US partition manufacturer Hufcor has launched new products that are said to offer even more value for money in terms of operation and life-cycle costs. HUFCOR Partitions offer the best value for money in terms of quality and life-cycle costs, according to the US manufacturer.

''When specifying operable partitions, portable walls, and accordion doors, think life-cycle costs,'' says a company spokesman. ''The cheapest product usually costs more in the long run. Superior quality, acoustics, durability and ease of operation make Hufcor the industry leader in life-cycle cost. And that makes Hufcor a better value. Now, new products create even more value.''

Elaborating on the new products, he continues: ''Unispan is a self-supported operable partition system perfect for buildings with inadequate overhead structural support. Unispan is a structural frame and operable partition system all in one. Hufcor paired, manual trains or accordion partitions can be installed on the Unispan system.

Hufcor has also introduced two new products that are said to be a cost-efficient way to refurbish panel faces, called HufRail and HufClad.

The spokesman explains: ''HufRail is an innovative rigid PVC chair rail system that simply attaches to your existing panel face. It holds a strip of PVC vinyl which coordinates with the panel surface colour or design. Nearly flush to the panel face, the attractive, durable HufRail can be used to protect partitions from the countless collisions with chairs, desks, tables and cleaning equipment used in rooms with operable partitions.

''HufClad is a rigid PVC vinyl that can replace or cover existing tattered lower panel surfaces. This durable and washable surface protects the lower portion of your panels from spills and abrasions. HufClad is available in many colors and patterns designed to coordinate with all decors.''

''Hufcor,'' he says, ''has been known for decades as the leader in floor to ceiling partitions. Now, Hufcor has introduced a complementary product, Roommate. Roommate is a mobile partition system that offers fast, safe and inexpensive space and sight division within rooms.

''Glasswall is an operable wall system that combines function and the classic beauty of glass with the flexibility of operable partitions. The aesthetics of elegant glass can be used to divide rooms and maintain an open contemporary space. Glasswall maximises room design flexibility and increases the potential uses of any room.

''For years, European designers have used Hufcor glass partitions to divide auto dealership showrooms, bank lobbies, executive meeting rooms and hotel lobbies to ensure that contact between customers and staff is maintained at all times.

''In the US, Glasswall is installed in office buildings, churches, shopping mall store fronts and restaurants to enhance the character of these environments. Glass surfaces can be etched to create logos or other custom designs.''

In the Gulf, the Muscat-based Arab Merchants Company is the exclusive agent for Hufcor partitions in Oman.

Commenting on their products, managing director Suhail Sharabati says: ''Hufcor is a world leader in innovation and has a modern and highly-automated manufacturing facility for the manufacture of operable partitions.''

He continues: ''Hufcor systems are widely specified in hotels and have been installed in more than 3,400 properties in 82 countries across the world. In Oman, Hufcor partitions have been installed in the Holiday Inn Muscat, Muscat Inter-Continental, the Salalah Holiday Inn, Hyatt Regency and the Radisson-SAS hotels. They have also been used at Ministry of Defence camps and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.''

Arab Merchants markets a range of Hufcor products including the Slimline 5000 and 60 panels, HufClad and HufRail systems, the Glasswall G600 panels, and the Skyfold system.