Clearview National October 2017 - Issue 191 | Page 28

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INDUSTRY NEWS
INDUSTRYNEWS
DEMAND REMAINS ROBUST FOR UK MANUFACTURERS
Manufacturing firms reported that order books were robust in August, while expectations
for selling prices ticked up, according to the CBI’s latest monthly Industrial Trends Survey.
» » THE SURVEY OF 432
manufacturers found that total order books
and export order books were strong in
August. The firming in export orders relative
to the previous month reflected rising
orders in 10 of the 17 manufacturing sub-
sectors, led by mechanical engineering and
aerospace.
Output growth remained strong and broad
based and is expected to remain so over the
next quarter. Meanwhile, firms’ expectations
for output price inflation picked up again after
having eased briefly. However, they remained
lower than in the first half of 2017.
Stocks were considered to be just above
adequate levels, after dipping below in July,
but remained below the long-run average.
Anna Leach, CBI Head of Economic
Intelligence, said:
“There are further signs that exporters are
feeling the benefit from the lower pound
in this month’s figures, and output growth
is expected to power on over the coming
quarter.
“But after a brief pause last month,
expectations for selling prices have
rebounded, indicating that the squeeze
on consumers is set to persist. We expect
CPI (Consumer Price Index) to top out at
around 3% towards the end of this year and
remain close to that level during 2018, as the
effect of the weak pound continues to feed
through.”
NEW DIRECTOR OF HOME
IMPROVEMENT APPOINTED
» » THE GGF IS DELIGHTED TO
announce the appointment of Russell Day as
Director of Home Improvement.
Russell takes over from Brian Smith
who left the GGF last week due to semi-
retirement.
A trained engineer, Russell has worked in
the window and door industry for 25 years,
holding positions in sales, distribution,
manufacturing, technical development and
general management.
As technical director at Abbott Joinery
he was involved in the development of
market-leading new build PVC-u window
and cavity closer systems. During this period
he also worked in site installation, contract
management and the development of supply
chain procedures.
Russell next moved to an Italy-based
composite material systems company before
returning to the UK where he joined the Glass
and Glazing Federation as a technical officer,
before becoming a Senior Technical Officer.
On taking up his new role, Russell
commented, “The Home Improvement sector
is vitally important to the GGF and I’ll ensure
that our members continue to receive the best
technical support and all the latest changes in
Government policy and legislation. I am very
much looking forward to taking on this role
and progressing this side of the Federation’s
activities.”
http://www.ggf.org.uk
Mercury Glazing signs up to
Excellence as Standard programme
» » SPECTUS TRADE
fabricator Mercury Glazing
Supplies Ltd. has become the
latest fabricator to sign up to the
Excellence as Standard programme.
Launched at this year’s FIT
Show the fabricator and installer
programme advocates excellence
at every stage of the project –
from manufacturing through to
installation in a consumer’s home.
Fabricators and installers who are
part of the programme will be
demonstrating they are committed
to raising standards across the
industry and delivering an
outstanding customer experience.
For Chris Reeks, Sales and
Marketing Director of Mercury
Glazing, the decision to join the
scheme was an easy one. He
explains: “The new Excellence as
Standard programme offers major
benefits to both Mercury and our
customers and we did not hesitate
to sign up.”
28 » OCT 2017 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
The interest around Excellence
as Standard since its launch is
a reflection of the strengths of
a programme that is the most
comprehensive ever devised.
Designed with the fabricator at
its heart, it offers a compelling
package designed to gain a
competitive edge and earn
customer trust. And with
specialist companies such as
Mercury Glazing now joining the
programme its importance and
value throughout the industry is
clearly evident.
www.spectus.co.uk