UK 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 , and plans to generate 900 new local jobs in its first year.
The insulation installation company is working in homes across Sydney with dedicated, accredited and trained teams of employees, and plans to extend its business Australia wide within 12 months.
Mr Robert Grant, Managing Director of Mark Group Australia, said “We are opening our Australian operation at a time of great unrest in regard to the Federal Government’s insulation rebate, which is now $1,200 per house.
“We plan to provide a credible and reliable alternative to the many inexperienced operators amidst the 7,000 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 added.
Mr Grant said in an effort to improve industry practices and improve the efficiency of the government rebate scheme, the Mark Group would also be making submissions to the upcoming Senate Inquiry into the insulation industry.
“The Federal Government is a world leader in encouraging householders to lower their energy costs by 30 per cent, 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”, added Mr Grant.
Building a dedicated training centre at Mark Group’s soon to be opened Australian headquarters in the Sydney suburb of North Ryde is also part of Mark’s job creation and training program.
Mark Group 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 has also managed to avoid the problems some smaller operators are having with the supply of insulation bats, with a plentiful store of products which comply with all Australian Standards and the Building Code of Australia.