[Moderator David@stives]

I would like to let you all know the APWC is now closed for business.

I would like to thank all those who supported us in the past 3 years and a special thanks to our members.
The last of our existing memberships ran out in December, we stayed open to fulfil our obligations to our existing members and have refused any new members  in the last 12 months.

The APWC was Formed to give an alternative to the FWC who at the time a lot of people thought  wasn't doing enough to represent the commercial window cleaner and wfp,(remember the Newsnight fiasco) but now over the last 3 years the FWC have changed beyond recognition and it hasn't gone without notice by myself,  the APWC and within the industry.
Because of this we decided we were just simply wasting our time, as what were trying to achieve is now already being done by the FWC and it would take us at least 10 years to catch them, as we simply dont have there manpower or resources.

This is one of the reasons we have decided to shut our doors, and the remaining committee members, Wayne Voller and myself are giving a public endorsement to the FWC.

I would urge anyone who wants to improve there business to have a look at what the FWC have to offer, believe me for what they have achieved has taken a lot of time and hard work with the interests of window cleaners at heart, especially with the NVQ's and the new IOSH course and I believe there is a lot more to come.

I have learnt a lot over the last few years, mainly that actions speak louder than words, also I have gained a lot of experience and have got to meet a a lot of people on the way, some good, some bad,  some with big ego's, people on power trips, I wont dwell on them, but I think we all know who the good guys are.

I would Like to say a special thank you to Wayne Voller for standing shoulder to shoulder with me for the last 12 months, through thick and thin, while we honoured our commitments,
It has not been easy, if you knew how long it was to set up, well it will take just as long to shut it down. We still cant walk away for a few more months yet as we have to finalise everything with the relevant authorities.

So there you go, we are closed.

[macmac]

Respect, for your commitment & hard work after reading this post. Think you've touched my soft spot Dave.

Tony

[Mr Formby]

I dont think the FWC would of changed if it wasnt for the APWC. I know that the committee put there money where there mouths were. Well done its a shame it has had to close

[windowwashers]

Dave, respect to you, for trying, if the fwc took note and acted on some of the things they were lacking then that can only be good for the members and they should be thanking you.

Ian

[karlosdaze]

Sorry to see it go. They had a cracking life insurance policy as well. Thanks for all the members hard work while it was in existance.

[Moderator David@stives]

Thanks for your kind comments guys.

Dave

[brett walker]

Dave, what happened to Andrew Mullen

Brett

[Steve CM]

so what is the real advantages of the FWC now? from reading this site i thought it was an out of date federation? how have they moved on? if its worth joing i'd look into it. anyone got any verdicts??

[Chris B]

Are the FWC now rubbing there hands together and laughing in an eerrily spooky laugh?........or not...

[Moderator David@stives]

Chris

I dont think they are, the FWC and APWC have been on very good terms over the last 2 years and we both wanted the best for each other, I have received a lot of advice of Bryan and the gang and vica versa, I have offered them my twopenneth worth, secretely I think the took some of my advice. 

[Bryan_Dolby]

I would like to endorse what David said in his post

We have both spent may hours on the phone
I have tried to help the APWC from day one


The FWC is the only trade body acting on behalf of our industry so lets get behind it to promote the proffesionalism of window cleaners


Bryan Dolby

[kenaltobelli]

i have taken so much from the fwc in 5 years as a member  i never have to ask about
things like methode statements or risk statements wfp or lots of other things
i have sat in on semenares so for me its worth what you put in you get a lot back

[Mr H]

The FWC still talk a lot of rubish when it comes to WFP cleaning and when asked a straightforward question can't give a straight answer.
Thats probably why they will do well with the political side of things.......

Very sorry to hear the APWC is closed.........

Regards
Mr H

[chrisyg]

I was a member of the FWC but i found no benefit of my membership.

The "benefits" they seem to offer such as discount off supplies - you can get cheaper by shopping around.

Free legal advice - i can get from the FSB and more besides

Low insurance premiums - No i got cheaper by shopping around.

From what i can see they take a lot of money and are a money making organisation - they are not solely in it for the benefit of window cleaners - especially when you have that idiot saying wfp is rubbish and has no understanding of the WAHR... so who are they to represent window cleaners?

waste of money imo - purely just a membership badge to show you are more of a professional than someone who isn;t a member - sorry but that fools no one these days - as any idiot can pay to become a member, it doesn't represent how professional you are.

In a way the guild could be said of the same, but for such a cheap joining fee i thought i would "try" it and see how it benefits me.. only time will tell, if i continue with membership there, or believe it has no use to me like the FWC.

[Tosh]

Dave, that's a shame; though I bet you can't help feeling hurt at the poor level of support you gained from those like me.

I hope you gained something tangible from the experience.

[Moderator David@stives]

Tosh

I dont feel hurt one bit, in fact i am happy about the whole experience, I have gained enormously through rubbing shoulders with the great and mighty of the window cleaning world and wouldnt swap a moment of that experience.

We have not closed through lack of support but through a feeling of how can we give something different or even compete with the fed now they have got there house in order.

For those who think the FED dont do anything, just look at what they have achieved and what is in the pipeline.

Somebody mentioned insurance, admittedly not the cheapest but it is a comprehensive policy covering all situations. Theres an old saying in this world "you get what you pay for.

The things they have achieved lately.

1, IOSH certified course for window cleaners including wfp
2 Ladder training course
3 ladder video
4 monthly mag
5 they help set up the NVQ level 2 for window cleaners.

This is just the start of the list, we could never compete against that lot, thats why we have endorsed what the Fed are doing and i give them backing.

It is easy to sit on the fence and pre judge, but uless you have helped run such a thing you really havent got a clue of all the hard work involved behind the scenes.

[DaveG]

lol the phantam post thief, well i let Nat know anyway.

lol cheers Chris

[Moderator David@stives]

I deleted it, it was nothing to do with the post and since you both had sorted out your" i cant do this  "     "i will let him Know "  Thanks"  communication there was ne need for it to be left on this thread

Dave

[NWH]

I was put off from joining the FMWC but exisisting members,they told me it was just belonging to the tufty club and wasn`t worth the money.A couple of them said that there customers had no idea of what is was about and that the old printed image gave a better impact at a glance.

[brett walker]

Dave, what happened to Andrew Mullen

Brett

i'll take that as a no comment then