FITTING THOUGHT
A VALUABLE , CONSOLIDATED SOURCE OF INFORMATION
Whilst Covid will still be with us in
2022 we are all the better equipped to handle it . It is not going away , so remember all the protocols , especially in our business where there is a fair amount of face-to-face .
The 2022 Plumbing Africa Directory continues to provide a valuable consolidated source of information both in print and electronically . Emphasis on ‘ consolidated ’ as a pool of suppliers / manufacturers in regions , with trademarks and then broken into products and services is of value for anyone in the trade and profession .
PlumbDrain Africa will be returning in 2022 at a new venue and will be running from 20 to 22 September , ( Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday ), leaving time for exhibitors to build up and break down outside of the weekend . That is unless one is building a huge stand requiring stand builders .
The event will be very much a look , see and feel – suitable for the plumbing sector . As there is more emphasis from government to encourage Grade 10 and 11 learners to learn about trades at technical schools , we will cater for this group , together with seminars and workshops for the qualified plumber and engineer . Last year our cover featured the ‘ Four Pillars of Plumbing ’, namely :
Participation – primarily the training requirements to work in the industry Practices – standards and accountability in day-to-day work in the industry Products – features and quality of the materials , fittings and appliances used in the industry Protection – measures to minimise risks and provide redress when failures occur
Another ‘ P ’ has arisen which we will pay far greater attention to in 2022 , and that is Preventive Maintenance . This offers growth and profit potential for the plumber as well as helping to build up lasting working relationships with customers . In our January issue we provide an introduction to this , as well as a checklist . So , check it out then !
Notwithstanding the difficult Covid time , our industry has gone through a tough time within itself and hopefully will enter 2022 with a more unified industry to tackle the dreaded unqualified person doing plumbing work . A united industry can push for change and challenge government to enforce its own Bill of Rights . Plumbers work hard to achieve their qualification which entitles them to compete in an open and free market , not encumbered with layabouts and unqualified persons .
To add some more value to the annual directory , we are including the Pipes and Fittings Matrix and the Valves Matrix published earlier during the year , but which are now a permanent fixture for 2022 .
So , here is to a great 2022 , a year not without challenges of course , but certainly one we can handle better than the one we have just been through .
Rory Macnamara
Twitter : @ plumbingonline
Facebook : @ plumbingonline
Linked-In : @ PlumbingAfricaOnline
“ This offers growth and profit potential for the plumber as well as helping to build up lasting working relationships with customers .”
www . plumbingafrica . co . za Plumbing Africa DIRECTORY 2022 3