The 2016 FIT Show Master Fitter Challenge finals held in association with FENSA, proved to be the ‘toughest yet’ according to the expert organisers and assessors for the event. And, faced not only with the toughest installation challenges the finalists also had to complete them with an audience of hundreds of their peers looking on, with the Master Fitter Challenge Final Pavilion located in the most prominent position in the main entrance to this year’s FIT Show.

With the 2016 Master Fitter Challenge final including the installation of a solid porch roof provided by Supalite in addition to windows by Liniar and residential doors by IG/Truedor, the six finalists – three on each of the two days of competition – were expected to complete all three installations safely and expertly in a single day.

The result of such conditions was the emergence of a supreme winner – Craig Hanson of Pennine Windows – who swept the board by winning each of the window, door and roof installation sections, throwing the MFC winners announcements at the FIT Show Gala Dinner into disarray in the process. However, the realisation that Craig had proved such a worthy winner made for the most exciting announcement yet, with all sponsors being gathered together to present a total of four trophies and the winner’s cheque for £5,000 as he was called to the stage. FENSA Chairman Brian Baker presented the cheque.

Mick Clayton of MFC managers and assessors GQA was quick to praise all finalists, for whilst Craig proved to be a worthy and unequivocal winner, the standards set by all competitors was extremely high: “This year’s finalists faced tougher challenges than they would ever deal with normally,” said Mick, “and yet they all rose to the occasion and came through it, setting enviable standards for installing windows, doors and roofs. This year’s competition was the toughest yet.”

Runner up and collecting a trophy and cheque for £3,000 was Aaron Clegg of Masterfitter Windows, a previous winner of the Master Fitter Challenge, with third place going to David Keates of DK Windows.

The other finalists included Duane James of Job Worth Doing; Terry Jones of The Window Company (Contracts) Ltd; and Dave Shaw of Shaw Home Improvements.

For The FIT Show Paul Godwin said: “This year’s competition was particularly notable for two reasons: the toughness of the challenges faced by the finalists and the visibility of the MFC Pavilion being located adjacent to the FIT Show registration desks. With tougher tasks to compete and under close scrutiny each finalist performed admirably.

“The point of the competition is to raise installation standards and recognise the importance of installers in the whole process of selling and fitting windows, doors and related home improvements and in these respects at least it has been an unqualified success.”

Sponsors included Whizzle and Chase Taylor, with the magnificent winners trophy produced by Conservatory Cast Systems.

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