Talk and doing

Glass Times editor Nathan Bushell welcomes news that companies in the fenestration industry are working together to tackle challenge head on.

In a previous weekly comment, I discussed how not enough was being done to help installers, and that customers were not educated enough in the issues facing the industry.

I doubt that my words were any form of catalyst, but I still found last week’s news satisfying: that 19 independent suppliers have formed a united front to manage the challenges facing the industry.

The firms, which are based across the UK and span all the different specialisms of the supply chain, clearly laid out three of the main challenges currently facing them, including disruption with materials, rising prices/energy costs, and significant labour shortages due to the pandemic and Brexit.

They called for industry to show a united front of solidarity in that every supplier is weathering the same storm and that, by giving customers an understanding, they can quickly work together to provide solutions and get back to delivering continuity of supply.

It seems an increasingly common bugbear, where we get frustrated about people who talk but don’t do.

Of course, the best scenarios are the ones where talking teaches you something new, which then encourages you to change the way you operate. I attended a webinar this week, hosted by the GGF’s James MacPherson, who discussed health and safety in the workplace, and how it is possible to improve a company’s culture to effect change for the better.

It was thought-provoking, and I recommend that people sign up to future webinars – it’ll only take up an hour of your time, and it could result in safer workplaces and improved productivity. It was part of the federation’s Evolve framework.

Similarly, the great and good in the industry are gathering for the Glazing Summit in Edgbaston this week. Again, a lot of talking, but after the 18+ months we’ve just endured, it will be a good opportunity to share experiences and improve the way we work.

See you there.