What we do at PiGs AKA People in Glazing Society is connect people in the industry. Today, PiGs is the biggest and best networking in the glazing industry that’s open to all, as well as being the longest running. The events are designed to nurture long term relationships for people in the industry, where it’s said that once you’re in the industry, you’re in it for life!

Organised by Sarah Ball since 2014, PiGs holds regular networking events around the UK, and sometimes around the world. In fact, there have been three stateside PiGs events alongside Glass Build America.

PiGs events rely on sponsorship to cover costs and it’s always amazing to see the breadth of businesses across the supply chain that offer their support.

In addition, PiGs and its supporters have been massively generous to giving time and money to charity. In 2024. PiGs raised £100,000 for charity through climbing Kilimanjaro. There are not many days in the year when someone in the industry hasn’t raised money or done something amazing for charity.

In 2024, PiGs got bigger! To get good news out to more people in the industry, we needed an editor and more data. So our first task was taking on editor George Lewis to deliver a newsletter every fortnight to members, and the second change was to become a Data Partner for WindowBASE to broaden our reach for both news and events.

Check out the PiGs events page

George says: “With eight years of experience across leading sector magazines like Glass & Glazing Products (GGP), Total Installer, and Total Fabricator, plus time in the broader construction media, I’d like to think by now I know the industry inside out! During my time in the industry, I have seen the sector professionalise on a huge scale. 

“My passion has always been talking to people within the industry, and help share their stories, whether it’s through articles, live events, or podcast episodes. So, stepping into the role of PiGs Editor was a perfect fit.  

“In my role at PiGs, I edit the fortnightly STY News newsletter, host the popular Two PiGs in a Pod podcast, and oversee all PiGs social media channels.” 

Sarah says: “I have been part of the industry since 2004, when PiGs first started, and I was lucky to attend some of the early events. They were often held in pubs and bars, which meant these events were always more fun and more friendly from other more formal networking events I attended.

“Over the years, there have been huge changes in the industry. But what remains constant is openness and friendliness of the people in the industry, and that’s where PiGs is at the very heart of it.

“My vision for PiGs is that we celebrate the people and the things they do in the industry, so whether that’s at events, through our fortnightly newsletter STY News, or on our website, we’re right here.”

30 years ago, WindowBASE pioneered the accurate researching and provision of comprehensive trade prospect data covering UK window fabricators and installers.

WindowBASE continuously researches UK window fabricators, installers, trade counters, and stockists. On average we make over 400 changes to our data every day, which shows just how quickly information decays and the growing numbers of errors if your prospect data is not updated and regularly refreshed with dead companies removed and new ones added. What we do at WindowBASE makes it easier and faster to find your new customers.

Balls2 Marketing, part of the Koobr Group, has been a proud supporter of PiGs since the very beginning – and we’re not afraid to go the whole hog!

As specialists in marketing for the glazing and home improvement industries, we’ve been actively involved in PiGs since 2014, helping to shape and support this fantastic community. The networking events provide an invaluable space to connect with industry professionals, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships – all of which are essential for driving innovation and growth in the sector.

PiGs continues to play a vital role in bringing the industry together, and we’re proud to be part of its journey.

MacGregor Recruitment are specialist recruiters for the fenestration sector, helping to match great people with great companies all across the UK.

With over 25 years experience we work with a wide variety of industry companies from independent family businesses through to large national organisations.

Whether you are looking to secure your ideal next career step, or add top talent to your team, contact us on 0115 7786535 or email hello@macgregorrecruitment.co.uk today!

Harry’s Pals is a unique charity dedicated to supporting the emotional needs of parents who have recently received a diagnosis that their child has a severe illness or disability.

To support parents, Harry’s Pals offers desperately needed counselling and therapy sessions. Many of these parents are understandably struggling to cope under the emotional, practical and physical pressures of caring for a child with a life limiting or life threatening condition.

Sessions give parents the opportunity to work through their mental health challenges and find coping mechanisms for the road ahead, providing a happier and more tenable future for the whole family.

Harrys Pals also offers short 2-4 night breaks away, allowing for families, or parents alone, to have some much needed time away from routines and appointments as well as an opportunity to make precious, positive memories.

To reach families Harry’s Pals works with hospices, hospitals and other charities as well as local councils to get the support to the families that need it across England and Wales.

Visit Harry’s Pals website

STY Master Sarah became the organiser of PiGs in 2014. But PiGs was originally set up by Dave Broxton in 2004 with much of the organisation handled by Clare Broxton (nee Shilling). So, after a highly successful joint event in March 2014 following the Triple Glazing Question sponsored by Edgetech, Clare handed over the baton to Sarah.

It was always the bigger events Sarah and Andy attended they liked best. Whether during the industry’s trade show Glassex, the precursor to FIT Show, or the boat trip on the Thames, they found it a great way to get people in the industry together. So that’s been at the heart of what we do since 2014, with more open events across the UK with a broader range of people attending.  And the ethos we continue to use for PiGs today.

Everyone in the glazing industry is welcome to attend the events. We get a great combination of system companies, fabricators and installers, as well as component manufacturers and distributors and consultants to our events.