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Another
Successful Year for TBW Ltd and IIP Award Too!
TBW
Ltd
staff and their partners were able to celebrate their assessment and
reaccreditation of the prestigious Investors In People award at the
company's annual, complimentary, Christmas Dinner and Dance on December
16th.
Plastmo
fabricator - TBW Ltd (formerly The Window Brokers) specialises in the
manufacture and installation of high quality UPVC windows, doors and
conservatories. The company was originally awarded its IIP certification
in 2003 and Paul and Kath Howarth, company Directors, were delighted
to receive the award once again: ‘TBW has a superb team - who all
enjoy working together. We have worked hard to ensure that every member
of the team is given the best opportunity, training and support to provide
our customers with the best product and service in the area.’
An internal audit undertaken in December 2005 identifies TBW's recommendation
rate at 88.92%, which gives testimony to this claim. Shaun Heard, sales
manager, knows that quality workmanship, professionalism and after sales
service is paramount in securing such a good reputation locally. Shaun
comments: ‘window companies come and go, often giving the industry
a poor image. Our recommendation and repeat business rates, as well
as being in business for 20 years, is assurance to our customers that
we are different from the rest. We are leaders, not followers, and try
our hardest to ensure our customers are not just happy but delighted
with us.’
Clive Tabiner, the IIP assessor recognised the positive commitment to
the development of skills of all TBW staff, and the open lines of communication
carefully developed throughout the company. It was noted during the
assessment that staff were not listened to, but the entire workforce
has a direct hand in the company business plan, identifying and setting
the company goals for the next twelve months. During the assessment
Mr Tabiner voiced his opinion that the firm was 'exemplary, and that
there was something special about the company.’
New staff members Tom Worden and Colin Grey, both actively recruited
from the older applicants for their wealth of experience in the customer
service areas bring stability to the company and complement the existing
workforce. Also new to TBW Ltd is Graham Skinner in sales. Graham has
extensive knowledge of the building trade and brings excellent customer
service skills and enthusiasm to the sales department.
TBW was also accredited with the prestigious SAFE contractor certification
in November, which ensures its Health and Safety policies are of exacting
standards. Mark Gallear, company surveyor, who assesses and implements
the on-site health and safety requirements -feels this award acknowledges
the company's hard work and commitment not only to its customers but
also to its staff. SAFE contractor is operated by National Britannia
- international safety, health and environmental risk management specialists.
Paul was delighted to sail through the reassessment. He comments, ‘It
is a great way to finish 2005 - and a superb start to 2006, our 20th
year in business.’
DEM
Rides the Curve with WHS Halo's Eclipse Esthétique
Barnsley
fabricator DEM Window Solutions
has adopted WHS Halo's Eclipse esthétique sculptured profile
to be able to offer a more decorative option alongside its existing
Eclipse PCE products.
Employing
40 people, and with peak output being in the region of 750 frames per
week, DEM deals with trade installers nationwide and is dedicated to
quality - both in terms of product and service. As Managing Director
Dave Toulson says, ‘Not only does the system fit our manufacturing
and sales needs, but WHS Halo also provides a 'feel good' factor based
on its service and business support packages. We believe we can combine
its good reputation to our own, and create not only an additional sales
opportunity for ourselves, but for our customers too’.
Eclipse esthétique is a stylish yet versatile choice of products
that are design-led while simple to fabricate and install. Its sculptured
profile provides good looks, complemented by a number of beading options,
which further personalise the look and feel of the installed product.
Profiles are fitted with an internal single leg bead, which come in
chamfered, convex and concave designs. Customers can enjoy the aesthetic
benefits of Eclipse esthétique across a broad range of products
including popular casement windows and residential, French and in-line
patio doors, ensuring complete harmony of look when refurbishing and
replacing old stock.
With a business based on personal service and an extensive product range,
DEM Window Solution's choice of Eclipse esthétique is consistent
with the company's enduring quality first message; and consequently
the company continues to be well placed to thrive in a challenging market.
Tel: 01226 298000
New
Niche Product Line up for West End Windows
West
End Windows, the specialist aluminium and
PVC-U trade fabricator, has announced the launch of several new product
lines as part of its growth strategy.
West
End is a familiar name in the trade market. The company has been trading
for over 30 years and says that it continues to go from strength to
strength, however the firm recognised that the industry was changing
and it has responded with a range of products to help window and conservatory
installers win more business.
The company has created three specialist new Divisions - Vertical Sliders,
Composite Doors and Conservatory Roofs. Commenting on the move Director
Matthew Ford said ‘West End is already established as a major trade
supplier but we recognised the opportunity within these niche markets.
Installers can add considerable sales opportunities and better margins
by promoting niche-products.’
West-End has been busy working with customers to provide the products
and service they need to grow and win business. £500,000 investment
followed, including a new Haffner SBA Supercut machining and cutting
centre, designed to meet the standard 5 Day delivery now offered on
Duraflex Windows and Doors. ‘This was a significant investment,
however, we are committed to providing West-End customers with the service
and products they really want in today's difficult market place.’
The company spent many months researching niche-products before launching
the new product lines. ‘After 30 years in business, quality and
innovation is critical to us’ added Matthew, ‘but it was also
important the new products offered maximum sales potential. As a result,
West End considers its new Vertical Slider and Composite Door as the
best on the market, both aesthetically and technically.’ West End
has also added both Ultraframe and Global conservatory roofs to its
product line up as part of an integrated conservatory package.
‘The Window and Conservatory Market is changing rapidly and Installers
need to work with innovative, forward-thinking suppliers to ensure their
continued growth and success’ concluded Matthew.
For more information on the full West-End product range, telephone 0117
966 7661 or fax 0117 966 7773.
Family
Joinery Firm Ensures Reputation with Top Quality Supplier
When
a company has been trading successfully for over 50 years it has to
be doing something right. Joinery manufacturers of high quality sash
windows, A & W Gowers Ltd of
Chelmsford, Essex is a family concern with an excellent local reputation.
To uphold that reputation the firm has to work closely with the right
suppliers. Production manager Ian Gowers chose a supplier that would
meet his standards. He chose Mighton.
‘As a premium sash window hardware specialist, Mighton offers us
all the solutions for sash windows,’ said Ian. ‘Because the
company is specialist it can tackle any situation or specification we
ask for. We send over the dimensions and weights of the windows and
Mighton does the calculations for the balances. We trust the company
because we've never experienced any failed or wrong specs. Being able
to remain flexible is important for us as it enables us to meet our
customers changing demands.’
Ian Gowers, who works alongside his father and uncle in the business,
is pleased that Mighton can offer a high quality product with the flexibility
the company needs.
Mike Derham, Mighton's Managing Director, says: ‘We pride ourself
on being adaptable enough to supply every customer, from plcs to sole
traders, with the products and service they need for effective and successful
trading. We value A & W Gowers' business and understand its reputation
is riding on our quality and reliability.’
Tel: 0800 0560471
Web: http://www.mightonproducts.com
Happy
New Year from Budget Windows
Teeside
fabricator installer Budget Windows has seen huge changes since the
management buy out on New Years Day 2005. After completing the first
year under new ownership the investment and changes are paying off.
‘We started by investing in new machinery - part of the overall
plan to modernise and streamline the fabrication side of the business,’
explains Paul Callaghan, General Manager.
‘And we took the opportunity to switch to Synseal's SynerJy suite.
We already have a strong domestic business but we wanted to strengthen
our trade fabrication side.
So we have re-branded the trade fabrication side as Eden Trade Systems
and brought the operation into the 21st century - in the New Year online
ordering will be available. The three businesses together cover retail,
trade and conservatories. We are pleased with the changes we've made
and we're fast-tracking ISO9001.
'We knew we needed to make big changes to compete in a tough market.
Once the keys changed hands we started making the changes we'd wanted
to for so long. We have a strong retail base - on average 65 window
installations and 20 conservatories a week. And 2006 looks to be another
successful year.’
Synseal – Tel: 01623 443 200
Ever
since its establishment back in 1995, Wendland
says that it has been specialising in innovative roofing solutions,
delivering quality products to its customers every time. So when Glenhampton
Conservatories was looking at roofing systems that would not only meet
and fulfil homeowners' needs, but also exceed their expectations, Wendland's
Styal system was the obvious choice.
‘As
a company that prides itself on producing a wide and varied range of
aesthetically pleasing, bespoke conservatories which are aimed at the
high end of the market, Glenhampton has earned a reputation for excellence
in service and engineering, achieved through its versatility, and this
is exactly what the Styal roofing system is...versatile.’
The Styal system has been designed to be very simple to fabricate, extremely
strong and quick to install, and it also goes further structurally,
making it suitable for larger installations - one of Glenhampton's area
of expertise. Commenting on its introduction, Glenhampton's managing
director Bob Lunt said: ‘Our passion is perfection and it is imperative
that we can offer the very best to our customers helping them to realise
their dreams and expectations, as well as bringing a touch of class
to their homes.
'Wendland's Styal system looks fantastic and complements our existing
product range perfectly, allowing us to deliver opulence at affordable
prices and this is reflected in our sales. We tailor make all of our
conservatories, so it makes sense to have a roofing product that is
durable and flexible enough to fit frames of any size, whilst providing
excellent thermal insulation, weather resistance and long lasting looks,
and Styal certainly delivers this.’
But it doesn't stop there. Wendland is also assisting Glenhampton in
its sales, technical support and overall design process via Sympla -
Wendland's next generation conservatory software package that offers
genuine integration by being the first system that can be utilised by
sales staff, surveyors and fabricators.
Wendland has also assisted with the design of a variety of marketing items including brochures and website information, providing the complete retail assistance and support for its customers and products.
Sterling Choice for Listers!
When
Sterling Windows and Conservatories
of Cannock recently decided to move to bigger and better premises the
company took the opportunity to review its business needs for the coming
years.
As
a growing business in an increasingly difficult and competitive market
Sterling needed to find a supplier which was not just competitively
priced but one which offered tangible added benefits. ‘It's no
use having a great price if the product quality is poor or you don't
get your goods on time.’ says Sean McGaan, Sterling's owner. ‘And
we wanted a supplier which was in business for the long term, one which
had invested heavily in its own future. That way I could be sure that
the company would still be here as we grew our business.’
Lister Trade Frames came out on top of Sterling's list for several reasons;
the company had been recognised by the GGF as the Fabricator of the
Year as a result of some serious investment in its business. It had
a user friendly marketing support package. Delivered on its own fleet
of vehicles. And the company offered two window suites plus the Ultraframe
roofing system, and yes, the price was right.
‘The product from Listers is great’ says Sean, ‘in fact
it's the best made window I've fitted in years. But it's also the people
at Listers who make the company the right choice for us. They're honest,
friendly and helpful. And that makes a big difference in this business.
Listers realises that supporting its customers makes the company stronger,
so it is constantly improving what it does and how it does it.’
Sterling's move to new premises gave the company the opportunity to
invest in a new retail showroom. Lister Southern Business Development
Manager, Dene Rylands, worked closely with Sean to help provide and
display a range of products in the best possible light.
The launch was a great success. Sterling’s newly finished retail
showroom in Cannock displayed three full sized conservatories and a
whole range of window and door products, the showroom's design is bright,
spacious and welcoming. So welcoming in fact that within the first hour
of opening the doors Sean had received five customer requests to visit
them with a price.
Contact Lister: 01782 205605
Email: sales@listertf.co.uk
Picture shows left to right: Dene Rylands, Listers Southern Business Development Manager and Sean McGaan, Sterling's owner on the showroom open day. Inset is a picture of an area of the showroom.
Prime
time for Conservatory Outlet
Compared
with 15 years ago, today's window industry is almost unrecognisable.
‘When Prime Windows started in 1989, we were exclusively a trade
fabricator,’ explains Jonathan Toft, Prime
Windows' Managing Director.
‘As the company grew, we started installing windows too because
I realised we were missing out on work. In the last five years we have
seen the rise in the importance of conservatories as a sector. Last
year we installed 50 - and this year we have already installed more.
We have been having lots of success with conservatories, but wanted
more. I had heard the Conservatory Outlet radio adverts and seen the
television adverts, so I popped into Conservatory Outlet to see the
showroom. I liked what I saw.
‘After speaking with Andrew and Matthew Glover, I could see how
the concept could work for us. Conservatory Outlet is a brand that you
can bolt onto your existing business. For Prime it means we can keep
our name, and that's important for us. We have built a good local reputation
over 15 years - at least 60% of our business comes from recommendations
so we know we are doing a great job.’
Jonathan adds:
‘We believe that with Conservatory Outlet we will increase sales.
We have already taken advice on building a new website for Prime and
our details already link to http://www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk.
'Together, with Conservatory Outlet's knowledge of conservatories and
consumer marketing, our local reputation and our showroom in Sheffield,
we are looking forward to a bright future.’
Lincoln-based
Sternfenster Trade Sales has been
working with profile supplier Deceuninck for three years developing
a strong relationship and a rapidly rising order book for the company's
decorative 70mm window and door system.
Having
built its business and reputation on offering some of the most quality
driven products within the industry, Sternfenster was very selective
on choosing the company’s profile supplier. Managing Director of
Sternfenster, Mike Parczuk explains. ‘Sternfenster was among the
first companies to embrace the BSI Kite Mark on our products and hold
an enviable reputation for quality throughout our family run business.
We chose Deceuninck as the company equally holds a reputation for quality
products and we haven't been disappointed with our choice.’
As a result, Sternfenster has been manufacturing the Deceuninck fully
sculptured decorative 70mm system, namely 2800 Series. The 2800 Series
is a popular system within all market sectors and offers a high quality
product which was essential to Sternfenster.
Sternfenster has also taken advantage of the many support initiatives
offered by Deceuninck including the company's SynergeBuild on-line customer
service platform. By adopting SynergeBuild, Sternfenster has an on-line
order management service which provides an accurate and efficient method
of order tracking and is extended constantly with new high-value functions.
Since 1974 Sternfenster has been manufacturing windows and doors throughout
the country to all market sectors. The company has continuously witnessed
steady growth and attributes its success to sound business sense coupled
with offering the right products. Mike Parczuk concluded: ‘We have
the quality, products and service that the industry demands and having
the right profile partner behind you, makes the job that little bit
easier. At Sternfenster we continually invest in the business to support
the demands of our customer. So much so that during 2005 we opened our
in-house paint plant so we can offer coloured products at a fraction
of the normal lead times. Our relationship with Deceuninck has always
been strong as the company’s continual vision for innovation and
quality mirrors our own business strategy.’
For more information on Sternfenster visit http://www.sternfenster.co.uk