INDUSTRY UPDATE Blum’s Mark Rider
celebrates 35-year milestone I
T Manager Mark Rider is celebrating 35 years at fittings manufacturer Blum UK.
UWLA –Working together across Europe on a common aim of water waste reduction
Y
vonne Orgill attended the AVR - ANIMA Confindustria Assembly, which was held at the Museo Diocesano in Brescia in October.
During the event, central topics for the future of sustainability and innovation were addressed, focusing on dialogue and the exchange of ideas among the industry’s main players.
Yvonne said, “Working together is key. The UWLA has been working with AVR, The Italian Valve and tap manufacturers association; the CEIR, the European association for the taps and valve industry and FECS, the European Sanitaryware Producers Federation to develop and enhance the UWLA in line with market transformation.
“Together we can demonstrate to the European Commission that industry is leading from the front. Water scarcity across the globe is growing and collectively we have to take action. Educating the consumer is essential, as changing behaviours on how water is used is just as important as choosing the most efficient product.
“Whilst we are all working towards the same goals as the European Commission, we are working at a pace that is viable and economic for manufacturers.
“ I was honoured to be part of the AVR - ANIMA Confindustria Assembly, and value the opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping our industry.”
You can see Yvonne talking about her visit to the AVR - ANIMA Confindustria Assembly, in this video.
ISH Frankfurt am Main 17- 21 March 2025
The Unified Water Label Association (UWLA) will be exhibiting at ISH, the leading trade fair for HVAC + Water, which will be held in Frankfurt from 17 to 21 March 2023. Find us in Hall 4.1 FOY18 UWLA MD Yvonne Orgill says, “Being at ISH provides us with an ideal platform to raise the visibility of the Unified Water Label across Europe. We hope to see you there.”
www.uwla.eu
Starting life at the company in 1989, Mark has worked in the IT department and has seen the business grow and change significantly over the decades, as well as move premises and continue to develop its UK headquarters in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. Interacting with all staff members thanks to the nature of his hands on role in IT, Mark explained he gets great satisfaction from his position, and has done so throughout his tenure, thanks to both the business and its people.
He commented: “It’s simple for me, I enjoy what I do and the people I work with. And, because IT is integrated into every department, I get to interact with everyone, every day. The team are always looking forward and searching for ways to be better,
and I think the problem-solving nature of the IT roles I’ve had at Blum have kept things fresh.”
Blum has a number of longstanding employees and Mark believes this is down to its investment in people. “If you have good people, and you want to keep them, you need to invest in them. We’re continually learning and developing, and this is important.”
Amongst his achievements at the business is his role in the installation of the company’s automated warehouse in 2009, proving a game-changer for the warehouse staff and a big challenge as an IT project. Mark added: “Technology has changed a lot in my time here and I’m pleased to have played my role in updating how we operate. I was 21 when I joined the company and in those days the sales team used to call the office from a phone box! It sounds quite comical when you think about it now. The introduction of Microsoft Teams & Teams Telephony has totally changed the way we work and communicate in recent years.” He has similarly seen the industry as a whole transform during his time and is positive about the future, commenting: “My parents and grandparents grew up in a time when money was scarce, so they bought furniture with the expectation that it would last a lifetime. There was a period when furniture became more of a disposable item, but now there’s a growing awareness in the industry about sustainability and extending the lifespan of furniture. Blum is at the forefront of this and it’s exciting to be part of it.
Mark concluded: “I firmly believe you need to have a good quality product and good customer service to succeed long-term. In my position, every day is different and brings a new challenge, and I’m proud to have contributed to this company for three and a half decades.” For more information on Blum and its products, please call or visit the
website.
01908 285700
https://www.blum.com/gb/en
36 BKU DECEMBER 2024
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