6 minute read
THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE BiKBBI
SCHLÜTER-SYSTEMS BECOMES LATEST CORPORATE SPONSOR
Joachim Backes, Managing Director, Schlüter-Systems Schlüter-Systems, an established supplier of essential accessories for tile and stone, has pledged its support to the government sanctioned BiKBBI and its work on building a sustainable workforce and improving education, standards and compliance in the KBB installation sector by becoming a Corporate Sponsor.
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Schlüter-Systems was founded more than 50 years ago by master tiler Werner Schlüter in Saerbeck, Germany, and today is a global business with subsidiaries in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Canada and the US, as well as a network of agents and distributors worldwide. Mr Schlüter’s time on the tools, during which he set out to solve the practical problems of the tiling industry, continues to drive the family-owned company’s innovative product portfolio which includes underfloor heating, uncoupling, tile trims, waterproofing and much more.
Joachim Backes, Managing Director of Schlüter-Systems in the UK said “We are delighted to be on board as a corporate sponsor of the BiKBBI. Our ethos, outlined by company founder Werner Schlüter, is that, “our products cannot be sold, they must be understood.” This underpins our educational focus and practical approach; we train hundreds of installers at our HQ each year on best practice, as the success of every tile or stone installation is rooted in proper preparation. We look forward to working with the BiKBBI and its members to continue to improve standards within the industry.”
Speaking on behalf of the BiKBBI, CEO, Damian Walters, commented, “The institute has come a long way since its conception in 2006 but our purpose of driving positive change in the KBB installation sector has been unwavering. We remain focused on education and standards, building a sustainable and compliant workforce for the greater good of the home improvement industry. As a not-forprofit organisation, it is vital we have the support of businesses across the sector in order to fund the work we do, and we are therefore delighted to welcome SchlüterSystems, as it´s a brand with very similar values to ours.”
NEW MOBILE APP TO EVOLVE COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
The BiKBBI has launched a mobile app that´s dedicated to optimising communication with its registered businesses and other stakeholders. The BiKBBI app, which is available in both the App Store and Google Play, is free to download and provides instant, easy access to an array of information and solutions to assist communication with key stakeholders.
Registered installation businesses can access industry news, views and opinions, technical information, business solutions, cost-saving benefits and much more at the touch of a button – all the tools they need to support them and their businesses effectively. BiKBBI CEO, Damian Walters commented, “Launching a BiKBBI app is something that we have been keen to do for some time, but we wanted to make sure that our app met the needs of our stakeholders and our registered businesses in particular. So, after an extensive consultation period with this group and a great team of developers and content creators, we are confident that the app will quickly become an important tool in our marketing armory.”
Other stakeholders, including corporate sponsors and retail partners, will be able to keep up to date with all the latest BiKBBI news as well as registering and participating in events and seminars via the app too. Michelle Daniels, Director of Marketing and Communications at the BiKBBI said “As an organisation with a diverse group of stakeholders, it is vital that we understand the reach of our communication channels and how our audiences engage and consume content. In launching the BiKBBI app, we have been very clear about who needs it and for what purpose, and subsequently, we are confident that this has resulted in a muchneeded and targeted business solution.”
The BiKBBI app can be downloaded here:
www.bikbbi.org.uk/app
COST OF LIVING WARNING
Helen Dickenson OBE, British Retail Consortium’s Chief Executive
Following new research released by KPMG, which shows the impact that the rising cost of living is having on consumer spending, the BiKBBI has issued a caution to the KBB industry, with a forecast of big-ticket purchasing hardship later in 2022, as consumers begin to feel the bite of ongoing price rises. CEO, Damian Walters, warned, “The home improvement sector has flourished over the last two years, but we must not assume that the nation’s current rate of investment in their homes will continue into 2023. The data we are seeing clearly demonstrates a decline in consumer confidence, with predictions that the cost of living will continue to rise throughout 2022. Its highly probably that, as disposable income reduces, the decline we are already seeing in big-ticket spending will continue to fall.”
British Retail Consortium’s Chief Executive, Helen Dickenson OBE, stated, “The rising cost of living has crushed consumer confidence and put the brakes on consumer spending. Sales growth has been slowing since January, though the real extent of this decline has been masked by rising inflation. Big-ticket items have been hit hardest, as consumers reigned in spending on furniture, electricals and other homeware; compounded by delays on goods coming from China”.
Walters added “There are other factors that will undoubtedly impact disposable income and savings spend in the short to medium term including the government’s plan to ban the sale of new fossil fuel vehicles by 2030. With the unprecedented fuel price affecting the pocket, consumers may choose to invest their spend with car manufacturers as opposed to the home improvement industry.
We are also back in competition with the travel sector, as the world begins to open up, with 38% of consumers surveyed by KPMG intending to spend their savings on holidays versus 32% on home improvements.”
History shows that in times of economic uncertainty, consumers will opt for cheaper, unskilled labour and therefore the BiKBBI is urging tradespeople to widen their peripheral vision and look beyond their immediate order books in order to safeguard their future.
“Our sector should most definitely remain optimistic but be prepared for further uncertainty and tough trading times ahead” concluded Walters.
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