INDUSTRYNEWS FROMTHEEDITOR
The Long and Short Of It
It barely seems five minutes since I last sat down to write one of these introductions , but I ’ ve just checked my files and it was about five weeks ago . But , seeing as everything is in shortage at the moment , it ’ s a miracle anything gets done at all .
» IN THE NEWS SINCE THE LAST ISSUE OF Clearview , stories of HGV and tanker drivers – or lack thereof – has dominated the headlines . As I type this now , there is scarcely a drop of fuel in petrol station forecourts , a result of the former , we ’ re told . Energy companies are reporting that rising costs mean that smaller suppliers may have to cease trade , which , at the beginning of heating season adds further fuel ( if there was any ) to the fire .
In our own industry , fenestration , it isn ’ t news to say we ’ re in the midst of a supply chain crisis ( see above ), a skills shortage , and with furlough officially about to end ( or by the time you read this already over ) it all sounds very doom and gloom indeed .
Images at the weekend of shoppers filling up their cars and several cans with petrol ( after being told not to panic buy ) means we can ’ t fix what ’ s going on outside of fenestration . If we all re-train as drivers we might help the delivery delays and supply chain shortage but there won ’ t be many of us left when they arrive . And , while I haven ’ t put my heating on just yet , I can ’ t make any promises that by the time this touches down on your desk or doorstep , I won ’ t have fired up the radiators .
Seems like the best course of action is to try and address the issues in our own industry . It ’ s encouraging to see that most of our contributors are already trying .
With a shortage of shows ( apart from virtual meetups ) in the last year and a half , some conversations are long overdue . The Glazing Summit towards the end of the month however has promised to put the supply chain crisis at the top of its agenda . Likewise , in Clearview ’ s own ‘ Associations & Organisations ’ special feature this month , some of the leading lights in the industry are making a push for internal and external skill strategies . Closer to home , as long-term supporters of attracting new talent into fenestration , Clearview Group is launching its own initiative next month so stay tuned for that .
In the meantime , as always , I ’ m longing to hear of any of your issues or initiatives , and I won ’ t be going anywhere ( I don ’ t have any petrol ).
See you next time , Gemma , Editor
OVER 75 % OF SPACE ALLOCATED FOR FIT SHOW 2022
» FIT SHOW ORGANISERS have confirmed that over 75 % of space has now been allocated for its new May 10 - 12 , 2022 dates . The fenestration industry ’ s only dedicated exhibition has received a unanimous show of support from every corner of the industry since announcing its postponement from September 2021 to May 2022 .
FIT Show event director Nickie West comments : “ We ’ re pleased to see that , alongside the main players from the sector supporting FIT Show , there are a number of exciting new brands joining the line-up too . The fact that we have received overwhelmingly positive support from the industry fills me with confidence that FIT Show is set to return with its best showcase yet .”
Brands who have moved over to the new timeline include FIT Show stalwarts VEKA , Ultraframe , Morley Glass , Business Pilot , Hormann and Doorco ; who return for the first time since 2016 . Machinery giant Haffner Murat has also moved to the new May 2022 dates , taking a recordbreaking 405sqm of space .
FIT Show first-timers ; UK Doors Online have committed to increase their space at the show , joining the likes of Roseview , Glazpart and Profine UK who are also going bigger for FIT Show ’ s May return .
Dave Thomas , Managing Director at Haffner , said : “ We see the FIT Show as a strategic partner to support our ambitious growth strategy because it presents a unique platform to demonstrate our machines to as wide an audience as possible . We look forward to welcoming people to our stand next year and to showing exactly why Haffner Murat has become the industry ’ s go-to machinery partner .”
As well as successfully moving 99 % of exhibitors over to May , a number of new brands have now committed to join the lineup . Visitors will be able to see Polish PVC window supplier , Eko-Okna , make their debut next May . Other debut brands include Rockdoor , Exlabesa , Solar Calibre , STORM Building Products , Adminbase , International Timber and Fentrade .
Chris Reeks , Director of Fentrade , said : “ We recognise FIT Show as the highlight of the exhibition calendar for the UK fenestration industry and the first opportunity for important face-to-face exhibiting , which is why we chose to sign up to the show . After the exceptional circumstances of the past 18 months and the copious amount of time spent on various video conferencing platforms , we are looking forward to attending our first event as an exhibitor and more importantly networking face-to-face with the industry once more .”
www . fitshow . co . uk
4 » OCT 2021 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM