The malady
lingers on

Anyone old enough to recall the Thatcher era must remember the political graffiti that simply read: ‘No Future.’ Not surprisingly, many of the unemployed and disaffected took this so literally they saw no point in training up for some career they thought would never materialise – and so the phenomenon of the skills shortage was born. Thirty years forward and much of that nihilism is dead and buried but the skills gap is very much alive, as we read from two of the market reports featured today Read here and here. Perhaps, for today’s youth, we should rub out ‘No Future’ and substitute ‘No Excuse’.

There’s no shortage of skill among the industry’s more charitable souls and we have a very happy ‘stop press’ from the hard working fund-raisers at Veka who, only four days after announcing their biggest-ever charity cheque at £14,910.26, came back to say one anonymous friend has given an extra £90 to tip it over the £15,000. Read Story.

It doesn’t end there however as we have news of two other £15,000 charity events: from Profile 22 fabricator WindowsPlus, including a generous chip-in from the systems supplier Read Story, and from Emplas giving that value in windows and doors to help preserve a hospital’s recreation hall. Read Story. And of course, looking into the near future, GM Fundraising has also revealed its own plans for the year ahead. Read Story.

A group far less likely to give anything away are the insurance companies, as Sliders UK’s Ian Longbottom points out in his plea for them to reward security-conscious homeowners with discounted premiums for SBD windows and doors.
Read Story.

Whatever your view of the future, we hope you enjoy what the present holds in this week’s issue.

Chris Church Editor

Please send all your news stories to news@the-glazine.com

This Week's News

Eurocell announces new
Chief Executive Officer

Eurocell has announced that Chief Executive Patrick Bateman (63) will retire from the company at the end of June and will be succeeded by Mark Kelly, currently Chief Executive of Grafton Merchanting GB.

Patrick has been CEO for over 11 years, during which Eurocell has enjoyed sustained growth by expanding its product range and its own network of building plastics branches, which currently stands at over 140. The group has also invested significantly in recycling. Last year the company floated on the main market of the London Stock Exchange.

Read the Rest Here...

Growth could create
1,000s of industry jobs, says Pilkington

The UK’s glass and glazing industry looks set for a period of expansion over the next two years, with firms upping their headcounts and planning further investment in order to take advantage of opportunities in the market, according to research from Pilkington United Kingdom Limited.

The study, which surveyed 318 Pilkington United Kingdom Limited customers across the supply chain – including fabricators, installers and architects – found that two thirds (66 per cent) plan to recruit more staff over the next two years.

Read the Rest Here...

Projects down but value up – Barbour ABI

Overall construction value increased 16% to £74billion in 2015. However this was only held aloft by ‘mega projects’ such as offshore windfarms and river tunnels – i.e. big bucks but not many windows – while the overall number of projects decreased in the year …and the spectre of skill shortages once again threatens to dampen any optimism.

Read the Rest Here...

Sliders steps up call for SBD insurance discounts

Sliders UK is writing to insurance companies and MPs in a renewed call for insurers to offer discounts to homeowners with Secured by Design accredited windows and doors.

The company, which became the first to fabricate an SBD accredited inline sliding patio door in 2008, has launched a new industry campaign, ‘Home Security Sense’ which aims to encourage insurers to sign-up to reduced homeowner premiums where SBD products are installed.

Read the Rest Here...

Small builders
less busy - FMB

Workloads for small builders across the country took a downward turn towards the end of last year, the Federation of Master Builders' (FMB) latest State of Trade Survey has revealed, partly due to bad weather but also through worries over wider economic uncertainty. 

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Undoubtedly, the adverse weather experienced in large parts of the country has played its part, by causing projects to overrun and costs to spiral.

Read the Rest Here...

It’s a Major triumph for top Rehau installation

Hornchurch-based Major Glass and Glazing has won the 2015 Rehau Installation of the Year competition after polling nearly half of all online votes.

Read the Rest Here...

FIT Show first – a whole new wall

An entire wall of the Telford International Centre is being replaced with over 300sq metres of electronically tintable glass in what is probably the biggest showpiece ever seen at the FIT Show.

Read the Rest Here...

We Have Email

From:
Eric Mertz,
CEO,
Caldwell Group

A tribute to John Reeder, MD of Caldwell UK, who died last month:

John worked for us for four years, having joined the company on May 21st 2012 as operations director. He became managing director on November 10 2014 and played a pivotal role in the group’s acquisition of Cotswold Architectural Products.

Read More