Systems leader, Profile 22, has launched its new Commercial Manufacturer Scheme, developed to support commercial fabricators generate new leads and others in moving into the sector.
The scheme gives existing qualifying commercial fabricators access to a dedicated lead generation service plus marketing, design and specification support.
Customers of those qualifying fabricators can also draw on the experience of Profile 22’s own in-house specification team. This includes surveying, design drawings, CPD seminars and information on building regulations.
Fabricators who are considering entering the market can also access a full menu of support but will need to achieve Profile 22 approved status first.
This will include attending a ‘commercial awareness’ course. Covering everything from contract management law to CDM regulation and legislation the course is delivered through a highly accredited trainer and gives would-be commercial fabricators a detailed grounding.
Andrew Reid, sales development director, Profile 22, said: “The market remains challenging. In this climate it’s critical that where there are opportunities fabricators and installers ensure that they’re equipped to take advantage of them.
“Specialisation is one route but equally having the flexibility and importantly support from your systems company to grow in your existing and successfully expand into alternative markets, can provide crucial new areas of opportunity.”
As part of qualification to the scheme ‘new’ commercial customers must also commit to recycle factory off-cuts and ‘old’ post-consumer PVC-U windows. They must also be members of Constructionline and have or be committed to working towards, CHAS, Secured by Design, BS7950, BS7412, BS EN ISO 9001 and BS EN ISO 14001.
According to market research, PVC-U remains the most popular material choice in the commercial sector, specified in 84 per cent of all projects, the equivalent of 1.15million frames. This position as market leader has been reinforced by the Building Research Establishment’s Green Guide ‘A+’ commercial rating.
Andrew adds: “There are still 890,000 homes still below Decent Homes Standard accordingly to latest figures of which 66 per cent are local authority, the remainder with RSLs.
“Continued investment to bring 500,000 more homes up to standard is planned up to 2011, with the remainder likely to extend the programme up to 2013.
“Collectively this represents a huge opportunity and something very few fabricators and installers can afford to ignore.”
To make it easier for fabricators to capitalise on this and other opportunities and as part of the scheme launch Profile 22 has published a Commercial Fabricators’ Support Guide. This takes existing and potential commercial fabricators through the detail of scheme, how to apply and what fabricators need to do to qualify. It also acts as a reference guide for support on offer.
