Naugatuck Glass continues under New Flag: FLABEG Technical Glass U.S. Corporation

With a change of name to FLABEG Technical Glass U.S. Corp. the acquisition of Naugatuck Glass, Connecticut, initiated in mid-2008, is now complete. By this move FLABEG has expanded its solar portfolio with a focus on thin glass technology for solar applications.

In the field of machining and finishing of thin glass with strengths of 0.95 mm, Naugatuck Glass acquired a leading position. And now FLABEG is building on this experience to develop strategically ist future orientation as a leading supplier in the field of concentrating solar thermal power plants (CSP). Additionally, in this context, it is also pressing ahead with the development of lead-and copper-free protection and coating systems for solar energy applications.

“Even for parabolic-reflector power stations thinner glass units are interesting. The thinner the glass, the higher the degree of reflection,” explains Axel Buchholz, CEO of the FLABEG Group. Thus FLABEG is once again manifesting its role as an experienced and innovative partner for plant operators.

FLABEG, founded in 1882, is an independent company with ten manufacturing facilities in Europe, America and Asia. FLABEG is active in the commercial sectors of automotive mirrors, solar glass mirrors and technical glass, specializing in all processes of glass finishing, and sets technological standard in terms of the company‘s core competencies – bending and coating.

Mirror components, bending and the application of optical and functional layers also rank among the core competencies of FLABEG Technical Glass U.S. Corp., (formerly Naugatuck Glass, founded in 1927) so that FLABEG now virtually covers the spectrum of flat glass processing.

Via EPR Network
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Nationwide search for new energy saving inventions and ideas

npower has conducted a new study which reveals that 40% of adults are convinced they have come up with a great idea or invention that they hope could make them rich.

The study, commissioned by leading energy company npower to launch Britains Bright Ideas, a nationwide search for new energy saving inventions and ideas, also revealed that over one in four men (26%) now regularly devise new creations. A further 40% of all adults surveyed were spurred on to try inventing due the current economic climate.

npower has linked up with Wallace & Gromit in its new adverts, and it seems the British public shares the animated duo’s have-a-go approach to innovation. But, while Wallace is caught out by his inefficient boiler in the latest ad, 36% of the British public are intent on concocting contraptions that reduce household bills, saving both energy and money.

The findings also suggest pillow talk is a thing of the past, with almost half (46%) of budding British inventors generally devising their ideas in bed, while a further 16% of men have their light bulb moment on the loo.

Adults are more aware than ever of the importance of energy efficiency in protecting the planet and their pockets, with 82% agreeing that new energy saving ideas should receive more support. In response to the research, npower is urging enterprising adults to act on their inspiration by entering their top energy saving devices, gadgets and clever thoughts into the Britain’s Bright Ideas competition.

Notes to Editors:
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total online sample size was 2224 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken 9th – 14th April 2009. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

About npower 
npower is one of the UK’s largest electricity suppliers and has 6.6 million customer accounts across the UK. npower sponsors the 2009 npower Ashes Series in England, Women’s Test Series, the Twenty20 Cup and Village Cup.

RWE npower has been awarded the prestigious CommunityMark from Business in the Community (BITC). npower is the only utility business, amongst 21 other companies in the UK, to receive this accolade. The CommunityMark is a new BITC standard which has been created to recognise companies that are good investors in local communities and who have brought about real and positive changes.

The npower Active programme, which is run in partnership with the English Federation of Disability Sport, has been awarded a prestigious ‘Silver Big Tick’ by Business in the Community.

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Increasing Demand For Energy Efficiency Specialists

According to Hays, the specialist recruitment company, a drive to reduce carbon emissions on new and existing buildings, in order to meet energy efficiency targets, has led to an increased requirement for qualified individuals with experience and knowledge of sustainability and energy efficiency.

“Employers are keen to bring on board building services professionals with cutting-edge knowledge of new energy efficient and low carbon systems,” commented Rebecca Coen, Senior Manager at Hays Building Services.

Low Carbon Consultants (LCC) is one such group of professionals who advise on the design and operation of commercial buildings to meet the highest energy efficiency standards complying with Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPB). LCCs can subsequently qualify and attain the Low Carbon Energy Assessor (LCEA) grade.

Qualifications in this field have risen in popularity and there are a number of graduate and postgraduate degrees. These qualifications can make a significant difference to those looking for building services jobs, particularly during the current downturn.

“Achieving LCC status not only means that individuals can command better salaries but these specialsts can make a real difference to consultancies and bring in much-needed project work,” added Rebecca Coen.

LCC and Part L skills can also be easily transferred from the private to the public sector, where buildings, such as schools, hospitals and libraries of a certain size need to conform to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and have appropriate Display Energy Certificates (DECs). The regulations will affect all buildings and therefore those with low carbon and energy efficient designs will add to the property’s value. There is also demand for heating systems engineers with experience of bio-mass and bio-fuel boilers, which are practically carbon neutral. As well as the technical skills and prior experience, consultancies are looking for engineers who can come up with new ways of developing these systems.

“Contractors and consultants are thinking strategically about how they can win business and public sector investment specific for the projects they’re tendering for. They’re looking for people with MOD, NHS, schools experience – these are great selling points. There is also demand in estates teams within hospitals for electrical, M&E engineers and contracts managers,” noted Rebecca Coen.

Chartership and qualifications are now more important than ever and employers are looking for people who can demonstrate a long-term commitment to the building services industry. Employers want people to push their business forward and want to see evidence of the projects they’ve worked on, their involvement, and importantly where they can add value to their business. Prior experience of innovative examples of the implementation of energy saving technology should always be included when applying for jobs in building services.

A solid Continuing Professional Development (CPD) record is especially important in the current market, “Individuals must pay close attention to their career development. There are many monthly meetings held across the UK by organizations such as the CIBSE, HVCA and the ECA – attendance is free and individuals should take advantage and supplement their CPD,” concluded Rebecca Coen.

 

About Client:
Hays Building Services is part of Hays plc and specialises in a range of building services roles including electrical engineering jobs, sustainability jobs and project management jobs. It is market leader in the UK and Australia, and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe. The Group employs 8,294 staff operating from 380 offices in 27 countries across 17 specialisms.

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