FROM THE EDITOR
No time like the present
It hardly seems possible , but we have found ourselves at the end of another year in what seems like the blink of an eye . It doesn ’ t feel like 12 months since I sat down to write last year ’ s last letter for Christmas at Clearview but while it ’ s been a whirlwind , I see no signs of anyone slowing down at the moment .
On the contrary , plenty of people are saying they ’ re busier than ever ; expanding into new premises , taking on new workforce , and launching new products and ranges . Yet , set against a backdrop of a skills shortage and supply chain crisis – how is this physically possible ? December issue is by no means an end of the year edition – in fact it feels more like the beginning of something as company contributions are trying to address industry issues while pounding the path of their own growth and evolution . There ’ s no time waste – or look back – to keep moving forward , the true trailblazers are pushing through the problems ; and letting nothing stand in their way .
Communication is key , and as publishers , we like to think we play an important part in that too . The past two years have proved that keeping everyone up-todate and well-informed is not only important from the ‘ top down ’ but plays a significant part in peer-to-peer conversations and inspiring new methods and coping mechanisms through all levels . This goes for fenestration I believe , but also beyond . Within the industry , the return of ‘ real-life ’ shows and expos have been extremely successful , and it reaffirms that ignorance is never blissful and even non-shop talk is always useful , and welcome .
If I learnt one thing this year – or rather reminded myself of something important – it ’ s that we can never change what has happened or even what is happening right now , but if we are resistant to adapting to circumstances or adopting new ways of thinking , then those changes will get the better of us and we will get left behind . Complaining might make us feel better for a little while , but getting that whinge out of the way as quickly as possible and instead focusing on solving the problem ( which can sometimes be ourselves !) is the best route onwards and upwards .
From everyone at Clearview Group , we wish you a very merry Christmas , happy holidays and a prosperous 2022 .
See you next year , Gemma
INDUSTRY ELITE GATHERS AT “ PIVOTAL ” GLAZING SUMMIT 2021
» THE LEADERSHIP OF Britain ’ s thriving fenestration sector has gathered for the first time in nearly two years following the most tumultuous period in its history .
Over four hundred business leaders , representing companies collectively worth billions of pounds , met at Edgbaston Cricket Ground for the 2021 Glazing Summit , organised by market-leading sector specialists Insight Data and Purplex Marketing .
Across a day of debates , discussions and insightful presentations , fenestration ’ s best and brightest pondered the huge challenges glass and glazing currently faces – and how to make the most of its enormous opportunities .
Addressing attendees in the first of the day ’ s keynotes , Glazing Summit founder and CEO Andrew Scott charted the dramatic changes the sector has been through over the last ten years .
Drawing on the unparalleled expertise of industry experts Insight Data , Andrew revealed that the number of UK fabricators and installers has fallen below 14,000 for the first time , with a staggering 709 companies lost since 2011 .
Later in the day , Greg Perdon , Bloomberg correspondent and Chief Investment Officer for Arbuthnot Latham , gave a fascinating overview of the UK ’ s performance relative to other major economies , and pointed to promising signs for Britain ’ s home improvement market in 2022 .
Then , after lunch , attendees were treated to a humorous and irreverent insight into organisational culture and sales strategy from international business consultant Geoff Burch .
Throughout the day , panel debates featuring sector VIPs tackled the industry ’ s biggest issues .
Leading installers debated the soaring cost of materials , and whether the drastic price rises they ’ ve received are really justified given the poor quality and service many continue to experience .
Industry VIPs contemplated the supply chain crisis , the changing dynamic between customers and suppliers , and when the industry will return to pre-pandemic levels .
Attendees addressed climate change – questioning whether end-users really care about the environment , and whether the industry ’ s much talked-about commitment to sustainability is actually just a box-ticking exercise .
And a panel of experts discussed the growing number of mergers and acquisitions in fenestration , predicting further consolidation in the months and years ahead as a result of Brexit , changes to consumer demand , and the continuing fallout of COVID-19 .
www . glazingsummit . co . uk
4 DECEMBER 2021 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM