Marta Omedes and Joan Server of Afespo interview
October 13, 2010
A year ago talked of the approval of the stairs and the bet by the quality... has there been any changes in this respect?
Our Association is committed to quality and approvals but, unfortunately, perhaps by the crisis or the nature of the market itself, still offering is of low quality and with very aggressive pricing stairs which to the safety of this product.
The current economic situation has hampered the process of certification of products? In other words, do been postponed all that which is not strictly mandatory?
Not necessarily, but yes, sobre all importers of countries that we all know do not take the same interest in approvals that Spanish manufacturers.
One of the 'hottest' issues has been the question of the CE marking on the portable stairs. Since Afespo are satisfied with the decision of the Ministry?
Well, always has been clear that the stairs were not in the CE marking, but either by the consumer to be confused or don't know what reasons, even one could speak of ignorance, it was believed that this product should have this mark.
Since the Association we are striving to disclose, inform, and to publicize the ban of the CE marking on stairs.
What problems could lead to that the stairs of this type could become certified with the CE marking?
Mislead the consumer. The stairs have European regulations in-131, which mark perfectly qualities, designs and tests necessary to standardize this product. Everything else is confused or deceived.
Changing the third, has the rise of the domestic DIY behaved more abuse of the stairs?
The user does not have any blame if a ladder is broken, it is very difficult that approved ladder cause trouble.
In the centers of distribution and sale of these products, do they provide sufficient information to users?
Increasingly more complete information is included in the labelling of the product and sales managers have more information for users.
From Afespo, can they are with other associations of the sector at the international level?
Afespo has been recently the facilitator of a European meeting for the creation of a Federation of European associations who, like us, bring together the manufacturers of staircases in Europe.
This first meeting has led to the creation of this international group, as the attendees think positive and interesting this Federation.
The participants are: England, Germany, France, Holland, Italy, Belgium, Sweden and Spain.
You (Marta Omedes) also the Manager of the Association of manufacturers Spaniards of DIY - Afeb-, and have become part of the multisectoral platform against delinquency. How is the subject of defaults in the market of the ladder?
This is a very linked to the construction sector, so the rate of bad debt has increased significantly in the last year.
Finally, in the near future will be held Eurobrico, Ferremad, and more, later Ferroforma. What can we expect from the market of the stairs at these trade fairs?
Unfortunately, fewer customers are too many fairs and every time. To our way of understanding should be joining these fairs so that one of them had more importance and significance both in participation and in buyers.
They are too many, because that you join must be added the fairs of clients or groups of purchase which lately have proliferated co-operation.