FROM THE EDITOR
Back to the future
» A NEW YEAR AND A FRESH START SO IT ’ S ONLY NATURAL that I begin the first magazine of 2023 with … a look back at this time last year . Industry is all about moving forwards , and fenestration is constantly evolving ( mostly ) for the better . But , to take some time every now and again to consider the past can also be a useful exercise . January lends itself to some retrospective evaluation and how better to reflect on the glass and glazing industry , than to look back at the annual predictions from 12 months ago , and see who got it right ?
Without naming names , I ’ ve picked out some headlines from last year ; beginning with the vague … ‘ Difficult to predict ’ is one I was immediately drawn to ; because who knows what is going to happen ( especially after the past few years ) and more importantly , who wants to go out on a limb when it comes to 12 months of business ? Considering the way business was going for them at the time , and the wider outlook , actually many companies that took part in the annual predictions were optimistic ( cautiously in some cases , but more than positive on the whole ).
‘ Strong year ahead ’, ‘ strong brand , secure supply ’, ‘ significant opportunities ’ and ‘ continue to thrive ’. It ’ s almost impossible not to feel positive about the year ahead when reading those headlines on a cold , dark January morning . But where was this optimism coming from and were the predictions correct ?
Brands and businesses that make these annual predictions don ’ t pluck them from thin air . Behind the 300-or-so words that make up one of these articles is years of experience and expertise . We always ask for realistic responses from contributors , but do we think that optimism at the start of the year ( even if it is cautious ) sets us up better for the year ahead as opposed to doom and gloom ? How far does a positive attitude go when it comes to the success of our industry as a whole ?
In our own annual prediction last year , Steve spoke very positively about how Clearview would approach 2022 , with the skills gap , with championing people and products and with getting back out on the road , to meet customers and attend events . Our job is report and review the news and our industry – good or bad – and the good news is , we are just as positive this year as we were last year .
See you next time , Gemma
NIC ROSSANO RETIRES
» EPWIN WINDOW name synonymous with Epwin Systems ’ Nic Rossano , is Window Systems . calling time on his career after With one eye on the future , 25 years with the Telfordbased business . Currently time to retire and will be
Nic , aged 67 , says it ’ s the right
Development Manager for handing over the reins to Mark Epwin Window Systems , Brown , Business Development Nic will retire at the end of Manager at Epwin Window December 2022 .
Systems . Over the past 25 years , Nic Nic who is a classic car has been at the forefront of and motorbike enthusiast is system development and was looking forward to spending central in overseeing customers time away from windows and with the introduction of the doors and putting his technical award-winning Optima PVC-U skills to further use . Nic is the window and door system and proud owner of a 1992 Ducati the multi-award-winning 888 SP4 that was originally Stellar Aluminium System . owned by Gordon Murray ( F1 His technical credentials , McLaren Designer ) and uses product knowledge and strong a BMW GS Adventure motorcycle for occasional touring customer focus have been fundamental to the success of with some of his old window his longstanding career , and industry friends . he will be greatly missed by the Over the years he has company and customers alike . become more focussed on the
Nic has enjoyed a broad Classic-Hotrods than motorcyles and will be preparing his career in the window and related industries , from
1931 A Vintage Hotrod Ford designing window systems in Model ‘ A ’ Roadster for a speed the 1970s for leading retail trial at Pendine Sands in June companies to technical sales , 2023 with the Vintage Hotrod which has been his main focus Association . He is also a grandad to two young grandchildren since the mid-1980s . Nic joined Profile 22 in 1997 as a Product so like his career , his retirement Manager on an initial threemonth contract and a quarter looks set to be very busy .
of a century later , Nic is a www . epwinwindowsystems . co . uk
4 JANUARY 2023 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM