As the name suggests however, the Company’s foundations and first love surrounds the UK’s lead sheet market and from the outset this involved the direct support of the specialist exponents of the craft, the members of the Lead Contractors Association.

Managing Director Graham Hudson saw a reflection of his own business attitudes in the LCA’s zero tolerance approach to sub standard design and workmanship.

“At a time when bottom line price seems the priority for most decision makers, every company is looking for an edge in a fiercely competitive market and for ALM that edge is provided by the standard of product and service we offer our customers” he said.

For LCA members, the standard of “product” is the expert knowledge and hands on skills of an experienced craftsman when it comes to the detailed design and installation of leadwork.

Regular on-site inspections result in their work being graded, with grades being published in the LCA Directory and on the web site www.lca.gb.com so LCA members cannot afford to let their standards slip.

For members of the LCA, the ultimate craft accolade is to win the Murdoch Award, an annual competition among LCA members to find the outstanding leadwork project of the year – effectively the very best of the best.

The Award was created in honour of Richard Murdoch when he retired from the lead industry in 1996. Richard had served the industry since 1973 in his role as Senior Technical Officer of the Lead Development Association, which has now become the Lead Sheet Association.

As well as writing the leadworkers Bible – The Lead Sheet Manuals – Richard was also instrumental in creating the Lead Contractors Association in 1984, at a time when the construction industry in general had a poor reputation for quality standards, there was no regulated body of specialist contractors and leadwork was historically carried out by plumbers.

As a result of Richard’s determination to change perceptions and have quality standards in leadwork more widely recognised and appreciated by designers and architects, LCA members were able to provide their clients with a long term commercial advantage through the quality of their work.

The LCA creating the Murdoch Award as a symbol of that quality also provided ALM with the opportunity to publicly support an initiative which matched their own objectives and in 2004 they became the official sponsors.

“It was a perfect chance for us to support and celebrate some of the incredible workmanship LCA members produce and I was delighted when the LCA accepted our offer of sponsorship” said Graham Hudson. “We have no influence whatsoever in the competition, are not part of the judging panel and there is no restriction on the lead used, provided it is either rolled BSEN12588 material or traditional sand cast sheet, in accordance with the LCA Constitution.”

One thing ALM did suggest however was that perhaps the smaller, more intricate lead project might sometimes be overlooked when competing with the larger, more eye catching leadwork installation. As a result the Murdoch Sponsors Award was successfully introduced by the LCA in 2006 to recognise projects using less than 5 tonnes of lead sheet.

Both awards are now keenly contested annually, with the winners announced at a Gala Dinner which concludes the LCA Conference each October. The winners are also re-presented with their awards the following May at the National Roofing Awards ceremony organised each year by the NFRC.

The LCA remains the flagship for leadwork in the UK, at a time when even in the heritage refurbishment market, where quality standards should be sacrosanct, corners are being cut to save money.

The pressure to cut costs too often leads to the sacrifice of long term performance in favour of short term cut price expediency. Driving prices down results in material suppliers and installation contractors competing at unrealistic and unsustainable levels, a downward spiral where many businesses eventually pay the ultimate price.

Some are now realising that if the demand continues for cheaper alternative materials and barely adequate workmanship, by the time specifiers and clients realise the long term cost of their mistaken short term expediency, it will be too late for the producers and installers of the quality end product.

At least in the lead sector there is resistance to a “price at all costs” misconception.

“The pressure is always on, but there are signs that some key players among the client groups are starting to recognise that long term quality performance provides the best value for money option where leadwork is concerned” states Graham Hudson. “and as a reflection of ALM’s own business ethic – a positive partnership – we are determined to support the LCA long term in their continuing fight to keep quality standards as a priority,”

ALM and LCA, not only a positive partnership, but a perfect one in Quality First – to last!