NEWS | Round-up
Quooker UK MD reveals latest updates on ‘rapid expansion’ plans
QUOOKER UK has announced the opening of its Irish headquarters in Donnybrook, Dublin. The launch of the brand’s new HQ in Ireland is described as “the next step in Quooker UK’s rapid expansion”. The premises will display the entire Quooker portfolio, including the full collection of taps, tanks, finishes and accessories. The company said the space will “give customers the opportunity to try products first-hand and find the system that best suits their needs”.
In a statement, Quooker UK and Ireland MD, Stephen Johnson (pictured), admitted that while Brexit had played a part in the decision to open a dedicated HQ in Ireland, it had always been part of his strategy. “Brexit made it exceptionally difficult
for a UK company to continue direct trade in Ireland. It therefore became apparent that we needed to change the commercial structure of our business – creating an Irish entity.” Johnson added. “Changing supply chain from EU nation to EU nation and
Rising costs and economic uncertainty hold back construction
HIGHER MATERIAL costs and an uncertain economic outlook have put the brakes on construction project starts, according to the latest Construction Review from sector specialist Glenigan. In its October update, Glenigan reported a 9% decline in work starting on-site in the three months to September, with projects averaging £6.9 million a month. This figure was down 20% on the same period last year. Main contract awards rose 3% during Q3 to average £8.84m per month, with a 27% increase in the value of major project contract awards. Detailed planning approvals rose by 3% in Q2, averaging £8m a month, but were 13% lower than a year ago. Most regions in the UK, however, suffered a decline in project starts. The North-East was down 38%, the East 36% and London 30%. Northern Ireland bucked the trend with a 31% increase on the preceding quarter.
Construction output, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures, for the three months from June to August rose by 0.1% to stand 5.2% up on a year earlier. Its figures are skewed, however, according to Glenigan, which points out that they include projects that are currently under construction, many of which will have started earlier this year or in previous years.
Looking at residential housing in detail for the three months to Sep - tember, the report showed a 33% decline in the value of underlying residential work starting on-site against the preceding three months. But Glenigan pointed to reasons for optimism in this sector as residential main contract awards were up 7% on the preceding three months and up 11% on a year ago.
Planning approvals increased 20% on the previous three months, but were 2% down on the year before.
Uform wins top business award for employee engagement
KITCHEN DOORS and accessories supplier Uform has picked up a top business award for employee engagement in a ceremony held at London’s Guildhall.
Uform walked away from the event with the ‘Best Use of Employee Engagement Platform to Support Business Strategy’ in the 10th Engagement Excellence Awards, which are said to recognise clients of employee engagement platform provider Reward Gateway that are leading the way in employee engagement in the UK. Winners were selected from hundreds of entries across 15 categories by an independent panel of judges, comprising HR leaders from a broad range of organisations, including TM Group, The Works, Boden, Charles Tyrwhitt, Shell Energy, KFC, The University of Manchester, Tesco, Virgin Media O2, Burger King, Sainsbury’s and Rolls Royce.
Commenting on the win, Uform group HR manager Sharon Logue said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to receive an Engagement Excellence Award. This is testament to our commitment to people engagement and our investment in a platform to help support business strategy.
“Our ‘Boon’ platform has helped lay the foundations for delivering on the group’s main HR strategic objectives, from rewards and recognition to health and well- being and improved communication, we have seen significant improvements right across the business in terms of a more unified, engaged workforce.” Logue added: “As a result of Covid, the group is now operating hybrid working which can bring its own set of challenges regarding communication. Boon has helped enormously with keeping remote employees and non-office-based staff connected with the business. “This in turn has resulted in a happy, motivated team, increased productivity, higher growth rates and even better customer satisfaction. We are immensely proud to be named among global, market leading brands and look forward to continuing to further develop Boon for the betterment of our employees.”
6 · December 2022
removing the UK from that process makes the whole structure more efficient for the wider business and even more so for our dealer partners. Whilst the complexities of Brexit acted as a catalyst for the creation of our Irish office, this strategic move has been in the pipeline for some time.
“Growing at an impressive 120% per year, with over 10,000 installations in Ireland forecast for 2022 alone, Irish sales contribute to a significant part of our business. With an evident appetite for Quooker in Ireland, Brexit aside, it is vital for us to consolidate our base there. The territory needs it. It is important for us that we have local people trading to local consumers in their own country. We have developed an Irish-specific website, Irish TV advertising and our brand-new Irish
premises. Quooker Ireland will create 10 new sales positions with further expansion anticipated through 2023. During a special event to mark the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Dutch boiling water tap brand, and its 16th year of trading in the UK, Johnson also revealed plans to open a new HQ in Manchester, in 2023, to house the entire team. “We’ve been in the UK market for 16 years now and each year, we’ve shown improvement on the last,” he said. “We now employ 130 people and have an annual turnover of £100 million in the UK and Ireland. The objective remains the same as it did on day one – to ensure that each new kitchen and/or household in the UK and Ireland is installed with a Quooker tap.”
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