WHAT NEXT FOR THE LIQUID ROOFING AND WATERPROOFING INDUSTRY?
A message from Sarah Spink, CEO of the LRWA
The liquids industry has changed dramatically over the last four decades and so has the LRWA. In line with market growth, the association has continually evolved and this year will be no exception.
Following the Hackitt Report, the need for trusted technical advice as well as quality products and installations are more important than ever before. In response, the LRWA has plans to grow aimed at widening our support for those who work in liquid roofing and waterproofing, and helping our sector to thrive.
The Story so Far
Since 2010, the LRWA has grown significantly. Manufacturer members have more than doubled and contractor members have increased by 400 per cent. We have welcomed associate members, and our in-house resource has expanded too. The association now offers a team dedicated to serving members and the industry, including a full time CEO, specialist trainer, and administrators.
We have built strong working relationships with other trade associations, including the Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA), Green Roof Organisation (GRO) and the Institute of Roofing (IoR). This collaboration is helping us to raise the profile of the roofing industry and share knowledge and expertise that will help us to achieve shared goals.
As an established and respected association, the LRWA is widely represented across the construction industry. We are active participants in technical committees led by the Construction Products Association (CPA) and the British Standards Institute (BSI). This enables us to help develop and monitor industry standards, ensures our members issues are heard, and that they are informed of the latest technical updates.
We are also represented on the boards of organisations, including the CPA and IoR, and are part of the post-Grenfell Industry Response Working Group 12, and the Marketing Integrity Group, which is responsible for delivering the Code for Construction Product Information. These appointments enable the LRWA to influence high level issues and developments affecting the whole construction industry.
Building for the Future
In a post-Grenfell era, our priority is to continue to build trust, promoting the sector’s competency across the entire supply chain.
Ultimately, we want specifiers to choose our members because they know they will receive a quality product and technical support as well as a quality installation that meets the relevant industry standards. To meet this objective, encouraging specialist liquid contractors to be part of the LRWA is key.
We want to work with our manufacturer members to identify the contractors with a proven track record in installing liquid-applied membranes and that consistently demonstrate the highest standards of workmanship. Engaging with these contractors, will help us to promote best practice across all the different liquid chemistries as part of our wider objective to demonstrate competency.
To help us achieve our aims, we have invested in a new business development manager. With more than 33 years’ experience of the liquids industry, Steve Leech joined us in January 2022. His strong commercial background and industry contacts will be instrumental in helping us to engage with contractors.
Steve will also be helping to develop more initiatives and services that are tailored to the needs of specialist liquid contractors, including helplines on business related issues as well as targeted events.
Joining Forces
The LRWA has always strived to represent our sector at all levels and work with others to help deliver positive change and best practice. Increasing our membership is a crucial part of this aim and the benefits are twofold.
Working together, as part of a growing community within our association, we can support each other and ensure every business has access to expert advice and support that can help them grow and manage risk.
At the same time, we can shout louder about the benefits of liquid roofing and waterproofing, keep raising both product and installation standards to build trust among specifiers, and ensure our sector thrives, even in challenging and uncertain times.