Following on from the success of its inaugural grid-off last year, Armstrong Ceiling Solutions is running a second #GridOff event for its ultra-competitive Omega installers.
This year's grid-off competition will take place on March 14th at the NEC when members of Armstrong's Omega national network of recognised ceiling contractors will compete head to head against the clock and showcase their skills to win a luxury Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean watch.
The runners up will walk away with ringside tickets to the much sought-after Haye versus Bellew grudge match but all competitors will receive proactive marketing exposure including a blow-by-blow account of the competition by construction live blogger Su Butcher.
Boxing commentator Steve Bunce will once again compere the knockout rounds between the first 20 two-man teams to enter the competition who will compete for a place in the final when they will get a second chance to better their time installing a typical ceiling grid.
Last year's winners, Coyle fitters Kevin Coyle and Tom Goodfellow, installed the then new TLS grid and Ultima+ board tile system in a 7.2m2 rig in just 05:22:22, closely followed by runners-up New Forest Ceilings brothers Jai and Carlo Kilford who clocked up 06:36:16. Judging from the way their Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra James Bond limited edition watches were coveted last year, there will be even greater competition this year.
The audience was also treated to a pair of "Armstrong Amateurs" taking on the challenge, with technical sales manager John Spicer and Ian Young, who runs Armstrong's installation school in Gateshead, installing their ceiling, with a little help, in 08:00:71.
John said: "Now that our Omega members know the stakes we are sure they will be practising harder than they did last year so we are expecting even more impressive times."
It remains to be seen whether this duo will try their hand again this year, nevertheless there will be enough surprise new elements to the competition (some for which competitors won't believe their eyes ...) to keep competitors and spectators alike enthralled.
The registration form for this year's competition has been simplified and once completed competitors will receive a full brief on what will be involved in terms of ceiling rig size, products to be used and time penalties imposed for incorrect or poor installation.
Deadline for entries to the 2018 grid-off competition, which is restricted to the first 20 entries, is February 20th.
To view a video on last year's event please go to https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en-gb/search.html?q=grid+off#!video=5449690732001
More information is accessible via http://www.gridoff.co.uk/.
