KBBG first annual members’ meeting

Posted on by Posted in Bathrooms and Kitchens

kbbgmtgpicThe first annual members’ meeting for the Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group (KBBG), the UK arm of DER KREIS buying group, was hosted this month by Nobilia.

While touring the showroom and production facility, KBBG members had an exclusive preview of the new Vivari furniture ranges, due to launch in forthcoming months. Members attending the meeting were also offered an exclusive Vivari display offer, as part of the group’s dedication to provide better margins and improved buying conditions to the independent kitchen specialist.

Bill Miller, managing director of KBBG said:

“It was a very successful first annual members’ meeting giving attendees the opportunity to meet and discuss their future needs.  In addition, we presented the opportunity for KBBG members to see the buying group’s Vivari furniture range.

“The strong relationship with our European partners is there to support and give the UK retailer a great head start – all the ground work has been done.  While sales growth with our suppliers is our focus for 2014, the proven European services and offers will strengthen the UK independents’ advantage and increase the members’ numbers.”

www.kbbg.co.uk

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Multi-million pound construction opportunity for builders in Newcastle

Posted on by Posted in Construction

workforceMAINBuilders in north east England are invited to a free event at Newcastle Racecourse on 11 September to find out about work opportunities in the area.

Constructionline, the government-owned database of contractors, is hosting the ‘Meet the Buyer’ session to help local SME contractors meet key procurement decision makers and find out about winning on major work projects in the region.

Over twenty construction buyers are already signed up, including Kier Services and McLaughlin & Harvey, as well as Gateshead Council, Department of Health Procure 21+ and Four Housing Care and Repair.

In addition, the Highways Agency will be discussing how to find information of potential sub-contracting opportunities in relation the improvement works to A63 Castle Street and other forthcoming schemes in the region.

Aaron Good, client relationship manager at Constructionline, said:

“Local SME contractors are often well-placed to deliver work programmes, and public sector organisations are keen to engage with smaller suppliers on their doorstep, but getting access to each other can prove difficult.

“Events like these are hugely valuable in introducing the two sides, providing them with a platform to talk about upcoming opportunities and how they can best work together in the future.”

The event will run from 8.30am until 3pm and suppliers do not have to be a Constructionline member to attend. For more information or to register interest visit www.constructionline.co.uk/events.

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Wavin UK announces major investment programme

Posted on by Posted in Plumbing Industry News

WavinUKInvestmentWavin has announced a multi-million pound investment programme to create two dedicated manufacturing facilities in Doncaster and Chippenham.

The proposals follow a review of its manufacturing operations with the aim of ensuring that the company and its products continue to remain highly responsive and competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace.

The move will see the creation of a dedicated plumbing and heating manufacturing facility in Doncaster for the company’s Hep2O flexible plumbing brand, and an above and below ground plastic drainage manufacturing facility in Chippenham focusing on its Wavin OSMA brand.

As part of the proposed restructure, the company’s extrusion facility in Brandon will be closed. The company’s Hep2O manufacturing will be focused at Doncaster and all above and below ground plastic manufacturing will be relocated to Chippenham. The proposed changes will see significant investment in the company’s facilities.

Brent Nicholls, Wavin’s managing director for south west Europe explained:
“The planned changes to our manufacturing facilities in Doncaster and Chippenham will simplify our supply chain and improve the service offering to our customers,”

“By simplifying and increasing the focus of our UK manufacturing network and supply chain we will be aligned to the changing needs of our customers.”

“By reducing our transportation and handling we will be able to reduce the carbon footprint of the business. Focused manufacturing will help drive innovation and improved customer service.”

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Good Energy hopes to get £1m solar fund

Posted on by Posted in Renewable Energy

Good-EnergyUK green power company Good Energy hopes to attract £1m to invest in solar projects following a crowdfunding party organised by Trillion Fund.

The company was one of four bidding for investment at the event, where guests were invited to pledge an interest in its solar farms in the South West of England.

Founder Juliet Davenport (pictured) said:

“Crowdfunding has revolutionised the way we think about raising funds for renewables projects and is something new to us at Good Energy.

“The beauty of renewable energy is that, because of the size of the projects, they lend themselves well to crowdfunding – it’s not likely you’ll see any crowd funding for fossil projects. It gives ordinary people and investors the chance to get a financial return while helping the UK to generate more clean, green renewable energy.”

Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, who is an ambassador for Trillion Fund and uses Good Energy as the supplier at her UK retail stores and offices, said at the bash:

“We are all aware of the incredible dangers that we face and we have to try and act.

“What’s good for the planet is also good for the economy, what’s bad for the planet is bad for the economy and what’s good for the people is good for the planet.”

Good Energy aims to produce 50% of its own power from renewable sites by 2016.

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HSE recommended to keep FFI

Posted on by Posted in Health and Safety

hse-inspectorA report produced for the Health & Safety Executive has concluded that its ‘fee for intervention’ scheme is a good thing and has not changed the behaviour of enforcement officers.

The report, described by HSE as ‘independent’, essentially concludes that the revenue-generating scheme should be retained as it works and there is no alternative.

The report was produced by a panel chaired by Alan Harding, professor of public policy at Liverpool University. Other participants were representatives of the GMB trade union, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Department for Work & Pensions.

FFI was introduced in October 2012 to take money off companies served with enforcement notices by HSE inspectors. The primary motive was to maintain adequate revenues at a time of public spending cuts. The rationale was ‘the polluter pays’ principle.

The scheme has been controversial because it seems the more faults that inspectors find on site visits, the more money the HSE makes. As previously reported, one in three sites visited generate an FFI invoice.

A review of the scheme in January 2014 concluded that the scheme should be scrapped because stakeholders felt it wrong that HSE should act as ‘police, prosecutor, judge and jury’.

The latest report, however, says that FFI has been effective and should stay.

According to the report’s authors, concerns voiced about FFI have not manifested themselves to any significant or serious extent and that ‘generally inspectors and dutyholders continue to work together in improving health and safety management’.

The report says fears that FFI would be used to generate revenue have proven to be unfounded. It acknowledges that it is not popular, even among inspectors, but concludes – critically – “there is no viable alternative that can achieve the same aims”.

The review panel said that it

“could find no compelling evidence to suggest that HSE is using FFI as a ‘cash cow’, solely to generate revenue. It is, however imperative that HSE continues to guard against this becoming, or being seen to become the case in future.”

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