The Hidden Struggle in The Fibrous Plaster Industry
Fibrous plastering is one of the most skilled and specialist crafts within the construction sector. At Chelmer Mouldings, we’ve always been proud to preserve the artistry, precision, and heritage that our trade demands. Yet behind the scenes, our industry is facing challenges that too often go unspoken
Fibrous plastering is one of the most skilled and specialist crafts within the construction sector. At Chelmer Mouldings, we’ve always been proud to preserve the artistry, precision, and heritage that our trade demands. Yet behind the scenes, our industry is facing challenges that too often go unspoken.
The Labour Shortage
Skilled fibrous plasterers are becoming harder and harder to find. Many are being drawn to the film studios, where high day rates for set construction eclipse what traditional fibrous companies can realistically offer. While this is understandable from the installer’s perspective, it leaves many of us - who are dedicated to craftsmanship, heritage work, and long-term projects - struggling to resource even the most prestigious schemes.
Competition Over Collaboration
Our industry is also fiercely competitive. Too often, companies are forced into a “dog-eat-dog” environment, scrambling for the same limited pool of installers and sometimes even poaching from one another. This lack of collaboration doesn’t just hurt individual firms - it undermines the reputation and sustainability of our entire craft.
Healthy competition will always exist, but the constant battle over labour creates instability, inconsistency, and a short-term mindset that benefits nobody.
Investing in Innovation
At Chelmer Mouldings, we’ve recognised that the answer isn’t only about finding more labour - it’s about using the labour we have more intelligently. That’s why we’ve invested heavily in our design department, adopting new methods of digital design and model production to give clients a much clearer picture of what’s possible before work even begins.
By innovating in the way we design and manufacture, we’ve been able to:
Simplify and shorten installation times, making life easier for installers.
Reduce dependency on large teams, allowing us to deliver complex projects even in a labour-scarce environment.
Raise quality and accuracy, giving clients confidence in both the process and the outcome.
In parallel, we have also grown our external mouldings division, which has become one of our fastest-developing areas. This involves a different set of specialist installers and opens opportunities for those skilled in external finishes, broadening the industry’s reach and resilience.
A Call for Change
But no company can solve the industry’s challenges alone. Imagine if fibrous plastering companies worked together differently - not just as competitors, but as collaborators.
Some ideas worth exploring:
Forming a formal industry group or organisation that represents fibrous plastering companies collectively.
Creating shared training programmes to bring in new talent and ensure younger generations are inspired to carry our craft forward.
Establishing a transparent installer directory or platform, connecting companies and labour in a fair, structured way.
Developing shared quality standards so clients can expect excellence, whichever company they work with.
Looking Forward
The heritage and artistry of fibrous plastering deserve to be protected. It is not just a service; it is an art form that enhances some of the most beautiful buildings across the UK and beyond. But if we want it to continue flourishing, we need to adapt, innovate, and most importantly collaborate.
At Chelmer Mouldings, we’ll continue to push forward with design innovation, manufacturing methods whilst still preserving its traditional nature, and new divisions like external mouldings to keep raising the bar. But the bigger picture requires more than any one company can achieve on its own.
If we can start building a culture of collaboration rather than rivalry, our industry will be stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to inspire the next generation of craftsmen and women.
I’d love to hear from others in the industry - installers, companies and even clients on how we might make this vision a reality. Perhaps the first step is simply starting the conversation.
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