Pro Installer October 2016 - Issue 43 | Page 21

PRO INSTALLER OCTOBER 2016
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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