Modern Building Services

MODERN BUILDING SERVICES MARCH 2022 5 INDUSTRY NEWS 2022 Pump Industry Awards Finalists Revealed Following yet another comprehensive and robust Judging Session, which this year was held virtually on 27th January, the Finalists in the 2022 Pump Industry Awards have been determined. From the record number of entries and nominations received, the Judges shortlisted 48 Finalists across the eight award categories to go through to the public vote. Details of all these Finalists are now available to view on the dedicated awards website – www.pumpindustryawards.com/finalists . An online voting formwill be operational from 21st - 25th February allowing readers to vote for who they think should be the outright winner in each category. So, if you would like to have your say in who receive theWinner’s Trophies at the Gala Awards Dinner on 31st March at the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, be sure to place your vote. Places are still available at this ‘not to be missed event’ so whether it’s taking a table to host customers or booking a few seats for you, your team & customers, don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to enjoy a wonderful evening of great food, fine wine, fantastic entertainment and that all-important networking until the early hours, when our now infamous ‘survivors’ breakfast’ will be served. Coolair Equipment Limited granted trademark to help remove “confusion in themarketplace”. Coolair Equipment Limited has won a four-year legal battle to secure the rights to the ‘Coolair’ name. They have been granted UK trademarks for both the name ‘Coolair’ and their blue logo featuring the phrase: ‘Coolair: Your Comfort Zone.’ The company, which is headquartered in Manchester, with offices in the Midlands and Maidstone, say the move is part of a wider strategy to cement their reputation and remove confusion from the marketplace. ACE urges government tomeet off-site pledge Government needs to deliver on previously made commitments around off-site manufacturing, including for repeatable social infrastructure to be delivered using a platform/off-site approach, according to the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE). The organisation which represents the companies large and small that design, deliver and manage our national infrastructure and built environment, has shared the next instalment in its Project Speed briefing series exploring how to deliver, “better, greener and faster”. Other recommendations include, ensuring wider compliance with the Construction Playbook and Value Toolkit, providing more detail on off-site projects within the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline, as well as funding training and qualifications for off-site construction skills. www.acenet.co.uk/Project-Speed ECA calls on Government to ‘reform and rebalance’ energy levies andavoidcost-of-livingcrisis Leading electrical and engineering services trade body ECA has responded to Ofgem’s announcement today that the energy price cap will rise by 54% to £1,971. They welcome Rishi Sunak’s action to help taper the price rise by supporting middle- and lower-income households, but this is simply not enough. Government must urgently address the inequalities between gas and electricity levies, and reduce our reliance on imported natural gas from countries such as Russia. Currently, 23% of household electricity bills go towards social and environmental policies, while only 3% of gas bills go towards these. Reducing levies on electricity will have the added effect of reducing our national dependency on imported natural gas. This will prevent further exposure to volatility in global markets, making our energy prices less vulnerable to price spikes. It would also make us less reliant on supplies from other countries, such as Russia. ECA has also recently called on Government to reduce VAT on battery storage systems, solar panels, and heat pumps, to encourage uptake and make it even more cost-effective for households to make the switch to these technologies and feel the benefits of reduced energy bills in the long run. ECA works closely with industry and Government to influence the development of energy-related policy, including the drive to Net Zero. It promotes energy efficiency, renewable power, and the development of battery storage as a means to promote lower costs and greater energy security. www.eca.co.uk/get-zero-carbon-done.