Bags of confidence

Glass Times editor Nathan Bushell looks at how some companies are making the most of opportunities.

Confidence is a great thing, and time and time again our industry shows it has bags of the stuff.

Despite warnings from the FMB that a third of small building firms say that soaring material prices are squeezing their margins, we have stories this month that demonstrate that there are opportunities to be found.

GAP, for example, has proved that the trade counter sector continues to grow, as it announced its acquisition of two divisions from SIG UK Exteriors.

Deceuninck’s ex-MD Roy Frost is back in the industry as the managing director/owner of Essex-based fabricator GJB. Interestingly, he points out that this could be the first of many acquisitions as he eyes up established firms with owners who want to retire.

We also learn about an acquisition by Intermac that should put it on course to deliver 4.0-ready solutions for the glass industy.

These are alongside the news that the FIT Show has sold 50% of its floorspace for the 2019 outing, even though there are 22 months to go.