GGF looking forward to a ‘positive future’

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) says it is looking forward to ‘a very positive future’, despite some ‘media speculation’ of internal disruption as the organisation undergoes a transitional period.

John Agnew, GGF president issued the following statement to reassure GGF members and related stakeholders that the GGF and its group of subsidiary companies are on a ‘progressive path’ to grow and serve the industry:

GGF President’s Statement:

As president and chairman of the board of directors of the Glass and Glazing Federation, I would like to highlight the positive changes at the GGF in the last 12 months.

The changes to the management structure and the organisation’s direction were unanimously agreed by the GGF board. It is worth noting that the GGF board is made up of representatives from across the main sectors of the glass and glazing industry.

GGF board directors are democratically elected by GGF members and the positions are entirely voluntarily and unpaid. In the past, some board directors have resigned due to the non-declaration of conflicts of interest. The GGF has always had firm rules in place to declare any conflicts of interest and all board members must sign this agreement before being ratified as GGF board members and at every board meeting, the chair remind all in attendance of the rules regarding conflicts of interest.

The board decisions taken and resultant changes in the past year are to be applauded as they were strong decisions made in the best interests of GGF members and the wider industry. The changes have also been accepted and welcomed by the GGF Group staff.

With the appointment of Phil Pluck as the new GGF chief executive in May this year, along with the subsequent management restructure aligned to the new additions to the GGF board, I can confidently state that the GGF and its group of subsidiary companies are now in a better position than ever before to serve GGF members and the industry.

As with most businesses during a transition period, there will inevitably be some more changes along the way, but rest assured none will be to the detriment of the GGF and its members.

With record numbers of companies joining the Federation this year, we are now looking forward to our annual members’ day next month when we will unveil the GGF’s long term strategy to help GGF members and the industry cope with the many challenges ahead.

I am pleased that all connected to the GGF and its group of subsidiary companies have so much to look forward to as the restructure takes shape to enhance all the benefits and services the GGF Group provides to the industry.

The GGF has come a very long way since its foundation in 1977 and as we mark our 40th Anniversary and reflect on the GGF’s great achievements, we also must focus on our future. The changes that have occurred in the past 12 months, will ensure our members and other stakeholders in the subsidiary companies will continue to get the best service from the industry’s main trade body.

Following some recent departures from the GGF’s parent company, the Helix Group, the interim replacements for each role have also been announced:

• Phil Pluck, GGF CEO has now been appointed interim GGF Group CEO.
• Brian Baker, former GGF CEO has been appointed short term interim CEO of GGF parent company, Helix Group. (This will probably be the case until early to mid-September.)
• Kevin Buckley has been appointed longer term interim CEO of Helix Group. This will be for a period of approximately six months.
• Tony Morgan has been appointed interim finance director.

All of the above senior managers are said to ‘bring decades of experience of running membership, commercial and not-for-profit organisations’.

Phil Pluck, GGF Group CEO commented, “The GGF Group is an important part of the Federation and the industry, I am therefore delighted that we now have a strong team in place to maintain the high levels of service our subsidiary companies provide and to build for the future.”

www.ggf.org.uk

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When the creators of Lumi, billed as ‘the industry’s most radical new window and door system’ heard that a substantial ‘ultra-contemporary house’ was being planned not far from its head office, the opportunity seemed too good to miss. Fortunately, the owner of the property agreed, plans were drawn up and the result was not only a ‘stunning private residence’ but also ‘one of the best showpiece installations any manufacturer could wish for’.

“When we began creating the Lumi concept, our mind’s eye put it in a high-value, bespoke contemporary setting,” said Apeer MD, Asa McGillian.

“Then, when we saw that the architect’s drawings were so much like that mental picture, we could not let the opportunity pass. The result is not only a superb piece of architecture in its own right but also an absolutely ideal setting to bring out the best in the Lumi system.”

He added: “Many have been surprised since that Lumi has been chosen as a feature in classical and traditional settings as well as contemporary because it has a simplicity that makes it at home anywhere. But that same simplicity is brought to the fore in such a setting as this.”
The installation makes extensive use of Lumi windows, residential doors and sliding doors, placing them among a variety of exterior materials including white render, grey random stone and shiplap timber cladding.

Anthracite grey was chosen throughout for the Lumi exteriors, with the window interiors in signal grey. Many of the ground floor windows are single-pane floor-to-ceiling panels, calling on the high technical spec and energy efficiency that lie behind Lumi’s unique good looks. In the case of the large panes, however, the proximity of the site did also prove to be an additional bonus, as Asa explained: “At the time, these were some of the biggest panes we had produced in the system so, in some ways, it was a learning experience for us as well. Being such a short distance away however, we were able to supervise both transportation and installation very closely and at the same time gain many valuable insights that have now been integrated into our standard procedures.”

The Lumi system is as radical in its construction as in its looks, with its triple glazing bonded to an internal core of foam-filled reinforced glass fibre profiles. To the exterior, it shows uninterrupted ‘frameless’ panes of glass while the interior has a more recognisable window profile appearance with a variety of colour and grain options to match any interior.

Asa McGillian concluded: “The Lumi system has featured in projects and refurbs of many styles and sizes all around Britain and Ireland in the two years since its launch but this one still stands out as one of the best examples of everything that the Lumi system can achieve. We are all very proud of it and it almost goes without saying that the owner is as thrilled with it as we are.”

www.apeer.co.uk

The post The ideal showpiece for Lumi appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Image Above: Guardian Glass’ new float and coated glass plant is planned to be located adjacent to the company’s existing plant in Czestochowa, Poland.                 (Photo Guardian Industries Corp.)

Guardian Industries has approved the investment for an additional float and coated glass manufacturing plant in Czestochowa, Poland, to meet the growing demand for float, coated and fabricated glass products across Europe.

The new facility location is planned to be adjacent to the company’s existing plant, with preparation and execution of the project starting immediately. The facility is expected to begin operations in the third quarter of 2019, and will create more than 150 new jobs. It will pull 1,000 metric tons of glass per day and will include a technologically advanced glass coater.

Guardian Glass President and CEO Kevin Baird says: “The new facility will be the biggest green field capital investment in Guardian Glass’ history and will further position us as a leading producer of high performance, safety and energy-efficient glass products for European residential and commercial buildings.” He adds: “Guardian is excited about the growth we’ve seen in Poland — and confident that the Czestochowa location is well positioned to meet our customer’s needs. We’ve enjoyed strong support from the city of Czestochowa, the Katowice Special Economic Zone and the Polish government.”

Further evidence of the company’s commitment to Poland, Guardian Glass’ existing float line in Czestochowa will go through a repair project at the start of 2018 that will increase its production capacity.

“We look forward to continued growth in Poland and neighboring countries. The co-location of the two plants will create a competitive and efficient structure to deliver a wide range of glass products and will contribute to generate long-term value for our customers in the region,” says Guus Boekhoudt, Vice President of Guardian Glass in Europe.

In addition to the Czestochowa plant, Guardian Glass operates facilities in Oroshaza, Hungary; Thalheim, Germany; and Ryazan and Rostov, Russia, among its 10 European float plant locations.