The year 2015 was a massive year for businesses and traders alike. The construction industry in particular recieved some massive boosts throughout 2015 starting with the discussion of the Industrial and construction budget from Chancellor George Osbourne in August 2015 that recounts the 2015 industrial summer budget where the Chancellor laid bare his fiscal priorities in reponse to the CIOB government core commitments that affect the construction and building industries.
Eddie Tuttle , the senior policy and public affairs manager said "Regional infrastructure is vital to economic growth. Alongside devolution, there is a pressing need to improve access to finance for SMEs. With a significant proportion of the construction industry either self-employed or linked to an SME. The CIOB welcomes the rise in employment allowance to £3,000, which will allow small firms to employ four people on the national living wage without paying any national insurance". That is definitely good news for most of us; meaning that if you are an employer or SME (Small to medium enterprise) you can now recruit additional employees at no additional cost to national insurance contributions. Most tradesmen or small contractor firms will welcome the news, as they now have the opportunity to increase their workforce. After all many hands make light work.
On top of that the government has promised to increase the amount of trade apprenticeships by 3 million over the next 5 years. That is equivalent to almost 100,000 new apprenticeships a year. With the global DIY market reaching an estimated €424.85bn of which the UK building and construction industry represents €3.07Bn of that figure it's welcome news for us all. So bring on a prosperous 2016 for everyone!
What Have We Achieved This Year?
This year we've been hard pushed to make a difference, like all things good we like to keep up with the trends! We have made massive steps and big innovations to outdo ourselves and shine as the best Builders Merchants. So true to tradition our hard work has paid off and our first award / certification that we recieved this year was:
We are delighted to become the VERY FIRST Dewalt Premier Centre in Northern Ireland. You're probably wondering why and whats so special about this?
We were presented with the award because of our superior knowledge of Dewalt products and power tools. Our staff are the most experienced and most knowledgable about what makes their tools tick right down to usability and functionality. As 1 of 4 Dewalt Premier Centres in Ireland and 1 of 25 in the UK we can confidently say if you are coming for advice or have questions; Ray Grahams has the answer.
How Does This Affect You?
Because we are the first and only centre in Northern Ireland it means that we have exclusive access to Dewalts new products and new releases. We'll always have the inside scoop on emerging power tool technologies and pre-orders. So if you're looking for the top Dewalt power tools BEFORE anyone else visit us at www.raygrahams.com.
DIY Awards Tool Retailer Of The Year Finalist
It has almost been a decade since we last entered any type of tool competition. In fact our last award was presented in 2007 for the " Builders Merchants Of The Year" award, so quite some time ago. Naturally it's fair to say as a business everyone is estatic to get back into the runnings with our 2015/2016 entry for "Tool Retailer Of The Year". This fantastic award has been hosted by DIY.net for the last 6 years and is growing ever more popular; with last years cermony turning out over 350+ tool retailers, businesses and merchants. This years 2016 award ceremony will be hosted in the E.ON lounge at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on Tuesday the 16th of February where a handful of lucky members from the Ray Grahams team will be wined and dined at a dazzling bright tie dinner. With ourselves and another company in the running we've got our fingers crossed so we can grab the Award. Wish us luck and a Happy New Year.
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