INDUSTRY UPDATE
HiB Team Conquers the Three Peaks for Home-Start UK
BiKBBI – Is now the time for mandatory registration of the home improvement sector?
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andatory registration has been a topic of debate for forever – it’s certainly been on the radar since I entered the KBB installation sector more than 20 years ago. And it was always a sure-fire way to split a room… until now it seems! I recently conducted a poll on LinkedIn to gage how the industry feels about the mandatory registration of kitchen and bathroom fitters specifically, with a competent person scheme. Given the position that the installation sector, and the businesses it serves, finds itself in with a skills shortage, unabated demand and an increasing influx of unqualified, unscrupulous opportunists, I was keen to understand where the industry stands on this point today.
The results of the survey were, surprisingly, heavily in favour of regulation with 80% of responses citing the need for some form of competent person scheme for KBB installation. Even more surprising, many of the responses were from installers themselves. Kitchen installer Martyn Parker commented “The industry has needed this for 30 years” and Graham Parnell, owner of BiKBBI’s Installation Business of the Year 2024 said “For a customer, having a kitchen or bathroom installed will be the most stressful and expensive outlay they will make on their property. Yet anyone can call themselves an installer and ‘have a go’, more regulation = less cowboys”. It was really interesting to hear so many views from all corners of the sector, many of whom follow my train of thought – we cannot continue as we are, in a situation where good, legitimate businesses compete with opportunists out to make a quick buck.
But the methodology of any form of mandatory registration will be key to its success – it needs to serve all stakeholders and work with industry to establish a viable framework. If you want a say in what the future of the KBB installation sector will look like, it’s time to collaborate with us.
Damian Walters Chief Executive Officer, BiKBBI 44 BKU OCTOBER 2024
iB, a leading innovator in bathroom products, proudly celebrates the achievements of 10 dedicated employees who successfully completed the Three Peaks Challenge earlier this month. The team have smashed the company’s fundraising goal and raised over £7,000 in support of Home-Start UK, a renowned family support charity. To raise these funds, the HiB team tackled the three highest peaks in the UK – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon – in just 24 hours, showing incredible teamwork and perseverance. Especially given the conditions they faced, with temperatures of 26°C whilst climbing Ben Nevis and were then later faced with wind and rain on Snowdon!
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The total walking distance is 23 miles (37km) and the total ascent is 3064 metres (10,052ft).
The money raised through this challenge will go towards helping families who are near breaking point due to isolation, bereavement, illness, mental health issues, financial insecurity and more – a cause close to the hearts of everyone at HiB.
The team of climbers included members from the marketing, product development, sales, logistics and warehouse departments. In the months leading up to the event, the team trained rigorously and spent time fundraising, allowing them to exceed their goal even before setting off on their challenge. Their efforts have been met with overwhelming support from colleagues, friends, and the wider community. Robert Ginsberg, CEO of HiB said: “Completing the Three Peaks Challenge is an incredible accomplishment, and I couldn’t be prouder. The dedication of the whole team, both to the challenge and to fundraising for such an important cause is truly inspiring and speaks volumes about their determination and the strong values we uphold at HiB Bathrooms.” Having already completed other successful fundraising activities throughout the year, including the London Half Marathon, a Halloween fundraiser, and various local volunteering opportunities, HiB have even more initiatives planned for next year - committed to making a positive impact in its partnership with Home-Start UK.
www.hib.co.uk
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