Clearview 241 - December 2021 | Page 16

INDUSTRY NEWS

INDUSTRY IS READY TO GET BACK TO FIT

» WHEN FIT SHOW OPENS its doors at the NEC next May , organisers are anticipating record levels of visitor numbers as it brings the industry back together for the first time since 2019 . Over 80 % of space has already been allocated to exhibiting brands . Visitor pre-registration figures continue to track well above the numbers for the same point in the campaign for 2019 , reinforcing the appetite to get back to live events .
Installers ( over 25 %) top the main company activity for those who have pre-registered to visit FIT Show in May , closely followed by fabricators ( 12 %), glaziers ( 11 %) and builders / property developers ( 9 %). The broad mixture of categories spans right through
to merchants , architects and local authorities .
Doors remain the number one product that visitors will be attending FIT Show to see , compare and purchase . Bi-fold doors just top the list ( 5 %) with an even spread of appetite for aluminium doors , windows , composite products , hardware and furniture . Garden
accessories feature more prominently than previous years at 2 % reflecting the growing trend for outdoor living .
FIT Show typically attracts 10,000 visitors across the three days of the show . A large proportion of those who have registered early to visit are C-suite level , with company director ( 22.5 %), business
owner ( 17 %) and MD ( 12 %) all featuring as the primary visitor job title .
Reinforcing the importance of face-to-face business and the appetite to get back to live events , the main reasons that pre-registrants have highlighted as their reasons for visiting include ; to see new products and equipment ( 24 %) and to meet suppliers , customers and network ( 23 %.)
There is also a clear appetite for FIT Show ’ s learning programme with 21 % of pre-registrants wanting to keep abreast of changes in the industry ( 21 %), as well as specifically wanting to attend seminars ( 7 %).
www . fitshow . co . uk

Supporting skills boost across the industry

» EPWIN WINDOW Systems is committed to apprenticeship programmes throughout the business and Investment in People practices . And , as the shortage of skilled staff coming up through the ranks is widely recognised in the industry . It ’ s something that Epwin Window Systems is keen to tackle via its Connect digital platform .
Gerald Allen , Marketing Manager at Epwin Window Systems , commented : “ We have partnered with specialist industry training provider T3 Training & Development to provide a wide range of qualifications , including the new standards , to help our customers upskill their staff and add value to their businesses .
“ We know the appetite for training is huge and we are in conversation with many customers that are keen to move forward with training .”
One of the companies already taking advantage of the training offering is New Trade Windows of Bristol . The company has committed to nine Apprenticeships across Fabrication , Management , Team Leading and Customer
Services . Dan Stone , Director at New Trade , said : “ Being able to access training via Epwin Window Systems ’ Connect platform is huge for us . It removes many of the barriers to getting high quality training and is helping us build a skilled , motivated workforce for the future .
“ As well as offering long-term benefits , it ’ s also important to point out there are numerous initiatives to fund the cost of training so it really is a win-win situation . For example , if you are an
SME who doesn ’ t pay into the Apprenticeship Levy system then the government will fund 95 % of course costs and other government initiatives are also available subject to eligibility too .”
T3 Training & Development ’ s tutors have over 20 years ’ experience in training and development in the industry . Companies benefit from a Skill Scan analysis to identify the most effective qualifications for their workforce .
www . epwinwindowsystems . co . uk
16 DECEMBER 2021 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM