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Maytag Contuinues to Suffer as Market Shifts

Maytag Corporation reported on 21st October third quarter consolidated net sales of $1.26 billion, up 6.5 percent from net sales of $1.19 billion in the same period last year.

Reported net loss for the third quarter was $18.2 million or 23 cents per share, compared with net income of $7.5 million, or 9 cents per share, a year earlier. Diluted earnings (loss) per share for the third quarters of 2005 and 2004 included the following items:

In the third quarter, Home Appliances net sales were up 6.7 percent driven largely by increases in major appliances net sales. In addition, Maytag Services continued to show strong revenue growth versus a year ago. Compared to the prior year period, net sales of floor care products in the third quarter were down despite an increase in unit sales. This net sales decrease was due to a continued decline of floor care product pricing and mix. Commercial Products net sales were up 2.5 percent compared to the same period last year.

Ralph Hake (pictured), chairman and CEO, noted, 'Despite the top-line sales successes, our excess manufacturing capacity in some product categories continues to worsen as consumer demand shifts to our products that we source from lower cost manufacturers. Also, higher raw material and transportation costs primarily driven by increases in oil prices negatively impacted the quarter.'

In addition to these expenses, $8.5 million of net merger-related expenses impacted the quarter.

'Maytag experienced strong growth in key product categories and that again is indicating that consumers and our trade partners believe in and are purchasing the Maytag family of quality products and brands,' said Hake. 'During the quarter, there were strong sales gains in refrigeration and laundry, as well as solid growth in Jenn-Air branded appliances.'

Hake stated, 'Our performance demonstrates the need to urgently address our specific excess manufacturing capacity issues and eliminate these barriers to cost competitiveness and acceptable financial performance. We remain committed to address these issues. The actions we take could include restructuring charges, asset impairments and/or accelerated depreciation related to the affected operations and certain cash costs. We continue to analyse various alternatives to address these structural costs.'

The company also said that a new asset-based $600 million five-year, senior secured revolving credit facility is expected to close early in the fourth quarter. The new facility will replace the current $300 million credit facility. The new credit facility is expected to provide Maytag with substantially more financial capacity and flexibility to meet its 2006 debt maturities and its long-term financing requirements. Maytag would have the ability to increase the new credit facility by $150 million to $750 million.

On August 22nd, 2005, Maytag and Whirlpool signed a definitive merger agreement in which Whirlpool will acquire all outstanding shares of Maytag in a cash and stock merger. A preliminary prospectus/proxy statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and both parties are working closely with the Antitrust Division of the U. S. Department of Justice in its ongoing review of the proposed merger. Maytag and Whirlpool continue to expect the transaction to close as early as the first quarter of 2006, following approval from Maytag stockholders and regulatory clearance.

The Maytag Board of Directors has scheduled a special meeting of stockholders for December 16th, 2005, to consider and vote on the adoption of the merger agreement. Stockholders of record of Maytag as of November 2nd, 2005, will be entitled to vote on the transaction.

Nine-Month Performance
Maytag's net sales in the first nine months of 2005 were $3.66 billion, up 2.9 percent from net sales of $3.56 billion in the first nine months of 2004. Operating income was $43.2 million, down 7.4 percent from $46.6 million reported in the same year-earlier period. Last year, operating income was negatively impacted by an $18.5 million charge for front-load washer litigation and nearly $55 million of restructuring and related charges, compared to about $11 million in the current year.

lmproved Q3 Profit for Nobia, but UK 9% Down

Nobia's third quarterly profit showed improvement despite a weak trend on several key markets. Progress on the Nordic market remained positive. Demand grew by an estimated 6 per cent during the first nine months of the year compared with the corresponding period last year.

The buoyancy of the new-build segment in Sweden and Norway is one of the driving factors behind the continued positive performance of the Nordic market. So far this year, Nobia's organic growth has been around 14 per cent for the Nordic business. Deeper co-operation with key customers has been a major factor behind this strong performance. It has led to higher volumes but also higher order value as sales of accessories and services have risen. During Q3, two DIY stores were opened in Finland. The modernisation of the store network throughout the rest of the Nordic region continued.

'ln our key markets in continental Europe - i.e. Germany, the Netherlands and Austria - we estimate that demand has fallen by around 3 per cent for the period January-September. Meanwhile organic growth for Nobia's Continental business was around 3 per cent. Higher exports were the main driver behind the increase. The integration of EWE-FM, meanwhile, has continued according to plan.'

Estimates suggest that demand in the UK market has fallen by around 6 per cent for the period January-September compared with the corresponding period last year. Nobia's organic growth was negative at 6 per cent. Sales in the consumer segment were most affected. Progress in the store network development continues to proceed according to plan. A special initiative has been focused on large stores located centrally in major cities and the stores that have been renovated have produced favourable results. Changes are being made at the Darlington factory, where a transition to order-based production is planned in the first half of 2006.

During the January-September period, net sales climbed 8 per cent to reach SEK 9.151 million (8.487) and the Group's organic growth reached 3 per cent. Organic growth in Q3 was zero, mainly due to weak demand in the UK. The operating profit (EBIT) reached SEK 684 million (694), including a cost of SEK 30 million for the action programme in the UK market announced in the report for the second quarter.

Excluding costs for this scheme, the operating profit for January-September rose to SEK 714 million. The Group's operating profit in Q3 rose to SEK 210 million (205).

The profit after financial items for January-September reached SEK 628 million (625). Earnings per share were up by 4 per cent to SEK 7.82 (7.50). Work aimed at freeing up capital in the business has succeeded and cash flow after investments, but before the acquisition of subsidiaries, improved by SEK 143 million to reach SEK 533 million (390). Return on shateholders' equity amounted to 22.5 per cent on an ongoing 12 month basis.

The UK Business

Net sales reached SEK 3.737 million (4.045), which meant a decline of 8 per cent. Excluding currency effects, sales for comparable units fell by 6 per cent.

Adjusted for currency effects, sales of kitchen, wardrobe and bedroom interiors and joinery fell by a total of 6 per cent compared to the same period last year. The drop in sales is mainly due to a weaker consumer segment for both rigid and flat-pack products.

Within the framework of the ongoing store investment programme at Magnet, eight refurbished stores have so far been re-opened during the year. Sales have increased considerably in the stores that have undergone the refurbishment programme.

Sales have continued to fall for bathroom interiors.

The operating profit fell to SEK 181 million (292). This included SEK 30 million in costs for a completed action programme, which was reported during the second quarter. Lower sales volumes mainly in the consumer segment affected the operating profit negatively. The gross margins for kitchen interiors, both rigid and flat-pack, improved. The completed action programme boosted profits from Q3 on.

The operating margin fell to 4.8 per cent (7.2). Excluding costs for the action programme, the margin was 5.7 per cent.

UK third quarter sales were down by 9 per cent to SEK 1.223 million (1.341). Excluding currency effects, sales for comparable units fell by 9 per cent. The fall in sales was mainly due to the consumer segment for both rigid and flat-pack products. Sales of joinery products were hit by temporary product-supply problems in connection with the closure of in-house door production.

CEO's Comments

Nobia's CEO Fredrik Cappelen commented on the results for the quarter and the ongoing action programme.

'It is satisfying to be able to report a rise in profits despite weak demand on some of our important markets, such as the UK and Germany. The improvement is mainly due to continued successes within the Nordic business.'

Mr Cappelen also emphasised the importance of continued cost-cutting.

'We are currently intensifying the ongoing work to reduce product costs. This is essential in order to achieve the full effect of the market investments we have carried out and will be carrying out. Our aim remains unchanged: to continue growing faster than the market in general. To do that we must be the leader in terms of low costs,' says Cappelen.

Mr Cappelen pointed to three significant areas in Nobia's work on cutting costs.

'The most important area is purchasing costs. We have started an internal process where we are systematically looking at all of our product categories. The purpose is to further tighten our co-ordination and review our current purchasing channels,' he says.

Another key area is the further upgrading of production at Magnet in the UK.

'We have sold and closed down non-core business. Now we are entering the next phase, which means improving the efficiency of existing production facilities. Early next year, we are planning a transition to order-based production at Magnet's Darlington factory, which is an important step for us.'

Wolseley's £140m Acquisition of Encon, a UK Distributor of Insulation

Wolseley plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and heating products to professional contractors and a leading supplier of building materials, announced on 24th October that, since the last acquisition update on 18th October 2005, it has completed a further two acquisitions including the acquisition of Encon, a leading distributor of insulation products in the UK.

Since the beginning of the financial year on 1st August 2005, a total of ten distribution businesses in Europe and North America have been acquired for an aggregate consideration of approximately £235 million in cash. These ten acquisitions are expected to add approximately £357 million to group turnover in a full year. Goodwill related to these acquisitions is estimated to be around £166 million.

European Distribution
On 22nd October 2005, Wolseley UK acquired insulation distribution specialist Encon from 3i and certain Encon management and staff. The acquisition is in line with Wolseley's strategy of expanding its European distribution operations into related construction materials. The cash consideration of £140.5 million will be financed from Wolseley's existing resources.

The Encon business
Encon is the second largest insulation distributor in the UK with around an 11 per cent market share. With around 550 employees across a network of 22 branches in the UK, Encon is a leading operator specialising in mineral fibre insulation, foam insulation and drywall, ceiling and partition products. The insulation market promises strong growth in response to legislation for improved thermal and acoustic performance in new and existing buildings. Furthermore, increasing fuel prices and demands for energy conservation, along with an increase in loft conversions and timber frame construction, are also expected to keep the insulation market buoyant.

Wolseley believes that there will be significant opportunities for growth and synergies between Encon and Wolseley UK, particularly the distribution of Encon's 14,000 insulation and dry-lining products through Wolseley UK's network of branches.

The key operational management of Encon will remain with the business and join the Wolseley group reporting to Adrian Barden, Managing Director, Wolseley UK.

Financial effects of acquisition
For the year ended 31st August 2005, Encon reported sales of £169.0 million and operating profit, before goodwill amortisation, of £9.7 million. Gross assets at that date were £71.2 million. The acquisition is expected to be earnings enhancing from the outset. The return on gross capital employed is expected to achieve Wolseley's normal acquisition return target.

North American Plumbing and Heating Distribution
In October 2005, Ferguson acquired Camellia Valley Supply ('CVS'), a waterworks wholesaler based in Sacramento, CA, from Pacific Coast Supply, LLC. The acquisition of CVS strengthens Ferguson's waterworks position in Northern California, adding three new locations and expanding its customer base. In the year ended 31st March 2005, CVS had sales of $33.8 million (£18.8 million) and had gross assets of $12.5 million (£6.9 million) at that date.

Charlie Banks (pictured), Group Chief Executive of Wolseley said:
'We are delighted to announce these new acquisitions which will further strengthen our presence in Europe and North America. I am particularly pleased with the Encon acquisition which supports our strategy of expanding the range of construction products we distribute. Encon makes Wolseley the second largest player in the UK insulation market when previously we had little presence. It is an excellent company and it operates in a market which should provide significant opportunities for future growth.'

Russians Unveil Radiator Monument

Energy workers in Russia have marked the onset of the country's severe winter - with a monument to the world's first radiator.

The sculpture, of a cat lying on a windowsill over a heater, was unveiled at a power station in the city of Samara, south-east of Moscow.

Russians say the device was invented in St Petersburg 150 years ago.

'We did our own research and turned up lots of interesting new things,' said Vladimir Gromov, deputy head of the local electricity company's public relations department in Samara.

'It turns out that the radiator was invented in Russia, of all places, some 150 years ago, and it was from Russia that the radiator spread to the rest of the world to heat it,' he told Russia's NTV channel.

The ceremony came at the start of Samara's cold season, when central heating goes on throughout the city.

The sculpture was crafted by local artist Nikolay Kuklev, who used the cat to create an impression of cosiness and comfort.

'It is a monument to warmth, a monument to something that brings warmth and comfort. What could be better than that, particularly in winter?' he told NTV television.

The local energy company held a competition for the best photo of a cat enjoying the warmth of a radiator, and the winner served as a prototype for the sculpture.

It is commonly claimed that the Romans invented central heating, but the Samara company did some research which it said showed the radiator itself first appeared in 1855 in the then Russian capital, St Petersburg.

Its inventor, an ethnic German of Italian origin named Franz San-Galli, named it the 'hot box' and patented it in Germany and the US.

Its Russian origins were later forgotten.

KBB and Expotile 2008 are Moving.....

KBB incorporating Expotile, the kitchens, bathrooms and tiling industry event, will be held at a different time of year from 2008. The event will continue to be a part of The Interiors Event in January 2006, but the biennial event will move to the 9-12 March in 2008, situated in Halls 6, 7 and 17 - 20 at the NEC, Birmingham.

The move of KBB incorporating Expotile is a result of research within both industries, which has found that the event would serve the industries better at this time of year when buyers are looking to source new products for the season ahead. With approval from exhibitors, KBB incorporating Expotile now has the chance to grow even bigger, utilising the space of an extra hall in 2008.

Andy Braid, Event Director comments, 'We feel that bringing KBB incorporating Expotile forward in the year will not only please our visitor audience, giving them an even better opportunity to source the new industry launches, but also gives us a chance to grow into an even bigger and better event!'

KBB incorporating Expotile 2006 will take place from 22-25 January 2006 at the NEC, Birmingham. Please visit http://www.kbb.co.uk for more details.

Bristan Starts Building New Tamworth HQ

As Bristan is putting down new foundations for company growth through its sales and product development activity, the physical foundations of Bristan's future growth are already going in.

To facilitate growth in the company the long-awaited, new Bristan Group Headquarters in Birch Coppice, Tamworth, just a few miles from the current Bristan site, is now well underway. The building itself will be 220,000 sq ft, that's equivalent to over 8 football pitches and over four times the size of the current premises. The overall site is 10 acres, the equivalent of 16 football pitches.

Thanks to frenetic activity on the early stages of the building work the project is currently well on schedule for completion in August 2006 for staff relocation.

The site has been a hive of activity since the heavy machinery moved in and groundwork on the project began in September. Already drains and foundations pads are in for most of the building and the all the foundation bases which are to receive main steelwork have now been cast. In fact much of the main steel structure has already been erected.

Managing Director of Bristan Roger Williams and Chief Executive Steve Lee visited the site to monitor progress first hand and Roger commented: ‘We visited the new Bristan site just 9 weeks into the build and the steel work is already almost complete to the main building. The progress has been very fast and it is very exciting to see the new Bristan building taking shape and you can now imagine just what a superb site this is going to be for Bristan in the future.’

Tel: 0870 4425555
Web: http://www.bristan.com

Picture: (Left) MD of Bristan Roger Williams and Chief Executive Steve Lee don their hard hats to visit the new Bristan site

J&J Ormerod Launches Entry-Level eco Kitchen Range

J&J Ormerod PLC, the independent UK manufacturer of kitchens and bedrooms, will be launching its new eco kitchen range at KBB 2006. These new entry level kitchens will enable kitchen retailers, builders' merchants and contractors to offer the quality of kitchen associated with J&J Ormerod and its existing Colonial kitchen brand at a competitive price.

Prices for an eco sink base start at £75 including VAT. J&J Ormerod will also be offering a trade discount which will allow retailers to offer lower priced, quality kitchens with no loss to the generous margins currently enjoyed with J&J Ormerod Colonial kitchens. The company says that the eco range will also enable retailers to successfully compete with the kitchen joinery trade centres to offer builders higher quality and lower cost kitchens.

The eco range encompasses 12 new door designs in four different colourways which are all available on a standard carcass. The range offers over 50 different unit sizes to complement almost any kitchen design. The eco product line features a large selection of unit widths combined with extra drawer pack widths for optimal use of kitchen storage space.

The eco kitchens can be enhanced using the full collection of Colonial accessories as additional extras, including shelf lights, halogen downlights and over 100 different handles, to create a look that fits around any taste and lifestyle.

J&J Ormerod places a special focus on customer service and support. As a consequence, by purchasing the eco range, a dealer can purchase value kitchens without compromising on the levels of service that it has come to expect under the Colonial range. In fact all national deliveries of the new eco range are guaranteed within 24-48 hours!

J&J Ormerod is a corporate member of the KBSA (Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialist Association), a long term member of ASFI (Association of Suppliers to the Furniture Industry) and a supporter of FIRA (Furniture Industry Research Association).

Tel: 01706 877877
Email: npeters@jjoplc.com

Zip HydroTap Launches in Triple Style

In a series of high profile launch events this month, Zip Heaters (UK) Ltd unveiled its new HydroTap - the kitchen appliance that instantly delivers both freshly filtered boiling and chilled water from the same unit.

Zip is currently known for its extensive commercial range of boiling and chilled energy efficient drinking water appliances, but has now made the technology available to the interior designer and individual homeowner. The domestic HydroTap will be marketed as the lead product within the Zip Designer Range – a range of filtered drinking water systems specially designed for the domestic sector.

The three events took place from 29th September to 10th October and saw the company announce the arrival of its new energy-efficient HydroTap during afternoon tea at The Ritz, whisky tasting at The RAC Club (pictured) and an evening reception with the Australian High Commissioner. The three events were enjoyed by a mix of leading kitchen and interior designers, specifiers, the media and existing customers.

Jim Foxall, Managing Director at Zip Heaters said: 'The HydroTap is a truly revolutionary product and we wanted the UK to know it had arrived in style. We wanted to make an impact.

'The new HydroTap and in fact, the entire Designer Range is completely new to this country but has been tried and tested with phenomenal success in Australia, the home of our parent company. Therefore we knew that it would impress but it’s still been extremely rewarding to see so many enthusiastic supporters at the three events.'

HydroTap is just the latest in Zip’s range of boiling, chilled and ambient water appliances.

For further information about the commercial HydroTap visit http://www.zipheaters.co.uk

or for the ‘Designer Range’ including the domestic HydroTap visit http://www.zipdesignerrange.co.uk

Consumer Microsites Boost Belling's New Advertising Campaign

Belling has launched a new consumer advertising campaign aimed at appealing to a new younger generation of Belling users and designed to drive customer pull through for retailers.

The latest adverts can be spotted over the next few months in woman's national consumer titles such as Red, She and BBC Good Homes, and reflect the fresh lifestyle approach and repositioning of the new Belling models as a real family brand.

Expanding on the 'Belling think of everything' theme each of the five adverts reflects a different situation where an effortless meal has been cooked to celebrate an occasion or achievement.

For example, the first campaign features a woman who has slimmed into her favourite jeans being cooked a stir fry by her boyfriend, the second depicts a man who has survived meeting his girlfriend's mother for the first time through to a child who has survived their first day at school.

Aimed at creating interactive appeal, the adverts also have their own individual microsites which features the recipe depicted in the advert, tips and hints and further details about the products. These microsites can be visited at http://www.favouritejeans.co.uk, http://www.meetingthemother.co.uk, http://www.dumpedatnine.co.uk, http://www.firstdayatwork.co.uk and http://www.firstdayatschool.co.uk and each link back to the main Belling website.

For further information Belling's complete cooking appliance range visit http://www.belling.co.uk or call 0870 458 9663 for a brochure.

Hotpoint 7kg Washer £2m TV Ad Campaign

Hotpoint and Ariel launched their latest high profile TV advert on 15th October, which is set to run till the end of the year. The £2 million ad campaign showcases Hotpoint's new 7kg Ultima washing machine with a clear message that together with Ariel, Hotpoint makes laundry life easier.

The ad shows just how easy it is to relax while a Hotpoint washing machine and Ariel do the hard work. Featuring appliances from Hotpoint's Experience built-in range, the ad is set in a kitchen focusing on the Ultima WT965 washing machine, which in the ad works like a jukebox.

Ariel tablets are dropped into the dispenser drawer like coins and selecting the programme chooses the track. Zooming in on the controls the ad highlights the 7kg family load, Super Silent Wash operation and the 30ºC Cool Wash Programme.

Once the cycle begins the washing looks like a record turning in the drum and the Lionel Richie classic ‘Easy like Sunday morning’ plays while a woman sits back and relaxes with a magazine.


Tel: 08701 50 60 70
Web: http://www.hotpoint.co.uk

3,040 Students from 88 Countries Compete for Electrolux Design Lab Award

The design competition, Electrolux Design Lab, has attracted a total of 3,040 design students from 88 countries around the world. The contest, entering its third consecutive year, is designed to encourage students from around the world to design household appliances for the future.

In this third edition, the Electrolux Design Laboratory is seeking solutions for the home of 2020. The entries will be judged based on their design and innovation in terms of both functional and technological aspects, with a strong focus on solutions for real problems in everyday life. The winner will be announced at an event in Stockholm on November 14th 2005.

This year's line-up of jury members include:
• Paola Antonelli, curator in the Department of Architecture and Design at The Museum of Modern Art in New York
• Johnny Grey, a leading and influential kitchen designer
• Ilse Crawford, founder of the British Elle Decoration and Bare magazine
• Mark Armstrong, Managing Director of Blue Sky Creative in Australia
• Raul Pires, head of exterior design for Bentley
• Henrik Otto is Senior Vice-President of Global Design at Electrolux
• Cathy Huang, Industrial Designer, China

Registered participants are primarily students of industrial design and architecture, but also interior design, graphic design, interactive design and fashion.

Web: http://designlab.electrolux.com

Clyde, Ohio - Chosen for New Manufacturing Site

Fisher & Paykel Appliances is to locate its new manufacturing facility in the United States in Clyde, Ohio. In July this year the Company announced that it would be relocating its Smart Drive clothes washer line that is currently located in Cleveland, Australia and a motor manufacturing line, located in Auckland, New Zealand, to a North American site.

'Clyde is central to our major customers in the USA,' said John Bongard, CEO and Managing Director, 'our motives for moving to an American location were to reduce costs of production, freight and working capital associated with supplying that market, and this can be achieved by being in Ohio.'

Clyde also offers a good infrastructure with a number of companies capable of supporting the production of washing machines and motors that will be manufactured on the site.

The plant is expected to be operational by the end of the current fiscal year.

Fusion Four - The New Hydromassage System from Victory Spa

Victory Spa has announced that all its products will now incorporate 'FusionFour' technology - the bringing together of four performance features.

Victory Spa has worked with physiotherapists to develop its FusionFour system, which is built around four principles with the object of providing a healthy massage rather than a merely pleasant experience. Turbo and SuperTurbo jets mix air with the water, thereby oxygenating the body as well as massaging it. The company says that this is important ‘as water massage alone, while relaxing and promoting inner health, does not address mental and cosmetic health which the air bubbles nurture’.

The second feature of Victory Spa's package is related to the Free Flow of Water. Unlike most hydromassage baths, where water is supplied to the jets via a network of 32mm wide pipes, Victory Spa baths benefit from the use of wider, 50mm pipes to supply all hydrojets. ‘It's all about the balance and flow of water’ says Victory Spa's Caroline Olsen. ‘It stands to reason that the wider the pipe, the greater the flow of water and the deeper and more effective the resultant massage.’

Victory Spa has also experimented with diverse jets designed in conjunction with an in-house team of physiotherapists and the result is that all baths come with three types of strategically placed jets, each specified for its capacity to maximise the benefits of hydromassage. Maxi -adjustable jets are positioned along the side of the bath, Midi-rotational jets pummel the feet while Mini-rotational jets are reserved for the back, an area where the use of maxi jets would not be advised. In combining diverse jets in this way, Victory Spa believes it is unique in the market place, since most manufacturers fit a 'one size fits all' single sized jet. Furthermore, Victory has sought to bring the benefits of reflexology and shiatsu to its products.

Finally, Victory Spa offers baths that can not only combine pressurised air with water but also offer 'water' or 'air only' massages to suit the individual requirement of the user at a given point in time. Since air and water massages offer entirely different treatments, this facility automatically adds value to the Victory Spa range.

Caroline Olsen says ‘FusionFour really is a unique package that sets our products apart from the competition and we believe it sets the standards for the industry. While other brands incorporate some of the technologies, none combine them all the way we have done and as a result we believe we lead the market in terms not only of performance but also value for money’.

Tel: 01652 659 600
Web: http://www.victoryspa.net

Lathams Goes with the 'Flo'

A young furniture designer recently got a helping hand from James Latham, when the timber distributor supplied a selection of panel products for his cutting edge table.

Philip Inchley's 'Flo' table was designed with modern day living in mind, as it is Suitable for multi-purpose use, such as dining, work and play. The table was showcased at this year's 100% Design Show, 'Off the Hook' in Brick Lane and the Valencia Furniture Fair in Spain.

The smooth table top slides from left to right to allow the storage of a laptop, for example, and enables the table to be changed quickly for each different use. The table is also economical to produce, can be flat-packed and is suitable for most lounges, kitchens and dining rooms.

Lathams supplied Philip with sheets of 16mm veneered MDF, in decors of Oak and Black Walnut, as well as edging to go with each of the boards.

Latham's group panel products director Chris Sutton, says, ‘This table was made to a really innovative design, and something that you can see being a real asset in today's homes, which are now more commonly used not only as living space, but also to run businesses or home enterprises.’

Philip adds, ‘I would like to thank James Latham for sponsoring me by supplying the product I needed. It was a great help in getting my furniture design showcased properly, and it will hopefully continue to be a successful project for me.’

Philip graduated recently with a BA Hons in Product and Furniture Design from Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication in Kent. He is currently making standard orders of the 'Flo' table in oak, black walnut and colour finishes until he finds a manufacturer who can take on the design.

James Latham continues to add to its extensive range of panel products and high quality hardwoods, softwoods and timber flooring products. For further information or to receive a brochure or product guide, please contact the marketing department by phone on 0116 257 3415, e-mail at marketing@lathams.co.uk, or visit http://www.lathamtimber.co.uk.

Trade Mouldings Launches Quality PVC 5-Piece Doors

Following a £1.5 million investment in a factory extension and state-of-the-art production line, the producer of wrapped mouldings and pressed kitchen and bedroom doors, Trade Mouldings, says that it has now become the UK's first manufacturer to produce exclusively PVC 5-piece kitchen doors.

The new line is a fully automated combination of specialist machines. These will produce high quality 5-piece PVC doors with 22mm x 90mm rails and stiles. These enclose an 8mm PVC laminated centre panel and all are bonded with high grade PUR adhesive giving heat and water resistant properties.

Initial stock colours for nationwide distribution with no minimum order quantities from Trade Mouldings' distribution centres at Cookstown, Dublin and Greater Manchester will be Maple, Beech, Walnut and Calvados. However the new line is capable any colour to customer specification for volume orders.

The four new doors will take Trade Mouldings' stock range up to 30 kitchen and 6 bedroom doors.

The new line consists of a super-fast Koch S-250 automatic (adjustment to length) cross cut saw which sizes the different rails and stiles from the PVC wrapped mouldings that are produced in another part of the Trade Mouldings factory.

The rails are then fed into a Koch Endmaster P combination machine which automatically applies a heat transferred foil to the edges of each rail end (so the substrate is not exposed on the delicate chamfer of the joint when the door is assembled). The rails then move on to the next station on the machine where they are end drilled and the glue and dowels are automatically inserted before the rails are returned on an under-conveyor to the single operator for off-stacking and quality control. This machine is capable of processing up to 25 pieces per minute.

A different Koch Endmaster K combination machine processes the door stiles by end capping them with 0.4mm PVC tape and then drilling the receptacle holes for the dowels held in the rails. Again this is a fast, single-pass machine returning the completed components to the single operator at the same rates as its sister machine.

The pre-laminated PVC centre panels are cut to size on Trade Mouldings' beam saws and then all 5 pieces (2 rails, 2 stiles and 1 centre panel) are fed into the relevant stations of a unique, fully automatic single-pass assembly centre manufactured by Process of Italy.

In the assembly centre the centre panel is inserted into the grooves of the top and bottom rails and the semi-completed door then turns through 90 degrees and moves on to receive the left and right stiles whose drilled holes are injected with adhesive before the railed centre panels are pressed into place and the completed door delivered via conveyor to the outfeed.

All machines adjust to size fully automatically and each only requires a single operator for setting, infeed and offstacking with quality inspection in-process.The line is capable of producing thousands of doors per week.

Trade Mouldings' Sales Director, Damien Connolley says that the new 5-piece production completes the Trade Mouldings product portfolio of vinyl wrapped doors, solid wood ranges, the recently introduced high gloss doors, and now the 5-piece collection in high quality PVC.

Naturally the Cookstown factory continues to produce the wrapped mouldings and all the other accessories to a match for kitchen manufacturers of any size.