Clearview National August 2015 - Issue 165 | Page 24

INDUSTRYNEWS

Installer Fined For A+
Rating Misleading Claim
BFRC technical director Gary Morgan was an
expert witness in the prosecution of Direct Choice
Home Improvements Ltd, Swansea, by Merthyr
Tydfil County Borough Council Trading Standards.
»»The charges included
describing windows as ‘A+’ energy efficiency
rated that were not. The company admitted
this offence, and a number of others, and
was fined £3,500 plus costs and ordered
to pay £1,900 in compensation to the
homeowner.
The charges laid before Glamorgan Valleys
Magistrates’ Court included: “Being a trader,
engaged in an unfair commercial practice,
namely a misleading action by describing
windows as ‘A+’ under the provisions
regulation 5 of the Consumer Protection from
Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 contrary to

regulation 9 of the Consumer Protection from
Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.”
Six further charges were also brought
including “displaying a trust mark or
equivalent, specifically BBA, without
having the necessary authorisation” and
obstruction.
Gary Morgan describes his involvement
in the case: “I was asked to inspect
windows installed by Direct Choice Home
Improvements Ltd in a property in Merthyr
Tydfil by local Trading Standards. These
windows were categorically not ‘A+’ rated and I
provided a Witness Statement to that effect.”

National Plastics
Branch Relocates
The Newport branch of the UK’s
largest independent trade counter
network has just relocated.

Paul Lewis, Trading Standards and
Licensing Manager, Merthyr Tydfil Council
added: “It is important that consumers can
rely on the accuracy on the energy efficiency
stated by suppliers. Being able to reduce
energy bills and reducing our carbon footprint
are factors consumers now take into account
when making a purchase and as this case
emphasises we will investigate cases where
consumers have been misled.”

»»To celebrate the
relocation to Albany Street
Industrial Estate, the depot will be
holding an open day on Thursday 6
August. With special offers, a prize
draw, numerous promotions and
major suppliers giving live product
demonstrations, plus special guest
Network VEKA ambassador
Steve Davis, it will be a great
way for local tradespeople to
remind themselves just how much
National Plastics has to offer.

‘a one stop shop
for the trade’
National Plastics is renowned
for being a one stop shop for the
trade. Its range covers everything
from drainage to roofing and
everything in between. Products
are available at all price points,
so there is something for every
project, no matter what its scale.
Geoff Foster, National Plastics,

24 » AUG 2015 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M

comments, “Everyone is very
time-pressured. Stocking as broad
a range of products as we can
means we reduce that pressure
a little. It means customers need
to go to fewer places for their
supplies, saving them time and
making their lives easier.”
The National Plastics business
model has proved very successful.
It has grown substantially in the
past few years, even in the face of
the recession, adding £10 million
to its turnover in the last five
years alone.
Geoff comments, “Our growth
is something we are very proud
of. Some of it is thanks to
acquisitions and opening new sites,
but it’s mainly because we have
increased sales to our customers
by offering an ever-wider range of
products, holding huge amounts of
stock and being able to deliver, in
many cases for free.”
www.nationalplastics.co.uk