Clearview North December 2013 - Issue 145 | Page 4

fromtheeditor

IN WITH THE NEW
We’re all so busy here at Clearview HQ, as
we prepare to move to our new, larger and
completely refurbished premises, that we almost
missed our own 12-year anniversary!
And what better way to celebrate 12 years
of Clearview magazine than to relocate our
growing operations to shiny, new offices
and welcome some more recruits to the
Clearview Group publishing team. We’ll
update you with our new contact details in
due course so keep your eyes peeled.
RETROSPECTIVE

In this, our last issue of 2013, we take a look
back at the industry over the past year in our
2013 Review feature, which kicks off on page
64 with a special double-page spread detailing
the findings of the 2013 Fabricator and
Installer Report, published by Insight Data.
We also have an exclusive on page 66 from
CPA Director, Jeremy Brett, where he unpicks
the findings from the leading installer support
body’s recent installer barometer.
Put all that together with the news from
RICS that UK house building is continuing to

increase on page 15 and Dekko’s report of an
upturn in the Irish construction industry on
page 22 and even the most skeptical among us
would have to admit that the suggestion that
2013 would herald an end to industry decline
has in fact materialised.
But, as is always the case following a
recession, as the storm clouds part to reveal
blue sky, the vista that is revealed looks
significantly different to what went before.
The report from Robert Palmer is particularly
telling as to how the market has changed in
terms of product when it comes to composite
doors. He asks, ‘Are composites showing
PVCu the door?’ on page 30 at the start of our
special Composite Door feature.
On page 44 Mike Crewdson of Emplas
reflects on whether the impact of triple glazing
has lived up to expectations and discusses it’s
place in the market as we move into 2014.
And speaking of living up to expectations, as

we enter the sixth month since CE marking
became a legal requirement, our feature
beginning on page 38 reveals the reality
behind the build up to the 1st July deadline.
Sadly though, despite the apparent overall
positivity there have, of course, been some
casualties along the way and unfortunately
Pilkington float glass volumes have suffered
from overcapacity, resulting in its decision to
cease manufacturing at its Cowley Hill plant.
Matt Buckely explains below.
And as this is our December issue, all that’s
left for me to do is wish you all a very merry
Christmas. Enjoy the season’s festivities, you’ve
earned it! I hope the year has been good to
you and I look forward to seeing you again in
2014 for our New Year issue. Thank you for
reading.
Becky Taylor,
Editor.

www.clearview-uk.com

GLASS MANUFACTURING SET TO CEASE
Following a review of the European
Architectural Business, Pilkington United
Kingdom Limited has announced proposals
to cease manufacture and to mothball the
Cowley Hill Float Manufacturing line
(CH2) in the UK.
The current economic downturn has
impacted severely on Float glass volumes
resulting in overcapacity, reduced prices
and lack of profitability in the float product
segment for the Company in the UK. As a
result, a decision has been taken to adjust
production capacity to match profitable
customer demand. It is anticipated that
approximately 140 jobs will be affected.

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DEC 2013

The new Off-line coating line, as well
as Silvering, Laminating and associated
Warehousing and Engineering activity will
continue on the Cowley Hill site.
The Company will continue to manufacture
Float glass at its larger line at Greengate
(UK5), also in St Helens.

The Company will be opening a
voluntary redundancy window to mitigate
the impact of compulsory redundancies.
Discussions have commenced with
employees and their representatives.
Matt Buckley, Managing Director UK
and Ireland, said, “This is a very difficult
decision for the Company. Demand for
Architectural glass (replacement windows,
new houses and new offices) is insufficient
to warrant the number of Float lines in
the UK. This segment of our business is
hugely loss making and we have had to
address it in order to protect the rest of our
business.”

To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com