Time to celebrate
Glass Times editor Nathan Bushell believes it is time to celebrate success.
With an increase in turnover, a £220K manufacturing investment, a new showroom, and new customers, 2018 is already looking good for Merlin Network (Scotland).
Similarly, a reorganisation at Allan Brothers’ factory in Berwick-upon-Tweed is helping the company to increase volumes and keep pace with the rising demand.
And Jade Windows has moved into new premises in Batley, West Yorkshire, which – at 14,000ft2 – is more than three times larger than its previous premises.
It is stories like these that will provide the background noise to the Glazing Summit that takes place on May 22 near Birmingham which, given that it is a fallow year for the FIT Show, gives us a chance to properly take stock of the industry, and to appreciate the highs it has to offer.
Personally, I am looking forward to discussions about training, especially in light of the news that not enough employers are providing high quality apprenticeships to combat the UK’s skills’ shortages.
In recent years, the glass and glazing industry has shown great resilience by quickly evolving and adapting to new trends and demands from homeowners. However, this could quickly come unstuck if we face a major skills crisis, and I’d like to see how business owners are planning for this possibility.