Green News

PTS Takes Two Mps on Tour to Encourage the Uptake of Renewables

09 February 2011

Encouraging the uptake of renewable energy technology to slash consumer fuel bills and boost the heating industry was the focus of a visit to PTS branches in Brighton and Hove by two Sussex MPs and a BMF representative on Friday 28th January.

Hove MP, Mike Weatherley and Brighton Kempton MP, Simon Kirby visited their local PTS trade counters to learn more about a range of technology and to discuss its wider importance to the UK economy with PTS Managing Director, Kelvin Stevens, and Policy Manager at the BMF, Brett Amphlett.

"It's encouraging to see newly-elected MPs taking a keen interest in how renewable technologies can improve the UK economy as we believe that more Government support and incentives are needed to really make this sector take off." said Kelvin Stevens, Managing Director of PTS. "This was a great opportunity for us to express our belief in the importance of taking emitted and embedded carbon out of buildings whilst communicating the concerns felt by the installers we talk to every day.

Kelvin continues: "As a nation we rate the worst in Europe for wasting energy, but by working with merchants like PTS, the Government can make renewable technologies more enticing for homeowners to adopt, which in turn provides a whole new revenue stream for the UK's plumbing and heating installers."

Speaking at the Portslade branch, Mike Weatherley MP remarked: "I am delighted with the chance to visit this thriving branch of PTS in my constituency. Not only are they managing to survive in a tough economic climate, but they show that ‘going green' is not only good for our environment, but can also be good for our economy as well."

"We need to explain and persuade our constituents to carry out energy-saving work. With ever-increasing demand for electricity and other forms of energy, efforts on conservation and efficiency to combat fluctuating temperatures - and save money on bills - are incontrovertible".
Speaking in the Kemptown branch, Simon Kirby MP commented: "I am pleased to see a major trade business driving sales & innovation in renewables. It was useful to see the products that local plumbers & heating engineers are buying and fitting here in the city".

"Kelvin Stevens and his team are doing a great job, despite the difficult economic times. Seeing PTS evolve through the recession by training not only in its own staff - but also teaching trade customers about renewables - displays a firm commitment to invest and grow the company's business".

The day was another in the Builders Merchants Federation's industry and parliament programme. Such visits bring MPs together with the building materials' supply chain to gain insight and understanding of each others' world. The BMF believes the trade has a good tale to tell and reckons the RMI market - repair, maintenance & improvement - can be the route out of recession.

Merchants have been campaigning for an extension of the current 5% VAT rate to incentivise homeowners to carry out work on their property. The proposal was contained in the Federation's ‘More Homes and Less Carbon' General Election manifesto in April 2010. The BMF issued the manifesto to all 84 MPs in South-Eastern England - and these two visits were a direct consequence.

PTS has been an advocate of renewable energy technology for a number of years. From its dedicated Renewable Energy Branch in Aylesford, Kent, PTS offers expert advice and knowledge on the latest technology to hit the market. PTS is continuing to develop its strategy to support renewable installers and is further investing to build a Renewable Specialist Branch network during 2011. These branches are unique in being dedicated to stocking relevant products in regional locations, which means customers can purchase and receive renewable technology within the same timescale as traditional items. With this new logistics solution in place, installers can rely on PTS to be a one stop shop for everything they need for the job.