Mini budget offers hope for SMEs
From: Brian Berry, Chief Executive, FMB
The Chancellor’s ‘Mini Budget’ with its strong emphasis on economic growth is a gamble but offers hope to small builders.
The strong focus to ‘get Britain building’ by unlocking government...
The art of consistency
From: Wayne Heath, sales director, AluK
This could be a tough year ahead for the whole of the windows and doors market. The cost-of-living crisis means lots of consumers are already cutting back on their...
Suicide – we’re in it together
From: Bill Hill, CEO, Lighthouse Club
Saturday was World Suicide Prevention Day and we will see a huge amount of activity and publicity following it to help raise awareness of the issues surrounding such a...
‘If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it’
From: Howard Trotter, Business Manager, Shelforce
With the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, I have seen ‘Be the Best’ slogans around the city during the successful event and it made me think – what does the...
‘Lead times still really matter’
From: Martin Nettleton, managing director, Euroglaze
Post-pandemic, I’ve noticed a shift in the way that many fabricators frame their revised lead times, with the inference that trade customers are now more comfortable than they used...
Price increases – suppliers are under pressure too
From: Richard Gyde, managing director, Mila
I’ve seen the recent appeal in the press from several large fabricators for suppliers to halt the current round of price increases, rather than pushing them down the supply...
Time to look at a new Green Deal
From: Phil Slinger, chief executive, Council for Aluminium in Building
The rate at which energy prices have risen in the last few months has been staggering and there are no indications of an end to...
‘Can Prices Rise Further?’ – CAB State of the Trade survey
From: Phil Slinger, chief executive Council for Aluminium in Building
Against the backdrop of increased prices for both aluminium and PVC Fenestration materials, CAB members remain optimistic despite continued hardship for the wider construction industry....
Energy prices and their impact on retail
From: Rob McGlennon, managing director, Deceuninck
‘22% of homeowners intend to make home improvements in the next 12-months’*. That’s up from 16% in the final quarter of 2021.
Why are more people intending to make home...
More glass shortages to come?
From: Mark Mitchell, Chair, Cornwall Group
UK-produced glass sent to Europe to prop-up volumes there is threatening supply in the UK.
Some 20% of all glass produced by the UK’s three main float lines is being...
