Newsletter 1-2008

Editoriale

Dino Fenzi

2007 got off to a very good start for the world economy but closed with very few ups and lots of downs.

Over the past two/three years, the massive transfer of wealth from consumers in highly developed nations towards emerging countries and producer countries of raw materials has fueled a significant amount of turbulence on financial markets. The first signs appeared during summer 2007, leading to a chronic crisis at the end of the year.

Since financial crises have a fatal impact on the real economy, the effects started being felt by industry, especially the manufacturing sector, in western countries. This was accompanied by a fall in building activity which is the driving force of our sector as well as of the economy on the whole.

The forecasts for 2008 are therefore necessarily very cautious. While 2007 was an “annus mirabilis” in terms of volumes and activity, 2008 will be a year of consolidation during which we can upgrade our efficiency, service and “customer care”. Over this time we can also strengthen our presence in markets that will continue to develop (the group has 7 very efficient manufacturing sites in the world) and optimize activities in markets that are expected to remain stagnant.

Here and there, all over the world, the best-performing products that bring a better quality of life will be rewarded. Glass, in all its energy-saving applications, is in the front line. This is very comforting news for our industry and makes all of us almost certain about a brighter future.

Over the past week weeks, various New Year’s celebrations have been taking place in the 100 or so countries where the Fenzi Group has important customers and commercial partners. Our best wishes to you all for a productive 2008 !

CE MARK: A TURNING-POINT FOR IG MANUFACTURERS

More than 2 years ago, Fenzi set up a Targeted Service Program that would place IG producers in the best condition to adopt a “Quality System”, as required by UNI EN 1279 standard since March 2007.

WARM-EDGE NEWS FROM ROLLTECH

Despite the overwhelming success of the now famous Chromatech and Chromatech Plus spacer bars in the warm-edge IG market, Rolltech has decided to launch a new warm-edge spacer in 2008: Chromatech Ultra.

THIRD GENERATION OF ECO-FRIENDLY DURALUX PAINTS

The Fenzi Group has always been very concerned about ecological and environmental issues: for this very reason it continues to focus on upgrading the performance and environmental compatibility of its products.

NEWS AND EXCELLENT PROSPECTS FROM VITRUM 2007

Word was already out that Vitrum 2007 would have a lot to offer in terms of new products. Hosted in the new FieraMilano exhibition complex in Rho, the spaces, interiors and services immediately gave it a special look that was very innovative and different from the previous exhibitions.

Flash news 1 2008

ROLLTECH RECEIVES INNOVATION AWARD COSTS OF RAW MATERIALS CONTINUE TO RISE