Pro Installer November 2021 - Issue 104 | Page 18

News
18 | NOVEMBER 2021

News

Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk

SUCCESS FOR GLAZING SUMMIT ON TRIUMPHANT RETURN

The Glazing Summit made a triumphant return , with more than 400 leaders from across the glass and glazing industry coming together to debate the biggest issues and discuss the future – and leading to a sell-out for the first time .
The event , which took place at Edgbaston Stadium and Conference Centre , was backed by 25 big-name sponsors , and cemented its reputation as the biggest one-day conference in the glazing calendar .
After its inception in 2018 , the Glazing Summit moved to Edgbaston in 2019 and , after last year ’ s pandemic-enforced absence , this is the third success for organisers of the biggest one-day conference in the industry .
Glazing Summit founder , and CEO of Purplex and Insight Data , Andrew Scott reflected : “ Glazing Summit 2021 was the first opportunity to connect ‘ in person ’ for almost two years and the industry demonstrated their appetite for live events .
“ To attract 400-plus is the biggest turn out we have had for the event so far , which shows that the momentum we bult in 2019 has not been stopped despite the pandemic .
“ There was certainly a lot to discuss , and our stellar line-up of speakers were fantastic . We wanted to provide a day of great debate and discussion to bring everyone , from fabricators and installers to glass companies and component suppliers , together in a relaxed atmosphere .
“ I ’ d like to thank our 25 bigname sponsors and everyone who attended , who helped contribute to an absolutely fantastic day .”
Captivating debates
The day began with Andrew delivering the Insight Data ‘ State of the Industry ’ Report , before the first debate of the day on conquering the supply chain crisis with Guy Hubble , MD of RegaLead , Sam Nuckey , MD of Window Ware , Paul Sullivan , MD of Anglo European , and Dean Bradley , head of sales and marketing for Glazpart .
David Borland , Senior Technical Officer at the GGF , then
provided a keynote on the regulation minefield and what the industry must know , before a panel consisting of Leandro Peraro , Sustainability Manager across the ASSA ABLOY EMEIA division , John McComb , Technical Services Director at Reynaers Aluminium , Charlotte ( Mercer ) Hawkes , Head of marketing for UK , APAC and South Africa at Edgetech , and Mark Gajda , Head of Technical Services at Rehau , debated whether it was time the industry embraced a sustainable future .
Either side of lunch , keynote and Bloomberg correspondent Greg Perdon discussed the economic outlook for the industry , before international business consultant Geoff Burch took to the stage to deliver a talk on growth through leadership ,
CEO of Central Window Systems Gary Morton , industry legend Andy Jones , Sarah Hitchings of Window Widgets and Residence Collection , and Gary
Hyem of FRP Corporate Finance debated whether it was the right time to build , buy or exit .
And the last debate of the day looked at the challenges installers have faced since COVID-19 , with Ryan Breslin , MD of Cherwell Windows , Will Hickman , MD of Solarframe , Mike Adderley of the Window Centre , and Paul Tripp , owner of his own Somerset based glazing group , consisting of domestic and commercial installation companies .
Paul Atkinson , Sales and Commercial Director of Yale Door and Window Solutions , premier partners of this year ’ s event , commented : “ Glazing Summit 2021 was really good ; it was a great experience . It ’ s the only industry event where it ’ s not about just selling products it ’ s about the industry getting together to promote
best practice , discussing the challenges in the different areas of the supply chain . It was also fantastic to get together , particularly in these times , to see old faces and old friends .”
An evening of hilarity
After a day of debates and a challenging past 18 months for everyone connected with the industry , this year ’ s Glazing Summit Dinner provided an evening of fun and laughter .