'Companies tendering for ductwork contracts are being bullied into cutting their prices to the bone and beyond' said Malcolm Moss, president of the Association of Ductwork Contractors and Allied Services (ADCAS).
'We have to stand firm and demand a fair price if we are to survive', he added.

Speaking at the ADCAS summer event in central London to an audience of senior figures from the UK ductwork industry, the president's remarks were made in response to the cost of steel has gone up by 50%.

'Fortunately it's not all bad news, enquiry levels are high and ADCAS is in a strong financial position as a result of the careful stewardship provided by FETA' he said. As a result of the Association's healthy finances, fees for ADCAS Membership in 2010 will be cut by 20%.

Moss did report progress on the initiatives on standardization of circular ductwork sizes and the campaign to highlight to the enormous waste caused by information overload - estimated to cost the UK construction industry between £1 and 1.5 billion every year.

Training specialist Mel Hobbs urged ADCAS members to offer more apprenticeships, which were being culled in the recession. Hobbs said: 'Unless we take action now we cannot replace the natural wastage of skilled operatives. Enforcement of SkillCards means that many sites are closed to all but qualified personnel and as the recession eases they will be in short supply.'

Lack of enthusiasm for training he pointed out was also resulting in a reduction in the number of college places available for ductwork trainees. He said: 'Colleges have to live in the commercial world just like the rest of us,' added Hobbs. 'Where courses exist we must use them, or lose them.'