Matchstalk Men Host CAB Meeting

The Lowry Gallery in Manchester was the spectacular venue for the recent CAB members meeting. Not only is the building a bold statement to architecture in the Salford Quays, it hosts the largest collection of L S Lowry’s paintings, a well loved Mancunian artist.

 

The members meeting started with a much anticipated, and exclusive to CAB members, presentation from Palmer Market Research with their latest report on the state of the Commercial Glazing Market in the UK. Robert Palmer of PMR offered the members an insight into the contents of the report with a 40 minute presentation of the main findings and forecast for the market to 2012.

Robert covered the four main growth areas in the last four years of these one of the main areas of growth has been the high density residential sector. Robert comments, 'Growth of aluminium framed products has been surprising in the flats and apartment building sector, over the period from 2004 to 2007 50% of all installed product has been in aluminium. Despite strong growth in this sector, which will continue throughout 2008, the market is forecast to slow down in the next three years as demographics suggests that family homes, which are currently in a declining market, will be popular once again. Research has shown that this switch in growth has been quite cyclical in nature over 3 years for the last decade or so.'

 

Following Robert’s presentation the CAB were delighted that Ellis McShane, Head of Façade Engineering at Bovis Lendlease Projects, had taken time out from her very busy schedule to come and talk to CAB about their future projects which include the £2 Billion ‘Olympic Village’ for the 2012 games in London. The emphasis was on very early involvement from fenestration companies and she urged members to contact her for consideration for future projects.

After a short coffee break the meeting was reconvened to discuss CAB business with an update on the technical issues facing the industry from David Earle, CAB Technical Officer and a review of forthcoming events and members meetings from Justin Ratcliffe, CAB Chief Executive. Of particular note was the imminent launch of a series of contract seminars in 2008 aimed at the growing fabricator membership.

The meeting concluded with a wine reception in the Lowry gallery followed by dinner for 200 members and their guests in the main suite overlooking the Salford Quays.

CAB membership offers substantial support to businesses involved in the supply chain by offering technical feedback on the latest standards and regulations in the UK and Europe and probably most important, credibility in the sector. For further information about CAB membership, please contact Julie Harley on 01453 828851 or visit the CAB website at http://www.c-a-b.org.uk