GGF proves equality credentials

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has achieved the Committed2Equality Gold Standard, with a score of 96%.
[Read the Rest Here] 

Working in the right environment

Warwickshire Based specialist contractor Alumet Systems (UK) have appointed Lee Summers as environmental manager. Lee brings with him seven years experience in the environmental aspect of the construction industry, having previously worked for sustainable housing developers in both the UK and Canada.
[Read the Rest Here]

New software technician

Business Micros (Aluminium) has appointed Ian Hannis as a software technician with a brief to help customers maximise the potential and benefits of its LogiKal software system.
[Read the Rest Here]

Specialist award

Alumet recently collected the Building award for Specialist Contractor of the Year.
[Read the Rest Here]

City skyline

A new landmark 16-storey tower in Sheffield designed by Cartwright Pickard Architects is one of the first UK applications of Technal’s MX faceted curtain walling system.
[Read the Rest Here]

Reduced frame

The latest addition of a new casement window in the Dualframe Si range from Sapa Building Systems introduces new manufacturing techniques which can reduce frame content of a window.
[Read the Rest Here]

Thermally sound

As part of Schüco's Energy2 'Saving Energy, Generating Energy' initiative, the company has introduced enhanced versions of its AWS 75.SI and AWS 75 BS.SI aluminium windows.
[Read the Rest Here]

Glasgow opening

This month sees Geze UK expand its presence in Scotland with the opening of a new office in Glasgow to meet increased demand from specifiers and contractors.
[Read the Rest Here]

CE Marked range of concealed transom mounted closers

Geze UK has launched a range of closers that are fully certificated to EN 1154 and EN 1155 (Electro hold-open models) for concealed transom mounting.
[Read the Rest Here]

In full swing

Dorma UK has launched the ED100. This new low energy swing door operator, with Dorma cam-action technology, is the latest addition to the automatics division.
[Read the Rest Here]

Catalogued

VBH (GB) has produced Issue 1 of the new Aluminium Window & Door Hardware & Ancillaries catalogue.
[Read the Rest Here]

Hybrids offered

Crown Aluminium is now set up to manufacture timber aluminium composite windows, doors and curtain wall systems from the Hybrid range of systems from Senior Architectural Systems.
[Read the Rest Here]

New lightbox

Architectural aluminium fabricator Europa Conservatories has launched LightBox, a fixed sized aluminium rooflight.
[Read the Rest Here]

Subconsciously green

Congratulations to Alumet for a successful Sustainability Open Day at the beginning of the month – read story here. The day looked even more appealing because there was evidence that the company considered the environment without necessarily thinking how it would affect the bottom line.

Alumet invited Dr David Bellamy OBE to open its Green Vision garden – a wildlife garden that had been developed on old wasteland. Usually when companies start thinking green, they are thinking about getting money back for unused material, or reducing landfill costs, or benefitting from efficiencies. This attitude isn’t wrong. Far from it: it’s great that the construction industry is in a position that sustainable practices are more cost effective than non-sustainable practices.

However, it is reassuring that some companies still want to develop a green area that is separate from the usual day-to-day activities of their business. Mind you, Alumet will still benefit from its Green Vision garden. For a start, I’m talking about the company here, and the open day would have provided good networking opportunities. Furthermore, staff who spend time in the garden during their lunch break could arguably be more productive in the afternoon than those who eat their sandwiches at the desk, or some window-less room.

But it is the business of being green that will drive this new eco-friendly revolution, and we are seeing evidence of it on a daily basis. I was recently talking to a company called Builderscrap.com. It’s owners have developed a free-to-use website that gives companies the opportunity to network and sell unwanted or reclaimed building material at the end of a project, rather than filling a skip with it. It is such a simple idea that provides a double benefit of reducing landfill costs, and generating a bit of extra cash (although many items are free to collect). The fact that it also benefits the environment is almost coincidental.

Missed last month's Aluminium in Architecture Ezine? It's here

CHIEF EXEC'S COMMENT Chief Executive’s comments – Justin Ratcliffe CAB on message Some of CAB’s most prominent messages in the last few years have been linked to aluminium and sustainability. A key issue though, is how as a trade association we deliver information on everything from land reclamation and re-use after mining to recycling to responsible sourcing schemes. For CAB it has been a varied mixture of PR, trade show pavilion areas, speaker opportunities, Awards, ezines, strengthening links with umbrella trade organisations, and media interviews. All have their place but it has also been crucial for us to understand the broad and varied approach required to communicate with a diverse range of target audiences requiring different levels of detail. The recent ‘Glass Talk’ and ‘G10’ events in Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham respectively, have been fascinating in the way that they have highlighted how new formats and styles of communicating can bring benefits. Read the Rest Here: Technical Consultant’s comments – Patrick England Impact on European Standards of the growth of the European Union The Timeline: • 1957 – European Economic Community formed with Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands • 1973 – Denmark, Ireland & UK joined • 1981 – Greece joined • 1986 – Spain and Portugal joined Read the Rest Here: THIS MONTH'S NEWS The fear of the OFT High profile cases brought against companies breaking competition laws improves awareness and understanding of competition law, the Office of Fair Trading has revealed. [Read the Rest Here] Assa Abloy to buy Paddock Assa Abloy has announced an agreed conditional offer to acquire Paddock Holdings, a UK manufacturer of multipoint locks. [Read the Rest Here] Debt reduction plans favoured More than three quarters of small firms back moves to tackle Britain’s record deficit, a new Forum of Private Business survey has found. [Read the Rest Here] ‘CAB's role in today's construction market In a recent interview with the Council for Aluminium in Building, its Chief Executive, Justin Ratcliffe was asked about the Association’s activities in the construction sector relating specifically to aluminium and sustainability. [Read the Rest Here] Joined-up design With the new Document L just released with, as expected, a further reduced U-value down to 1.6W/m2K for compliance, the window industry continues to look for materials and designs which will enable glazed assemblies to become even more efficient. [Read the Rest Here] New challenges Protective finishes have developed over the last decade and now offer specifiers of building materials some very substantial, long lasting finishes. The selection of applied finish and what is suitable for which location may not be as simple to determine. Fortunately there are now specialists on hand to advise in the right finish for the project, which offer a lifetime solution. [Read the Rest Here] Learning bites The structure of qualifications are changing and qualifications available for funding are being reviewed but previous qualifications and fundable qualifications are not going to disappear overnight. [Read the Rest Here] Confidence despite tough conditions Despite dismal conditions seen in the sector, UK construction companies display a high degree of confidence in the viability of their business models, according to a survey by business and financial advisors, Grant Thornton UK LLP. [Read the Rest Here] Innovation from Alumet Alumet won the Business Innovation award at the Warwickshire Business Awards, held at the Ricoh Arena on Tuesday 11th May. [Read the Rest Here] GGF advises on Part L transitional period The Department for Communities and Local Government has released information regarding the transition period, during which time the revised Part L of the Building Regulations come into force, the Glass & Glazing Federation has announced. [Read the Rest Here] Sustainability day a ‘success’ Around 250 guests and members of the public attended Alumet's Sustainability Open Day in Southam, Warwickshire, on June 4. [Read the Rest Here] Fuhr appoints Nico Fuhr UK has appointed Nico Manufacturing as distributor of its high security multi-point door locks. [Read the Rest Here] We come to you... Business Micros has launched a series of new ‘We Come to You’ promotions, in a bid to counter customers’ reluctance to attend exhibitions and open days. [Read the Rest Here] A story about partnering Crown Aluminium’s position in the commercial fenestration market is balanced between the major systems companies in the UK and the major building envelope contractor/installers. [Read the Rest Here] Station refurb Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, with approved fabricator and installer Project Aluminium, completed a contemporary station refurbishment which features a new ticket office, café and waiting area. [Read the Rest Here] Back to school The Stanway School, one of Colchester’s largest secondary schools, features a range of Sobinco door locks, bolts and hinges and escutcheons from Titon. [Read the Rest Here] Total promotion Total Glass, a PVC-U and aluminium fabricator, has promoted its experienced western regional sales representative Phil Cresswell to sales and marketing manager with responsibility for all aspects of trade sales, including recently introduced ranges such as composite doors and vertical sliding windows. [Read the Rest Here] United front Architectural metal roofing and cladding company TR Freeman has been picked to install a major new roof near its Cambridge headquarters. [Read the Rest Here] Set the controls for the heart of the sun Hunter Douglas has received accreditation from RIBA for a new CPD presentation entitled Intelligent Sun Control Solutions. [Read the Rest Here] Piccadilly refurb Curtain walling from Kawneer was specified for its aesthetics and cost effectiveness for the last building in the 10-year mixed use redevelopment of Manchester’s landmark Piccadilly Place. [Read the Rest Here] BRE A rated window range A BRE Green Guide A rated frame is the heart of a new, cost-effective range of windows launched by Kawneer to meet the increasing demand for environmentally-friendly and highly secure building products. [Read the Rest Here] Elumatec has launched two new machines. A requirement for improved performance and efficiency from Elumatec’s first automatic machining centre, the SBZ 130, has result is the introduction of the SBZ131 - a high performance three-axis automatic machining centre. [Read the Rest Here] New balustrade brochure Balcony Systems’ new balustrade brochure is now available to architects, developers, self builders, installers and homeowners. [Read the Rest Here] Reynaers’ new brochure ‘Reynaers Sustainability’ is a new brochure from Reynaers Aluminium demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainable products and designed to change perceptions, promote development and help customers comply with government directives on waste recycling. [Read the Rest Here] Reynaers Russian Revolution Reynaers Aluminium has provided high quality bespoke solutions for the striking Avilon Plaza building– in the Russian capital, Moscow. Located a few kilometres southeast of the city centre, the iconic building gives the impression it has been carved from a single giant block. [Read the Rest Here] Complying door closer A new concealed door closer – which greatly assists with compliance for disabled access regulations and the use of doors by the very young and the very old – is now available from Sapa Building Systems. [Read the Rest Here] Crowning glory Achieving the highest rating for a residential aluminium window in The Green Guide to Specification (B rating), the new Crown Window System from Sapa Building Systems will greatly assist specifiers and developers seeking compliance with the more advanced levels of The Code for Sustainable Homes. [Read the Rest Here] Senior cancer care Senior Architectural Systems has supplied the facade system for a new cancer research centre in Cardiff. [Read the Rest Here] Parallel opening vent Senior Architectural Systems has recently launched a hardware option for its open out window suites. [Read the Rest Here] Strength to strength Having made its official debut at the school building event, BSEC 2010, Blyweert Beaufort Aluminium is building on its new concept in aluminium systems that combines product innovation, integrated design and bioclimatic principles. [Read the Rest Here] A rating from Schüco Schueco UK is offering a Green Guide A rated option across its range of AWS aluminium commercial casement and tilt and turn windows. [Read the Rest Here] Durable doors Schüco's ADS and ADS HD (heavy duty) range offer excellent thermal values and outstanding durability, the company claims, and the range includes single and double doors that comply with Secured by Design criteria. The company is currently investing in an ongoing certification programme to increase the number of approved variations still further. [Read the Rest Here] Primary contract SEHBAC Commercial, the commercial property arm of the SEH Construction Group, has secured the external window and door supply contract on a new build extension being carried out at North Ealing Primary School by Willmott Dixon Construction. [Read the Rest Here] New electric strikes The Alpro Hardware Division of IEC Limited has announced the release of the new Alpro range of electric strikes. [Read the Rest Here] Palethorpe returns The Stillwater Group has announced that Jon Palethorpe will be leaving in June to return to Sapa Building Systems in the newly created role of commercial director. [Read the Rest Here] Olympic standard Technal has helped to create a highly distinctive and complex facade for a new campus building at the University of Sunderland, using three variations of its MX curtain walling system. [Read the Rest Here]

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‘BOOK Now! 16th CAB AGM & Dinner 2010’

Book now at www.c-a-b.org.uk for the 16th CAB AGM & Dinner at Carden Park Hotel, Near Chester, on Friday 9 July 2010. The event includes Golf, Laser Clay and Archery during the day. With nearly 200 booked there are limited places available. The After Dinner Speaker is Paul Boardman, comedian and regular ‘Sky Sports News’ presenter.

For any queries contact Julie Harley at the CAB office on
01453 828851.

Tower block refurb

Priestman Point, a tower block at Bow in the East End of London, has just had a major refurbishment inside and out. High performance windows have been fitted, the insulation has been improved and a new community centre added at ground level.
[Read the Rest Here]

Shutters at your leisure

The new Meadows leisure centre at Maghull, Liverpool, is a long-awaited facility for the people of Sefton.
[Read the Rest Here]

Excellent rating for Kendall project

Situated on the edge of the Lake District National Park Kendal College has recently been transformed into an ‘eye-catching’ landmark following the completion of a £12.9 million new-build project.
[Read the Rest Here]

Ordnance Survey ventilated

Ordnance Survey began work on their its Southampton head office in April 2009. Located alongside the busy M271 the building will be a flagship corporate building.
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Aluminium automation

Haffner’s latest machine will bring all the benefits of automation to the aluminium window fabrication sector. It’s a sister product to the SBA cutting and machining centre.
[Read the Rest Here]