Reaching the summit

Glass Times editor Nathan Bushell looks at the latest news concerning this week’s Glazing Summit.

If you are heading to Edgbaston tomorrow [Thursday September 12, 2019], then you would have probably been keeping a close eye on all of the latest news regarding the day’s offerings.
We’ve made sure that as much as possible has made its way into the magazine, but some details have emerged since we went to press with the September issue. Here goes…

Window and door technology expert Johan Ambulm has been announced as a speaker. Until recently Johan was vice president for group technology and digital development at Inwido, which manufactures 100,000 frames per week.

UK economist and market strategist Neil Parker will headline at the Glazing Summit. Neil is director of RBS Bank and a leading expert on UK and global macroeconomics, international finance and trade. He is a chief market strategist at NatWest Markets in Bishopsgate in the City and a key note speaker and writer.

Sam Nuckey, MD of Window Ware has said that smart technology will be the big topic at the 2019 Glazing Summit.

“The big topic will definitely be around smart tech,” Sam said, “and we’ve already seen that become a hot topic across the industry as new products are being brought to market and they are definitely more focussed on the fabricator rather than just purely and primarily for the consumer.”

You can listen to some of Sam’s thoughts here.

Howard Trotter, business manager of Shelforce has given the summit his backing.

“I’m looking forward to discussing the labour issues that we face and the skills shortage; there are answers out there, but we all need to know collectively what those answers are,” Howard said.

You can hear more of his thoughts here.

ThinCats, a provider of business finance, has put its weight behind the Glazing Summit. Chief development director Damon Walford will join the panel at the Glazing Summit’s ‘Mergers and Acquisitions Debate’, advising delegates on the financial mechanisms to create growth.

Andrew Scott, founder of the Glazing Summit, said: “After the buzz of the inaugural Summit last year, our intention for 2019 was to bring together 250 industry leaders for a high-value day. Since the speakers were announced, this has snowballed with almost 300 delegates attending.”

He continued: “Our entire line-up of 24 speakers are prepared and ready to share knowledge, expertise and their opinion on the future of the industry, how to maximise the opportunities ahead, and navigate around the pitfalls.”

Attendees this year will be able to get involved in the discussions thanks to Slido, a Q&A and polling platform, which will allow the audience to participate and ask questions.
The day will be rounded off with the Glazing Summit Leaders Dinner, which brings together around 150 senior industry leaders. This year the host is former Olympic and World Championship gold medallist Roger Black MBE.

Discover more at glazingsummit.co.uk. See you there.