UK’s biggest insulation firm now in Australia

13 November 2009 - The UK’s largest installer of insulation and other energy saving products – Mark Group – has made its first overseas expansion with the opening of an Australian operation.

Mark Group Australia Pty Ltd is now installing insulation systems in homes across Sydney with dedicated, accredited and trained teams of employees, and plans to extend its business across the country and generate 900 new local jobs in its first year.
Managing director of Mark Group Australia, Robert Grant, says “We are opening our Australian operation at a time of great unrest in regard to the Federal Government’s insulation rebate, which is now $1200 per house.
“We plan to provide a credible and reliable alternative to the many inexperienced operators among the 7000 registered installers across Australia. While there is frustration about the unprofessional contractors for the government, genuine installation experts and householders, we believe that large companies like Mark
Group with a strong track record will deliver a great solution for everyone,” he adds.
Mark Group now has 1400 employees in the UK, some of whom have travelled to Australia to assist in training programs and to work with TAFE to improve the quality of the courses currently offered for insulation installers.
Grant says the company will also be making submissions to the upcoming Senate Inquiry into the insulation industry in an effort to improve industry practices and improve the efficiency of the government rebate scheme.
“The Federal Government is a world leader in encouraging householders to lower their energy costs by 30 percent, as well as their carbon emissions, however the rebate has also encouraged a large number of fly-by-nighters to cash in.
“We are determined to help clean up the industry and become a long term player in the delivery of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly products to Australian households.”
Part of Mark’s job creation and training program involves building a dedicated training centre at Mark Group’s soon-to-be-opened Australian headquarters in the Sydney suburb of North Ryde.
The company has also joined the Australian Employee Covenant program for the creation of jobs for Indigenous Australians, more than 50 of whom are expected to work for Mark over the next year.
Mark Group, which has been in operation for 35 years, installs insulation and other energy-saving devices in more than 6,000 households each week in the UK.
A key to the Group’s success in the UK has been high-quality, professional installation by its own employees at low cost, with no installation work done by sub-contractors.
Mark Group has also managed to avoid the problems some smaller operators are having with supply of insulation bats, with a plentiful store of products which comply with all Australian Standards and the Building Code of Australia.

More information
Mark Group Australia http://markaustralia.com.au