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| CAB Diary 2013 |
 Full details of all CAB's 2013 events can be found at Here
We are delighted to announce our next event which is:
Thursday July 4, 2013 - CAB AGM & Golf/Activities, The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield.
Over 200 + booked. Book now! Last few remaining tickets available.
For further details contact Justin Ratcliffe, Chief Executive or Julie Harley, Office Manager at the CAB office on 01453 828851.
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| Projects |
New thermally-efficient aluminium windows and doors have been supplied and installed by Total Glass as part of a major refurbishment project at Lostock Hall Academy, Total Glass
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Sheffield-based architectural panel manufacturer Panel Systems has supplied Aluglaze insulated panels to a major supermarket retailer for a 633,500sq ft distribution centre on Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale.
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For the 560 facade windows of the Leadenhall Building – nicknamed The Cheesegrater - which weigh up to 220 kg each, Roto has designed and is supplying individual hinge-side components,
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| Products |
AluK (GB) Ltd, the aluminium window, door and curtain walling systems manufacturer can now provide its partners with a complete specification and design service.
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Technal has launched the only visualisation tool currently available in the UK for architects and specifiers to produce 2D and 3D drawings and 3D renders for architectural aluminium façade designs.
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ASSA ABLOY’s UKAS accredited performance testing laboratory offers independent and unbiased testing to the industry’s key performance standards.
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In keeping with its reputation for innovative design of bespoke, sustainable aarchitectural aluminium systems, Metal Technology has reacted to demand from its fabricator,
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Mila launched two new powder coated paint finishes at the FIT show which mimic anodised silver and anodised gold but which are in fact created using a highly durable and cost effective iridescent paint finish.
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| FIT Show |
As one of the industry’s leading suppliers of machinery, service, spares and tools with an enviable track record for exhibiting new and innovative products, Promac an official launch partner of the FIT Show,
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International friction stay manufacturer Cotswold Architectural Products returned back to its offices in Cheltenham,
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Total Glass, one of the UK’s leading PVC-U and aluminium window and door fabricators, says the FIT Show was a great success,
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Mila launched two new powder coated paint finishes at the FIT show which mimic anodised silver and anodised gold but which are in fact created using a highly durable and cost effective iridescent paint finish.
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A very positive FIT Show, which generated plenty of quality leads for their latest ranges of aluminium, PVC and timber-clad aluminium bi-fold doors, was the verdict from Unique Window Systems after three busy days at the Telford event.
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The dedicated fabricator and installer trade show has proven a successful debut event for lock company, Yale.
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Almost six thousand people visited the FIT Show over three days, with Senior’s stand busy all day on all three days. Steve Wightman, Senior’s Sales Director believes most of the visitors,
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Lister Trade Frames of Stoke on Trent were one of the first companies to sign up for The FIT Show nearly a year and half before the planned launch,
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JUNE 10, 11, 12 2014 are the dates set by the organisers of The FIT SHOW for the next outing of the event for the window, door and conservatory industry.
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| CE Marking |
The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) is cautioning that, from 1 July 2013, with the CE Marking of construction products becoming mandatory in the UK under the Construction Products Regulations,
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With the 1st July deadline for CE marking looming, Business Micros Aluminium has developed a simple new tool which enables LogiKal users to demonstrate the necessary levels of compliance
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Window fabricator and installer partners attended a dedicated CE marking seminar, one of a number held by Reynaers Aluminium, presented by Technical Director John McComb. Reynaers,
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| Green Deal |
BRE has drawn upon its 90 years of experience in the built environment to create the first modules of a suite of software to help Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA) and Green Deal Advisors (GDA)
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Small building companies need fairer access to the Green Deal (GD) market if the shortage of installers is to be addressed,
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| People |
After more than 25 years of exceptional service, Nelson Graham, National Sales Manager for Bohle Ltd, retired at the end of March.
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Underlining its commitment to quality, Fab & Fix, the leading designer and supplier of matching hardware,
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Origin, award winning UK manufacturer of aluminium bifolding doors has appointed Mark Caffery as Manufacturing Manager.
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| Windows |
Tradelink, the trade fabricator, has reported a marked rise in demand for its SMART aluminium bi-fold doors.
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TWR Trade Frames, the bi-fold support and service fabricator, has recently invested in new machinery to further improve its infrastructure.
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The production team at Gloucester based PVCU and aluminium fabricator, Mercury Glazing, are keeping their cool while producing thirty percent more frames thanks to the company’s £150,000 investment in automated and semi-automated machines from elumatec.
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The Promac Group is delighted to announce the launch of a brand new service support package which allows its customers to receive diagnostic assistance from a dedicated Promac engineer in real time via video link,
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Two year’s into his role as National Sales Manager at Midlands – based fabricator Pyramid Profiles, Danny Hague reflects on the company’s progress and describes how they’ve managed to grow despite some very tough trading conditions.
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| Hardware |
Alpro Hardware (A division of IEC Limited), have added an adjustable spring strength transom closer to their extensive range of architectural hardware.
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ERA has added to its portfolio of high-security door and window hardware with the introduction of a high-security multi-point lock (MPL) for windows.
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Among the many Mila products launches at the recent FIT Show was a new ProSecure patio handle at the FIT show which is the first product to feature the company’s patented new FlexSecure® technology.
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Architectural hardware supplier, Barrier Components Ltd., have exhibited a new blast enhanced system for glass facades at this years Counter Terror Expo.
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Mul-T-Lock UK has launched a new infographic to highlight the advantages of upgrading home security to operate from just one patent protected key. The new infographic,
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Mighton Products will be running a TV campaign in June across a number of satellite and terrestrial channels to promote their patented Angel Ventlock™ child safety device,
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Exhaustive testing by Architectural & Metal Systems (AMS) in Cork, Ireland, has confirmed that the Anchorage Heavy Duty hinge from Fab & Fix not only far exceeds existing standards,
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| Curtain Wall |
Aluglaze insulated panels by architectural panel manufacturer Panel Systems were specified as part of an innovative curtain walling system for the new extension to the £30 million Rosie Maternity Unit at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.
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The first office block to mixed-use conversion in Scotland to benefit from the Government’s Business Premises Renovation Allowances Scheme has been reclad with Kawneer’s modular curtain walling system for its logistical and quality benefits.
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Bowater Projects has teamed up with Provizion First Architecture and Derwent Valley Construction Ltd to provide the energy-efficient windows and curtain walling required at a Derby school.
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| Solar |
The BRE National Solar Centre, St Austell, opened last month by Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, Greg Barker, will support the UK solar industry to become a significant contributor in the energy marketplace.
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Simon Fowler, Technical Director for Pioneer’s Signature Solar Division, is visiting schools in the Chelmsford area local to the company’s operational base to explain to students about the benefits of generating solar energy and the benefits it can bring to homes and businesses.
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| Doors |
AluK have launched the GT55 TB aluminium commercial door system which, they claim, is one of the most robust thermally broken commercial door systems available on the market.
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As the threat of flooding in the UK increases, Bowater Doors has unveiled an improved design for its flood defence door.
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ORIGIN will be showcasing extra large bifolding French Doors at Grand Designs Live, taking place 4th – 12th May at the Excel, London.
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SAPA Norsk deal at the final hurdle
This month we have news of the ratification by the EU of the SAPA joint venture with Norsk Hydro with a 50-50 split between SAPA’s holding company Orka and Norsk. Previously reported here last month, the world clearance of the deal – the U.S. and other authorities have already given it the green light - is unlikely to happen before the third quarter of this year, after it has been in front of MOFCOM, the Chinese competition authority. You can read the full SAPA announcement here.
With the deadline day for CE Marking fast approaching we hear from Graeme Bailey of Business Micros, who is clearly concerned at the lack of action by vast majority of the industry, who, he says, “has simply tried to avert its eyes from the looming spectre of CE marking and is either planning to take action at the very last minute or, worse still, to ignore the requirements altogether”. You can read his letter here.
CEO of the CAB Justin Ratcliffe sees some positive signs from some recent industry reports, including the CAB State of the Market report Q1, supported by some good news stories regarding the drop in inflation, and the highest increase in a single month for six years in house prices.
Finally we have a report on the CAB’s Technical conference “Getting through the building envelope” held this month, from Technical Director Justin Furness. You read all about it here.
I hope you enjoy this month’s issue.
 Tony Higgin
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Chief Executive’s comments – Justin Ratcliffe
 Capital Investment Positives
The downturn over the last 5 years or so has thrown up more economic statistics than we could ever imagine. CAB not only highlights the most respected ones, such as those from the Construction Products Association (CPA), but also produces its own in house ‘State of the Market’ survey. What is not so common is for the various surveys to agree on everything or for some of the positives to be over-hyped, such as house building starts, given that the starting point has recently been from a level not seen since 1929. So, it is was good to read that recent research by the Government’s Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) found clear signs that some small manufacturers are poised to start investing in machinery, especially as this was one of the key findings of the last CAB survey.
Read more...
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Technical comment
'Getting through the Building Envelope'
 Justin Furness, CAB Technical Director
The performance of the building envelope was explored in some detail during CAB’s 8th Technical Conference on 16th May 2013 under the theme of: “Getting through the Building Envelope”. Over 140 of CAB’s members and their guests enjoyed an informative and thought-provoking programme with six eminent speakers during the day.
Read more...
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This Month's News
Competition clearance for Sapa-Hydro alliance received from the EU
The following announcement was posted on the Sapa Group website:
The European Commission has approved the joint venture of the aluminium solution businesses of Sapa and Hydro, owned 50/50 by Orkla and Hydro. The transaction has already been approved by the US and other authorities, and final completion is now subject to a decision from the Chinese authorities.
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CAB’s State of the Market Report Q1 2013
CAB’s recent Q1 ‘State of the Market’ survey- the only detailed analysis of the aluminium in building sector – highlighted a degree of steady optimism in future outlook after a weather affected 3 months where 19% net balance of companies reported a fall in sales consistent with the wider marketplace. However, there was confidence in the future with a 25% net percentage balance of members who predicted a rise in expected sales volumes over the next quarter rising to 50% net balance for the year ahead. These are particularly positive results set against downgraded growth forecasts for the wider UK construction sector.
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Letter to the Editor from Graeme Bailey Managing Director of Business Micros
Sir
It’s almost impossible at the moment to open a trade magazine or look online without seeing some reference to CE marking. There has been almost blanket coverage for so many months that you would think it would be impossible not to know your FPCs from your DoPs by now – or to be unaware that the actual deadline is 1 July.
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Monthly increase in house prices is highest for six years
House prices have posted their highest increase in a single month for six years in May, with valuations driven up by London and the South East. The capital enjoyed a 0.9 per cent increase in prices while the rest of the South East saw home values rise by 0.5 per cent, according to figures from property analysts Hometrack.
Prices across the rest of the country averaged a 0.1 per cent rise, taking the national average to a 0.4 per cent increase – the highest monthly jump since May 2007.
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Green deal debt may have to be repaid before property sold
Homeowners taking out a loan under the government's green deal energy efficiency scheme could find themselves having to pay off the debt before they can sell their property, according to consumer body Which?
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Inflation shows encouraging trend
INFLATION fell from 2.8% to 2.4% in April, according to the latest government data. It is the first time that the growth in inflation has slowed since last autumn. The figure is still above the Government's 2% target but the fall will be welcome as latest signs show signs of a pick up in the economy.
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Hardware supplier noticing shift to aluminium
A hardware supplier is noticing more and more aluminium fabricators using heavier duty and more robust hardware. Running simultaneously to the buoyant aluminium market, Cotswold Architectural Products’ Managing Director Iain Morgan says that they are seeing increasing demand for such products.
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