STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
solutions as the UK shapes an evolving approach to climate issues. We also expect to see significant regulatory improvements recommended in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and we stand ready to participate fully in that.”
Rob Driscoll.
Mr Driscoll adds: “At a strategic level there will of course be Article 50-related policy issues, which are not uniquely specific to our sector, but closer to home we expect regulatory work related to Grenfell. Hopefully we will also see Government intervention on payment practices. On 09 January, we see Peter Aldous launch a Ten Minute Rule Bill designed to provide mutual security over retentions cash, which under recent Government-commissioned research plagues the industry to the tune of £700m unpaid every three years.”
Other opportunities are already opening up in the new year. Mr Marriott explains: “The commercial sector is changing, given that the ways in which we shop are changing. Distribution centres, dark stores and small hubs are possibly the way new competitors are going to enter the market place.”
Nigel Manning.
Messrs Bowey and Selby add: “There is an expansion and growth of food and processing facilities, there’s the trend to move to natural refrigerants, and manufacturing equipment being available to meet a wide range of duties.” The coming year is not likely to produce much in the way of relief from the challenges of 2017, reflects Mr Manning, who notes “the continued rise of refrigerant prices, ongoing uncertainty of the economy and exchange rate fluctuation post-Brexit.”
“2018 will be the year that we continue to support our clients moving away from R404a,” says Mr Piper. “It will take careful planning and consideration to ensure our refrigeration clients are ready for the ban of R404a in January 2020. We will also have the challenge of the R410a phase out. Prices of this refrigerant are rising, and they will continue to do so. It is our responsibility to educate our clients on the phase out and ensure their air conditioning systems adhere to the latest F-Gas regulations.”
Gary Piper.
Considering the challenges for 2018, Mr Marriott acknowledges the issue of “second guessing the next move in refrigerants and the limited resource pool. The only way to truly plan against F-Gas changes are for naturals, although this comes at a price and the industry possibly lacks the training at the grass roots level.”
“We’ll be maintaining standards and client expectations in a lively market with limited new employees available,” add Messrs Bowey and Selby. “Educating end-users about upcoming F-Gas Regulations associated with freon and synthetic refrigerants and their commitments to natural refrigerants” will be a further consideration. Considering the skills shortage, Mr Driscoll says: “Recently I heard the quote that “what is not invented by God is usually invented by engineers” and the UK has a long illustrious history of engineering, but has in more recent years suffered an image crisis among the next generation. Industry needs to understand that it is not that the next generation feels industry is discriminating, but that the next generation is
42 January 2018
discriminating against the industry. This issue underpins the business case for inclusive and diverse workforces and the rationale that more inclusive and diverse workplaces lead to increased productivity and profitability in the medium to long-term. The challenge for industry in 2018 is therefore undoubtedly to improve its image within wider society. “Customers want an integrated solution from industry that designs, supplies, installs, commissions and operates in a way that seamlessly delivers spacial environments that allow commerce and society to thrive harmoniously. Government needs to act as the key enabler to encourage and incentivise industry to deliver the built-environment which means unlocking key barriers including funding for skills and apprenticeships.”
The longer term
“The challenges coming up in the short to medium term all mainly revolve around F-Gas, how we deal with the phase-down, along with how we deal with Brexit and what that means for business in general and our environmental regulations particularly for our sector,” says Mr Fox. “The lack of clarity and mixed messages coming from the media over Brexit is causing confusion and investment issues at the moment, and making some people think that F-Gas will stop the day after Brexit. That won’t happen, of course; all the requirements under F-Gas currently will be required the day after Brexit and for the foreseeable future, and the setup we have in the UK is all in place under UK legislation so the industry sector isn’t affected at all by Brexit, other than how we cope with the phase-down once we are outside of the single market.
“If the UK and the EU cannot agree sensible measures as part of the overall Brexit strategy then it will be disastrous environmentally, because the physical amount of gas allowed
under the phase-down steps, expressed in terms of CO2 equivalent, is a fixed figure, but post-Brexit that market becomes a de facto smaller zone as the UK is no longer in it. Other aspects revolve around mutual recognition of certificates. Currently, there is a requirement for us to recognise F-Gas certificates granted in other member states, and vice versa. Once we are no longer a member state there is a question about citizens of the EU working here and vice versa. Will we continue to recognise their certification? Will they recognise ours?”
“It’s hard to avoid the fact that Brexit-related issues will not be resolved quickly,” adds Mr Beattie. “Regulatory equivalence and topics like standardisation protocols in concert with CEN and CENELEC in a post-Brexit landscape spring to mind.”
“Working alongside end-users to assist with the retrofitting of refrigerants to enable F-Gas compliance will be a challenge,” says Mr Marriott. “The volumes that are currently out in the industry are probably not realistic in the timeframes currently in front of us.”
Of paramount concern are “F-Gas demands, alternative refrigerants, and managing the expectations of natural refrigerants,” add Messrs Bowey and Selby, who note “the rocketing costs of synthetic refrigerants as well as drop-in
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