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Shadow Energy and Climate Change Minister, Luciana Berger visited Plumb Center’s iconic Sustainable Building Center in Leamington Spa last week to discuss renewable technologies and support for energy efficiency measures. The visit coincided with the Government’s announcement of revised Feed-in Tariffs for microgeneration, including solar photovoltaics and micro combined heat and power (mCHP).
Ms Berger was given a tour of the award-winning building which showcases many of the low carbon technologies which are currently available and included in green policies such as the Green Deal, which aims to promote sustainable use of energy in homes and businesses. Representing Plumb Center, Tim Pollard, Head of Sustainability and Simon Allan, Renewables Director outlined the company’s strategy for implementing new government schemes, as well actively reducing their own carbon footprint.
During the visit the shadow minister also met with a group of installers and specifiers who were on a training course. They expressed their concerns over current financial incentives and the challenges of convincing homeowners to invest in renewables in the current economic climate.
The Sustainable Building Center has become a local landmark and hosted a series of high profile visitors since its inauguration in 2008, including members of the Commons Environmental Audit Committee. Featuring over 170 energy efficient products, the centre also hosts a range of training courses designed which help installers achieve MCS accrediation.
Further information on Wolseley is available on www.wolseley.co.uk
To celebrate World Plumbing Day, the UK Copper Board is running an online competition to test the knowledge of the UK’s plumbers.
Plumbers and student plumbers are invited to visit the UK Copper Board website during the
weekleading up to World Plumbing Day (5-11th March) to take part in a quick questionnaire on copper pipework services. Everyone who correctly answers all of the questions will be entered into a prize draw, and the winner will receive a digital camera.
World Plumbing Day is an international event on March 11th, initiated by the World Plumbing Council, celebrating the important role plumbing plays in the health and safety of modern society. Copper has been used throughout the world for many years to deliver safe, fresh drinking water. Copper is well known for its natural antibacterial properties as well as being essential for human health.
To enter the competition, go to www.ukcopperboard.co.uk
For more information on World Plumbing Day, see www.worldplumbingday.org
The Government has launched a campaign called “Business in You” which will offer you with range of support, provided by both the private sector and government.
If you work for a small company, or are thinking of starting up your own business, there is a wealth
ofinformation and help available to you. Various partners have come together through the campaign to make sure that small firms know what is available, with some of the campaign partners providing free services including workshops, web-based seminars and video tutorials on issues like finance, as well as providing mentoring and face to face consultancy sessions.
Each month, the campaign will focus on a different theme relating to start ups and growth and will highlight the wide range of support available; from online advice on www.Businesslink.gov.uk through to specialist schemes such as the Enterprise Finance Guarantee - www.startups.co.uk - a loan guarantee scheme that encourages banks to lend to viable SMEs which lack the collateral or credit history to secure a normal bank loan.
For more information about the “Business in You” campaign go to: http://businessinyou.bis.gov.uk
Recent research by, Plumbfix, has revealed that technology is fast becoming one of a plumber’s most valuable business tools, along with the traditional, fittings, essentials and hand tools. With four out of five UK plumbers having now purchased trade goods online, it seems plumbers are taking full advantage of all that multi-channel ordering has to offer.
The research revealed that convenience is now the number one consideration for plumbers when it comes to getting their hands on the tools they need for the job, with recipients ranking convenience above both price and product when asked to put the factors in order of importance.
‘Pressure to maximise working time’; ‘less scope to plan ahead’ and ‘higher customer expectations’ were all quoted by plumbers as reasons why convenient purchasing is now key to the running of their business.
John Mewett, marketing director at Plumbfix, explains: “We know from our customers that in today’s economic climate, time is of the essence, as the more time they spend out working and quoting, the quicker they can grow their business.
“We also know that no two customers are the same when it comes to getting their hands on the products they need, except when it comes to one thing, they know what they need and when they need it. It is therefore vital that they can order or purchase products at a time and place to fit in with their schedule.
“As a result, our customers are telling us that flexibility of purchasing is becoming increasingly important to them when it comes to making sure that they have the right tools for the job, and as such technology plays a vital role.
“For example, whilst many of our customers at Plumbfix purchase products in-branch, our study has shown that more and more of our customers are researching tools and shopping across a combination of channels, whether it be over the phone, online or in branch. In fact, we have recently launched a new click, collect & go service as part of Plumbfix.com, which enables customers to check stock in their local trade only counter before heading out. After clicking and completing their purchase online, stocked products will be picked, packed and ready to collect in just 15 minutes.
“The combination of a greater number of branches and increased technology that Plumbfix now offers provides the perfect solution for plumbers. And as this continues to evolve, we are seeing more and more of our customers starting to adopt a truly multi-channel approach as they look for quicker, easier and smarter ways of getting the products they need, when they need them.”
To access Plumbfix’s full range of products call FREE on 0808 101 0000, visit www.plumbfix.com or visit your local trade only counter to get hold of your copy of the latest catalogue.
Plumb Center, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of plumbing and heating products is furthering its commitment to renewable technologies by joining the Micropower Council. The company will play an important role in representing the needs of independent installers at a critical time in the development of key policies to integrate the energy efficiency, home heating and microgeneration agendas.
Plumb Center has taken a leading role within the sector, continually developing its ‘making renewable more do-able’ campaign since the 2008 launch of its flagship Sustainable Building Center.
Simon Allan, Renewables Director, Plumb Center stated:
“The Micropower Council has an admirable track record as one of the most insightful and influential
organisations in the development of sustainable energy policies. We are therefore delighted to be joining its Executive Committee, which gives us the opportunity to play an active role in promoting the next generation of home energy solutions. With 1.6m heating systems being changed or updated every year, our customers are perfectly placed to spearhead the implementation of incentive schemes such as RHI and the Green Deal.
Through the Micropower Council we will be lobbying on behalf of independent installers to secure their role in delivering carbon savings and affordable warmth across the UK.
Dave Sowden, Chief Executive Micropower Council commented;
“We are delighted to have Plumb Center join our Executive Committee. We look forward to learning a great deal from their experience. The entry into membership of such a high profile trade supplier underlines how the small, independent installer will have a key role to play in the delivery of the Green Deal, alongside those with national coverage. We look forward to developing a long and successful relationship with Plumb Center.”
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