Angela Rayner says the Grenfell Inquiry uncovered 'serial incompetence and negligence, complacency and inaction, along with blatant dishonesty and greed' which led to the fire, writes Editor John Roper. Apparently, the government will take 'tough action' to ensure greater accountability and stronger regulation while putting residents at the heart of decision-making. But what about the perpetrators? Corporate manslaughter? Probably just another lick of whitewash Roper suspects – although the hope is not this time, as convictions are owed to those who lost their lives.
What’s the craic?
As St Patrick’s Day approaches, Purplex MD Andrew Scott references his Northern Irish roots as he explains why a bit the ‘luck of the Irish’ doesn’t extend into business. There is a ‘holy trinity’ he says of hard work, dedication and proper planning that will always win over taking a chance and seeing what comes in – especially when it comes to marketing. For the non- Shamrock wearers…Saint Patrick’s Day falls as ever on 17 March (Monday). It falls on the week after the Cheltenham Festival – Monday-Friday 11-14 March.
Stuga is staying FIT
At its core, Industry 4.0 is about making factories more connected, with machines and systems working together to increase productivity, reduce downtime and improve quality. These have all been fundamentals of the Stuga Machinery business model for 40 years, along with exceptional aftercare, writes MD Ed Williams as he explains why FIT Show 2025 comes at a fundamental time for fenestration.
There are some big overhead increases on the horizon. National Minimum Wage and National Insurance both go up from April. This could add up to £2,000 per employee. Taking advantage of every opportunity to lower wastage and increase margins makes sense, writes CAB CEO Nigel Headford.
Triple Glazing – Shaping the future
Gaby Mendham, the joint MD at Ecoglass, has been a driving force in priming the narrative of this evolution. She has helped shape Ecoglass with a strong focus on quality, people, and sustainability. With significant changes on the horizon, Mendham shares her insights on what this means for homeowners and the wider industry.
Retrofit revolution
Kenricks has announced that Silent View Windows has become the latest launch partner for its AK Touch Secure smart door lock. The AK Touch Secure has been designed to offer a seamless blend of smart technology and high-quality security. It is compatible with any door handle fitted with a Kenrick Three Star locking cylinder and can be retrofitted without needing major hardware modifications.
Who’d have thunk?
Danny Williams, the MD at Gerda Doors, tells Ed Humphrys how the advantages of the aluminium and steel entrance door range can be summed up with a satisfying ‘thunk’.