* Shading and ventilating equipment
 
* Office organisation
 
* Services, associations, research & development, technical information
 
* Machines, installations and tools  
for glass processing, woodworking, plastic processing, metalworking, surface finishing and application systems, environmental protection systems
 
* Operating systems, operating equipment
 
In addition to the extensive range of products from the exhibiting companies with many new products and innovations, visitors can again count on an informative supporting programme: The supporting programme for fensterbau/frontale is also a key part of the successful exhibition concept in 2006. The established combination of presentations and special events offers the opportunity to specifically source information on specialised know-how and new technologies. 
 
For example, the successful forum 'Architecture – Windows – Facades' will be held again at fensterbau/frontale 2006. Well-known architects and engineers of international repute illustrate the importance of windows and facades in their work with examples of their projects. On the other hand, the special show 'Experience Quality' organised by ift Rosenheim and NürnbergMesse in hall 4 allows the visitor to actively experience quality features and differences: various sound insulating and anti-burglar features, effect of force on windows, glazing and hardware, and lots more. 
 
A 'quality course' sensitised for the varied performance properties of windows, facades, doors, glass, hardware and other components. The INNOVATION CENTRE 'Energy Efficiency' organised by the Fachverband Glas Fenster Fassade Baden-Württemberg and the Academy of Glass, Window and Facade Technology, Karlsruhe focuses on the energy-saving potentials of doors, windows, wood-metal and metal facades and shows new approaches to solutions. Another new feature is the metallbauTreff, the get-together that takes place for the first time at fensterbau/frontale and combines important information and contacts for metal construction experts. 
 
The organiser of fensterbau/frontale 2006 is NürnbergMesse and the sponsors are the Fachverband Glas Fenster Fassade Baden-Württemberg, the Landesinnungsverband des Glaserhandwerks Rheinland-Pfalz and the Landesinnungsverband des Bayerischen Glaserhandwerks.

http://www.frontale.de/main/d3zq55gy/page.html


BPF Looks to the Future

With the plastics industry set to encounter a new set of challenges, the British Plastics Federation (BPF) organised seminar for board level management: ‘Plastics, The Industry Of Tomorrow’ is well timed.

The seminar, taking place on Thursday 8th December at Holywell Park, Loughborough focuses on the future of the plastics industry with a 2-5 year time horizon. Expert speakers have been secured covering a range of topics including plastics manufacturing, legislation and changing materials technology. In addition there will be a special focus on the automotive, healthcare, construction and packaging market sectors.

The plastics industry has been rocked by steep rises in material prices and energy costs and the loss of some key customers to receivership and relocation. The consolidation of the polymer producers has yielded major changes to the supply chain. However, the sector in the UK remains strong with over 5000 firms processing plastics and with material usage increasing year-on-year. Nearly 25 per cent of all plastics products manufactured in the UK are destined for export markets.

Philip Law, Public and Industrial Affairs Director at the BPF said:
'Plastics, The Industry Of Tomorrow’ seminar will address, head-on, key concerns within the plastics industry. In the compass of one day delegates will be exposed to a range of future scenarios and will be provided with the tools to plot their way to a successful future for their firm. UK companies in this industry are world leaders and our intention is to help them consolidate that position'

Web: http://www.bpf.co.uk/bpftools/Plastics_The_Industry_Of_Tomorrow.cfm


CAB Goes to Interbuild

Working with the organisers of Interbuild the Council for Aluminium in Building will be attending Interbuild 2006 held on April 23rd to 27th and heading up the centre piece for the aluminium in construction feature in conjunction with the Aluminium Federation - Alfed.

Both membership organisations wish to promote their services to the industry sector while offering a drop-in area for specifiers where any questions of the use of aluminium in construction can be fielded. The 42 square metre stand will be designed to be a networking area for visitors and association members while also explaining the benefits both organisations can offer the industry and its membership.

In completely overhauling Interbuild 2006, Emap Construct, part of the Emap Construction Network has taken on board the CAB views that aluminium as a leading 21st Century building material has been under represented in past exhibitions. The CAB stand will be the focal point of the new aluminium in construction feature which will be located at the heart of the event in Hall 9 which is also home to the doors, windows and facades section.

Interbuild 2006 will be the leading event for sharing best practice, informing on new product development and reviewing technological advancements. Interbuild will create an exciting environment that brings buyers and suppliers together and helps to create lasting relationships for the benefit of the whole construction industry.

More than 44,000 trade professionals attended Interbuild when it was last held in 2004 and together they represented a combined buying power of around £24.5billion. The 2006 show takes place from April 23rd to 27th at the NEC in Birmingham. Entry to Interbuild is £20 on the day but free to visitors who log on at http://www.interbuild.com to register their details in advance.

Further information about membership can be found on the CAB website at http://www.c-a-b.org.uk and the CAB’s newsletter at http://www.aluminiuminarchitecture.com

Edgetech goes Supersize at Glass Build

Edgetech exhibited at Glass Build 2005 at the Georgia World Congress Centre in Atlanta with a massive stand spanning 215,000 ft2 of exhibition space and included 20 educational seminars and demonstrations, attracting 482 exhibitors.

The Edgetech stand covered 6,500ft2 floor space and was based on the theme of legendary performance, including a stylish bar and casino with huge images of legends such as Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley displayed around the stand.

Gamblers doing particularly well with their Edgetech dollars at the casino were entered into a daily prize draw to win a weekend away. Over 100 visitors were entered into the draw every day for the three days of the show. And it obviously hit the spot for visitors, with Edgetech taking 75 new leads, and three automated Super Spacer® lines have already been sold since the show.

Andy Jones commented: ‘The stand was a great success. We took existing customers who were looking to add to their existing Super Spacer lines, new customers, and prospects to the US to show them what makes Edgetech different from other Warm Edge technologies. The trip seems to have hit the mark in doing this.’

Tel: 02476 705570


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