INDUSTRYNEWS
A REMARKABLE YEAR DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES
In a summary of the performance during 2020 of the companies that comprise the GGF Commercial Group , including FENSA , BFRC , Installsure and RISA , and an indication of what the industry may expect from these brands during the forthcoming year , the Group ’ s Managing Director Anda Gregory told Clearview that each of the brands under her management have performed well , despite the uncertainties posed by the pandemic …
» FENSA ENJOYED A STRONG START to 2020 , said Anda , a period that was followed by a moratorium on installations imposed by the lockdown sanctions . Installation numbers recovered incredibly quickly with recent months ahead of the same period last year . Two particular highlights were the launch of the FENSA Lead Generation scheme in August and which has so far seen more than 1,000 Approved Installers receive a lead from the FENSA website . Further , FENSA saw a huge increase in the numbers of installers applying to join the organisation , more than 1,000 in the first half of the year alone .
Chris Beedel , Director of Membership added : “ What we ’ ve achieved this year is remarkable . We ’ re seeing increases in the volumes of work from last year since returning to work from the first lockdown and a huge number of companies applying to join FENSA , the most in a single year since we launched in 2002 . To see our FENSA Approved Installers winning so much work and booking ahead for months to come , is incredibly encouraging and especially that the industry will continue to thrive in the face of COVID-19 .” He added that a number of new initiatives would be launched in 2021 , all of which continued the focus on providing tangible value for FENSA Approved Installers . Installsure , the GGF ’ s industry-specific insurance division , has also enjoyed a record year of applications reported Anda . The Competent Roofer Scheme has also added depth to the Installsure portfolio that includes industry leading IBG and commercial insurance schemes , developed with installation businesses in mind .
Head of Operations at Installsure , Irene Akpojaro , commented : “ Application numbers are through the roof and we have some strong new partnerships in place that will help the business grow next year . The team has been incredible throughout and we ’ re in a very strong position going into 2021 .”
With strong renewals early in 2020 and relatively unaffected by the pandemic , Anda reported that BFRC is becoming UKAS Accredited , a major step in the development of the body as it formally recognises that the organisation is competent to perform its certification operations . The process of Accreditation is arduous , said Anda , and she praised the BFRC team on doing an excellent job going through the process .
Additionally , BFRC also launched its Noise Reduction Ratings Scheme which is designed to do for noise control performance of windows and doors what it has successfully achieved for energy performance . The scheme has already seen its first sign ups , with licences to be issued early in 2021 .
BFRC Operations Director Lis Clarke said : “ We ’ ve been fortunate in that we have been relatively unaffected by the pandemic . Our customers have seen the value that comes with our BFRC ratings and alongside the new Noise Reduction scheme and other new initiatives soon to follow , we have every reason to be optimistic that 2021 will be a bumper year .”
Delivering professional , independent and impartial inspection and auditing across the UK , RISA also enjoyed a good year overall despite being prohibited from making site inspections during the first lockdown . RISA ’ s Expert Witness service was launched earlier in 2020 and became an immediate success reported Anda , with demand from homeowners , installers and solicitors looking for independent expert advice to help avoid litigation , or to back up claims .
RISA Director of Operations Dave Mechem , praised his team for the way they adapted to pandemic conditions to ensure their service reached out to its clients : “ The way our own team , and installers across the country , have adapted to the circumstances this year is brilliant to see . We ’ ve kept the business running at pre-pandemic levels whilst ensuring our staff , installers and homeowners remain safe . It ’ s been a challenge but it has also given us an opportunity to look at our procedures and some of the changes we have made this year will serve us well when things return to normal .”
www . ggf . org . uk
18 » JAN 2021 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM