News
Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk
MARCH 2017 | 17
News
Homeowners turn the tables
WHERE ARE THE WHITE VAN WOMEN ?
The building trades maintain their position as the leading source of self-employment in the UK , counting for almost a million businesses . AXA ’ s latest figures reveal they are still the best choice for a solid and growing income , but questions why numbers of women in the trades remain miniscule .
The survey found that in 2016 a tradesman ’ s takehome pay was typically 15 per cent higher than that of a self-employed professional , and 37 per cent above that in the retail or services industries . Startup tradesmen turn a profit fastest too – within the first three months on average . And seventy-one per cent of tradesmen go full-time within a year , compared to 55 per cent of professionals .
With such good prospects , the study questioned why so few women are taking up the tools of the trade . According to AXA ’ s customer data , just 5.2 per cent are women , far fewer than the 1 in 10 commonly quoted . And , for the record , women account for just 1.8 per cent of ‘ white van ’ drivers on the roads today .
The five ‘ men ’ s jobs ’ that are most in need of female recruits are : stonemason , heating engineer , plasterer , electrician and plumber .
Despite the low numbers , those pioneering women who have entered the building trades are having a busy and prosperous time :
• Average take-home pay for a tradeswoman is £ 1,660 ( compared to £ 1,030 across professional , retail and service sectors working the same hours ).
• Two thirds say they are confident they will see business growth in 2017 ( compared to 42 per cent average ), and nine in ten rate their business as a success .
• Average hours worked by a tradeswoman is 41 per week , compared to the average of 32 hours per week for all other sectors .
Longer hours worked outside the home may make the trades less attractive for younger women who are juggling childcare with their work . Another reason put forward is that the traditional routes into the trades are outside the education system – through apprenticeships , on the job training , or businesses passed from father to son
( ten per cent of tradespeople inherited their firms ).
“ This means the trades are rarely promoted to girls when they are making their career choices , even though training to be a plumber or electrician could be as good – if not a better – option than university for many ,” says Darrell Sansom , managing director , AXA Business Insurance .
“ There is also the stubborn persistence of the ‘ cowboy builder ’ headline in the media which is rarely balanced by the many positive stories of decent tradespeople that we see . Seventy-two per cent of women surveyed last year said they thought the ‘ cowboy ’ stereotype was true of tradespeople . There is definitely an image problem there , and it is deeply unfair .
“ The government pledged a million new homes and £ 500 billion investment in infrastructure projects by 2020 – that ’ s a huge part of our economic life for women to miss out on . It is hoped there will be more encouragement for small firms , led by both men and women , to benefit from these opportunities .”
www . axa . co . uk
Today ’ s customers know what they want – and the winners will be the installers who can provide it . So says The Glazerite UK Group Ltd in response to the latest installer partner to benefit from the addition of the Halo Flush Sash system . Mark Russell of Northampton-based MG Window Systems explained : “ The customers were looking specifically for a flush sash to replace the existing timber ones in the home . They began by looking online , found our site , we quoted and we got the job . Until taking the Halo Flush Sash from Glazerite , we had been able to imitate a flush window by putting dummy sashes between the real ones but that would not have been enough to win us this job .
“ The customers had first looked at another , much more expensive flush system . They were perfectly happy to go with our Halo product because of the cost saving it gave them but we know they would not even have looked at a dummy system .”
Glazerite added the Halo systems , including the acclaimed flush sash , when it acquired Peterborough-based City Beads Ltd early last year .
Group director Jason Thompson said : “ MG are one of our numerous trade partners that are making good use of it . The tables have turned for many homeowners and rather than finding a company and letting them sell whatever systems they have available , many know exactly what they want and look for a trusted installer who can provide it .
“ The flush sash window is in the ascendancy at the moment and the Halo system is an ideal choice .”
The benefits didn ’ t end with the one job , as Mark explained : “ The neighbours liked what they saw and we are already quoting for two more houses nearby .”
www . glazeritewindows . co . uk
Merger will benefit trade customers
Trade windows and doors manufacturer Polyframe Group Limited ( Polyframe ) has acquired and merged with Customade Group Limited ( Customade ).
The move has been supported by further investment from Cairngorm Capital Partners LLP ( Cairngorm Capital ). With revenues in excess of £ 100 million , the enlarged group will trade as Customade and now has a complete and comprehensive product range
across aluminium windows , composite entry doors and PVCu products .
Established in 1980 , Customade is a specialist manufacturer of high-quality aluminium and PVCu windows , doors and conservatory roof products . Best known for its REAL , Atlas and Fineline aluminium brands , the company operates from 100,000 square foot facilities near Gloucester , employing 320 people . In 2016 it achieved turnover in excess of £ 35 million .
During 2016 , Polyframe acquired the WB Group composite entry door business in Birtley and a 50,000 square foot window manufacturing facility in Livingston from Stevenswood .
The merger with Customade continues the firm ’ s strategy to develop the trade fabricator of PVCu , aluminium and composite windows and doors , addressing all trade customers ’ fenestration needs .
www . polyframetrade . co . uk www . thecustomadegroup . co . uk