I’ll begin with Ecobuild. Over 45,000 visitors empowered with one goal, to discover cost-effective technologies which will make a difference to today’s construction; make a difference to future generations.
Yes, Ecobuild may have been smaller than previous years but it felt bigger. Those who were briefly in the market for a fast buck have taken their dividends; they’ve taken their leave and closed their doors. Those remaining are steadfast and agile, having diversified and re-evaluated. We are a force to be reckoned with.
For me, Ecobuild 2013 was the most productive to date. I didn’t have much time to leave our exhibition stand but when I did, I chatted with competitors, looked at different avenues, and thrilled in seeing dozens of new entrants starting their journey on the Wolseley Practical Installer exhibition. This circular show piece was a real credit to the industry.
And yet, behind the exhaustive professionalism, I defy one solar pv importer not to have been quaking at the prospect of a potential retrospective Chinese anti-dumping duty. So there we are, the gigantean elephant planted slap bang in the middle of the solar PV exhibition hall.
I do feel as though I’ve had the wool pulled over my eyes. When I joined this industry I thought we were all contributing towards helping achieve UK carbon reduction targets. Why then does it feel like the politicians keep pulling the rug from under our feet?
But just as I start to falter, I look at where we have all been and how we worked together to get through it and I remember what force we are.