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Holding a proper debate isn't easy. Get too many people in one place
and you have a
cacophony where individuals struggle to have their say, or hear what
others have said.
Too few, or get the mix wrong and you risk bias and a partial picture.
We decided to
try holding an initial debate between a wide variety of people and organisations
and
firms from different sectors and levels in the industry. Then, by publishing
the debate
virtually in full we hoped to spark an industry wide debate, enabling
anyone to
comment in the Glazine on what was said in the first stage. We hope
that via the
reach and power of the internet everyone can have the opportunity to
contribute.
The first stage of the Industry Debate, which took place at Coombe
Abbey near
Coventry on 17th October, and was sponsored by Spectus Window Systems
and
The Glazine, saw some thoughtful and lively discussions on a number
of big issues.
"Not everyone could be invited to this first stage debate, I wish
they could.
We did have to disappoint some people who wanted to be at the first
stage but there
simply wasn't room. However, several have asked to be put on the short
list for the
next debate. The important thing, I believe, is to hold the debate so
as many people
as possible can contribute, which is what we have tried to do.
"Time will tell if we have succeeded, but it is important to try.
We may not succeed
in sparking an industry-wide debate, but I hope we do, for the sake
of the industry."
Richard Schwarz, co-sponsor and co-chairman explains what happens next:
"We will
shortly be publishing the debate, one topic at a time, so everyone can
see who said
what. There were a few hours of discussion and we are having that transcribed.
When people read what was said we'd like them to email us their views
so we can
add them to the debate whether they have further information, or they
agree or
disagree with a particular view. What was said in the first stage of
the debate is not
the last word by any means. It is a start of the real debate. We were
short of installers
in the first stage, but we hope many will contribute their views through
The Glazine.
Nevertheless, we did have one of the broadest based industry groupings
discuss
key issues that I have seen.
"The final line up included senior management and representatives
from the BFRC,
BPF, GGF and FENSA, as well as the Burnden Group (K2), Bowater Building
Products (WHS Halo), CGI International, Elumatic, John Fredericks, K-Ban,
Masterframe, MBN International (Profitmaker), Millenco, Pilkington,
Promac,
Rehau, Sash UK, Ultraframe, Windowmaker and Winkhaus."
(L-R) Front row: David Ruzicka, Jt Managing
Director, Sash UK; Grahame Hall, Chief Executive,
Ultraframe UK; Richard Schwarz, Editor, The Glazine; Sam Kennedy, Managing
Director, Spectus
Window Systems; Phil Heavey, Managing Director, Elumatec; Nigel Richmond,
Chairman, FENSA
and Chief Operating Officer, Bowater Building Products.
Middle row: Wolfgang Gorner,
Business Unit Director, Rehau; MikeJackson, Group Marketing
Director, The Burnden Group (K2); Alan Trevethan, Managing Director,
K-Ban; Goronwy Jones,
Managing Director, Windowmaker; Tom Ritchie, Managing Director, CGI
International; Michael Nagle,
Managing Director, MBN International (Profitmaker); Kevin Hill, Managing
Director, John Fredericks.
Back row: Alan Burgess, Managing
Director, Masterframe Windows; Mike Rigby, Managing Director,
Michael Rigby Associates; Peter Hunt, Divisional Managing Director,
Millenco; Martin Althorpe,
Chairman, BPF Window Group; James Hurst, Managing Director, Winkhaus;
Alex Main, Director, Promac; Giles Willson, Director, BFRC and Technical
Director, GGF;
Ron Hamilton, Operations Director, Pilkington and Board Member, GGF
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