FROMTHEEDITOR
PROUD SPONSOR OF INDUSTRY NEWS
Welcome to my first edition of Clearview as editor . Happy New Year and I hope you had a great and restful Christmas .
Now we ’ re right back to it and there ’ s an awful lot coming up in 2018 – not just here in the UK , but internationally too .
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MANY OF US IN THE CONSTRUCTION and home improvement industries actually felt that things went reasonably well in 2017 . Especially when set against a back-drop of Brexit , fluctuating interest rates and the housebuilding crisis .
Companies in the right niches grew , and there was plenty of investment in premises , machinery and all kinds of technology . An example is on page 42 where DoorCo MD Dan Sullivan talks about the investment he ’ s made in his production line .
Despite consolidation and numerous acquisitions in our sector , demand still looks strong in the new year for higher end products . The latest Palmer Report predicts aluminium growth of 20 % by 2021 and in our annual predictions section ( page 24 ), we hear that many companies are launching exciting new products this year and even expanding . Note AluK for example , which is opening a new paint facility at its Chepstow HQ , and Brisant Secure , which says demand for premium security products is growing fast .
There were also positive moves in the last budget that will help construction , such as eliminating stamp duty for first time buyers and an increased housebuilding budget .
But there is a note of caution . As Clearview went to press , the notoriously gloomy International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) had just downgraded expectations for UK GDP growth this year , saying that Brexit remained a ‘ key uncertainty ’ for the economy .
The IMF also pointed to sterling devaluation , inflation and lower consumer spending .
Our industry is famed for resilience and innovation in a topsy-turvy world , and there will always be companies who respond brilliantly to that . We are very good at the nuts and bolts of our business – in short , making great products – but we must also focus on other parts of our industry in the New Year including customer service and reputation .
After all , you can make the best product in the world but what does that matter if it ’ s fitted by a cowboy installer ?
Helen , Editor
INDUSTRY SUMMIT ANNOUNCED
A new conference for the glass and glazing industry has been confirmed .
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THE INDUSTRY ’ S TOP business leaders , directors and senior management will converge near Birmingham for a major industry conference and debate in May .
The 2018 Glazing Summit is a powerful forum for fabricators , installers , glass companies , distributors and material suppliers to come together and discuss key industry issues and trends .
A line-up of experts will debate the ‘ new landscape ’ as opportunities and threats emerge across the industry ; from the impact of Brexit and the housing crisis , the latest marketing trends , new developments in products and materials and disruptive technologies .
The Summit promises to tackle current issues head-on , including fire regulations and safety , implications of employed and self-employed rulings for salespeople and fitters , and new legislation such as GDPR .
Those attending will discover how the industry is evolving following a string of mergers and acquisitions , and get the inside track on why some of the
established ‘ big players ’ in the industry could disappear in the years ahead .
The Glazing Summit is a packed morning conference followed by a buffet lunch and networking with industry leaders , and is a must-attend event for senior people across all sectors of the industry - domestic , trade , commercial , new-build and social housing .
The Summit is organised by Insight Data and Purplex Marketing and speakers will come from all aspects of the industry .
The Summit will take place at St Johns Hotel and Conference Centre , Solihull , 5 minutes from the M42 motorway , from 9 am to 3 pm on Tuesday 22nd May 2018 .
www . glazingsummit . co . uk
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