20 | FEBRUARY 2018
News
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
GROWTH IN COMMERCIAL GLAZING TO STALL
A report from Palmer Market
Research suggests that the rapid
growth seen across the commer-
cial glazing sector may be about to
stall in ‘some areas’.
According to ‘The Commercial
Glazing Markets 2017,’ published
at the end of last year, four years
of consistent growth meant that
the commercial glazing market
was 16% up on 2012, while in
installed value, it jumped by more
than 41%.
The report, which charts the
performance of windows, cur-
tain walling, roof glazing, shop
COMPETITION CAN HELP
YOUR BUSINESS BOOM
The Screwfix nation-
wide competition for ‘Brit-
ain’s Top Tradesperson’ will
return again in 2018, with
dates to be announced.
Last year’s winner was
Clydebank plumber and
heating engineer Lluis
Dalmau, who took the title
after competing against a
huge number of talented
tradespeople from across
the UK.
The contest, organised by
leading omnichannel retailer
Screwfix, saw thousands of
candidates enter, but it was
Lluis, owner of LCD Heating
and Gas Services, who took
the crown to be named
Britain’s best. Along with
his title, Lluis received the
keys to a brand new Toyota
Hilux worth £32,000* OTR
to help support his business
and expand his clientele.
Lluis said at the time: “It
is an absolute dream come
true being crowned Britain’s
Top Tradesperson by Screw-
fix. I was so shocked when
they told me I had won!
“My business has always
been my pride and joy, so to
have been awarded this title
meant so much to me. Since
the competition, my cus-
tomer base has grown more
squeeze on the
‘ high
street ’
fronts and entrance doors, shows
that even over the last two years
growth was as high as 6% and
10% respectively.
This, the report’s authors argue,
was driven by a ‘resurgence in the
commercial offices sector’ and to a
lesser extent the education sector,
the two single largest areas of the
market.
They state, however, that the
unexpected result of the Brex-
it referendum has to a greater
or lesser extent, depending on
segment within it, hit confidence
throughout the commercial glaz-
ing sector.
Pressure on public sector budg-
ets is also cited by the report as
limiting the availability of fund-
ing for major capital spends. The
report’s authors also highlight a
squeeze on the high street as re-
tailers shift more of their business
online.
‘The Commercial Glazing Mar-
kets 2017’ edition is available from
Palmer Market Research now.
www.palmermarketresearch.co.uk
Academy introduces
free training days
Securefast plc, one of the
UK’s leading access controls
and security system
providers, has
announced a series of
introductory training
days, open to all industry
personnel involved in the
supply or installation
of Access Control and
Hotel Locking Systems.
Of particular benefit to sales teams,
than I could ever imagine,
thanks to Screwfix. The
award has not only given
me the recognition, but also
the confidence to take my
business to the next level.”
Graham Smith, marketing
director at Screwfix, said:
“At Screwfix, we understand
the hard work tradespeople
carry out every day and
their ethos of going the
extra mile in order to get
the job done to the highest
standard. In the 2017 finals,
Lluis stood out from the
other contestants thanks to
his strong commitment to
bettering the industry, his
impressive number of qual-
ifications and his custom-
er-focused attitude.”
Gareth Matthews, from
Toyota, commented: “At
Toyota, we are really proud
to be a part of Screwfix’s
‘Britain’s Top Tradesperson’
competition, and were hon-
oured to award this brand
new vehicle to a worthy
winner. Lluis provides such
a stand-out service to his
customers, and we hope this
vehicle will put him in good
stead to grow his already
successful service.”
www.screwfixmedia.co.uk
specification staff and installation techni-
cians, these completely free half-day train-
ing courses have been specifically designed
to provide participants with an informative
and technical insight into Access Controls,
Network Access Controls and Hotel Locking
Systems.
Each training day will focus on an indi-
vidual topic. These include the introduction
to Access Control covering operating pro-
grammes, types of systems and the various
forms of electric locking. Training for Hotel
Locking will include how hotel locks oper-
ate, suitability and applications and types
of systems to suit individual requirements.
The introduction to Network Access Control
encompasses key areas such as the types
of systems available, when and where they
can be used and how to quote for the most
effective system.
The Securefast Academy has secured
the services of industry experts to deliver
these free introductory training days which
will be run at the company’s head office in
Cannock, Staffordshire, from 10am to 2pm,
with lunch provided, on selected dates from
February through to November 2018.
For further details of topics and dates
please visit the Securefast website at
www.securefast.co.uk or to book your
place simply call the Securefast sales
team on 01704 502801.