Pro Installer November 2013 - Issue 08 | Page 2

2 NOVEMBER 2013 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS www.proinstaller.co.uk ISSUE 08 November 2013 If you would like to find out more about the PRO Installer... Write to: Office F2, Holme Suite, Oaks Business Park, Oaks Lane, Barnsley, S71 1HT. Tel: 01226 321 450 Fax: 01226 730 825 Email: [email protected] All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically without the consent of Clearview Group Ltd and any of its subsidiaries. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, this publication does not accept liability for errors, printing or otherwise appearing in this publication. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. IDEAS FOR GROWTH The MD of a leading specialist aluminium fabricator is outlining his thoughts on how to cement the economic recovery, following some recent positive signs. Gloucester based CDW Systems has performed admirably throughout the recession, recently posting record trading figures. But its Managing Director, Jerry Webb, believes more can be done to boost manufacturing output and increase demand in the commercial and domestic glazing sectors. “Aluminium has experienced a renaissance in the last few years and as a company we have benefitted from strong demand in the commercial and domestic sector, for our aluminium windows and doors. The bi-fold boom has also helped. “But looking forward we can’t become complacent and a recent report by AMA, on the commercial glazing sector, is predicting a relatively stagnant market over the next two years, with recovery strengthening from 2016. “How do we accelerate that? What levers do we need to pull? I personally believe a reduction in the level of VAT on commercial and domestic work and a major house building programme is required.” Jerry says that a Green Deal that works would also allow smaller building companies to carry out upgrade work on existing properties. Call CDW Systems on 01452 414853 or visit www.cdwsystems.co.uk UK construction industry at its most active since 2004 Housebuilding in the UK construction sector is continuing to pick up with chartered surveyors again reporting growth, according to the latest RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) construction market survey. In the third quarter of 2013, 41% more respondents reported rises in privately-funded housing projects compared with the previous quarter. The survey also showed a net balance of +31% expecting more jobs to be created over the next twelve months. This represents the most widespread increase in workloads in nearly ten years, since the middle of 2004. The news is welcome for an industry that contracted, which lost around 15% of output in the five years after the financial crisis. The construction industry was the part of the economy worst hit by the financial crisis, and housing completions are still running more than 40% below their early 2007 peak. ‘Surveyors are expecting a sharp increase in business activity during the next twelve months’ The growth over the last quarter has been driven by commercial and industrial developments that have finally begun construction after securing funding. Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist, said: “While it’s certainly good news that construction and especially housebuilding - is finally on the rise right across the UK, we are certainly not out of the woods yet.” Surveyors are expecting a sharp increase in business act