New face at Adams Rite
Russell Richards has joined Adams Rite as regional sales manager for the Central and Wales area.
[Read the Rest Here]
Personnel success
Carl F Petersen has retained recognition as an Investor in People.
[Read the Rest Here]
A new decade, a new award
Southam-based construction facade company Alumet Systems started the new decade in style when they collected the 'Midlands Business Innovation of the Year' award last week.
[Read the Rest Here]
Sealing covered
A new EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) tape system from ISO-Chemie provides long term sealing of construction applications including curtain walling and architectural aluminium, the company claims.
[Read the Rest Here]
Technal scheme wins award
A regeneration project in Glasgow featuring curtain walling from Technal, has won a UK Aluminium in Renovation Award.
[Read the Rest Here]
Low rise glazing revolution?
Technal, has launched a new rapid-build facade system for low rise building applications – and the first in the UK, it claims, to offer integral opening vents.
[Read the Rest Here]
Loan sparks expansion
USA: Sage Electrochromics has been offered a $72 million loan guarantee by the US Department of Energy, which comes hot the heels of a $31 million tax credit the company was awarded earlier this year.
[Read the Rest Here]
Hybrid Series 2 at Ecobuild
As Ecobuild continues to grow in popularity – over 41,000 visitors travelled to a packed Earls Court this year – Senior Architectural Systems continues to innovate in the timber aluminium composite sector.
[Read the Rest Here]
Specification guide
Kawneer has launched what it considers to be an even more user-friendly specification guide to its architectural aluminium systems.
[Read the Rest Here]
Ralco launches
Rob Lawrence, formerly managing director of a major European hardware manufacturer, has launched a new company: Ralco UK.
[Read the Rest Here]
Approved by architects
A Riba-approved CPD training seminar from Geze UK, the UK’s leading manufacturer of door and window control systems, is proving a particular hit with today’s chartered architects.
[Read the Rest Here]
Sky’s the limit
Häfele Group, supplied hardware products and technology worth €8 million for the world’s tallest building that was recently opened in Dubai.
[Read the Rest Here]
Meeting the needs of the disabled
It is widely believed that the type of door lever that complies with BS8300 is limited to a standard return to door lever, said Hefele when reporting on its popular CPD seminar on architectural ironmongery.
[Read the Rest Here]
Improved thermal performance
Pilkington Cervoglass Activ and Pilkington Cervoglass Sun are now available with ultra low emissivity coated glass as the inner pane, improving U-value in preparation for the new Part L of the Building Regulations 2010.
[Read the Rest Here]
Blast-proof
Sapa Building System’s knowledge of blast resistance has been called into play for the design and building of the new Welsh Assembly Government office at Llandudno Junction in North Wales.
[Read the Rest Here]
Accidents can happen
Pasma, the trade association for the mobile access tower industry, has published a new information DVD/CD called ‘Accidents can happen even at low level’.
[Read the Rest Here]
Best of both worlds
The Parkside Group has launched Alu-Timber, a range of aluminium/timber windows, doors and framing, that combines sustainably grown FSC or PEFC timbers with 100% recyclable aluminium.
[Read the Rest Here]
Best of both worlds
I saw a very interesting development when I was at Fensterbau at the end of March, one that brings together the strengths of aluminium and PVC-U in one product.
I may be exaggerating this slightly, but PVC-U and aluminium often stand at opposite corners when it comes to being specified on domestic or light commercial projects. Clients will often be seduced by the clean lines and higher value of aluminium, but could then be swayed by the lower cost of PVC-U, while maintaining some of the aesthetics.
PVC-U window fabricators certainly see the value in aluminium because many of them have been developing their own aluminium ranges; the aluminium market has held its own in recent years, it seems, while the PVC-U market has contracted.
It is a big investment to make, and one that is not available to all fabricators – something that benefits existing aluminium fabricators.
However, what I saw at Fensterbau could potentially throw a spanner in the works. Veka and Kömmerling were both demonstrating products that used aluminium and PVC-U. In the case of Veka, its products were predominantly PVC-U with a substantial aluminium foil on the external face. Kömmerling, on the other hand, was presenting products that used co-extruded aluminium and PVC-U, making the aluminium element a greater part of the final product.
Fabricators manufacturing the Kömmerling product would have to invest in aluminium machinery, but could compete directly with existing aluminium fabricators offering a cheaper product – particularly since the PVC-U on the internal face could be foiled with a wood-effect foil.
From what I saw, the Veka product could be manufactured using existing machinery, but wouldn’t have the same aluminium strength as the Kömmerling one. However, it certainly had the same appeal, and the PVC-U content would be difficult to determine when the product is in place.
It says something about the inherent appeal of aluminium, when two of the largest European PVC-U profile extruders are including aluminium in their product offering, and I think these products could have a profound effect on the specification of aluminium windows in this country. However, in doing so, I think that it could also have a profound effect on the way they are manufactured. It’s certainly one to watch.
Don't forget CAB's Technical Conference being held on Thursday May 13th – ‘Get Legal, Stay Legal’. Details and booking forms can be found at www.c-a-b.org.uk. Speakers include John Tebbit of CPA talking about the revised Building Regulations.
Nathan Bushell
Missed last month's Aluminium in Architecture Ezine? It's here
CHIEF EXEC'S COMMENT
Uncertainty rules construction agenda Rising temperatures in early spring are great for lifting the spirits and offer a mildly pleasant diversion from the uncertainty we all face, not only in the building sector but politically too, with an intriguing election only four weeks away. Peter Andrews, Agent for Greater London, Bank of England highlighted at a recent CPA Council lunch that the main area of concern was for a hung parliament because of the delays this could bring to decisions to progress major construction projects.
On the 13th May 2010 the CAB will be holding its 5th Annual Technical Conference at Stratford Manor Hotel, Warwickshire, CV37 0PY This will be the first Technical Conference that I, as the CAB’s new Technical Consultant, will be involved in, and I believe that the theme ‘Get Legal, Stay legal!’ is both simple and meaningful.  THIS MONTH'S NEWS Eurocodes create a new beginning GGF proves equality credentials 
New structure for Glasstec H&S standard achieved
DHF joins SBD
A ‘double’ for Total Glass? Towering success
Good response to website launch
Insightful Mail Working in the right environment
Care home installation Extending the range
Stylish doors
‘Invisible’ shutters protect Business Park
Five-star refurb
Trojan Group relocates Open day |
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‘Book Now! CAB Technical Conference 2010’
Book now at www.c-a-b.org.uk for the 5th CAB Technical Conference entitled ‘Get Legal, Stay Legal’. Limited spaces are still available for the event on Thursday 13 May 2010 at Stratford Manor Hotel, Warwickshire CV37 0PY.
More
Here:
Top marks
LDG Group has just completed its part in an energy efficient £3.4million internal alterations and refurbishment project for Brookfield School in Skelmersdale.
[Read the Rest Here]
Best practice in practice
Alumet has recently constructed a £500,000 production facility, which houses state-of-the-art fabrication machinery, including a fully-automated compound double mitre saw, CNC machine, overhead cranes, Alucobond plant and Emmergi Comet T6 Machining Centre.
[Read the Rest Here]
Keeping Concorde covered
A decommissioned Concorde aeroplane (one of only 20 ever built) is now on display at Manchester Airport, and can be viewed through a 9m high aluminium curtain wall screen supplied by Senior Architectural Systems.
[Read the Rest Here]
A sure start in life
Senior Architectural Systems have recently supplied Hybrid windows and aluminium doors for the recently completed Sure Start Children’s Centre for Kirklees Council.
[Read the Rest Here]
Courting the law
Using curtain walling, windows and doors from architectural aluminium systems supplier Kawneer on a new civic centre for West Lothian, proved an enlightening experience for architects BDP.
[Read the Rest Here]
Sprint finish
Sprint Coatings has been involved on the construction of the Aviva Stadium, which is set to be one of the most iconic buildings in Dublin.
[Read the Rest Here]
Sheffield aluminium
Fenestration is the major component of the facade of the Arts Tower at Sheffield University, a Grade 2 listed building which is currently undergoing a major refurbishment programme.
[Read the Rest Here]
Facelift for Connolly
A new waiting room and ticketing office has recently been opened inside one of the first railway stations in Ireland, Dublin Connolly – commonly known as Connolly Station. The station was first opened to the public on 29 November 1844.
[Read the Rest Here]
Security test for
bi-folds
Chiltern Dynamics has produced a test methodology for evaluating bi-folding doorsets for their security performance, at the request of manufacturers.
[Read the Rest Here]
Commercial door update
Senior Architectural Systems has recently updated its commercial door systems to accommodate a wide range of specialist hardware to cater for most main entrance requirements, including electronic security devises and automatic door systems.
[Read the Rest Here]
Fast KAT
KAT UK Aluminium division has recently commissioned WMD (Yorkshire) to install a CNC bead saw into its factory based in Hazel Grove, Stockport to improve its lead times for aluminium pdroduct.
[Read the Rest Here]
New exhibition website
The organiser of the G10 Regional Exhibitions & Awards for the glass and glazing industries has launched a new website – www.g-events.co.uk
[Read the Rest Here]
Webinar download
USA: Jordan, Knauff & Company has made available a free download, including slides and audio, of its recently recorded Fall/Winter 2009 Window & Door Industry Update webinar.
[Read the Rest Here]
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