After an encouraging second half of 2014, many joinery manufacturers will be hoping that the sales momentum continues into 2015. Last year’s very slow start eventually gave way to an apparently sustainable increase in volumes, although many manufacturers hoping for some respite after meeting their CE Marking obligations were left disappointed as although demand picked up, margins remained tight.
With plenty already in the calendar for this year, we are here to help you deal with day-to-day business and technical challenges and to stay ahead of change, allowing you to get on with what your business does best – manufacturing and installing high quality joinery products.
Below we have compiled some of the dates and events that your joinery manufacturing business should be aware of in 2015, in addition to our regional meetings so you know when you can see the BWF team in your local area (but remember of course that we are only a phone call away to members). For further updated events and advice, don’t forget to visit our website or read our Join In member newsletter.
21st Jan: Scottish Government consultation on updated technical guidance supporting the Scottish Building Standards. BWF has now responded. Amendments set to follow in 2015.
25th February: BWF Doors and windows technical meeting (North West). The first of our 2015 regional briefing and discussion events begins at 10:30am at the NSG Group European Technical centre nr Ormskirk.
18th March: 2015 Budget Announcement
12th March: Doors and windows technical meeting (London)
April: The beginning of April will see the now traditional landslide of new legislation with new rules on tax, Heath & Safety and employment coming in to place within the first week of the month, including:
• Revised Construction (Design and Management) Regulations which will affect the roles and responsibilities of companies and clients involved in construction projects across England, Scotland and Wales
• Shared parental leave and pay will be available to couples with a baby due, or children placed for adoption, on or after 5 April 2015. The parents will also be able to share the mother’s maternity leave and, if available, maternity pay.
• The child’s age limit when a parent is taking unpaid parental leave raises from 5 to 18
• The rates of statutory maternity, ordinary statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay increases
• The standard rate of statutory sick pay increases
• The rules for calculating the VAT due on sales made on goods and services where the supplier offers a prompt payment discount will change
• Pension Auto-enrolment is required for firms with between 50 – 249 employees from 1 April 2014 – 1 April 2015
23rd April: BWF Members’ Day/Annual Conference 2015 at Whittlebury Hall, Towcester.
7th May: General Election. This year set to be the most tightly contested election in recent years the results of the poll could result in major changes to policies on housing, the Green Deal, apprenticeships, sustainability and business rates. We have been delighted to see so many members proactively raising the profile of the joinery industry – don't forget to use our manifesto and other tools to engage with your local MPs or political candidates as it’ll be another five years before we’ll get such an opportunity to influence politics in this country and get the policies we need for industry growth.
14th May: Doors and windows technical meeting (North East)
June 2015: CE Marking of Fire Doors permitted subject to the EC placing the standard ‘Live’ on the Official Journal of the European Union.
25th June: Doors and windows technical meeting (South West)
9th July: Doors and windows technical meeting (East)
1 August 2015 to 1 October 2015: Pension Auto-enrolment for firms with between 30-49 employees
September: Fire Door Safety Week 2015
10th Sept: Doors and windows technical meeting (Midlands)
1st Oct: Government has laid out proposals for Alternative Dispute Resolution to be available to all customers concerning contractual obligations between a consumer and a business. These are set to be implemented on 1st Oct.
1st Oct: Requirement for all accessible windows and doors in new homes to be security-rated
1st Oct: Government will determine the National Minimum Wage rates after considering recommendations from the Low Pay Commission
1st Oct: Consumer Rights Bill set to come into force, including new rules on faulty products, refunds and replacements
6-8th Oct: Timber Expo 2015 at the NEC
20th Nov: BWF Annual Dinner and Awards 2015. Celebrating achievement by the rising stars of the industry and technical innovation, last year's event was an outstanding success and this year’s will again be a night to remember.
2nd Dec: Doors and windows technical meeting (South East)
5th Dec: EU Timber Regulation: Commission to complete Statutory Review leading to possible amendments to the rules for those trading in timber products. Stakeholders will have another opportunity to suggest improvements in Autumn 2015.
We can also expect minor changes to the CIS in advance of major changes from Spring 2016, and a roll out of HSE visit plans which could see every woodworking business in the country targeted for an inspection. From April 2016, large companies will be required to publish their payment practices twice a year.
We will of course be keeping you up to date as the year progresses, as well providing further advice and publications on the issues affecting your business, and more from our industry campaigns such as Health & Safety Hero.
