New lobbying group to speak up for the industry
2nd June 2015

A number of major Glass and Glazing trade bodies have joined together to form the Glazing Supply Chain Group, aimed at increasing the industry’s lobbying power on behalf of all the companies operating in the supply chain for glass and glazing.

The Group, with founder members British Glass, The Council for Aluminium in Building, European Window Film Association, Flat Glass Manufacturers’ Association, Glass & Glazing Federation and the Steel Window Association, was formed to combine knowledge and expertise to create a collective and united voice on the key issues affecting the industry and the companies within the supply chain.

Giles Willson, GGF Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Technical Affairs said: “It’s extremely positive that we now have this joint Group to support key campaigns to try and influence and possibly change policy to help companies in the industry supply chain.”

 Dave Dalton, Chief Executive of British Glass added: “I am pleased to see the industry coming together to make our voice stronger and unified in the political arena.”

Dave Cox, President of the European Window Film Association said, “The industry can only benefit from this new group and I am sure that more support from other trade bodies will be forthcoming, to enhance the Group and its campaigns even further.”

The group, which will be inviting other trade bodies to join its ranks, has declared its other main objectives as:

• To represent the supply chain in the glazing industry and act as the collective “voice of the industry” to Government (local, national and European) and related organisations post and pre-election 2015.

• To promote the benefits of energy efficient glass and glazing and highlight the environmental advantages to key Government departments.

• To increase awareness of the Group in the construction industry and in the political arenas.

• To maintain a non-commercial, independent, clear and progressive messages on behalf of the Glazing Supply Chain.

The Group’s first completed project is the National Energy Foundation (NEF) independent research report on the energy efficiency of windows/glazing and their contribution to the overall energy saving and reduction in carbon emissions from buildings in the UK.

The study was commissioned by the Group to identify:

1. How much energy can be saved if more existing domestic and non-domestic buildings in the UK install the most energy efficient commercially available glazing and associated technologies.

2. How can the uptake of energy efficient glazing and energy efficient glazing technologies be encouraged and incentivised. What barriers exist? What actions and messages are there for the policy makers and the glazing supply chain”

The completed report, entitled “Glazing in Buildings – reducing energy use” is available for download on the Group’s new website; http://www.glazingsupplychaingroup.org.uk/

Picture: Giles Willson