Clearview National May 2016 - Issue 174 | Page 16

INDUSTRYNEWS CELEBRATING 20TH ANNIVERSARY MILITARY COVENANT COMMITMENT »»FAST-GROWING FABRICATOR, Warwick North West has become a high-profile signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant scheme. The initiative aims to encourage individuals, organisations and society as a whole to support people who have served in the forces as they return to civilian life, including by encouraging the employment of veterans and their partners, supporting individuals who serve as reservists, and giving the armed forces community a fair deal when it comes to accessing goods and services. Liverpool-based Warwick becomes one of over 800 businesses, charities and other organisations to make the commitment, a number that continues to grow all the time. “At Warwick, we’ve always been adamant that it’s about more than just making money,” said Company Director, Greg Johnson. “We want to use the resources and influence that we have as a successful business and a major employer to do something worthwhile. “There are some truly shocking statistics about ex-service personnel and unemployment, homelessness, mental health problems and other issues, and it’s about time that, as a society, we step up to do something about it.” The company also employs four paid apprentices and served as one of the main sponsors for a charity abseil. www.warwicknorthwest.co.uk 16 » M AY 2016 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M »»2016 MARKS AN IMPORTANT anniversary for South West home improvement specialists, Heavers of Bridport, as it celebrates 20 successful years, fabricating and installing industry-leading PVCu window and door systems from The VEKA UK Group. The family-run company, established by master builder George Heaver, started life in 1960 as a general builders for Dorset, Devon and Somerset. Heavers soon developed its business, offering customers innovations such as sliding patio doors and double glazing, to separate itself from the competition. Today, the business mainly comprises the manufacture and installation of windows, doors and conservatories from The VEKA UK Group alongside a range of other home improvements. “We’ve always prided ourselves on being the best,” comments Managing Director, Malcolm Heaver, George’s son, “and that includes offering the best products. We started working with VEKA in 1996 and we’ve not looked back since! “What The VEKA UK Group offers that other systems providers fail to match is products that customers aspire to have in their homes, consistently high quality, and real support for fabricators and installers. We joined Network VEKA at the same time as becoming a VEKA customer and now, 20 years on, we’re still loyal to both organisations.” www.vekauk.com Consumer spending rise,but skills shortages could stifle growth »»INSTALLERS ARE WIDELY confident about the industry in 2016, and expect consumer spending to continue to increase. However, issues such as skills shortages are holding some companies back and throttling investment and growth. These findings come from the much anticipated annual Consumer Protection Association installer barometer. The CPA commissioned Insight Data to carry out the survey, which asked over 12,000 installers a series of questions on their business performance and expectations for the industry. When polled about how business performance in 2015 compared to 2014, 48% said profit margins had increased, with 39% saying they had stayed the same and 10% saying they had decreased. Looking forwards, installers are upbeat about the industry for 2016. 74% expect growth across the industry, compared to just 3% who don’t, and 61% expect consumer spending on home improvements to increase this year, with 39% saying they expect it to stay the same. Businesses are already facing issues finding workers with the skillsets they need and it seems this trend is likely to continue, which could make growth difficult for those looking to invest. *Not all figures will add up to 100% because there was the option to answer n/a for some questions.