AIS experience 12.6% growth

Association of Interior Specialists (AIS), the principal trade body for UK interior fit-out contractors and suppliers, has announced its biggest ever recruitment success.

Membership rose by 12.6% during 2007, up from 389 to 438 by year end.

The membership push was supported by a wide range of additional benefits including an employment benefits package, labour-only subcontractor contracts, credit checking and a job site for recruiting key staff - all at no cost to members.

The increase follows a strategic review led by the Association's Board and chief executive Simon Forrester.

He said: 'We've been providing value for money support to the industry's very best companies for ten years.

Continued growth means the AIS is becoming a stronger and more influential organisation within the interiors sector.

Increased funding from a larger pool of companies will allow us to provide even more services and benefits, as well as further raising the profile of AIS and its members.

We look forward to welcoming our 500th member in the near future'.

AIS membership manager Robert Barker puts this increase down to a number of factors.

'The introduction of ongoing vetting and a wide range of new member benefits and services have been a major contributory factor to increased member recruitment and retention levels.

Added to this is the increase in the AIS's profile and an industry-wide acknowledgement that AIS members are quality companies subject to strict vetting criteria'.

Barker continued: 'Whether it's professional advice through our free helplines, subsidised training to help equip their employees for new methods of working, networking at our many meetings and events, or influencing local and national policy which affects their business - the AIS adds value at both board level and site level.

We consider ourselves the 'extra member of staff' for our members, and always strive to exceed their expectations'.

Simon Forrester said: 'We are rising to the challenge of helping our members continue to grow and prosper.

Building on our wealth of experience and contacts, the AIS has the tools and authority to represent and protect all interior fit-out businesses.

2008 is about building on our strengths, and marketing our members to specifiers.

Now vetting is in place right across the supply chain, we want to emphasise the benefit of using only AIS members on projects.

We will be bringing in an educational programme for specifiers including RIBA-approved CPD packages, technical advice briefings on acoustics, and networking events, including doubling the number of UK meetings we hold'.

For more information on the AIS visit the website.

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