By Ben Wallace, managing director, Glass & Glazing Federation.
From its inception, the GGF has had a clear mission: to represent and support the diverse interests of the glass and glazing industry while upholding the highest standards of excellence, ethical practices and quality.
Through advocacy, technical expertise and a focus on continuous improvement and development, the GGF has helped shape the future of the glazing industry, advocated for best practices and provided essential guidance in a growing industry.
The past year has reinforced our role as the industry’s leading voice, as regulations evolve and new challenges appear, the GGF has become more influential than ever, ensuring our members’ interests are represented at the highest levels.
Whether it’s helping to shape policy, providing technical guidance or supporting businesses through regulatory changes, we’re dedicated to supporting the glazing industry’s best interests.
GGF acquires ACDM
Recently, we were delighted to announce that the GGF acquired the Association of Composite Door Manufacturers (ACDM). This is a significant milestone for our industry, as it further strengthens the GGF’s position as the leading trade federation for the glass and glazing sector in the UK.
This strategic move will provide significant benefits to existing GGF Members and the newly acquired ACDM members. By joining forces, our two organisations can create a powerful and influential voice for the industry, advocating for best practices, promoting high standards and addressing the challenges faced by the sector together.
This partnership represents a significant step forward for both organisations and will allow us to better serve the needs of our members and the wider industry. By combining our strengths, we can create a more robust and influential voice for the sector.
Russell Day, ACDM CEO, commented: “Joining the GGF presents a fantastic opportunity for our members. We believe that this partnership will provide access to a wider range of resources, services and support, enabling our members to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.”
Ongoing OPSS inspections
As part of its ongoing mission to ensure consumer safety and product compliance, we’ve been working closely with the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
OPSS has recently stepped up its inspections on heat soak testing for toughened glass, a move that underscores the importance of robust safety measures in our industry. These inspections go beyond just the testing process – they cover everything from factory production controls (FPCs) to Declarations of Performance (DoP) and CE/UKCA compliance, all aimed at maintaining high standards and consumer confidence.
Recognising the GGF’s expertise, the OPSS has sought our guidance on this matter, reinforcing our role as a key voice in the industry. We’re working closely with them to support these inspections and help ensure that businesses meet the necessary requirements. Many members of the GGF community have already been inspected, and we’re seeing interest from companies outside of our membership too – clear evidence that these efforts are having an industry-wide impact.
As we look ahead, the GGF remains dedicated to supporting the GGF community and the wider industry through change and challenge. By maintaining high standards, working closely with key industry bodies and providing clear guidance, we continue to strengthen the sector and ensure it remains both competitive and compliant.
Our growing reputation as the go-to organisation for insight and leadership reflects the trust placed in us by our members and the wider sector, and we are committed to providing the support, expertise and representation that the industry needs to thrive.
