Door Industry Journal - Summer 2014

10 THE door industry journal summer 2014 industry news Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk ‘EXPERIENCE’ STRENGTHENS THE TEAM AT JD UK Paul Hargreaves has recently been appointed as General Manager at Alutech distributor, JD UK Ltd. Paul will take control of the day to day running of the business paying close attention to getting things right first time, whether it be for enquiries, orders or general queries. Paul will go the extra mile to ensure that dealing with JD is a pleasure. Paul’s philosophy being ‘it’s our service that defines us’ Rob Bond, with his many years of experience in the garage door trade, has specific responsibility to provide an outstanding service to new and existing sectional door customers. Rob is looking forward to bringing a lot of new customers to the JD family. Paul can be contacted on 01924 472 924 and Rob’s mobile number is 07834 437 274. A MAJOR STEP FORWARD FOR FAIR PAYMENT The first action delivered under the Industrial Strategy: Construction 2025 is the new Construction Supply Chain Payment Charter 1 which was published on 22 April. Developed by the Institute of Credit Management (ICM) and endorsed by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), the charter sets out the industry’s ambition for 30 day payment terms and no retention by 2025. The major step forward is on private sector projects with a commitment to payment terms of 60 days from April 2014, 45 days from June 2015 and 30 days from January 2018. The existing public sector commitment of 30 days is embedded within the Charter and will apply to all central Government and wider public sector projects in line with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations 2013. CLC members who have already signed up to the Charter include NSCC President Kevin Louch who said: “Many within the industry, and not just Specialist Contractors, want to see 30-day payment terms on all construction projects. Numerous clients already pay in 30 days and we would like them to make public their commitment to the new Payment Charter and give the industry the confidence to pass that payment through the supply chain. I am delighted to have played a role in delivering the Charter and moving our industry forward on this fundamental issue.” The ambition to eliminate retentions is in recognition of just how vital cash flow through the supply chain is. The Charter requires that cash retention is either not withheld at all or that any arrangements for retention with the supply chain are no more stringent than those implemented by the client in the Tier 1 contract. The Charter also sets out clear commitments in respect of ‘pay less’ notices, contract variations, electronic payments and Supply Chain Finance schemes, all of which are integral to payment practices in the industry. NSCC Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol MBE said: “Fair payment is crucial to the recovery of our dynamic industry and its diverse and innovative supply chain. It is most welcome to have a charter, which sets out payment requirements so clearly and will ultimately achieve the 30-days terms that will enable Specialist Contractors to grow their businesses.” The NSCC Fair Payment Campaign has been successfully pushing for certainty of payment, 30 day payment terms and the removal of retention for many years. The clear statement from the CLC in publishing such a transparent and forward looking Charter is a significant step towards the vision for construction in 2025 as set out in the Industrial Strategy 2 . 1 Construction Supply Chain Payment Charter http://www.nscc.org.uk/documents/Industrial-Strategy-Payment-Charter-April-2014.pdf 2 Industrial Strategy https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/210099/bis-13-955-construction-2025- industrial-strategy.pdf For more information please visit www.nscc.org.uk Paul Hargreaves Rob Bond