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New features and enhancements in the latest desktop and mobile versions of Estimation’s Service Manager Plus offer significant benefits to building services contractors and other construction disciplines involved in service and maintenance work.

Already widely used by contractors servicing extensive property portfolios, Service Manager Plus now offers improved reporting and management functionality, as well as key productivity features.

For example, KPI (Key Performance Indicator) functionality has been significantly enhanced and extended to clearly show whether SLA (Service Level Agreement) targets are being met for each customer. This includes the ability to suspend SLA timings during 'business closed' hours in order to reflect a true and accurate picture of actual performance.

Time saving features include faster and easier synchronisation with mobile devices, a new ‘site copy’ facility and the ability to import user details from Estimation’s central ContractMaster Plus core module. All of which makes system set-up and administration quick and easy.

Many more new features are included in the latest version, which retains all of its popular features – such as the Defects Liability tool introduced in the last version. This allows users to manage both warranty work and extended maintenance contracts, highlighting when a particular item or site has gone beyond the defects liability period – so that chargeable work is not missed.

Versatile mobility
Service Manager Plus is fully integrated with Estimation’s exclusive mobile technologies that enable mobile versions of the software to be used on any network and just about any mobile device. These include mobile ‘phones, PDAs and XDAs, pocket and tablet PCs and specialist devices such as Blackberry.

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People and businesses are becoming increasingly concerned about climate change and the need to actively reduce our impact on the environment by acting in a more sustainable way. Against this background Dulux Trade is meeting the sustainability challenge head-on with the forthcoming launch of Ecosure, the first step towards environmentally sustainable paint. Ecosure represents an approach to sustainability that is based on scientific rigour and was developed in conjunction with Forum for the Future – leading independent sustainability experts.

Commenting on the new range, David Shepherd, Brand Manager for Dulux Trade said: “Until now, specifying products that deliver on sustainability and performance has been challenging due to the complex nature of the issue and the proliferation of claims. Ecosure will change that.

Ecosure is a really exciting proposition that will enable specifiers to choose products that are proven to have a lower environmental impact, thereby helping them meet their sustainability objectives without compromising on performance.”

The range comprises Matt, Gloss and Undercoat formulations, each water-based and offering ‘best-in-class’ performance. Using the ‘Environmental Impact Analyser’, an analytical tool developed with Forum for the Future, we have been able to measure the reduction against two key sustainability criteria, namely carbon and VOC. The ‘Environmental Impact Analyser’ has enabled us to scrutinise the product from extraction to the point in the supply chain where the product is packaged and ready for distribution at the ICI Slough facility.

Environment & Sustainability
Whilst the Ecosure product range is our most visible environmental sustainability initiative, Dulux Trade is also looking to reduce environmental impact throughout the product life cycle.

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London ? October 10, 2006 ? New single phase (DRK-1P-230-D63) and three phase (DRK-3P-400-D90) module kilowatt hour energy meters from Crompton Instruments, part of the Energy Division of Tyco Electronics, measuring real consumption of active energy. The new devices feature highest class 1 accuracy with easy wiring, a back illuminated LCD display, non-zeroing total counter and partial zeroing counter. The load cable is passed vertically through the case/housing allowing up to 63A direct connection (single phase meter) and 90A direct connection (three phase meter).

Requiring no maintenance, the new kilowatt hour energy meters support energy efficiency and awareness and ensure systems remain balanced and safe. Main applications are switchgear, distribution systems, generator sets and control panels. In addition the devices can also be used for energy management, building management, utility power monitoring, process control and secondary metering applications.

Technical details of the energy meters include class 1 accuracy in accordance with CEI-EN 62053-21, nominal input voltage of 230VAC L-N (400VAC L-L), with an opto isolated pulsed output. The devices are compliant with IEC EN62052-11, IEC EN62053-21 (2003-03), EMC and LVD standards.

Tyco is a trademark. Crompton is a trademark of Crompton Parkinson Ltd. and is used by Tyco Electronics under licence.

About Tyco Electronics ? Energy Division

The Energy Division of Tyco Electronics is a global manufacturer of products and systems for the electrical power industry. Its products are extensively employed by power utilities and equipment manufacturers, in rail transport systems and in industry around the world.

The Energy Division of Tyco Electronics offers a wide product range from brands such as AMP, Axicom, Dulmison, Raychem, SIMEL, Bowthorpe EMP, Crompton Instruments, Dorman Smith and Guro, including cable accessories, connectors and fittings, switching and power management devices, lighting protectors, surge arrestors and insulators.

For further information please visit: www.energy.tycoelectronics.com

About Tyco Electronics

Tyco Electronics, a business segment of Tyco International Ltd., is the world’s largest passive electronic components manufacturer; a leader in cutting-edge wireless components, complete power systems, and premise wiring components and systems; and a provider of critical communications systems to the Land Mobile Radio industry. Tyco Electronics provides advanced technology products from over forty well-known and respected brands, including Agastat, Alcoswitch, AMP, AMP NETCONNECT, Buchanan, CII, CoEv, Critchley, Elcon, Elo TouchSystems, M/A-COM, Madison Cable, OEG, Potter & Brumfield, Raychem, Schrack and Simel. For more information, visit www.tycoelectronics.com

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The first 4 months of 2008 have been the busiest time for price changes ever recorded by Luckins, the Electrical and Mechanical Services industry-standard source of product and price data.

With the majority of major manufacturers issuing new price lists, the volume of price changes recorded and issued by Luckins between January and April 2008 has grown by 35% over the same period in 2007.

This puts more pressure on Wholesalers and Contractors to maintain the database at the heart of their sales, purchasing or estimating software. Failure to do so may result in selling products at out of date prices and consequent erosion of profit margin. Most wholesalers and thousands of contractors rely on Luckins to aggregate, enhance and provide the data required to carry out this task.

The choice of suppliers and products available to the Electrical and Mechanical Services sectors also continues to increase. Last year a total of 45 new suppliers were added to the Luckins master database as more and more suppliers recognise that inclusion of their products and prices in the Luckins database (and hence in their customers’ databases) is an essential piece of the marketing jigsaw.

Luckins have invested in both staff and systems to meet this increased responsibility to its customers. Suppliers must also take responsibility to ensure that adequate notice is given about forthcoming price changes and new product launches.

Luckins’ Managing Director, Donna Ward, commented: “With the increased volume of price changes and new products it is vital that suppliers work closely with ourselves, ensuring that their products are available on the database when their customers want to buy them and that we receive details of new prices in time to issue them by the time they take effect. Luckins’ Commercial and Supplier Services teams have invested a large amount of time over the past two years meeting with suppliers to ensure these requirements are fully understood. This has resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of information received from those suppliers and consequently the quality of service provided to our mutual customers”.

About Luckins
Luckins (Trade Service Information Ltd) is the UK and Ireland’s leading specialist in product and pricing data services and related software applications for the Electrical and Mechanical Services (including HVAC and Plumbing) sectors.

Luckins’ customers include national, regional and local suppliers, distributors and installers throughout the UK and Ireland including most of the major companies in each sector.

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London ? June 1, 2006 ? New automatic transfer and switching units for diesel or gas generators offer automatic engine starting, stopping, transfer switching, protection, control and metering of generator sets. The new meters from Crompton Instruments, part of Tyco Electronics ? Energy Division, are available in two different models featuring an informative LCD display (GEN-TRANS-EN/L model) or simple four-digit LED indicator panel (GEN-TRANS-EN/D model), latest generator set controllers automatically transfer the load from the mains to the generator in the event of a mains supply failure.

Microprocessor technology allows exact measurement, set point adjustment and timing functions of up to 83 parameters to be easily programmed and displayed from the front panel, or communicated via PC-based RS232 standards. Generator set controllers offer manual, fully automatic and test mode control, which allows the generator to be run without using the mains supply load. Operating mode can be changed at any time without affecting the operational status of the generator or load connection.

Once a fault is detected, the generator set controllers shut down the engine automatically. Failures are indicated via the LCD or relevant fault LEDs as well as an additional alarm horn. Units are able to detect any failure of any phase in the mains supply, in which case the generator is started and the load transferred immediately. Once the mains supply is restored within pre-set limits, the load is transferred back to the mains supply, and the generator is shut down in a controlled manner.

Tyco is a trademark. CROMPTON is a trademark of Crompton Parkinson Ltd. and is used by Tyco Electronics under licence.

About Tyco Electronics ? Energy Division

The Energy Division of Tyco Electronics is a global manufacturer of products and systems for the electrical power industry. Its products are extensively employed by power utilities and equipment manufacturers, in rail transport systems and in industry around the world.

The Energy Division of Tyco Electronics offers a wide product range from brands such as AMP, Axicom, Dulmison, Raychem, SIMEL, Bowthorpe EMP, Crompton Instruments, Dorman Smith, Guro and Utilux, including cable accessories, connectors and fittings, switching and power management devices, lighting protectors, surge arrestors and insulators.

About Tyco Electronics

Tyco Electronics, a business segment of Tyco International Ltd., is the world’s largest passive electronic components manufacturer; a leader in cutting-edge wireless components, complete power systems, and premise wiring components and systems; and a provider of critical communications systems to the Land Mobile Radio industry. Tyco Electronics provides advanced technology products from over forty well-known and respected brands, including Agastat, Alcoswitch, AMP, AMP NETCONNECT, Buchanan, CII, CoEv, Critchley, Elcon, Elo TouchSystems, M/A-COM, Madison Cable, OEG, Potter & Brumfield, Raychem, Schrack and Simel. For more information, visit www.tycoelectronics.com

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Envirograf energy efficient timed door holders that comply with current fire regulations are the perfect answer to reduce the carbon footprint, for doors that are in constant use.

With hospitals, care homes, hotels and offices constantly wasting energy by doors being continually left open, the most practical solution is to fit a timed door holder.

The Envirograf timed door holder does not have to be wired into the fire alarm circuit and has been accepted by fire officers and building control officers.

The holder can be set to close, at a maximum of 57 seconds or in the case of Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny it was adjusted to around 20 seconds to allow porters to transfer patients to and from wards, without the need to close doors behind them.

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Kubota Live! At Rockingham Castle, 13th, 14th, 15th May 2008, 8.00am to 6.30pm, will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to put a range of world leading Kubota machines through their paces.

Kubota will be featuring a comprehensive selection of their best selling mini excavators at this new 'hands on' event, to be held at Rockingham Castle, Rockingham, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 8TH.

No ticket or invitation is required, and as Kubota Live! is located just two miles from the entrance to SED, together with its extended opening hours, this will enable visitors to call in on their way to or from the show, or they can make a complete day of it at Rockingham Castle.

Visitors will be able to put Kubota minis to the test for themselves on the extensive demo areas, as well as experiencing the class-leading performance of the RTV 900 utility vehicle on the 4×4 off-road driving course.

There will also be the opportunity to try out a range of market leading Kubota ride-on mowers and tractors.

With UK sales of their mini excavators now having topped 30,000 – the first manufacturer to do so in the British market – Kubota is also offering visitors the opportunity to share in this success, with the chance to win a KX61-3 machine worth around £20,000.

This special 30,000th machine has been generously donated by Kubota as the superb prize in a charity draw, with proceeds in aid of the Lighthouse Club Benevolent Fund (The Construction Industry Charity).

Kubota UK Sales & Marketing Manager, Richard Harrison, said: “Kubota Live! At Rockingham Castle offers a fantastic opportunity to take a closer look and test drive models from across our entire range”.

“And with the superb location and facilities, including free car parking and complimentary refreshments, I certainly believe it's an event not to be missed”.

Kubota is the European and world leader in mini excavators and offers the widest range of machines available from a single manufacturer. Customers can select from 18 base models spanning the weight range from 850 kg to 8 tonnes and including the largest selection of increasingly popular zero tail swing machines.

All Kubota minis, from 1.5 tonne upwards, feature their unique 'ANTI-THEFT' system. This complete, easy-to-use security device was the first and is still the only one of its kind fitted as standard equipment by a mini excavator manufacturer.

With a legendary reputation for quality, performance, reliability and excellent resale values, their productivity and versatility make them the ideal tool for many different applications and end-users, from civil engineering to landscaping and plant hire companies to owner operators.

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New 75mm couplings and a new 6ft pipe introduced by Saint-Gobain Pipelines to its Timesaver range of above and below ground drainage products completes the company’s Timesaver Heritage offer.

Timesaver was first launched more than 30 years ago for use on above ground soil and ventilating installations. In 1980, a below ground Timesaver system was introduced to complement the soil range and together they became market leaders in cast iron drainage.

The new 75mm couplings are available in plain, eared and slip versions to be used with the standard Timesaver range for joining external soil pipes. Using the Heritage couplings, which are also available in 100mm and 50mm diameters, the highly respected Timesaver mechanical system is turned into a traditional socket appearance of yesteryear, as depicted in BS 416 part 1. By using the Timesaver push-fit couplings, waste is minimised and both installation time and costs, compared to the old traditional socket and spigot system which requires a cold caulking compound, are significantly reduced.

Supplied in a black water-based coating, the Heritage couplings – which have been accepted by recognised bodies for all grade listed properties – can be easily overpainted for the external soil stacks.

Because of the traditional appearance of Timesaver Heritage couplings, they are particularly popular with architects and specifiers working on conservation projects and owners of period property.

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For the first time in compact and affordable instruments, Megger?s new DET4TC and DET4TCR digital ground testers provide a comprehensive range of options which cover virtually every requirement for earth stake and soil resistivity testing.

Key features of the new instruments are support for true stakeless testing, which allows reliable measurements to be made in situations where driving stakes is impractical, and for ART (attached rod technique) testing, which eliminates the inconvenience and potential hazards associated with having to disconnect earth stakes for testing purpose.

The DET4TC and the DET4TCR also incorporate facilities for standard two- and three-wire fall of potential electrode testing, and for four-wire soil resistivity testing using techniques such as the Wenner method. For all tests, the users can select the normal test voltage of 50V, or the reduced test voltage of 25V ensuring full compliance with the relevant requirements of EN61557 under all conditions.

Despite the comprehensive range of functions they offer, Megger?s new instruments are exceptionally easy to use, even when operated with gloved hands. The required test is selected using a single clearly marked selector switch, and is initiated simply by pushing a button. The results are shown on a large liquid crystal display, which is backlit to facilitate use in poorly lit areas such as cable cellars.

Characterised by robust construction and an IP54 ingress protection rating which allow them be used without further protection in the toughest of site conditions, the DET4TC and DET4TCR differ only in their source of power. The DET4TC is designed for operation from dry batteries, while the DET4TCR is supplied with rechargeable batteries and has provision for in-situ battery charging.

Megger?s versatile DET4TC and DET4TCR digital ground testers can be purchased in basic versions, which comprise the instrument, earth stakes and wire kit and a hard carrying case, with sufficient space to accommodate other accessories, or in the form of complete kits.

In addition to the instrument and the case, the kits include an ICLAMP for ART testing, a VCLAMP for stakeless testing, a clamp calibration loop, an instrument calibration checker, four earth stakes with wires, and adapters to allow the use of a wide range of test leads.

Both basic and kit versions are supplied with calibration certificates as standard and, in the case of DET4TCR versions, a battery charger is also included.

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DEUTZ, one of the world's leading independent diesel and gas engine manufacturers, has enjoyed a period of consistent growth over the past 12 months.

On the back of strong demand, particularly in the compact engines sector, new orders in 2007 saw a year on year increase of 22.2 per cent.

Unit sales climbed to 285, 861 engines, a rise of 20.8 per cent, with Group revenue increased by 28.8 per cent to EUR 1.524.2 billion – driven primarily by international business growth.

Overall nett income was also significantly boosted by the sale of DEUTZ Power Systems, as part of the company’s strategy for a more concentrated focus as an independent manufacturer of compact engines.

This more positive concentration was reflected by significant growth in the compact engines sector, where new orders increased by 26.7 per cent, with unit sales up 25.0 per cent.

As a result of the past year's successful financial performance, the DEUTZ Supervisory Board has proposed a dividend of EUR 0.40 per share.

DEUTZ AG-UK Branch Manager, Klaus-Ulrich Klinger, said: “In keeping with the overall Group strategy, we have concentrated on further improving our customer service and strengthening the company's position in the British market – particularly with major OEM's, plant hire groups and large fleet operators – with an enhanced distributor network providing more localised sales, service and parts support to the ever growing number of other UK customers”.

Originally established in 1864, DEUTZ now has an engines range extending from 9kW to 500kW, with models suitable for a wide variety of markets and applications, including the construction, quarrying, mining, materials handling, agricultural, groundcare, industrial and airport ground handling equipment sectors.

DEUTZ engines are widely used in excavators, wheeled loaders, access platforms, compactors, cranes, crushers, screeners, compressors, lift trucks, tractors, ride-on mowers, chippers, shredders, gensets and other off-highway mobile plant.

The company has also just introduced a new range of Air-cooled Diesel Gensets (ADG). These powerful yet compact generating sets are available in three, four & six cylinder versions and set new standards in quality, performance, reliability and efficiency.

Full sales, service and product support is available through the DEUTZ UK centrally located Cannock facility, supported by a dedicated nationwide team of factory trained Service Engineers, equipped with a fleet of mobile workshops, together with a network of specialist appointed local distributors.

New Innovations From DEUTZ At SED 2008

Leading diesel and gas engines manufacturer DEUTZ will be showing their new D2011 L4 Hybrid Drive – a pioneering hybrid power unit for construction equipment – for the first time in the UK on Stand 563, Avenue P, at SED 2008 (The National Event For Construction, Rockingham Motor Speedway, Corby, Northants, NN17 5AF, 13th, 14th, 15th May 2008).

Another UK first for DEUTZ will be a demonstration of their groundbreaking Telematics system – an advanced remote engine monitoring and diagnostics facility.

In addition, a number of well proven DEUTZ engines will also be featured, including the D 914 L4 (air-cooled, 4 cylinder, naturally aspirated in-line), TD 2009 L4 Tier III (water-cooled, 4 cylinder, naturaly aspirated, in-line with turbocharging), TCD 2012 L4 (water-cooled, 4 cylinder in-line, turbocharged with charge air cooling), and TCD 2015 V8 (water-cooled, 8 cylinder, turbocharged with charge air cooling), together with a DEUTZ Xchange service exchange model.

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