American Kitchen Appliances Debuts at Daily Telegraph/House & Garden
Fair 2005
American
brands Sub-Zero Refrigeration and Wolf Cooking Instruments made their
debut at the Daily Telegraph/House & Garden Fair 2005 with the new-to-the-market,
stainless steel PRO 48 refrigerator from Sub-Zero. The 48" stainless
steel Wolf dual fuel range cooker was also on the stand.
‘The
importance of the kitchen is growing as people use it more than ever as
the preferred venue for relaxed entertaining and cooking becomes a group
activity. As a result American cookers and fridge freezers are becoming
increasingly popular,’ says Craig Davies CEO of the Westye Group
Europe. ‘Increasingly people entertain at home and cater for larger
numbers than just the nuclear family so the size and capability of their
kitchen appliances is very important,’ he continues.
The PRO 48 marries performance and design in a new way for home refrigeration.
Created in 100% steel the fridge is 84" in height x 48" wide
with a total storage capacity of 30.1.cubic feet. The fridge has dual
refrigeration, triple evaporation which keeps food fresher for longer.
The refrigerator’s advanced controls adjust intuitively to individual
usage patterns. Auto-close hinges allow the doors to swing open and tap
shut effortlessly.
Freestanding or built-in, the PRO48 is the latest example of how Sub-Zero
keeps re-writing the rules of food preservation. The PRO 48 conforms to
the Department of Energy standards for residential use, consuming less
energy than a 100-watt light bulb.
Other recent additions to the Sub-Zero range include the 695 model which,
extends the boundaries of contemporary design in refrigeration. The Sub-Zero
range continues to include the integrated 700 series; the 200 series of
under-counter models as well as the 400 series of wine storage.
All combination Sub-Zero models include the engineered dual compressor
refrigeration system, utilising two separate self-contained cooling systems
that prolong the life of fresh foods as well as preserving frozen foods
for longer. Sub-Zero products are available in Classic Stainless Steel.
Also on show was the Wolf 48" dual fuel range cooker. The versatile
hob offers a range of gas powered cooking options including the charbroiler
and griddle with the fine control of dual stacked burners. The dual convection
electric ovens allow the cook to select one of eight cooking modes precisely
suited to the requirements of the recipe. The porcelain blue oven is self-cleaning.
The range of Wolf Cooking Instruments includes dual fuel ranges, pyrolytic
built-in wall ovens, electric, gas and integrated cooktops as well as
warming drawers, steamers, fryers, woks and grills.
All the built-in ovens have a dual convection system which delivers even
temperature and airflow throughout the oven, providing convenience and
control over eight different cooking modes. Two fans and four heating
elements operate either simultaneously or in sequence to ensure faultless
baking and roasting.
Top kitchen designers, Mark Wilkinson, Smallbone of Devizes and Underwood
kitchens also featured Sub-Zero and Wolf products on their stands at the
House & Garden Fair.
Tel +44 (0) 20 8418 3800
Email: mailto:info@sub-zero.eu.com
Web: http://www.sub-zero.eu.com
The
Franke Group, a global provider of household products and services, has
strengthened its Kitchen Systems business with the acquisition of cooker
hood company, the Faber Group.
The Faber Group, which consolidated sales worth more than CHF 300 million
in 2004 and has some 1,500 employees in 14 countries around the world,
will be integrated into the Franke Kitchen Systems Division.
Franke had already acquired a 49 per cent stake in The Faber Group in
August 2004 and says that it is delighted to complete the acquisition,
which the company believes will strengthen its kitchen systems business
significantly.
Tel: 0161 436 6280
Email: mailto:john.swain@franke.co.uk
Web: http://www franke.co.uk
Tretzo
Furnishes New Dublin and Kildare Bathrooms
Irish
bathroom furniture manufacturer Tretzo is blazing a trail in Dublin and
Kildare, with retailer Davies, on several sites of new and refurbished
apartments, houses and offices. Tretzo classic modern designs were chosen
as a high quality interior is imperative to the successful sale or let
of the developments. The bathroom compositions offer a cosmopolitan simplicity
to highly functional items.
Townlink
Construction’s Pim St, Dublin 8 is a canny mix of new and refurbishment.
The 5-7 storey project will create 31 new high-spec apartments and 11
offices within the existing façades of this attractive corner site
near the famous Guinness brewery. Finished in oak, basins units and mirror
combinations suit new-build or refurbishment.
O’Mahony Finnerty are currently developing a site of 20 detached
three storey, 5-bed family homes on Swords Rd, Malahide. Located in one
of the most desirable areas of Dublin, the future home owners will appreciate
Tretzo’s Module bathroom furniture range for years to come. Another
Dublin project to include one of Tretzo’s ultramodern ranges is Clayworth
Investment’s apartment block in Terenure.
Two prestigious developments Alexander Park and Alexander Manor, by Kildare
Estates in the pretty village of Clane have the Davies/Tretzo team at
work. With one site located on the banks of the Liffy, the 3-5 beds detached
houses will be must-haves. Tretzo’s Sixes uncluttered designs will
be suitable bathroom furniture. Sophisticated Sixes, here finished in
beech with glass and polished aluminium, have an elegant, white ceramic
basin incorporated into the pared-down design.
Tretzo has been designing and manufacturing bathroom furniture for around
40 years, operating as a profitable family-owned business since 1969.
The company says that its personality trademark is European minimalist
design using contemporary materials, combined with superb craftsmanship,
at its high-tech production facility in Armagh, N. Ireland.
Contact: Nick Willis
Tel: 028 3752 3735
Email: mailto:sales@tretzo.com
Web: http://www.tretzo.com
Hüppe
Turns Up Volume in Scotland
Hüppe
has turned the spotlight on Scotland with the appointment of Delphi Distribution
Ltd to help boost sales in the country of the company’s Classic and
JJ World products, encompassing the 501, 1002 and 2003 ranges.
RK Ceramics Ltd, based in Warrington, Cheshire, will continue to supply
Scotland, providing retailers with a choice of distributor to best suit
their needs.
‘RK have done a terrific job in establishing sales of our top-end
products throughout Scotland but now we want to increase volume sales
of the Classic and JJ World products’ explained Rod Goodier, Managing
Director of RSJ Associates, Hüppe's sole UK agents. ‘We felt
this could best be done by a distributor based in Scotland and Delphi
are the people to do it.’
For more information on Delphi's services, please contact the company
at Unit 9, Longcroft Trade Centre, 209 Glasgow Road, Longcroft by Bonnybridge,
Scotland FK4 1QQ.
Tel: 08700 500 077
Email: mailto:info@delphidistribution.co.uk
Jacuzzi
Brands Completes Sale of Eljer Plumbingware
Jacuzzi
Brands, Inc. announced on July 1st that it has completed the previously
announced sale of Eljer Plumbingware, part of the Company's consumer Bath
division, to an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.
Jacuzzi also announced that it has completed the previously announced
sale of Rexair, Inc. to Rhone Capital LLC. As previously announced, the
Company retained a 30% interest in Rexair.
Jacuzzi Brands, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a global manufacturer
and distributor of branded bath and plumbing products for the residential,
commercial and institutional markets. These include whirlpool baths, spas,
showers, sanitary ware and bathtubs, as well as professional grade drainage,
water control, commercial faucets and other plumbing products. Jacuzzi
Brands, Inc. products are marketed under the company's portfolio of brand
names, including JACUZZI®, SUNDANCE®,
ZURN®,
and ASTRACAST®.
Web:
http://www.jacuzzibrands.com
Halcyon
Interiors Wins ALNO Retailer of the Year
Halcyon
Interiors of Pinner, Middlesex has been named UK Retailer of the Year
by German kitchen manufacturer, ALNO.
Halcyon Interiors owners Steve and Sue Gobel opened their first kitchen
showroom in 1981 and have been working with ALNO for the past nine years.
ALNO (UK) national sales manager, Philip Randall says, 'Halcyon Interiors
has had another great year, with sales going from strength to strength,
proving the popularity of the ALNO brand within the Greater London area.
'We will be further strengthening our central London presence with the
opening of an ALNO flagship dealership in Wigmore Street, which will also
be run by Steve and Sue on our behalf. We are confident that we have the
right retail partner to manage this London centre as we develop our brand
and bring exciting new product into the UK market.'
Sue and Steve Gobel from Halcyon Interiors were
presented with their award as ALNO Retailer of the Year by ALNO's area
sales manager Steve Murphy (right) at the company's annual dealer conference
in Bath.
Siemens
Predicts a ‘Grey’ Summer for Kitchen Appliances
Even
though the British weather is notoriously unreliable at this time of year,
kitchen appliance manufacturer Siemens is confidently predicting a ‘grey’
summer for freestanding kitchen appliances.
This
is due to the launch of a generous cashback promotional allowance of up
to £300 being offered on all ‘Avantgarde’ products in
the company’s extensive 2005 line up.
‘Avantgarde’ is the name given to Siemens’s coordinated
freestanding product range in an anthracite grey finish, comprising two
fridge freezers (models KG32U143 & KS40U650), a dishwasher (model
SE25T850) and a washing machine (model WXL127A).
Customers buying any three of these four products during the promotional
period are entitled to a £300 cashback from Siemens. A cashback
handout of £150 is offered to customers purchasing any two ‘Avantgarde’
appliances.
For a strictly limited 10-week period between the middle of June and the
end of August, Siemens stockists nationwide are featuring this enticing
offer in their showrooms using new point of sale material provided by
Siemens.
More details on the offer can be obtained from Siemens area sales managers
or from the Siemens sales office in Milton Keynes on 01908 328400.
All four ‘Avantgarde’ appliances by Siemens are featured in
new separate product brochures just out for the company’s 2005/6
ranges of freestanding laundry, dishwashers and refrigeration.
For brochures & stockists, call 0870 840 3300 or visit http://www.siemensappliances.co.uk
Hotpoint
and Ariel Keep it Cool
Hotpoint
and Ariel joined forces last year investing in a £1million TV campaign
to promote their products.
The
campaign continues with colourfully combined Hotpoint and Ariel advertisements
appearing in Women's lifestyle and Home Interest magazines throughout
the Summer.
The advertisements bring together Ariel producing outstanding results at low temperatures with Hotpoint offering the company’s new Cool Wash programme.
Hotpoint
recommends Ariel to keep whites bright, even when washed at low temperatures.
In conjunction with this Hotpoint now has a Cool Wash programme as one
of the many features offered. The programme cares for the most delicate
items without comprising wash results.
Neil Tunstall, Marketing Director, Indesit Company comments: ‘The
campaign is not only an excellent way to promote Hotpoint and Ariel's
partnership, but also reinforces our message to consumers that Hotpoint
products are 'Designed for the real world'.’
Tel: 08701 50 60 70
Web: http://www.hotpoint.co.uk
Stoves
New Genus Oven makes a Special Appearance on ITV’s This Morning
Stoves
new Genus oven technology made a guest appearance on ITV’s This Morning
during the programme’s cookery section this week.
Presenter
Lorraine Kelly and TV chef James Tanner (pictured) put the high-speed
‘Genus mode’ of the Genus built-in multifunction oven through
its paces live on air to show the nation just how fast this new technology
can cook – all without losing the quality of the end results.
As the oven needs no preheat, a frozen pizza was cooked to perfection
in just five minutes from a cold oven and the presenters were particularly
impressed with the fact that a whole roast chicken would take just thirty
five minutes, which is ideal for those with families.
The advanced 900mm high Genus multifunction double oven incorporates 16
interactive functions plus an additional eight high-speed Genus cooking
modes that have been programmed to cook food perfectly in a fraction of
the time. For example, a perfect baked potato with a crispy jacket and
fluffy in the middle can be cooked in just 15 minutes – up to 4 times
faster than conventional cooking.
The Genus ovens are available now and fit within Stoves’ existing
range of built-in ovens, hobs, hoods and splash backs.
For further information on Genus and the rest of the Stoves collection,
call 0870 458 9663 for a brochure or visit http://www.stovesgenus.co.uk
Established
in 2000, tc says that it has seen tremendous growth throughout the last
few years. The company now distributes tc branded products to a national
customer database of 750.
Growth came quickly for the tc company. In September 2003 it had outgrown
its headquarters and saw an opportunity to expand, acquiring a new warehouse
and office space at the company’s now current site, Grange Moor in
West Yorkshire.
It is from there that the company continued to grow. So much so that it
is now expanding for the fourth time in four years. Work will soon be
complete on the company’s 90,000 sq foot expansion of its office
and warehouse space that will house 2.5 million pounds worth of current
stock.
This office and warehouse space will be manned by 75 experienced staff,
with a £150K computerised system to monitor and process orders.
This, as well as 15 vehicles with 20 dedicated drivers, will ensure that
tc customers across the UK are delivered the best in customer service.
In addition to this the company has extended its distribution service
by opening a fully stocked warehouse facility in Cornwall. Covering the
previously neglected areas of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, tc has purposely
established back up and support to help this poorly serviced part of the
UK.
Tel: 01924 845000
Craven Dunnill Combines Old with New for Prestigious Crosby Homes Development
Singleton
Hall in Singleton, Lancashire, is a unique Crosby Homes development of
21 spacious and luxurious apartments. They combine elegant renovation
with new build. Craven Dunnill & Co, the Shropshire based tile distributor,
has worked closely with the developer on this project supplying floor
and wall tiles for all the ensuite and master bathrooms while Craven Dunnill
Jackfield has manufactured bespoke, hand-made encaustic geometric tiles
for the renovation of an original, Victorian reception hall floor.
Craven
Dunnill & Co has worked with Crosby Homes for nearly five years on
a wide array of projects – up to eight at any point in time. Offering
a vast and ever-changing range of over 10,000 different, stocked tiles,
the company is the perfect partner for Crosby Homes; it provides choice,
service and an element of exclusivity.
For the Singleton Hall project Craven Dunnill supplied 35 sample boards
of tiles for the bathrooms across a wide range of prices. Crosby Homes
appreciates the personal service it receives and as Caroline Saville,
Sales Director of Crosby Homes explains: ‘The fact we know the tiles
we select are not generally available in the marketplace allows us to
attain the prestigious look we desire for so many of our developments’.
A selection of white wall tiles and complementing stone floor tiles have
been supplied.
Craven Dunnill & Co is a leading tile distributor which was recently
awarded The Tile Association’s Excellence in Distribution Award.
It has a dedicated technical sales team for the contract sector and supplies
wall and floor tiles from a stocked range of over 10,000 different tiles.
Craven Dunnill Jackfield, its sister company, manufactures and supplies
bespoke and standard encaustic and geometric floor tiles and hand-glazed
wall tiles using original Victorian techniques and has established a reputation
for contract renovation projects.
Caroline Saville of Crosby Homes was delighted to learn that Craven Dunnill
Jackfield could manufacture tiles to match the magnificent reception hall
floor at Singleton Hall. ‘We wanted to preserve it, despite the damage
to much of the edge, and were amazed when Craven Dunnill Jackfield inspected
it and told us they could design and custom make the missing sections
to match’. The resulting effect is stunning and can be found in the
show apartment at Singleton Hall.
Tel: 01746 761611
Web: http://www.cravendunnill.co.uk
KBSA
Members Benefit from Improved Healthcare Scheme
The
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has announced details
of its improved healthcare scheme, run in conjunction with the Private
Healthcare Partnership.
All KBSA members, including employees, have access to the KBSA Private
Healthcare Scheme and they can all switch to the scheme from any other
and save up to 20 per cent with no loss of benefits (plus significant
discounts may be available on existing schemes).
The scheme also covers cash plans or budget healthcare schemes for staff.
There is also a travel insurance scheme available, with a 12 month policy
incorporating worldwide cover, winter sports and business travel. KBSA
members and employees pay just £35 per year for standard cover and
£41 for a complete protection policy.
Finally, a dental insurance scheme provides comprehensive cover from a
top UK market leader insurer.
‘The improved healthcare package is just one of the many key benefits
of KBSA membership,’ says KBSA operations manager Lucinda Kenny.
‘Our association’s considerable buying power enables us to negotiate
impressive discounts on many essential business services, which of course
we are then able to pass on to our members.’
Members keen to find out full details should contact Lucinda Kenny, or
phone the Private Healthcare Partnership direct on 01274 588862.
Axiom
Associates - Join Our Club
A
customer loyalty scheme was launched recently by Formica Ltd. Entitled
Axiom Associates, the programme will reward kitchen studios for their
loyalty.
From June 1st 2005, kitchen studios have been able to collect points with
every purchase of an Axiom worktop, breakfast bar, splashback or upstand.
Customers can then choose to redeem their points against a wide range
of electrical, leisure and business gifts, or choose to use their points
against any holiday from an ABTA Bonded Tour Operator.
To redeem points against any of the gifts or holidays, kitchen studios
must simply complete a claim form, attach distributor invoices as proof
of purchase and submit the details to Axiom Associates. Points will be
allocated to a customer statement which will be sent out quarterly showing
points added and any gifts claimed.
For more information contact the Axiom Associates Hotline 0845 6022051.
Dynamic
Space® at Matchmaker In-House Show
Kitchen
manufacturer James Theobald included a dedicated area to demonstrate the
company’s inclusion of Blum's Dynamic Space® system for modern
kitchen planning at its recent in-house launch of the latest Matchmaker
designs.
The many and diverse kitchens on display at the impressive Kent showrooms
not only displayed Theobald's variety of styles, surfaces and finishes,
but also the degree of attention devoted to internal storage and functional
systems.
Theobald was one of the first proactive manufacturers to embrace the Dynamic
Space® by ensuring that the company’s Matchmaker products incorporate
all the requisite Blum features and systems to allow the planning of a
modern kitchen on an ergonomic basis according to the five main zones
of storage and activity - storage of non-consumable, storage of consumables,
preparation zone, cooking zone and cleaning area.
The new 67-page Matchmaker brochure includes details of its Dynamic Space®
inclusion on the first two inside pages and Blum UK's Graham Horton was
kept fully occupied throughout the in-house exhibition explaining Dynamic
Space® and its multiple benefits to a steady stream of interested
visitors.
Tel: 01908 285700
Email: mailto:info@bluk-uk.com
Web: http://www.blum.com
http://www.dynamicspace.com
DuPont
and Rhodia Sign Agreement for Sale of Refrigerant Blends Business
On
June 24th DuPont and Rhodia announced the signing of an agreement by which
DuPont plans to purchase the ISCEON® hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant
blends business from Rhodia, pending regulatory approvals. The transaction
will likely be finalised sometime in the third quarter. The ISCEON®
range of refrigerants comprises non-ozone-depleting blends used as a replacement
for ozone depleting refrigerants in air conditioning, cold storage, domestic
refrigeration and process cooling.
'This acquisition will enlarge our HFC product portfolio, and enable us
to offer customers additional sustainable refrigerant solutions to accelerate
the reduction of ozone depleting substances around the world,' said Mark
Baunchalk, global business manager – refrigerants, DuPont Fluorochemicals.
'DuPont has been a pioneer in the science of refrigerants for 75 years
and is committed to continue developing science and technology to bring
more sustainable cooling and environmental solutions to customers around
the world. This acquisition supports that effort and will strengthen our
business.'
'This transaction, marking a further step in the strategic refocusing
of Rhodia Organics' Enterprise, forms part of the divestiture of non-strategic
activities being undertaken by the Rhodia Group with a view to consolidating
its business portfolio,' added Laurent Schmitt, president of the Rhodia
Organics Enterprise.
Rhodia will continue to manufacture and sell refrigerant R-22 from its
Avonmouth facility in the United Kingdom.
DuPont Fluorochemicals is a global supplier of refrigerants, using science
and technology, market knowledge and global reach to provide sustainable
materials and solutions to enhance personal comfort, enable food preservation,
improve industrial processing and reduce environmental footprints. For
more information, please visit http://www.dupont.com/suva/.
Rhodia is a global speciality chemicals company recognised for its strong
technology positions in applications chemistry, speciality materials and
services, and fine chemicals. Partnering with major players in the automotive,
electronics, fibres, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, consumer care, tires,
and paints and coatings markets, Rhodia offers tailor-made solutions combining
original molecules and technologies to respond to customers' needs. Rhodia
subscribes to the principles of Sustainable Development communicating
its commitments and performance openly with stakeholders. Rhodia generated
net sales of €5.3 billion ($6.9 billion) in 2004 and employs 20,000
people worldwide. Rhodia is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges.
For further information visit http://www.rhodia.com.
Electrolux
Celebrates 80 Years Since it Launched the World's 1st Absorption Fridge
in 1925
In
1925 Electrolux launched the First Absorption Refrigerator, the ‘D-fridge’,
on the world market. For many people the ‘wonderful box’ solved
the problem of storing fresh food in the home. Eighty years on, Electrolux
says that it is now the ‘World's Largest 'Cooling Appliance' Company’,
selling more than 10 million units per year worldwide.
Pictured:
1925 first absorption fridge and 2005 AEG-Electrolux Longfresh Fridge
Freezer - with Longfresh chill zones, A+ energy rating, LCD display, twin
compressor technology, coolmatic, dynamic mini evaporator and more...Five
years later, in 1930 (as Electrolux shares listed on Swedish Stock Exchange)
- Electrolux launched the First Built-In Refrigerator.
Pictured: first built-in refrigerator 1930 with AEG-Electrolux Side by
Side fridge and frost free freezer 2005.
‘Eighty years on, 2005, Electrolux is the World's Largest 'Cooling
Appliance' Company, selling more than 10 million units per year worldwide.
Electrolux is still leading the way with its latest cooling innovation,
the World's First Frost Free Chest Freezer,’ comments Andy Mackay,
UK Brand and Marketing Director, Electrolux Major Appliances.
Trade Contact Details:
Freestanding Sales: Tel - 08705 650 650
Built-In Sales: Tel - 08705 822 886
Consumer contact details:
Electrolux
08705 950 950
http://www.electrolux.co.uk
Derek
Vaughan Managing Director of The UK Trades Confederation debates whether
‘competence schemes’ benefit or penalise a trade.
The construction industry is Britain’s biggest, as there are an estimated
two million people working within it. However, recent reports warn that
there is a shortage of skilled tradesmen which could reach crisis point,
and the future of construction projects is in jeopardy because of inadequate
training schemes in the industry. It has been predicted that by 2007 there
will be a shortage of approximately 350,000 skilled construction workers.
It could be argued that barriers like Public Sector accreditation and
the Government’s new e-procurement initiative 2005 which requires
suppliers to Local Authorities to be able to trade online, could deter
existing and new tradesmen from continuing within the industry. In the
same way, new building regulations like Part P have made it more difficult
for tradesmen to operate unless they undergo an assessment to prove they
are a ‘competent’ person. But without the regulation of these
trades they are highly vulnerable as rogue traders, the UK’s number
one complaint, will continue with their shoddy workmanship giving the
construction industry a bad name.
Should it therefore be the Government’s aim for all trades to go
through a ‘competence scheme’? Perhaps regulating each trade
will raise its profile as learning a trade is still seen as second rate
in career terms and this in turn may solve the shortage of construction
workers. If these trades are seen as skilled professions that require
qualifications and a level of ‘competence,’ it would change
the perception of school leavers that these jobs are not just the ones
to fall back on if you do not go to college.
Let us compare different trades: Domestic Electricians and Window Installers
which both have a Government approved ‘competence scheme’ in
place.
The most common route to becoming an electrician is through a four year
apprenticeship scheme. Individuals already engaged in electrical work
who wish to be formally recognised opt for doing an NVQ. However, since
the beginning of 2005, the Government requires all domestic electricians
to be Part P registered by an approved assessment body like ELECSA. To
become Part P registered, domestic electricians have to demonstrate that
they are ‘competent’ to be able to self-certify their installation
which otherwise would need approval from the Local Authority Building
Control department.
Similarly, since April 2002 all replacement glazing in dwellings has to
comply with improved thermal performance standards (Part L) and be certificated
by either the Local Authority Building Control or a FENSA (Fenestration
Self Assessment Scheme) registered installer. The scheme set up by the
Glass and Glazing Federation allows installation companies that meet certain
criteria to be able to self-certify their work as they have gone through
a ‘competence scheme.’ This means Local Authority Building Control
departments can rely on the trade to self-certify, otherwise it would
be impossible to check every electrical or window installation in the
area. For example it has been estimated by FENSA that
1– 1.2 million installations of replacement glazing happen every
year.
The building regulation Part L also includes roofs in its mission to save
energy and reduce C02 emissions from new houses but there is no ‘competence
scheme’ as yet, although this is currently being looked at by the
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).
Undoubtedly, having a ‘competence scheme’ is the most effective
way of making sure building regulations are complied with. However, the
increased costs which can include higher liability insurance, extra administration
and the actual cost of applying for the ‘competence scheme’
need to be justified to the tradesman to demonstrate what is in it for
them. The UK Trades Confederation (UKTC) continually has to update its
membership package through forming alliances with Government approved
assessment bodies so its members can comply with new building legislation
at discounted prices. In addition, UKTC tries to find ways to reduce the
overheads of ‘competence schemes’ by providing extra facilities
like free websites and email facilities as well as finding simple business
care solutions to help reduce administration.
‘There is in fact a Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS)
for various specialist trades, which the PDA has encouraged all its members
to obtain. In addition, many members who deal with Local Authorities have
been audited by a Government approved accreditation body and have ISO
9001 approval. However, until we have a fully regulated trade – which
is something we would not oppose – we will never entirely eliminate
the ‘cowboy’ element, but the PDA has made it easier for the
public to select reputable and qualified tradesmen through the Yellow
Pages’.
Therefore it can be concluded that there is definitely two sides to the
coin as to whether ‘competence schemes’ are beneficial. On the
one hand it raises the credibility of the trade in the public eye and
regulates the construction industry, but is it at the expense of the tradesman
who would arguably say that they are already competent? Maybe each time
the Government brings in a new building regulation that requires the trade
to prove themselves ‘competent’ it should be grant funded, especially
as there is a national shortage of skilled construction workers!
The UKTC would like to hear what you think, email mailto:derek@uktc.org