In his exclusive column for Installer, Tim Pollard – from Pollard and Pollard – warns about “disruptors” in the heating and plumbing industry.

You don’t have to be an economist to see how quickly markets are changing these days. Trends that used to take years to unfold now happen in months.

Companies that you have never heard of emerge and take control of seemingly impregnable market positions, causing havoc and disarray. These new entrants are now called ‘disruptors’ because they challenge traditional methods, products and supply chains and they are more likely to come from outside the industry.

They are not hidebound by traditions and relationships, they just see a goal and try to develop the most effective way of satisfying demand at the minimum cost. They are free from any geographic constraint and will often employ people on limited contracts.

There is no better example than the current situation in the retail market where former ‘big names’ seem to disappear as regularly as clockwork (digital, of course).

Online shopping has been a revolution; it is a low-cost solution that provides ease of use, coupled with smart technology and slick delivery. Traditional retailers with huge estates and costly warehouses simply cannot compete on prices and even when availability is important they are proving hard to match.

For example, my wife ordered a product from an online supplier at 7pm one evening last week and received it at 9am the next morning.

So, is your market safe from such disruption? I have heard all the arguments, believe me. “We are different” is the usual response, followed by a few reasons why it cannot happen. All I can say is keep looking over your shoulders because it can happen anywhere, and at any time. There is a defence, which is to out-disrupt the disruptors by taking unique skills or products and delivering them utilising all the latest thinking.

Whether we like it or not, when seeking any product or service the clear majority of consumers will see an online search as the first, and probably only, choice of sourcing.

Smart appliances will soon offer remote access and connectivity. Imagine an appliance which recognises an imminent problem and directly communicates this to a third party.

Please do not think that this is another of those things we used to see on Tomorrow’s World, which never actually happened. Smart appliances are already starting to emerge and will become more visible very quickly.

Service prompts are now delivered as email or text messages. My dentist does it, my car dealer does it, my optician does it and as consumers, we come to expect service like this as standard practice.

My advice is to keep your eyes wide open and remember that those who fail to recognise change are always the first casualties.