WELFARE SUPPORT FROM FMC

Following the launch of their its online training platform ‘Campus’ at KBB Birmingham in March, the BiKBBI, in partnership with training provider Cortexa, has confirmed that it is providing access to training, completely free of charge during the Coronavirus lockdown until further notice.

Access includes all product and businesses online courses providing the industry with access to a growing prospectus of bite sized online learning opportunities, ideal at this time of immobilisation! Campus allows users to network with other learners and engage technical specialists for advice and guidance. Campus will be widely available to all and not restricted to members for this period. BiKBBI, CEO, Damian Walters comments: “We might as well use our downtime productively, learn something new and perhaps add another string or two to our bow during the current enforced situation.”

The BiKBBI also welcomes expressions of interest from manufacturers who may wish to add training content to Campus.

Interested parties to contact comms@bikbbi.org.uk for more information.

Click HERE to view courses.

The BiKBBI is delighted to confirm that The Furniture Makers Company, the industry’s charity, has outlined a number of financial support strategies to help those affected by the COVID-19 situation.

This support is available for installers operating within the sector, subject to criteria, and the institute will work with The Furniture Makers Company to help the processing of applications if required to do so.

The BiKBBI would like to thank the Company and its Master Dids Macdonald OBE for its continued support of education and welfare within the sector and would urge those who meet the criteria to make an application using the link below.

Info & Application

BiKBBI SIGN THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT

In a time where our nation’s troops are once again called upon, this time in the form of supporting our public services to fight this global pandemic, The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation further confirmed its commitment to the Armed Forces Community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant today.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation which ensured to those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. The BiKBBI’s commitment, as defined within the Covenant itself, is to work with The Ministry of Defence, its partners, charities and associates in the promotion of opportunities within the KBB industry and to support veterans, serving personnel, reservists and those working within the Cadet Forces.

As part of Armed Forces Day 2019, the institute announced its support of veterans in the form of discounts for membership

to the organisation, which was a continuation of its work with various charities that work on the subject of retraining.

The BiKBBI CEO, Damian Walters, says, “There are two primary reasons that we’ve pledged to the Covenant. Firstly, it’s the absolute right thing to do as these men and women have given so much for our country. We believe that it’s the least we can do to support them when they reach the time to move back into civilian life.” He continued, “Secondly, this is a group of highly trained, disciplined and focused professionals and so anything we can do to bring them into our industry, especially at a time where we face a skills shortage, is simply, straightforward sense.”

In this issue of The Installer magazine we feature current BiKBBI member and kitchen installer Andrew Walker (pictured) for our regular ‘Installer Profile.’ Andrew joined The Royal Engineers Apprentice College way back in 1985 aged just 16; he served his early military career as a carpenter. He went on to join the infantry unit, D Company and later in his career, following a promotion to Lance Corporal, Andy specialised in Physical Training, representing the regiment at various sporting disciplines across the world, including China.

Andrew was part of a Guard of Honour in 1993 for Her Majesty, The Queen and eventually trained as a combat medic before retiring from the Armed Forces. He now lives in Berkshire and has been installing kitchens for a number of years. Andy said, “I am a proud ex-serviceman who uses skills acquired as a soldier in my new civilian life as a kitchen installer.”

Damian added: “Andrew is a shining example of how transferable skills can be and how relevant they are to our industry. I’ve known Andy for many years and can testify that his service levels, professionalism and indeed craftsmanship are amongst the best I’ve seen. We need more veterans to invest in our industry and I will make sure that I do everything in my power to ensure we give them the opportunity and chance they so very much deserve.”

More on Andrew on page 46 You can view the signed documents and find out more about The Armed Forces Covenant by clicking below.

VICTORIA PLUM BECOMES A BiKBBI PARTNER

Victoria Plum has become the latest BiKBBI Retail Installation Standards Partner, following the launch of its national bathroom design and installation service.

As a result of the partnership, Victoria Plum will provide its customers with the option for an end-to-end experience including a free design, home surveying and the connection to professional installers, all of whom have been independently accredited by The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI).

The company also joins a growing number of specialist retailers as a result of the partnership. These collaborate with the institute on subject of standards, compliance and education.

Speaking on behalf of Victoria Plum, Liz Lakin (pictured) Head

of Installations said “We’ve been working on building our network of specialist bathroom installers nationally and we’re delighted to be working with BiKBBI. Compliance plays a huge role in the delivery of home improvement services, so our partnership with the institute will give confidence to our customers and help us to both manage installer documentation in accordance with legislation, as well as connect with their members as we grow.”

BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters added: "We’ve a lot of experience working with Liz over the years. She has a proven track record of success within the delivery of domestic installations on behalf of retailers and I look forward to working with her and The Victoria Plum team on what is a very exciting project."

ROMAN TO RESUME PRODUCTION

British shower manufacturer to reopen County Durham factory in response to predicted demand

Around a quarter of the firm’s more than 200 UK employees will return to work at its plant in Newton Aycliffe, Country Durham.

Roman’s managing director David Osbourne was interviewed for BBC News at Ten, discussing the firm’s plans to reopen its doors, as part of a wider segment on impact of the lockdown on the nation’s businesses.

“We’re sort of envisioning pentup demand,” Osborne told BBC business correspondent Katie Prescott. “We’ll see hopefully quite a busy May, June… and we’ll see where it settles from there.”

He added: “I don’t know what normality is going to be,

whether it’s going to be October, November before we have a normal month.”

The announcement comes as two of the country’s largest homebuilding companies, Persimmon and Vistry, reopen sites with new social distancing guidelines in place.

KBBG RELEASES ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT KBB SPECIALISTS WORKING FROM HOME

“There are positive things you can do from home to keep your business in front of customers” says Bill Miller, MD European influential kitchen and bathroom buying group KBBG, has released a statement of advice for independent kitchen and bathroom specialists who are working from home as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

The advice is aimed at independent kbb specialists for whom working from home is not a straightforward task, and covers topics such as social media, video communication and training.