New membership option

Certass Trade Association (Certass TA) has opened its doors to the industry supply chain with its new membership for fabricators, component manufacturers, and other suppliers in the industry.

The current ‘Trade Association of the Year’, as awarded by Beis-sponsored Trade Association Forum, supported local installers through the Covid-19 pandemic by directly sharing interpreted help, advice and opinions on government guidance as it broke.

Certass TA delivered continual relevant information through its Facebook Members Forum, and the free ‘Secure Procedures for Working in the Home’ pack.

Jon Vanstone, chairman at Certass TA, said: “The beginning of the Covid-19 situation made it very clear that we were lacking a connection between the glazing industry and government. The fabricators I talked to confided that they weren’t receiving the support and advice that they needed from their trade organisations and didn’t know where to go to ask questions of government.

“With my positions in other construction industry sectors, I was able to bring the view of glazing to the right people in government and wider construction community, ask questions, and get clarity on information to help installers and fabricators through the pandemic.

“Feedback has been positive and, with so much regulatory change on the horizon, it makes sense to now open up our trade association to the wider industry to support the entire supply chain, with good practice advice and information, as well as giving them a voice in future government-led discussions.”

Certass TA Membership gives fabricators access to a monthly webinar with Jon Vanstone to discuss the position of government and regulations with a debate on key actions. They also get access to Certass TA documents and best practice guidance, the Certass TA Members Forum on Facebook, and information relating to consumer feedback on installers work.

Fabricator and manufacturer members will have their own profile on the Certass TA website and be able to submit their news to feature on the Certass TA members monthly newsletter to more than 3,000 installation companies.

“Certass TA is modern and inclusive,” Jon said. “And that’s how we want it to stay. There is only one level of membership and everyone pays the same price, no matter how big the company, so we are not conflicted when it comes to treating all members equally.