Year one done!

With the end of 2024 nearly upon us, PiGs Editor George Lewis discusses his first year at the publication, his key takeaways, and what’s to come in 2025.

When ‘STY Master’ Sarah Ball asked me whether I was interested in coming to work at PiGs as Editor, to launch a new newsletter and an industry podcast amongst other things, it didn’t take too long to give her an answer.

For many years now, I have wanted to begin a podcast for the glazing industry. The favourite part of my job has, and always will be, talking to the people of our sector.

When on the editorial team at various magazines over the years, I really enjoyed interviewing them, then putting their words onto paper for a feature in the magazines.

Now at PiGs, I still get to have those conversations, but instead of writing it down, it is recorded! The whole “hosting” part is still something I’m getting used to, but it’s been a great year with some fantastic guests from right across the glazing supply chain and beyond.

But it is not just the podcast that enticed me to join PiGs. STY News, our newsletter focusing on the people within the sector, has really gone down well with the sector. And having WindowBase as our data-provider partner has meant we have reached many more people, and really showcases the most integral part of the glazing industry, the people.

Whether that be new recruits, promotions, significant anniversaries for team members, charity events, team incentives, ways companies have tried to attract people into the industry, retirements, and obituaries, we’ve covered them all. The people in this industry are really the lifeblood, and getting to know more people throughout the year has been a real highlight.

And that brings me nicely onto the PiGs networking events. The four events we have had this year have been nothing short of phenomenal. All have welcomed record numbers, with over a hundred making the trip to the Northeast and to Newcastle for our first event there, another hundred for our Bristol event, and over 200 for both Birmingham and Manchester.

The location of the Newcastle event, though, on the Quayside, was absolutely perfect, and helped set the scene for what was a great night.

So, with 2024 coming to an end soon, it’s time for a well-deserved break, and time to reflect on what has been a brilliant year for me both personally and professionally.

I’m very excited for what will be an even bigger year next year, with five events, and of course it being a FIT Show year.

I wish everyone a very merry Christmas, a happy New Year, and a very prosperous 2025.

George