At its 10th annual Conference, CEO of the British Institute of KBB Installation (BiKBBI) Damian Walters said industry collaboration was more important than ever.

In fact, collaboration was the theme of the conference, held for the third year at the QEII Centre in Westminster, London.

Stating the industry is operating in challenging and uncharted times, Damian Walters stated: “We have achieved so much as an industry, but there remains much to do, and collaboration will be the only way in which we’ll navigate these unchartered waters.”

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He highlighted a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities for the KBB installation industry over the past 12 months.

Pointing to the administration of Victoria Plum and its impact on the installer community, he said  it was a “bitter blow” for micro installation businesses.

“The collapse and the financial loss suffered by these small businesses is placing more pressure on a shrinking pool of installers and perhaps now even influencing how they may feel about their own future in the industry”, Walters said.

However, pointing to green shoots of optimism, Walters also said there were opportunities for installers impacted by Victoria Plum, with the launch of Easy Bathrooms national installation service.

And he also welcomed the move of Wren Kitchens into the contract market, which Walters said was good news for the professional KBB installer community.

Concluding his presentation, Damian Walters called for the KBB installer community to remain resilient: “Despite the tough economic outlook, the political uncertainty that comes with a year that will include a General Election, continued economic instability, the tragedies of war which affects the most vulnerable in the world, we must remain stoic and positive…We owe it to ourselves and those around us…

“Our industry is nothing short of amazing, Amazing products, services and, most importantly, amazing people.”