Pro Installer December 2013 - Issue 09 | Page 6

6 DECEMBER 2013 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS www.proinstaller.co.uk FIT SHOW LAUNCHES MASTER FITTER CHALLENGE FOR 2014… And asks installers: Just How Good Do You Think You Are? This year’s inaugural FIT Show proved its credentials as the event for the people in the front line of the window, door and conservatory industry through the first ever Master Fitter Challenge in association with FENSA, the ultimate test of installation skills. For June 2014 the format will be similar: during the first two days of The FIT Show (Telford, June 10, 11, 12 2014) eight installers will work to strict criteria established by assessors GQA in association with Andy Clegg of Fenestration College. They will be expected to install a window and a residential door, with the additional ‘tripping hazard’ of a resi’ door that has some devious faults built in. The tests are not about outright speed, but fast and efficient installation whilst observing installation best practice, health and safety procedures and of course, great customer-care. And of course, all under the watchful gaze of their peers, thousands of visitors to The FIT Show. The winner will walk away with £5,000, with £3,000 and £2,000 for the second and third places respectively. Winners will be announced during the FIT Show Gala dinner. Full details at: www.fitshow.co.uk Glass Manufacturing Set To Cease Following a review of the European Architectural Business, Pilkington United Kingdom Limited has announced proposals to cease manufacture and to mothball the Cowley Hill Float Manufacturing line (CH2) in the UK. The current economic downturn has impacted severely on Float glass volumes resulting in overcapacity, reduced prices and lack of profitability in the float product segment for the Company in the UK. As a result, a decision has been taken to adjust production capacity to match profitable customer demand. It is anticipated that approximately 140 jobs will be affected. The new Off-line coating line, as well as Silvering, Laminating and associated Warehousing and Engineering activity will continue on the Cowley Hill site. The Company will continue to manufacture Float glass at its larger line at Greengate (UK5), also in St Helens. The Company will be opening a voluntary redundancy window to mitigate the impact of compulsory redundancies. Discussions have commenced with employees and their representatives. Matt Buckley, Managing Director UK and Ireland, said, “This is a very difficult decision for the Company. Demand for Architectural glass (replacement windows, new houses and new offices) is insufficient to warrant the number of Float lines in the UK. This segment of our business is hugely loss making and we have had to address it in order to protect the rest of our business.” Now at over 300 trade counters nationwide! Your PRO Installer – The free, pick up newspaper especially for the installer and independent tradesperson. Response to the PRO Installer totally smashed all expectations with trade counters consistently needing more copies. Thank you for your support so far. You can now pick up a free PRO Installer from over 300 trade counters nationwide including: Send your real-life work stories, industry questions and business gripes to rant@ clearview-uk.com Have you got an install job you want to shout about or seen something onsite that made you laugh? Send your work pictures to pics@ clearview-uk.com