The UK’s largest roofing trade association, NFRC, has launched a formal investigation into two Supplier Members, Associated Lead Mills Ltd (ALM) and BLM British Lead.
The move follows the announcement by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that both firms had entered into anti-competitive arrangements. Both firms admitted their roles in the illegal cartel earlier this year and have been issued with fines of £1.5 million and £8 million respectively.
A third NFRC Supplier Member, Calder Industrial Materials Ltd, had also been implicated in the case but the CMA found that there were no grounds for action in respect of this firm. Therefore, this Member will not be subject to NFRC’s investigation.
Commenting on the announcement, NFRC Chief Executive, James Talman, said: “NFRC stands for roofing excellence and in no way tolerates anti-competitive practices amongst its membership.
“Now the CMA has made its final judgement, and all the evidence is available to us, we will refer this case to our Risk Committee to consider the behaviour of the two members involved, in light of our Code of Practice.
“The CMA has given a clear message that construction is very much in the spotlight and any firms who are found to undertake anti-competitive arrangements run the risk of large fines. We hope to work with the CMA to ensure the roofing industry is fully aware of competition law and understands the consequences of non-compliance.”
