Clearview National March 2018 - Issue 196 | Page 19

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GGF CONCERNS AFTER CARILLION COLLAPSE
Following the collapse of Carillion in
January, Phil Pluck, GGF Group Chief
Executive raises his concerns.
» » “AS THE ASSESSMENT OF
the true damage continues
following the collapse of
Carillion, it does raise some
fundamental issues in terms
of protecting both smaller
companies caught up in the
collapsing supply chains and the
jobs that may be lost as a result.
The Glass and Glazing
Federation (GGF) has sympathy
with local government and other
bodies tasked with delivering
major build projects on ever
decreasing Government funding.
This creates a race to the bottom
in terms of procurement practice
in that more and more major
contracts are awarded based on
the lowest price.
This is a poor, short term
approach which causes companies
throughout the supply chain
to operate at almost impossible
margins. The companies that the
GGF represents operate to the
highest standards of manufacture,
supply and installation. As a result
of short term procurement practices
and Government’s fixation with
cost savings, a clear risk has been
built into major construction
projects.
GGF Members aim to be - and
many are - the best in the world in
their given sector and collectively
the membership represents over
30,000 jobs in the UK alone. A cost
cutting approach to the awarding of
contracts puts at risk build quality,
safety and jobs. In doing so, no
legal protection is afforded to those
in the supply chain that are now the
victims of the Carillion Collapse.
This in turn could result in further
company failures and consequent
losses of jobs and talent.
A knee-jerk reaction comprised
of Government rescue packages
to selected companies is of no
reassurance to GGF Member
companies and does not allow
them to plan for long term
sustainability. A lasting negative
effect on Government tax revenue
would be the result.
I urge the Government to assess
the long term damage that short
term cost savings creates and to
take heed that Carillion may not
be the last company to collapse
as a result. There are other major
supply chains also operating at
near impossible margins.”
www.ggf.org.uk
OCTOBER
The Members-only
“Guide to the Planning
Requirements and their
effect on the Replacement
of Windows and Doors in
England” is launched.
In January 2018, Shaun McAllister
starts as GGF Managing Director
responsible for all the activities and
operations of the Federation.
NOVEMBER
Greg O’Donoghue of Just
Windows and Doors, receives the
GGF Lifetime Achievement Award
at the G17 Awards, held at Park
Lane Hilton in London.
SEPTEMBER DECEMBER
GGF Members Day attracts 115 guests to Glaziers
Hall in London. The event features three presentations
and Members enjoy a 40th Anniversary Party. The GGF’s consumer website,
MyGlazing.com reaches over 200k unique
users – a 100% increase on 2016.
For the year ahead the GGF
is planning an extensive events
programme including hosting the UK
Pavilion at Fensterbau Frontale in
Nuremburg and partnering The Build
Show at Birmingham NEC in October.
As well as promoting the industry’s
highest standards, the GGF will continue
to be at the forefront of the major
political and technical issues facing the
industry to ensure all connected to the
GGF and its subsidiary companies cope
with the challenges ahead.
www.ggf.org.uk
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