News

Darlington-based M.a.f Plumbing, Heating & Gas Services is targeting expansion and job creation as it celebrates its fifth year in business. Mark Fryer, owner of M.a.f, is hoping to recruit at least two gas technicians within the next 12 months after developing the company over the last five years.

Mr Fryer, 39, has been involved in the Heating & Plumbing trade since a young age as his father was a plumber. 

He previously served in the Royal Logistic Corps of the Armed Forces for more than 16 years, which included tours of Afghanistan and Northern Ireland, obtaining the rank of Sergeant, before training to become a gas technician. 

Flame Heating Group is laying down the foundations for continued growth and expansion after investing in a new head office.

The 2,821 sq.ft building, located on Boldon Business Park, will replace the heating and plumbing merchant’s existing head office in Team Valley, which will remain the firm’s lead branch.

Flame’s investment in the new head office building will support the company’s three-year expansion plan as it expects to launch new trade counters across the North East and into new regions. It is also expecting to create 60 new jobs over this period – doubling its current workforce.

In today’s competitive environment, reputation is everything. In years gone by, word of mouth was enough to keep most traders afloat; one satisfied customer’s recommendations could keep a trader ticking over steadily. Today, it’s not as simple: increased competition between sole traders, general handymen and larger companies; a rise in legislation governing how and when plumbers work; and the rise of the internet as a sole source of information for most homeowners, mean that simple word of mouth is not enough to ensure a trader’s survival. 

Multipanel®, the UK’s leading brand of waterproof decorative wall panels for bathrooms is launching a new initiative to reach out to installers and to make it easier for customers to find an installer in their area who fits Multipanel products.

Around 2,000 plumbers and installers are expected to sign up in the first year of the free-to-join Find an Installer scheme, which initially will include an online directory. Also planned are improved availability of product literature, samples and technical updates, together with a range of other incentives, which the company hopes will encourage installers to keep recommending Multipanel products to customers.