NEWS | Round-up VIEWPOINT Water efficiency in
two simple steps Tom Reynolds, CEO of the BMA, reveals how it is engaging with Defra to shape the mandatory water labelling and water efficiency policies
‘We have allowed the skills shortage to happen’, says KBBG MD
THE KITCHEN Bathroom Buying Group (KBBG) MD Bill Miller said that it was a ‘sad admission’ that the KBB industry has known about the skills shortage for years but still allowed it to happen.
Speaking exclusively to kbbreview at its recent AGM,
THE GOVERNMENT recently announced its intention to introduce new mandatory water efficiency labelling. The Government will consult through 2022, as a joint exercise by two departments, Defra and BEIS, due to water efficiency having a great knock-on impact on the ability to achieve carbon neutral targets. The legislation is expected by 2024. BMA members are starting to have their say on the
outline proposals. “There is a difference between water efficiency and efficacy” was one telling remark from a recent BMA Sustainability Forum. It
is technically
possible to manufacture the most “water efficient” shower. But if it delivers a pitiful dribble of water to the user, this will force longer shower times and entirely defeat the purpose of promoting such a product. Functionality will be critical to any mandatory scheme. Retailers will already recognise the potential for confusion among consumers when buying bathroom products. Therefore, manufacturers’ channel partners in retail and installation have a key role in public engagement and making all
the Government’s
It is a task which will shape the future of this sector and have an impact in millions of homes
water efficiency efforts a success.
The BMA is in continuing dialogue with Defra about the plans for the label as there is lots to consider. If reducing domestic water consumption is to become a driver in the refurbishment market as it
has in new build, we need consumers to understand and desire efficient products. It’s clear from both BMA and member research that water and energy efficiency are not on the public radar when it comes to desirable bathrooms. We need to nudge public opinion on water savings. The industry- led Unified Water Label (UWL) has been a first step and, indeed, exciting water efficient R&D has already taken place, but not enough. We know about the Government’s environmental objectives in respect of water and energy, and their commitment to deliver these objectives in a way that ‘minimises the impact on consumers’ is laudable. In
reality, retailers can get ahead of any new
mandatory requirements right now, by displaying the Unified Water Label (UWL). At the BMA, we are committed to working with the
Government on progressing the plans for the mandatory UK requirement – a task which will shape the future of this sector and have an impact in millions of homes across the UK. Manufacturers are onboard and ready to innovate and develop the existing UWL. This is one of the critical steps to progress the water saving agenda, but without the public engagement, the exercise is futile. We need consumers to feel motivated and empowered to save water. .
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Miller said: “We have to remember that we are a multimillion- pound industry. In a way, it is quite a sad admission that we have all known about this issue developing but have allowed it to happen.”
Miller spoke highly of The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) chief executive Damian Walters, who has been warning about the skills shortages on the installation side for many years. Miller said: “Walters was talking about installers and shortages years
ago and, at the time, his was a voice in the wilderness and now it has come to the forefront as everything he has predicted has come true. Now people are actually waking up to this issue.” Addressing members at the AGM, he highlighted that, even compared with supply shortages, one of the biggest issues they are facing is finding new staff. He said: “There has been a bigger issue in our marketplace for many years and, if you are watching the news – and we are not alone in this in our industry – and that is the skills shortage. At the AGM, Miller also gave an overview of the KBBG’s performance over the last 18 months. The group has reported a 9.1% increase in turnover for 2020 compared with 2019, with 57 new members in 2020 and 26 so far this year. Turnover for January to June 2021 was 81% up on the same period in 2020. Comparing Covid years to non-Covid years, 2021 saw 62% growth compared with the same period in 2019.
Stelrad confirms intention to float on London Stock Exchange
RADIATOR MANUFACTURER Stelrad has confirmed its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange with an initial public offering (IPO) on the main market. In the 12 months ended June 2021, the
group’s revenue grew to £243 million (unaudited) compared with £197m the year before, and profits (EBITDA) of £35.7m. Market analysts have suggested that the business could be worth around £350m upon flotation. The IPO would comprise both new ordinary shares to raise gross proceeds of £25m to repay certain existing indebtedness, as well as existing ordinary shares to be sold by current Stelrad shareholders. Headquartered in the UK, Stelrad expects to have a free float in excess of 25% of its issued share capital immediately. It is also expected that ordinary shares representing up to a further 15% of ordinary shares comprising the offer will be made available to existing shareholders. Stelrad CEO Trevor Harvey said: “The
interest we’ve received from potential investors in our business has been significant and I’m delighted to confirm our intention to float on the London Stock Exchange. We are well placed to pursue both organic and inorganic growth opportunities. Our extensive product offering, strong relationships with all major distributors and specifiers and the supportive market backdrop will enable us to continue to play a central role in keeping Europe warm. “In addition, given the increasing focus on efficiency
energy and desire for more
environmentally friendly homes, I am tremendously excited about how our products will form a central component of the wider decarbonisation journey.” Stelrad, which sells to more than 500 trade customers annually, operates across six core geographic regions: the UK, Benelux, France, Germany, Turkey and Poland and has manufacturing and distribution facilities in the UK, Netherlands and Turkey.
· November 2021
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