INDUSTRY NEWS
The future looks bright as training , lobbying and a trickle vent solution are unveiled at GGF Members ’ Day
Manchester City ’ s Etihad Stadium provided a winning backdrop to a highly positive Glass & Glazing Federation Members ’ Day , that saw members gathered for the first time in three years . Whilst reflecting on key events of the past year , the programme focused on the developments that will take the GGF forward as the management revisions that took place early in 2022 take effect , and setting a new format for the event by delivering practical solutions for delegates to take away with them , along with vibrant networking throughout the day and into the evening .
Through addresses made by the current President Tony Smith , Managing Director John Agnew and Chief Development Officer Anda Gregory there was optimism that significant management and staff revisions that were made at the turn of the year , are delivering positive outcomes . The atmosphere amongst delegates was upbeat despite the difficulties faced by the market , with the GGF and its Group organisations all well placed to provide tangible services to members .
A good example is the GGF / FENSA / BFRC PVC-U frame recycling service that began in summer of 2021 , and which has recently been supplemented by a similar scheme for aluminium frames . Deglazed PVC-U frames are collected from members ’ premises and even from site , free of charge , with volumes now hitting 50 tonnes monthly .
Frequent references were made throughout the day to the Skills Pathway Scheme , the scheme that will deliver the GGF ’ s comprehensive training programme to an industry that is desperately in need of leadership , as well as pragmatic solutions to the skills shortages that beset the sector . John Mannell , GGF Technical Officer , offered an impassioned overview of the scheme which is now providing significant opportunities and funding for member companies who are training their staff .
Chris Beedel , now leading the GGF ’ s lobbying activities as Head of Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations , reported on the complexities of the UK government ’ s complicated departmentalisation , offering an overview of a task that brings with it extraordinary challenges for Chris and his team .
Dave Mechem , Director of Assessment and Inspection , delivered an update on FENSA , including a report of a record 52.9 % failure rate for inspections carried out in August 2022 , which followed the imposition of the new Building Regulations at the end of June . Compared with a normal failure rate for the time of year of 25 %, the surge was caused largely by breaches of Parts L and F of the Building Regulations , a situation that is expected to improve significantly as the industry adjusts .
Dave also confirmed that the Pulse Testing service that has been trialled by the GGF , will now go live . The test allows the accurate assessment of whether replacement windows proposed for a home will require trickle vents or is exempt , based upon assessment and physical testing of the property . The service is now widely available to all , with significant discounts for GGF and FENSA member companies .
Despite this year ’ s Members Day being made possible by the relaxation of Covid restrictions , the virus continued to make its mark by preventing the GGF President elect , Natalie Little , from attending . Despite this setback , the football theme was continued with a networking reception at the National Football Museum , which is housed in the iconic Urbis building , a masterpiece in glass designed by architect Ian Simpson .
John Agnew reflected on the Members ’ Day : “ We passed a milestone this year with the GGF marking forty-five years as a trade federation since its creation in 1977 from the various disparate bodies that had previously represented various aspects of the glass and glazing industries ,” said John . “ It was important , therefore , that this year ’ s event presented the GGF as a powerful , unified and progressive organisation that is delivering positive and tangible benefits to its members , and of course for the industry that it represents .”
www . ggf . org . uk
CLEARVIEW-UK . COM NOVEMBER 2022
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