The skills shortage – time for action
From: Paul Armstrong, operations director, and Gabriela Hammond, head of HR, Veka Plc
The skills shortage in our industry has long been discussed. It was a problem before the perfect storm hit - historical low...
Trickle vents could add £500 to soaring energy costs burden
From Greg Kane, CEO, Conservatory Outlet
It is my belief that the ‘ADF1’ regulation that will see trickle vents become mandatory on all refurbishment/replacement projects contravenes the demand for houses to be more energy efficient...
Do they really not like trickle vents?
From: David Thornton, chairman, The Window Company (Contracts)
The upcoming requirements under Part F of the Building Regs to fit trickle vents in virtually all replacement windows are causing quite a stir amongst installers –...
Apprenticeships: hope for tackling the skills gap
From: Wayne Hunter, operations manager, Emmegi (UK)
It’s no secret that the industry-wide skills shortage is probably most acute in the machinery sector. Competition for skilled service engineers is fiercer than ever – and not...
‘Forever home’ project highlights lack of UK innovation
From: Ryan Breslin, managing director Cherwell Windows
As an installation business, in my role at Cherwell, rather than Business Pilot, we’re at the sharp end. We need to be able to offer homeowners products that...
Avoid the temptation to cut costs
From: Andrew Scott, managing director, Purplex
With the state of the market looking very different now to how it did at the end of the first national lockdown, it’s likely things will become much tougher...
‘Not an easy decision’
From: Nickie West, event director, FIT Show
“FIT Show once again supports the announcement that Fensterbau Frontale has been delayed until July 12 - 15, 2022. This cannot have been an easy decision for the...
New York fire shows the need for compartmentation
From: Jane Embury, director, Wrightstyle
The recent tragic fire in New York underlines how fire remains a potent threat, despite advances in building design and construction and strict building regulations.
Some 20 people, including nine children...
UKCA & marking: Why the UK needs a pragmatic approach
From: Chris Alderson, Managing Director, Edgetech
We might be suffering through the worst supply chain disruption in a generation, with huge knock-on impacts for businesses around the globe, but here’s something to be grateful for...
Changes confirmed to Building Regs in England
From: Nick Cooper, technical director, AluK
On 15 December, the government confirmed interim changes to Part L of the Building Regs for England, ready for the implementation of the Future Homes and Buildings Standard in...
