Helping Installers

HELPING INSTALLERS AT A TIME OF NEED

Damian Walters, Chief Executive, BiKBBI

Once again it’s the little guy that’s hit the most. Honest, hardworking people who are the backbone of our economy are once again victim of a scenario which is clearly way beyond their control. I give my personal assurances to each and every one of them and their families that we’ll do everything in our power to ensure their voice is heard.”

It’s been ‘all hands to the pump’ for the BiKBBI team following the recent dreadful news that Bathstore had entered administration, the BiKBBI has been liaising with both Bathstore and the Insolvency Practitioner working on behalf of the retailer with an objective of supporting all those involved in a number of ways.

First and foremost is the institute’s installer members, where the strategy has been twofold. Firstly, it’s established itself as a conduit for information, helping installers to navigate the complicated process of recompense for monies owed. In the first two or three weeks alone the BiKBBI communicated important messages to members on six occasions.

Sadly in those first 3 weeks alone the BiKBBI received over 100 calls from members directly affected by Bathstore’s demise. This represents approximately a quarter of those potentially affected, who, we understand, are owed collectively in excess of one million pounds by Bathstore for completed installation work! By the time this issue is published, this figure will have risen considerably and for some the size of debt could be negatively life changing.

Many observers will understand the impact on the retail staff involved in these situations, but the impact it has on micro SME suppliers is sometimes overlooked. But BiKBBI members can be assured that the institute is committed to ensuring that they and their family’s voices are heard at the very highest level. The threat of losing money is one thing, but this situation will affect their future order-book, with installers often being booked for 8-12 weeks in advance.

On a more positive note, the BiKBBI pledged to support its members by connecting them with new work opportunities and is already doing so. The team is working with some great retailers and strategic partners and thankfully the general UK skills shortage will prove to be an asset in this scenario. Great installers are always in demand and the BiKBBI will ensure that its members are connected with those businesses and individuals seeking a professional installation service.

Great installers are always in demand and the BiKBBI will ensure that its members are connected with those businesses and individuals seeking a professional installation service.

The BiKBBI’s find-a-member website, which is receiving a high volume of consumer visitors, will allow consumers to connect directly with our members and the team hopes that this will prove useful to those affected too. The BiKBBI has invited Bathstore / BDO to reference this facility on their website was await their response at the time of closing the summer issue of The Installer.

BIKBBI CEO Damian Walters (pictured) commented by saying: “Once again it’s the little guy that’s hit the most. Honest, hardworking people who are the backbone of our economy are once again victim of a scenario which is clearly way beyond their control. I give my personal assurances to each and every one of them and their families that we’ll do everything in our power to ensure their voice is heard.”

He added, “We have requested meetings with the appointed administrators at BDO and will be meeting MP’s to discuss the available support to our members and their customers. I have spoken to our own Patron Stephen Metcalfe MP, and we are working on a strategy to seek government support on this matter – This will go right to the top and I will not rest until notice is taken and action is had.” I have spoken to our own Patron Stephen Metcalfe MP, and we are working on a strategy to seek government support on this matter – This will go right to the top and I will not rest until notice is taken and action is had.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP, Official Patron, BiKBBI Damian Walters, CEO, BiKBBI

FROM THE CEO ...

Our industry will lose great people if we don’t act on their behalf."

Damian Walters, CEO, BiKBBI

The recent news from Bathstore is yet another blow for UK retailing in general as well as those employees directly involved and as you would expect, at the heart of the BiKBBI’s involvement is to make as much noise as possible around the welfare of the installer. We haven’t however, forgotten the plight of the retailer in all the Bathstore ‘fall-out.’

Whilst we are shouting about the installer’s losses from the rooftops, we are also focused on ensuring that the retailer is protected – not just for today, but for tomorrow too.

Simply speaking, retailers need installers to fulfil sales ambition and if we don’t protect the installer, we run the risk of losing them forever. With a skills gap evident, we are already running dangerously low on available talent.

The apprenticeship initiative that the BiKBBI is supporting will not bear fruit for many years and with our relationship with the EU far from clear, we simply can’t afford to let these experienced installers slip into early retirement or emigrate to other industries.

Our view is that by Protecting installers we are therefore protecting the retailer also! So, what are we hoping to achieve? Change ...

We want our members to have a seat at the table and we want the government to step up their support of them in the same way they would support big businesses in times of crisis. The government has often referred to the SME as the “backbone of the UK economy”, so for me it’s time they put their money where their mouth is.

Our objective has always been to support all stakeholders in the world of installation. That includes the retailers, the customers they serve and those installers who operate on the front line - the conduit between the two. We need to collectively find a solution to prevent future failures affecting our precious installer commodity and we need to work it out quickly!

The world needs to know that these creditors are not big businesses, or printed lines on creditor spreadsheets. These are tiny businesses in the main, with these types of losses changing lives and affecting families. But collectively, they are considerable. We know that this is a talented pool of experience with transferable skills - skills that could easily transition into other, less risky industries.

So, the reason why we’re shouting so loud, is because our industry will lose great people if we don’t act on their behalf.

Meanwhile, in addition to the work with installers, we’re also in dialogue with our retail partners. We’re sharing data (with permission from the subjects of course), not only for installers, but also for designers and installation management. Therefore, our retailers are benefiting from our connective support.

Finally, we’re also supporting Bathstore, potential buyers and the administrators – as well as those customers affected. Sadly, we cannot change the situation for all, but we can work smartly to support those who would benefit from our help.