When Dragon’s Den Investor James Caan told 250 entrepreneurs that British manufacturing is dead he upset a few people. One of those was fellow panellist Gary Dutton, Chairman of Synseal, who picked up the gauntlet and threw down one of his own when he told the audience that James deserved the top prize for daft comment of the day. - As well as the quick retort Gary went on to make some pertinent points about British manufacturing. “James should listen to someone who knows about the British manufacturing industry properly. The fact is that the unions and then the Far East have, in turn, decimated the UK manufacturing sector. But some industries such as mine are not labour intensive. In fact, 80 per cent of our cost is made up of raw materials. These are commodities that we and the Chinese buy on the markets. Therefore, what advantage they have by way of notional labour cost reductions are balanced out with getting the finished product from the other side of the world.”...[ more ]

Each week I read with interest comments and opinions from a diverse range of people throughout the glazing industry. Some have valid points with respect to the issues affecting our industry although a few use it as a thinly disguised option in which to try to promote their products. - I have only been in the industry for a little over 2½ years and I have brought with me experiences from another market sector. One aspect of the market that intrigues me is that some companies appear unable to grasp the concept of effective product costing and pricing. This element along with accurately measured margins is a pre-requisite for any business, cash may be king but ultimately companies need to be profitable in the medium-term....[ more ]

Promac Group will be the headline sponsor for GM Fundraising’s Ride 4 Hope, a charity bike ride that will take a team of twelve riders plus support crew from San Diego to Atlantic City, USA in September this year. - The machinery specialist has been a long-time supporter of GM Fundraising and this important pledge is a major commitment from the company. Both David Stockton-Chalk, chairman and Derek Bonnard, managing director of Promac Group wanted to play their part in the event to help raise important funds for Hope House children’s hospices. - David Stockton Chalk commented: “This is a massive undertaking for the team and we wanted to play our part in helping them achieve their goal both in terms of getting to the end and in raising money. I believe that companies have a social responsibility and this donation by Promac reflects our continued commitment to the charity....[ more ]

‘If I can beat the price, can I have your order?’. Words that striker terror into any one who is concerned about where our industry is heading, or indeed their own profit margins, but what are we actually doing to differentiate ourselves from the cheap and not so nearly cheerful elements, who seem to repeatedly come and go, using the cheapest possible products that rarely deliver all that they boast and each time further eroding market prices in their search for a quick buck? - Millenco Hardware, who has been manufacturing high performance door locking solutions for PVC, timber and composite applications for over a decade, have enjoyed steady and continuous growth in this time and according to General Manager, Peter Hunt this has been in no small part due the company’s ability to differentiate itself from their competition. - ‘By manufacturing high performance products that offer genuine advantages to the fabricator, installer and end user alike, we have been able to secure a core customer base, who in turn differentiate themselves as suppliers of high performance products....[ more ]

Steven Massey has joined Regency Glass as sales and marketing manager. - Regency Glass is one of the UK’s largest independent suppliers of processed glass. Its state of the art manufacturing unit in Leigh – Lancashire is extensively equipped with some of the industry’s most advanced machinery for producing hermetically sealed units and toughened glass. They also provide a range of specialist and decorative glass. - Steven brings with him over 10 year’s industry experience. His previous role, prior to joining Regency, was as an area sales manager for a major supplier of machinery and consumables for the insulating glass industry....[ more ]

REHAU has published a new guide to the BFRC window energy ratings designed to help its customers maximise the potential marketing opportunities of the scheme. - The 8-page guide explains the background to the scheme, sets out the steps fabricators and installers need to take to get their windows rated and defines the ratings which are achievable with the various REHAU window systems. - It includes reference to the Energy Saving Trust’s ‘Energy Saving Recommended’ certification and emphasises the benefits of fabricating and installing C rated windows or above which can be awarded this certification and use the logo so familiar to consumers. - Solar gain, thermal transmittance and air leakage are the three key factors which affect window energy performance and which are used to calculate the BFRC Rating....[ more ]

Versatility and the ability to move with the market is at the heart of every profitable business, and Warmseal is the perfect example of a company that has successfully embraced change! Formed in 1987, Warmseal has just celebrated its 21st birthday and with the Adminbase sophisticated management system at the very core of its operation as the largest manufacturer, supplier and installer of high quality products to the retail, trade and commercial markets in the North, the company has come of age with style! - Warmseal introduced the Adminbase management system from Ab Initio seven years ago, valuing its contribution to the company’s administration of what was, at the time mainly retail business. Over the past four years Warmseal has gradually evolved to work predominantly with the commercial sector, and as a result, the function of the versatile Adminbase system has changed to adapt to the new company direction, as Operations Director, Paul Jennison explains....[ more ]

Highseal Windows Ltd has achieved a BFRC C-rating on its Spectus Elite 70 bevelled and ovolo casements. The windows also have extra security with MK111 Maco Shoot Bolts and a BS7950 Anti-