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PRO INSTALLER AUGUST 2014
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Leads2trade slams
government’s
decision on
Green Deal
The Director of one of
the UK’s largest online lead generation
and installer support
companies has hit
out, following the
government’s decision
to curtail a cashback
scheme offering £7,600
to people to improve
the energy efficiency of
their homes.
The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF),
the scheme was intended to
give a boost to the government’s flagship energy
efficiency programme.
But it proved too popular
and an announcement by
government that it would
cut the maximum pay-out
sparked a mad rush of applications; so the final £70m
of the allocated £120m was
snapped up in a matter of
days.
The decision has caused
anger in the sectors involved.
Leads2trade Director Andy
Royle comments: “We operate in the heating, fenestration and renewable sector
and have hundreds of members, many of whom are livid at the way this has been
handled. After the debacle
that happened regarding
the FIT rate we expected
future energy schemes to be
handled better. It appears
we are back to a boom and
bust way of operating.
“It’s a setback for the
industry as the scheme was
working and companies had
geared up for it. We now
need a long term strategy to
provide stability and avoid
peaks and troughs. To can
an initiative like this is a
very poor show and many
members have been in
touch with us to vent their
frustrations.”
Andy also says that the announcement raises further
questions over the Green
Deal’s future and is another PR body blow for the
government’s beleaguered
energy plan.
But he said there were
positives for boiler installers
due to the efforts of Leads2trade.
“Our contractor members
should feel confident in the
fact that Leads2trade was
generating boiler replacement and insulation leads
for at least two years before
the increased consumer
awareness of this type of
home improvement, due to
the announcement of the
GDHIF.
“We did have specific
online marketing campaigns
to generate GDHIF leads
but these were immediately
paused on Friday (25th)
once the DECC announcement had been confirmed.
This lead type only contributed to around 20% of
the total number of boiler
replacement and insulation
leads.”
New graduates join Made For
Trade after rapid growth
Bi-fold door and conservatory roof company, Made For Trade has
added three graduates
to its team following
expansion of their factory space.
Having seen an increase
in growth of 60 percent
year on year since 2010, the
Stockton-onTees-based company has recently acquired
a new factory to house the
manufacturing of aluminium
bi-fold doors.
In order to meet the high
demand, Mark Cossins and
Stacey Webler, both from
Teesside University, have
joined Made ForTrade to
help with processing quotes
and orders for both factories.
Having gained a First class
degree in Business Management, Mark has taken on a
Graduate Order Processor
role at the roof division of
the firm. Mark, from Darlington, said: