Clearview South November 2013 - Issue 144 | Page 24

industrynews SALES OF CLADDING INCREASE BY 42% Freefoam Building Products announce 3rd quarter figures for Fortex cladding are up by 42% year on year. The South East saw the highest sales closely followed by the South West, underlining the geographical preference for the product. This year Freefoam has worked with local PVC stockists and builders merchants to promote the range, using traditional point of sale materials, trade counter displays and literature to generate interest. Freefoam stockist C & A Plastics in Gillingham and London has seen a growth in sales. Craig Rock, Branch Manager, explained, “We’ve found that the Fortex cladding is a product that sells well when visible. We’ve created an eye-catching display at our trade counters featuring the full range of colours and the embossed texture, which instantly attracts customers. We also promote the range through our trade catalogue and our website and have seen sales increase across our customer base from builders and property developers through to homeowners for DIY projects. It makes an ideal replacement to the standard white PVC shiplap cladding for dormer windows and external cladding as well as offering a low maintenance alternative to wood. Argyl Brown is our most popular colour followed by Sand.” Call 01604 591110, email [email protected] or visit www.freefoam.com Industry report shows real signs of optimism amongst installers A report released by the leading installer support body the Consumer Protection Association (CPA) has revealed an optimistic outlook amongst installers, regarding the glass and glazing industry and the economy generally. The CPA commissioned Insight Data to carry out the extensive report, which asked over 12,000 installers a series of questions related to business performance and expectations for the years ahead. Jeremy Brett, who is Director at the CPA comments: “Overall the figures are very positive and reflect a general feeling that the UK economy is turning a corner, and the glass and glazing industry as well. Jeremy went further by saying that it was great news that over sixty per cent of respondents believed that sales would increase in 2014, a figure that correlated with the performance of CPA’s members. When asked how they currently attract new customers, 93.2 per cent of installers said that that they did so through recommendation; with 88.37 per cent saying the majority of new business came from their website and 51.16 per cent said that advertising was a key way for them to attract new business. For more information call The Consumer Protection Association on: 01462 850062 FIRM FINED AFTER 200 PUT AT ASBESTOS RISK A North East glass firm has been fined after potentially exposing nearly 200 workers and visitors to dangerous asbestos fibres at its Consett premises. Consett-based Romag Ltd also ignored recommendations from its own safety advisors to cordon off a contaminated area and arrange for an emergency clean-up by specialists. The Health and Safety Executive investigated the incident, which was triggere d by two fire alarm installers when they started some work at 24 NOV 2013 the firm’s Princess Building on Leadgate Industrial Estate on 12th July 2011. Consett Magistrates’ Court heard that the two subcontractors, who had been told the building was free from asbestos, unknowingly drilled through an asbestos insulation panel while installing fire sensors. They then used a domestic vacuum cleaner to clean up the dust and debris and later used it in several parts of the building as they put up the sensors, spreading asbestos fibres around the premises. HSE found the firm’s delay in taking action led to 180 workers and 16 visitors being put at risk of exposure to asbestos fibres. When the clean-up was organised, a substantial amount of contaminated material was collected. After the hearing, HSE Inspector Paul Miller said: “Romag Ltd needlessly put at risk the health of nearly 200 people because they failed to identify the presence of asbestos before any work started and then compounded the failing by not acting quickly to clean the area properly. For advice and information on asbestos safety, visit www.hse.gov. uk/asbestos To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com