INDUSTRYNEWS
GGF LOBBIES GOVERNMENT ON COVID-19 ISSUES
» THE GLASS AND GLAZING
Federation (GGF) is lobbying the
Government on behalf of its Members, around
the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on the
industry.
So far, the GGF has communicated with
Government departments on five key issues
and will step up the engagement campaign
even further with Government to get the
required confirmation and clarification, to
support GGF Members and the industry in
these unprecedented times.
GOVERNMENT LOBBYING
The GGF is now in direct communication
with Government Ministers and Departments
to campaign for change on the following
issues:
1. More financial support for the glass,
glazing and renewables sectors, at least equal
to that given to the retail, hospitality, leisure
and tourism sectors.
2. A reduction in the rate of VAT from 20%
to 5% on all energy efficient glass and glazing
products and on the installation of windows
and doors.
3. In view of the potential lockdown and
isolation, that installers and glaziers are
included in the “essential workers” category, to
access homes where energy efficient measures
are paramount to making their homes healthy,
safe and secure.
4. For the Government to open up more
channels to ECO funding to ensure homes are
made healthier.
5. To grant GGF Emergency Glaziers the
same status as all emergency services during
any lockdown, curfew and/or isolation periods.
John Agnew, GGF Managing Director
commented, “These are extremely testing
times for our Members and the industry. We
have already set up a Business Continuity
Support System for our Members and will
be communicating daily with Government
to try and ensure the trading environment
continues for the benefit of all. It would be
irresponsible for the Government to insist
on people staying at home, if those homes
are unhealthy, unsafe or insecure due to
inefficient, damaged or broken glass and
glazing.”
As part of its Business Continuity Support,
the GGF has set up a special daily e-alert
for all Members to receive the latest
information and is also receiving feedback
direct from Members on the operating
issues they are facing daily. In addition the
GGF has also created a new platform on its
web site www.ggf.org.uk to house all the
latest government guidance on financial
and business support.
30 Year Anniversary is an ‘Incredible Milestone’
2020 is a significant year for Freefoam Building Products,
with the company marking 30 years of trading.
» IN 1990 FOUNDING MANAGING
Director Tony Walsh set up an extrusion plant
in Cork, Ireland, with one co-extrusion line.
With a vision to provide the growing home
improvement market with high quality, long
lasting, low maintenance PVC fascia and
soffit, to replace traditional timber products,
the business grew into a leading manufacturer
in Ireland. Since those humble beginnings
Freefoam has become a broad pan-European
business, with manufacturing operations in
Ireland and the UK together with distribution
in continental Europe.
Tony Walsh, now Chairman, remarked:
“This is an incredible milestone for any
company. Freefoam has achieved this
success through a combination of factors.
First and foremost the hard work, passion,
and exemplary commitment by our
team members whose cooperative spirit
throughout the company is at the heart
8 » M AY 2020 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
of our business. The development and
continued improvements to our product
range and our innovation to create
best in class building products that are
guaranteed to provide value and longevity to
homeowners has also proved to be a winning
formula. We have dedicated ourselves to 30
years of product innovation, manufacturing
and business process improvements and
efficiencies to provide our customers
with the highest quality building product
solutions and services. Throughout 2020,
we will be looking back at where we started,
what we have achieved, and what our plans
are for the future.”
Today Freefoam Building Products
employs over 300 team members across three
locations. Manufacturing facilities consist
of 30 extrusion lines in Ireland and the UK,
producing PVC-U and PVC-UE fascia, soffit,
gutter and cladding. Aidan Harte,
Managing Director, explained: “Our
strategy of continued investment into plant
and facilities has created robust and sustainable
processing and manufacturing operations that
are equipped to produce volume and quality
on a consistent basis. We are looking forward
to the future, with further expansion planned
for our site in Northampton this year, ongoing
investment in training and development for
our team members and growth strategies in
place for our European markets.”
www.freefoam.com