Fast and easy to install, the system meets the requirements of Part A of the Building Regulations. Included are corrosion protected, high tensile steel poles or posts. Each has a spreader plate at the top and bottom so loads are distributed over a wider area. Adjustment can be easily made ensuring there is adequate contact between the lintel and cill.

The 2, 3 & 4-point locking system offer 19mm or 30mm bolt throw, together with a universally handed crossbar that is CE marked and tested to EN1125. The system incorporates a cast Stainless Steel outside access device with lever or knob options and a choice of cylinder profiles.

The Omniglaze range includes: Omniglaze, Omniglaze SF (with storm flap), Omniglaze HP (high performance), and Omniglaze HPS (high performance with storm flap).

According to System 10's manufacturer, WHS Halo, we are seeing a marked growth in the use of both coloured foils and traditional window industry woodgrain foils. Mike Stevenson, Sales and Marketing Director for the Public Sector says: 'The drivers behind this trend are twofold. In the case of coloured foils, it is quite simply the case that more and more architects and specifiers are waking up to the fact that colours can be achieved in PVC-U. Hitherto, it has generally been perceived that PVC-U equals white.

Among the system's many benefits are a 70mm profile depth, five chambers, post co-extruded gaskets, sculptured profiles and several laminate options – including Rosewood on both white and brown base profiles and Sherwood on tan. Complete compatibility is also provided with the vast aluplast accessory range, including a wealth of further glazing bead options.

Sales Director Robert Thiroff comments ‘A significant development in the company’s history was last June’s MBO to form Plastmo Limited, a £50m group of companies with over 500 employees. Here’s to our Golden Anniversary!’

Profile 22's Sales and Marketing Director, Rob McGlennon finalised the details of the agreement with directors Nigel Porter and Gerard Hiscock from Gateshead based Alfa. Contact Alfa Windows on 0191 487 2123; fax 0191 487 9312.

Forming part of the ongoing development and investment in the successful 'Dualframe' range, the timely launch of the 55mm system follows two years of strong growth in both the public and private commercial markets.

The visit was organised by Rehau fabricator Solar Windows as part of its role as an approved supplier to the team, which oversees the upgrading of properties in Rhyl town centre and surrounding areas.

The developer selected the RP-ISO-Hermetic facade and door systems, combined with Contraflamm N2 fire-resistant glass for their ability to match the architect’s design and the contractor’s tight budget. In total, 300 square metres of 60 minute integrity and insulation fire-resistant glazing were successfully installed to protect the escape route around the stairs and lift.

Mark is already looking to the future and at ways of maintaining the momentum. ‘In the second half of this year we will take on Elite 70, HW Plastics’ ‘state of the art’ window system. We have already indentified extra business the benefits of that system will generate. Our premises were selected with rapid growth in mind so we know we have the space to expand our production. 1000 frames a week is a target we are sure to reach in the foreseeable future.’

The company’s Managing Director is Jason Lee. ‘I have been in industry long enough to understand what customers want. They simply want keen prices, good quality and reliable service. None of this is rocket science. All that is required is a conscientious approach to business and a real understanding and appreciation of the product.’

The two-storey cottage, typical of the Norfolk Fens, had traditional wooden sliding and casement sashes, which had deteriorated over time.

Products in the Less is More portfolio have been carefully selected to offer not only environmental benefts but also significant financial and commercial benefits. The range includes Megrame timber and alu-clad windows and doors. In addition, the company offers a range of services tailored to the needs of the local authority, housing association or commercial specifier. For further info, tel. 01484 854898

Designed by Allford Monaghan Morris and manufactured off-site in York by Yorkon, this mixed-use urban development provides a total of 61 apartments, including eight live/work units. The main contractors were Wates Construction and the glazing fabricators Securefront Systems.

The success of the Timber Window Accreditation Scheme, launched in 1996, has been in raising both the standard and the profile of fully factory finished and factory double glazed windows within the industry, providing rigorous third party testing of windows and their manufacturing process.

In addition, the Profile 22 fabricator and installer ran a colouring competition for local school children, with cash prizes for the winning schools.

Mackie, who looks after Scotland for Hallmark and used to play the utility back position for Hawick Harlequins RFC, has been refereeing for 13 years, overseeing many BT National Scottish League matches. The indomitable McEwan managed to find enough breath to blow for a stoppage before he hit the ground, getting up again a few minutes later to finish the game, and was back at work on Monday as usual. He says:

Jeld-Wen sought Marianne’s expert advice to give customers greater choice and the flexibility to order from modern or traditional options, to achieve the desired style statement for their homes. Marianne has created a series of unique patterns for six of the company’s front doors, which are featured in the lateste catalogue.

The new powder coated finish, developed by DuPont and fire tested in accordance to London Underground Engineering standards, will now enable specifiers and fire door manufacturers to choose the option of colour co-ordinated hinges and doors, whilst maintaining full compliance with the EN standard.

Katrina Caley, the Rehau ADM responsible for the north east of England, has been immortalised in the Katrina – a door in Rocal’s new Endurance range of solid core composite doors in a Rehau outer frame.

Commenting on the report and the company’s future, Managing Director Steve Brown says Sentinel achieved its first ‘million pound month’ in 2003 and is forecasting an annual turnover of £13 million plus for 2004. For more on Sentinel, see page 52.

GBW’s Shire door panels are offered in 16 attractive styles and are manufactured to the highest quality standards in materials that are maintenance free and provide superb insulation. Door furniture can be factory fitted as required. The three distinct glazing collections available for the Shire, which include stunning resin bevels, are a key selling point.

Each installation pack contains 16 KAT Rapier screws designed specifically for KAT patio doors. These can be drilled directly into the structure of the building, eliminating the need for plastic sleeve anchors. The KAT glazing packs contain enough packers to glaze the sashes of the patio doors and to pack out the outer frame.

Under the BWF-Certifire Scheme, all fire doors and doorsets supplied by participating manufacturers are subjected to a rigorous and comprehensive appraisal by independent UKAS accredited test laboratories. The appraisal tests every part of the door assembly from door leaf and frame to intumescent seals, ironmongery and glazing. This comprehensive third party certification is your guarantee that the entire fire door assembly will perform reliably in the event of fire.

The Polycastle Panic Door presents a smooth slim appearance, yet behind the exterior, the frame and sash are fully reinforced with galvanised steel to specification, giving the product its rigidity to ensure lasting performance.

Established in November 1998, window, door and conservatory fabricator, Rapid Frame Ltd has been true to its name, increasing its weekly output from 120 units to around 750 units within 5 years under Director Martin Corcoran.

Premier fire, the innovative new range of fire resistant doorsets from Permadoor was seen for the first time. The new range of 30 minute fire doorsets feature a thermoplastic faced composite door leaf incorporated into Permadoor's standard 60mm PVC-U outerframe system with the addition of unique fire sealing system (patent pending).

The doors can be externally or internally beaded and they can be supplied with the colours on the outside, on the inside or on both sides. Coloured outer frames and side frames can also be supplied to match. Add-ons and couplers are also available in the same colour range.

Portal is increasing the number of decorative glass artists to 31 to meet demand for its options on PVC-U panels and popular Paladin composite doors.

Ro-Dor, supplied and installed a number of PVC roller doors, and the Avkote LE system in BS 18C39 providing the right colour match.

Kawneer has specified the hardware to a high level in order to ensure that the handle aesthetics are ideal for the UK.

The specialist door manufacturer has had long experience of supplying standard and bespoke revolving door installations to clients across the sectors, and has recently expanded its manufacturing capability. The company can now fabricate doors up to three metres in diameter using its ColourLine suite of aluminium extrusions which feature an anodised or polyester powder coat finish. Alternatively, the alu sections can be faced using brake pressed, polished brass, bronze or stainless steel. Frameless structural glazing techniques are another option.

The new federation has been formed to reinforce the two associations’ authority both within the industry and at government level, as well as providing added benefits to members.

The narrower Series 750 door has been achieved by reducing the size of the centre mullion, producing a door leaf of between 872mm and 915mm wide. The narrowline door is available in a smooth white finish to match the company's existing Series 100 and is available in three styles – 750, 751 and 753.

It can be good and cheap but it can't be quick. Cheap and quick but it won't be good, or quick and good but it won't be cheap.

Divided into nine clearly set out sections, the new brochure covers glass engineering, patch fittings, anti-finger trap fittings, locks, keeps and cylinders, rails, single action patches, pivots and floorsprings, wall, canopy and balustrade fitting systems.

The design of the new concept enables it to survive a high energy explosion, using a variation on the Pilkington Planar fixing mechanism, which keeps the stresses around the countersunk boltholes supporting the glazing to an absolute minimum.

The company has developed 23mm Pilkington Pyrostop, an integrity and insulation glass, which has passed rigorous fire tests easily meeting the British Standards, in all the most popular UK formats. A full suite of user-friendly fire tests substantiate the product.

Following on from the introduction last year of Sandblast Glass Protect, Clearshield Glass Protect is based on the company's proven polymer technology enhanced with a new and more active catalyst. It ensures higher resistance to corrosion and staining for easier cleaning without the need for harsh chemicals.

As the use of bricks was not permitted, the architects were obliged to seek an alternative to traditional brick and in this instance, the alternative chosen by the architects was Vanceva Design coloured laminated glass from Solutia.

The aim of project, led by Professor Saffa Riffat of Nottingham University, is to enable buildings to make maximum use of the sun’s energy while at the same time minimising heat losses through the walls.

The focus for the city is a stunning central square, known as Keskutori. This features the famous Nottbeck fountain donated by factory owner Wilhelm von Nottbeck in 1883. To protect this cultural gem from the harsh Finnish winter, the city council has arranged for it to be completely covered in winter with a striking 4.5 metre high curved glass cover, designed by architect Juha Ryösa and fabricated by the world-famous Tambest Oy from nearby Pirkkala. The high technology glass structure consists of an inner layer of 6mm toughened safety glass laminated to an outer layer of 6mm Pilkington Activ.

Architects Boswell Mitchell and Johnson of Glasgow, specified the Pilkington glass to make up 70 insulating units all comprise an inner pane of 16.8mm laminated Pilkington Optilam Phon Low E glass, a 22mm cavity and an outer pane of 10mm heat soaked toughened glass with a ceramic screen print. The screen print design varies on each pane featuring either the college logo or an intricate striped design. A Concerto operating system has been incorporated which commands a whole group of blinds.

IGA has an exclusive agreement to distribute the fire glass range from Fewa Glasstechnik on the UK market. This is done in co-operation with Fire and Safety Glass UK. The products are Fewalight 30 and 60 minutes (single glass, tempered and coated) and Fewadur 30/30, 60/60 and 90/90 (double glass, two sides tempered with gel filling). Apart from being competitively priced, Fewadur also offers enhanced safety (as toughened), sound reduction and a very high light transmission. Moreover, a framing system, Safelight, can be delivered with the glass. These products carry all the British approvals, says IGA.

Using its FineLine framing system, FendorHansen co-operated with project architects Keppie Design to finalise the design for a series of glazed fire screens which rise the full seven floors within the building, 200 Brommielaw.

Standing 20 storeys, Centenary Plaza is just Phase 1 of a £450M redevelopment of Arena Central, the huge, city centre regeneration site. CAP glazing enclosed 387 one, two and three bedroom apartments, penthouses, business suite, gymnasium and entrance.

But the building is not merely striking. The specification of Glaverbel’s Stopray glazing ensures maximum comfort and minimum air con and heating expertise for its occupants. Stopray is a family of glass with a fine layer of precious metal on one side to give it ‘sun screen’ and ‘thermal mirror’ properties. There are over 35 different colours and tints in the Stopray palette – giving real choice and scope for experimentation. ‘Neutrals’, which have outstanding light transmission properties, are becoming popular in the UK.

Glaverbel’s Stopray Safir with a creditable 61% light transmission and a miserly 32% solar energy transmission has been specified for penthouses in South London.

Features of the solvent-free sealant include excellent adhesion to glass, metal and nylon, and good elasticity both in compression and extension.

Various configurations of PVC-U windows with hard coat low-E and aluminium spacer bars struggled to get below the required 2.0 U value. Warm edge spacer bars, and Edgetech's Super Spacer in particular, boosted performance by an extra 0.2 U value enabling all the windows tested to pass the standard with ease.

Production of IG units with Truseal’s DuraSeal patented, flexible warm-edge spacer system, was performed on T.A.P.E.-AT Totally Automated Production Equipment – Advanced Technology developed by Truseal customer Weather Shield of Wisconsin.

The introduction of robotic technology forms part of a wider overhaul of the firm’s production process. It has invested £1.5m in expanding its existing manufacturing plant and in introducing a fully automated production line.

Schott’s Pyran S borosilicate glass is the ideal material for this structural application due to its reduced thermal expansion and inherent resistance to fire. The glass panels are supported with specially modified stainless steel brackets which are fixed to the glass. These provide support even during the extreme movements caused in a fire situation.

Special features include optional exposed or concealed hinges, the use of a neat demountable restrictor stays, extensive colour and finish options for both internal and external surfaces. The aesthetics of the product are also second to none with neat, minimal and uniformed sight lines.

SentryGlas Expressions is an innovative technology for the incorporation of high quality imagery into laminated glass.

Combi’s vital statistics include a light transmission level of 40 per cent and an overall level of energy conduction of 22 per cent.

Built in 1885, Frodsham Methodist Church at Five Crosses is a central place of worship for a growing local community in North West Cheshire. Church officials decided that the building was in need of modernisation, both in terms of design and energy conservation. Coventry based architectural firm Kenneth Holmes Associates was appointed to design a new reception foyer and to refurbish the main church.

The main problem faced by all users and stockists of long materials is the necessity for loading gaps and often specialised loading equipment. Hegla has addressed these problems in three ways. Firstly by utilising a mobile racking system the products can be stored compactly with the need for only one loading gap. This gap can be opened anywhere in the storage system allowing the use of a side loading forklift access to the stored items. Secondly by using a ‘drawer’ system the relevant storage unit can be pulled clear of the main storage area allowing easy access with a standard forklift.

The range includes the Aquaglass glove, designed for safe wet handling of glass. ‘It ticks all the boxes in terms of exceptional safety features’, says Gary Dean, Managing Director of Bohle UK.

‘The Combilift can safely pick four stillages at once, and load a complete truck, even right to the back from one side.’ Says Permacell’s Purchasing Manager Alan Stonard. ‘Previous damages to stillages and the finished product associated with the old method of pushing the load to the rear has been eradicated. The abilities of the attachment coupled with the reliability and versatility of the Combilift has enabled us to speed up loading and guarnatee flawless products for our end customers.’

This major investment, made as part of a six-year working relationship with Hays Transport, has been divided between three key areas. Six 44 tonne tractor units to boost the company's long haul fleet. The new trucks are Iveko Stralis units, winners of the Truck of the Year 2003 accolade. In addition, 10 new 4.5m high trailers are already liveried and out on the road. Finally, four new 18 tonne rigid vehicles will meet the needs of customers with more specific service requirements.

The Lincoln firm was at the front of the queue to take delivery of H&L’s first Vito when the model was launched in the run up to Christmas. The two Vito 111CDIs are earning their keep as a fitters’ van and delivery vehicle, in the livery of Stonebow Home Improvements and its sister company Stonebow PVC-U Supplies, respectively. They are joined by two larger Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, bought through the Approved Used vehicle programme.

Keith Way, Sales and Marketing Director responsible for operations and performance of Kaba’s service centres explained: ‘We chose the LT35 because it has a generous load capacity, easy access for loading and unloading, excellent fuel consumption and emission levels, while still having a modern design. The Volkswagen LT35 is also fitted with a range of features to ensure a comfortable and safe journey for our engineers.’

www.ipaf.org

Capital Safety Group Northern Europe (CSGNE), with its leading brands Sala and Protecta, is at the forefront of the drive to ensure the safety of people working at height – not only through its equipment but also in the important area of safety training.

'As Cetelem evolves into an increasingly marketing-led organisation and develops a personality that is both dynamic and reliable, we see Superbikes as the ideal sport to get involved in.' says George Taylor, Head of Sales and Marketing. 'The sponsorship forms part of Cetelem's core marketing strategy this year, allowing us to get closer to our customer base in a way we've never been able to before. Like Superbikes, Cetelem has a non-elitist, down-to-earth appeal and Monster Mob Ducati closely reflects our own corporate values of speed, commitment and efficiency, which makes them an ideal partner.'

The change results from a European directive known as the IMD – the Insurance Mediation Directive – which comes into force on 14 January 2005. In order to implement the IMD in the UK, the Government has given the FSA responsibility for regulating the sales of general insurance products.

Mike has worked in the finance and credit industry for 16 years and has over eight years experience with GE in a wide range of roles. Most recently, he successfully led the integration of the First National retail business into GE Consumer Finance. Prior to GE, Mike was with HFC Bank for seven years in a number of different positions including working in the Home Improvement sector. First National is part of GE Consumer Finance, a leading provider of global credit services. See overleaf for First National’s POS survey results.

• customers financing through POS finance spend an average of £10,500;
  
• customers using other finance (eg bank loan) spend an average of £8,500;
  
• customers paying in cash spend £5,600 on average.

The research was conducted amongst conservatory specialists and customers. The results indicate a buoyant mood among suppliers, with a majority of respondents predicting that the industry will continue to grow.

‘Judging from the enthusiastic interest on our stand this year, installers are really waking up to the need to strengthen business and profits through diversification,’ comments Market Development Manager, Andy Ball. We got some excellent leads and inquiries on all four days of the show to further extend our nationwide network of over 60 approved installers already enjoying the benefits of this highly profitable, fast-growing market.

The day revolves around a team Stableford competition for fourballs, followed by a three-course, presentation dinner. Spot prizes are also up for grabs for the longest drive and nearest the pin. Entries are invited at a cost of £340 per team or £90 for individuals, which includes green fees, bacon rolls & coffee on arrival, on course refreshments and dinner. Discounted rates have also been obtained with a local hotel with the now traditional après golf late bar.

At constant exchange rates, sales were up 7.4% on an actual structure basis and 5.1% based on a comparable structure. This increase was achieved thanks to a significant 5.1% rise in sales volumes in most of the Group's geographic areas, while sales prices held firm.

'You can physically see the growth in our foil store room,' said Colin Deans. 'Rosewood now takes up double the amount of shelf space that the other colours occupy. Anyone who is not offering rosewood today is losing out on a very lucrative market place.'

Hanley Trade Frames is looking to expand its operation over the coming months and is confident that by working closely with Deceuninck the company will quickly achieve these aims.

Nick Dutton, Sales and Marketing Director comments: ‘We’re obviously delighted with the results which show that we’re supplying the market with what it wants. Much of the credit is due to our customers who are growing fast and profitably’

The new connectors are designed to be self-locating within the cill chambers, leaving just a smart, chamfered, colour matched trim on view. The three designs of connector allow cills to be straight-jointed, joined at 90° and 135° and are available in light brown, dark brown and white. These colours complement the Euroseal 70mm cill, which is available in three foiled finishes, mahogany, rosewood and light oak, plus four shades of white. The new connectors and all finishes of 70mm cill are now available, ex-stock from Euroseal.

'We were absolutely delighted with the award' said Richard Gilham, P&P Director, 'and it was such a fantastic bonus to win the truck as well. It will be an enormous benefit to our business.'