Pro Installer October 2016 - Issue 43 | Page 21

PRO INSTALLER OCTOBER 2016
@ proinstaller1
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PRO NEWS

EMPLOYERS MUST RESPOND TO AGEING WORKFORCE

Ten million people in the UK, or one in six, are over 65 years old. This number is increasing, with the government predicting that there will be 19 million people over 65 by 2050 – or one in four.
As this number increases, more and more older people will make up the UK’ s workforce. In 2008, there were 3.2 people of working age for every person over 65. This ratio is predicted to fall to 2.8 by 2033, meaning that the ageing workforce is only going to get larger. Many employers see an older workforce as a benefit to their organisations, bringing years of experience
and skills to a role. However, the growth in the UK’ s ageing workforce may bring challenges for employers too, which they should be aware of and ready to respond to. One of these is work-related musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs. MSDs are conditions that can affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and are often caused by over-exertion or repetitive motion. MSDs can often be serious enough
to prevent people from working – they are actually one of the most common reasons for people taking long-term sickness absence in the UK. Older people can be more susceptible to work-related MSDs. Lifting heavy objects or participating in strenuous activities can become more difficult, bones are more susceptible to breaking and we get tired more easily. This clearly has health and safety implications for
workplaces, meaning that employers need to be aware of the potential risks and develop strategies to help prevent these. Employers can carry out a risk assessment on their workplace to identify any potential risks. Some changes which employers can make to help accommodate ageing staff members who may be more susceptible to MSDs are fairly straightforward, such as investing in more ergonomically-friendly workstations,
or adjusting the layout of the workplace to reduce strain on older workers. However, some changes may present more of a challenge. As staff get older, it may mean that their job roles need to change. For example, if an older worker is using manual tools regularly, they may be more at risk of developing an MSD such as back pain, and as such this activity may need to be reduced or eliminated
entirely from their job role. Of course, the fitness of older workers can differ between people – some older people may have less difficulty continuing in certain job roles than others, and as such each older worker should be treated on a caseby-case basis.
Visit fitforwork. org / employer or call 0800 032 6235( 0800 019 2211 for those in Scotland).

Aluminium stays on the up

New directors at Purplex

Purplex has appointed two new directors. The move is the next stage in an ambitious growth strategy for the full-service marketing agency for the construction and home improvement industries. Oli Ballard, who has been with Purplex for five years and is an experienced PR professional, becomes account director and is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of key Purplex clients. Oli will lead a team of talented PR writers, graphic designers, online marketers and video producers to bring client campaigns to life and ensure a consistent marketing message across all channels.
Adi Day, who joined Purplex in 2013 with over 15 years’ experience in building product and construction marketing, is now director of digital and responsible for overseeing all online marketing projects and implementing new digital technologies. Oli and Adi join Sam Cross on the Purplex board, who was appointed account director in 2014. Andrew Scott, managing director of Purplex, commented:“ Purplex is entering an exciting new phase in our evolution, and strengthening the board of directors lays the foundations for future growth. Oli and Adi are exceptionally talented in their respective fields and both have demonstrated incredible work ethic and commitment to drive the business forward. I am delighted to welcome Oli and Adi to the board of directors.” Purplex launched in 2004 and is one of the largest marketing agencies in the construction industry, with 50 staff specialising in PR, branding and design, web development, digital marketing and video. The firm has grown 57 % every year since its inception and has clients across the UK, Europe and North America. Purplex is a Google accredited partner and a member of the Direct Marketing Association( DMA).
For more information, call Purplex on 01934 808132 or visit www. purplexmarketing. com
A study from market analysts Plimsoll confirms that confidence is still growing in the aluminium window systems industry. Latest results show 80 % of companies have seen their sales increase in the latest year. Despite external uncertainty, confidence continues to increase for many and the new Plimsoll analysis shows:
• The fastest growing companies in the market are averaging growth of 14 %
• This is compared to the latest industry average of 8.4 %
• The industry average sales per employee is now £ 186,000, whereas some trailblazing firms are reporting sales per employee of £ 234,000
• 39 companies have been rated as financially strong.
The analysis shows that to keep up with the best in the market, new levels of performance are required. All businesses need to keep striving towards an increase in sales and profits. Companies too content to grow and putting security ahead of growth risk being left behind. However, the analysis, which individually assesses and values the largest 182 companies operating in the UK aluminium window systems industry, also shows that five companies are in financial difficulty and face a very difficult 12 months. The latest Plimsoll analysis is available to order.
www. plimsoll. co. uk