INDUSTRYNEWS
Virtual Technical Forum Proves Perfect Platform for GGF
» ONE OF THE highlights at the Glass and Glazing Federation ( GGF ) Members ’ Week was the virtual Technical Forum , which proved the perfect platform for Members to receive information and ask questions on technical issues .
Ben Wallace , GGF Senior Technical Officer presented an overview of the GGF Technical Department highlighting the scope and depth of the department and the issues they cover .
Mark Barsby from the BSI Group was guest speaker and delivered an insightful presentation on “ Product Substitutions and Standardisation ”.
Before the Open Forum and Members ’ questions , David Borland , GGF Senior Technical Officer presented on the very topical issue of “ CE marking / CPR and the UKCA mark ”.
After the event Ben Wallace commented , “ It was a pleasure to host , along with my colleague David Borland , the GGF Technical Forum as part of Members ’ Week . From the feedback I received , it is clear Members found the webinar presentations interesting and engaging .”
David Borland added , “ With the end of the Government ’ s Brexit Transition Period imminent , it was important to present the latest on CE Marking and the Government guidance on the new UKCA mark . We will provide more updates on this , as and when things change . I was delighted to present at the Members ’ Week Technical Forum and from the
Members ’ questions we received on the day , it is evident that we will need to provide as much guidance as possible on areas such as CE marking and the new UKCA mark . I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark Barsby for his presentation which has received great feedback from our Members .”
Guest speaker , Mark Barsby , BSI Group returned the compliment , “ I am always happy to contribute and pleased the presentation was well received . Thanks to the GGF for giving me the opportunity .”
To view the GGF Technical Forum in video please vist : Video 1 : https :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = fgoZnS7B _ z Video 2 : https :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = 27vY0eN0Ras & t = 11s
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
DON ’ T LET INSTALLERS BEAR THE BRUNT
I wrote last month criticising the fact that far too many fabricators were using the Covid-19 crisis and ongoing supply chain issues as excuses for inherent inefficiencies within their businesses .
» THE RESPONSE FROM certain sectors of the market seems to have been that , while the market is over capacity as it is right now and there are ongoing shortages on profile , hardware and glass , longer lead times should just be seen as an inevitable consequence . I have lots of sympathy with that argument and totally accept that even the most efficient fabricator can ’ t make a window without all the components being in stock . However , what I don ’ t accept is that installers should bear the brunt of that moving forward .
New customers who have been calling me since the end of lockdown are telling me that they are still being let down by their existing suppliers even when they have accepted longer lead times and that it is costing them money . Orders that are late , incomplete or incorrect have a direct impact on an installer ’ s bottom line and fabricators who are letting their service levels slide should be more cognisant of that fact .
Even if lead times are two or even three weeks on products where there are stock issues , installers are perfectly capable of scheduling their workloads accordingly . However , what they can ’ t and shouldn ’ t be expected to do is schedule and reschedule and cope with rejects or remedials because
there are items missing , faulty or delayed even when that order is eventually received .
As I see it , it ’ s up to manufacturers to make investments or reorganise their operations , as Euroglaze is doing , so that they can increase their capacity and reduce their backorders . That ’ s not just about employing more fabricators or investing in better machinery , although that does help , it ’ s also about prioritising efficiency rather than just volume .
It ’ s also of course up to installers themselves to choose a supplier who will save them money by providing an on time in full service every time , rather than one who , while the upfront price may be cheaper , will end up costing them money through poor service .
Martin Nettleton Managing Director , Euroglaze
6 » DEC 2020 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM