Association Prepares for a World of Change

UHMA’s recent AGM saw Members vote decisively for a new look Association. Delegates representing 27 companies – well over the required 75% - voted unanimously to adopt revised statutes that open up the Association to new categories of Membership, including system designers and installers.

“For the first time the Association will represent the whole spectrum of our industry,” said Chairman Chris Ingram, who was elected for another year in office.

“That will give extra credibility to our 2010 campaign to finally wake Government and regulatory bodies up the fact that, if they really want to save energy, underfloor heating is the only practical heat emitter.”

The changes adopted at the AGM include a new name – UHMA: The Trade Association for Surface Heating and Cooling – to reflect the evolving world of energy efficiency.

Huge progress

A delighted Chris Ingram saw the vote as a semi-colon rather than a full stop on his year as Chairman.

“We’ve made huge progress over the course of 2009. We’ve managed to increase Membership – no mean feat in a recession! We’ve established working links with other trade bodies including the Heat Pump Association, The Ground Source Heat Pump Association, the Builders Merchants’ Federation and the Heating and Hot Water Industry Council.

We’ve also taken steps to ensure that the demand for training in underfloor heating design and installation is finally being satisfied. Already well over 200 trainees have taken the special two-day course, which was developed under the auspices of BPEC in liaison with SummitSkills and UHMA.

Recently UHMA recognised a new training course specially developed by Logic Certification, a leading training provider within the building services sector. The new course reflects their experience and quality approach and we look forward to seeing it rolled out across the country.

We’ve also made a raft of changes to the ways in which new Members are assessed – although still with an emphasis on quality products and service - and the fee structure

All in all we’ve made a lot of changes in a short space of time. As a result, I’ve agreed to serve another year as Chairman of the Association to see the new system safely bedded in.

So, what might have been my swansong, becomes the trailer for a whole new year of UHMA activity.”

Single voice

And what a year it’s going to be. The plan for just the first quarter is ambitious enough.

All those changes have a purpose – to make UHMA truly representative of the whole underfloor heating industry. Speaking as a single voice makes the Association more likely to be heard where it matters in the corridors of power. This year UHMA will be driving home the message that underfloor heating saves energy – 30% or more.

In January Chris Ingram will be speaking at the Builders Merchants’ Conference about a major new UHMA initiative aimed at training all counter staff in making the most of renewable energy in association with underfloor heating.

February will see UHMA’s first every exhibition display at the HEVAR Show in Manchester. The Association will also be running the UK’s first major seminar on underfloor heating.

In the Spring UHMA will host a visit by Professor Bjarne Olesen, widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading experts on underfloor heating and the man who claims it offers the “best solution in every case.” He has the scientific credentials to back that claim and any remaining doubters are invited to challenge him if they dare!

Other UHMA officers appointed for 2010 include Vice Chairman Rod Hickmott, Secretary Chris Simmons, Technical Committee Chairman Keith Westcott and Adrian Troop who will chair the Marketing Committee. David Pittilla will continue as Treasurer.

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