The National Insulation Association (NIA) has outlined its plans to promote its members as the preferred choice for householders and specifiers in 2015.
Speaking at the NIA’s Annual Conference, which took place on December 4 2014, chief executive Neil Marshall briefed members on the plans the association had to stimulate the markets for external and internal wall insulation.
He said:
“With solid wall insulation (SWI) installations expected to be minimal under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) due to Government cuts earlier this year, and the stop start nature of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF), the NIA will be focusing greater attention on stimulating solid wall insulation activity in other market sectors including new build and commercial refurbishment. The theme of our conference was ?Building a Sustainable Future for our Industry’ and that is exactly what we intend to do.
“As well as creating additional opportunities for members we will be clearly positioning and promoting NIA members as the preferred choice to carry out external and internal wall insulation work. We will of course be continuing to work very closely with Governments throughout the UK to help in shaping the various Government and energy company funded grants and schemes to maximum effect.”
NIA plans to support SWI members in 2015 by:
– Providing information and advice on opportunities in different market sectors, funding available and how to access these.
– Promoting the benefits of solid wall insulation and using NIA members to householders, funders and specifiers in the domestic, new build and commercial markets. NIA has around 100,000 hits on its website each year from people looking for companies to carry out work.
– Introducing a new quality and service charter for NIA members to clearly differentiate them from non-members and provide competitive advantage when quoting or tendering for work.
– Working in partnership with housing providers, builders, framework operators and other specifiers in encouraging them to request NIA membership to work on projects.
Marshall added:
“2014 has been a volatile and challenging year for SWI companies, particularly with the changes to the ECO and the feast and famine nature of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund. As a trade association committed to delivering added value to its members, we are determined to support our membership in accessing sustainable business opportunities going forward.
“We would therefore urge external and internal wall insulation companies that are seeking a long term future to join the NIA to benefit from the support we will be providing and to help strengthen the weight of our voice and lobbying power.”
