DGCOS Conference
Hosted By Nick Ross

350 Plus Turn Out For DGCOS Conference

To See More Images Of The Conference Click Here

Despite accidents on the M6 north and southbound, horrendous weather and a closure on the M5, over 300 delegates attended the Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme’s first Conference yesterday, 68% of which were installers. Held at the RICOH Arena, A Mission to Save the Industry’s Reputation was hosted by Nick Ross, who confirmed he will continue as ambassador for the scheme for a further three years. A further 50 installer delegates were estimated to have arrived at lunchtime.

Nick Dutton, Managing Director of Door-Stop, a DGCOS sponsor, said in his on-stage interview: “The industry cannot ignore its problem reputation anymore. As Synseal Extrusions Ltd we lobbied our former local MP Geoff Hoon, when he was leader of the House of Commons a few years ago and we were campaigning for 5% VAT on energy rated windows. He seemed very positive at first, but non-committal later on. When we pressed him, he revealed that ‘behind the scenes, the Government just don’t trust the double glazing industry’, which says it all. DGCOS is the answer – and the need for it is evidenced by attendance at the Conference.”

“I thought the scheme itself and the event were fantastic,” added Kevin Harvey, Managing Director of Avocet Hardware, a guest of one of the sponsors and a previous sceptic. “The Conference was professional and well-delivered and the turn-out was impressive. Tony Pickup was able to prove the scheme’s credibility in some tough (and obviously unscripted!) question and answer sessions, led by Nick Ross. I’m interested in introducing the scheme to Avocet installers by becoming a sponsor.”

Thom Emerson, Group Marketing Director of MASCO (UK) Window Group, which sponsored the event as Premier Trade Frames, Griffin Windows and Cambrian Windows, said: "Nick Ross was very authoritative and was clearly committed to the scheme. He gave the presentation real gravitas. MASCO took a couple of new installer customers to the event, who signed up immediately to DGCOS based on what they saw at the Conference. We were delighted to be involved and look forward to our association developing."

Other sponsors included Crystal Direct, Selecta Systems, Prefix Systems Ltd and Bereco Ltd, as well as Freefoam, Emplas, and Select Windows Home Improvements Ltd.