Germany: Saint-Gobain has purchased the Augustdorf glass plant in North Rhine-Westphalian from Teuto-Glasveredelung. The unit produces thermal insulating glass products as well as sound-insulating glass and other glass products. The purchase is planned to be completed in March 2017, subject to approval by the government.

Ireland: Kingspan’s sales revenue has risen by 12% year-on-year to Euro3.11bn in 2016 from Euro2.77bn in 2015. Its profit after tax rose by 34% to Euro256m from Euro191m. It attributed the sales growth to ‘strong’ performance in the UK and a recovery in Western Europe. However it noted that its US market was subdued in the second half of the year.

“2016 was another record year for Kingspan. Through our organic initiatives and acquisition strategy we are developing a truly global business well placed to capitalise on the transition towards a lower energy future. We are encouraged about the outlook for the first half of 2017, with the current order book solidly ahead of the same point last year,” said Gene Murtagh, chief executive of Kingspan.

New Zealand: Fletcher Materials has said that it has been able to strengthen its insulation business in both New Zealand and Australia due to improvements in service and relative cost position in the six months to 31 December 2016, following site closures at its Fletcher Insulation business. Overall, operating earnings before significant items for its Building Materials lines, including plasterboard and insulation products, rose by 10% year-on-year to US$38m from US$34.4m.

US: Johns Manville has appointed Bob Wamboldt, currently the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Roofing Systems, as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Insulation Systems. He will succeed Fred Stephan, who is leaving the company.

Wamboldt joined Johns Manville in 2003 and has held leadership positions in the company’s Engineered Products business and in Roofing Systems. He began as Strategic Accounts Manager and later worked as Vice President and General Manager of Engineered Products North America and as Leader for the North American Fibers business in the Engineered Products Group. He has led the Roofing Systems business since 2011. Before joining Johns Manville, Wamboldt worked for 16 years at PPG with roles in their Fiber Glass and Coatings divisions. He holds a degree in chemistry from Lehigh University and is a certified Black Belt in the Six Sigma process improvement methodology.