PLUMBING & DRAINAGE O


ne of the main challengers in the plumbing sector right now is the increasing shortage of plumbing engineers, according to Instantor


(part of the Sanbra Group).


This has led to the brand diverting its focus to creating technology which saves time so that plumbers can get more jobs done, without compromising on the quality of their installation service.


“Our market-leading press solutions are ideal for merchants to recommend to customers looking for time-saving solutions,” says Neil Gaffney, mnaging director of Instantor. “Our press fittings, pipe and tools are designed as a flame-free, quick and reliable solution for plumbing projects on any scale; domestic, commercial and industrial. Using a press tool, the installer simply crimps the fitting securely on to the pipe in a couple of seconds. This can save up to 35% of the installer’s time compared to more traditional methods.”


Gaffney explains something else affecting the sector is the cost of raw materials and supply chain issues. “Thankfully in some cases raw material costs have come down slightly but where costs have increased, we have tried to absorb the increase, if possible, to remain competitive,” he says. “With supply chain disruptions and delays, we have no choice but to commit capital to create larger buffer stocks in Ireland and the UK.


“The Instantor team is always on hand to support merchants in a variety of ways, such as: staff training on Instantor and Tucson Pumps, holding demo days at merchant stores with limited time special offers, providing marketing materials and co-branded promotional assets. Our after-sales service offers additional support to merchants with any post installation queries too.” Instantor, which recently joined NMBS, offers its new Instantor Mobile Training


UNDER PRESSURE


A shortage of qualified plumbers means that easy-fit solutions are becoming more prevalent, as BMJ finds out.


Academy which has allowed it to bring product training directly to merchants, enabling them to stay on site and complete training promptly. He adds: “We have a full- time, dedicated in-house, after-sales team who are qualified plumbers. Should a merchant or their customer need technical support, certifications, or post installation assistance, our team will make contact with them directly to help find a solution.”


Reliability counts


Also within the Sanbra portfolio is Tucson, which produces pumping solutions. Gaffney says: “For a relatively new player to the UK market, it can be a challenge to set yourself apart from every other brand out there, but having undergone a massive research project last year, we understand what matters most to the end user – reliability, easy installation, and quality after-sales service when needed. “These are key areas of investment, and we are continuously assessing feedback to drive product and service enhancements. We’ve got some really exciting product enhancements in the pipeline that are going to set us apart from competitors, but also make trade counter staff and installers’ lives hassle-free.”


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The Tucson Universal Pump Head Replacement was designed as a direct replacement for most boiler pump brands that an installer can easily have in the back of their van at any given time. This saves installers multiple trips to the builders’ merchant as they can have a direct swap already with them, this pump is also designed to cut down on unnecessary boiler replacements, which can add hours onto what could be a simple fix.


Gaffney says: “We are constantly innovating to make our range even more eco-friendly. Our products are engineered to stand the test of time, reducing the frequency of replacements and the associated environmental costs. Durable designs ensure our customers receive high-quality solutions while contributing to a more sustainable future.


“In addition to materials, our circulating pumps offer energy efficiency, which benefits both customers and the environment by reducing energy consumption and associated carbon footprints,” he adds. “We’re also actively reviewing our packaging choices with a focus on reducing environmental impact.” BMJ


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net February 2025


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