Now is the time to invest in skills & partnerships

Bohle’s managing director, Dave Broxton, offers his ideas on how installers can utilise downtime to differentiate themselves from the competition.

Running a business in this industry has never been easy – but right now, it feels harder than ever. Costs are up, work is down, and everyone I speak to is feeling the pressure.

Good, experienced companies are being squeezed. Not because they’re doing anything wrong, but because the whole market has slowed and there’s no clear sign of when it will bounce back.

We’re hearing the same things from fabricators, processors, and installers alike: that they’re working harder for less reward; that margins are under constant threat; that recruitment is difficult, and that skilled people are harder and harder to come by.

For a lot of businesses, it feels like a perfect storm. And when times are this tight, there’s a natural tendency to cut back – to hold your breath and wait for things to improve.

But I want to say the opposite. I want to say that now is the time to take action. Because the companies that invest in their people today will be the ones who thrive tomorrow.

We know it’s not easy. But the truth is, quiet spells are an opportunity – a chance to train, upskill, and get better at the things that will ultimately make you more competitive.

I speak to too many companies who’ve relied on steady streams of work for years. And then, when that slows down, they’re not ready to go out and look for business. They haven’t built the skills to promote themselves or the range of services to pitch for new jobs.

And yet those are exactly the skills they need. Not just technical ability, but business skills. Knowing how to manage cash flow. How to follow up on invoicing. How to put yourself out there and win work, not just wait for it to come to you.

Training doesn’t just mean sending people to classroom courses and lectures. It means using your downtime wisely. Teaching your team how to install with fewer breakages and call backs. Providing them with learning opportunities to equip them with new skills like UV bonding, balustrade installation and bespoke bathrooms. Helping them to understand how to handle larger units safely and wear appropriate PPE.

These are training modules that we offer at Bohle, and we do it because it adds value – to your team, to your business, and to your bottom line.

You won’t always be able to hire the talent you need. But you can build it. And when you do, you’re not just improving output – you’re building loyalty.

You’re saying to your team, “you matter”. That kind of culture is what keeps good people with you and builds confidence for the future.

There’s also something to be said about partnerships. Because in challenging times, who you work with matters more than ever. You need suppliers who don’t just drop products at your door and disappear – you need people who will stand with you, who you can trust, who offer technical support, who train your team, who help you deliver better outcomes for your customers.

Social media is full of stories about suppliers letting people down. And I understand the frustration – because when margins are tight and deadlines are critical, you don’t have time to chase things that should have been right the first time.

Working with a reliable supplier gives you peace of mind. It also gives you access to tools, support, and training that can make a meaningful difference to how you operate.

At Bohle, we’ve always believed that our role is bigger than just selling glass tools and hardware. We’re here to help companies grow – to share our knowledge, and to be the partner that helps you deliver the job, not just invoice you for it.

Yes, this market is difficult. And no, there’s no easy fix.

But I believe that the companies who come through this the strongest will be the ones who didn’t wait. The ones who used the time to sharpen their skills, strengthen their teams, and deepen their partnerships.

We all want to see the market bounce back – and it will. But in the meantime, the smart thing to do isn’t to sit still. It’s to act. Invest in your people. Work with suppliers who support you. Build the skills now that will set you apart later.

Because this industry is changing. And it’s those who adapt – with care, commitment and the right partners – who will be best placed to lead it forward.