|
So what's the secret of this success?
"Support from our systems company is vital in our growth
strategy," Mark explains.
"We need to offer the highest quality product and service,
and Spectus's help with
PR and marketing helps get our message across. And we've been
able to move
with a changing industry. In the last 12-18 months, we've seen
a number of smaller
fabricators who find it's just not viable to make 50-100 frames
a week.
Fabricating is becoming increasingly automated and more complicated,
eg for sculptured profiles. So you need to invest at a much higher
level to compete.
We get several serious enquiries a month from small fabricators
who may be
making good margins now, but aren't confident in their ability
to invest enough
to keep up with quality or speed of production.
"Some are also diversifying into roofline and other home
improvements
and want to concentrate on installing and honing their marketing
and selling skills.
"We also pick up a lot of installers who are dissatisfied
with their suppliers.
We promise a five-day turnaround for orders (on time and in full),
same day quotes
and a 24 hour express line for remakes and emergencies.
Last month an urgent order was pulled through in three hours!"
Mark Rowland has been in the industry since he was 16, starting
on the shop floor
at Bury-based Stormseal. Qualifying as a joiner, he moved into
PVC-U fabrication
and helped build several fabricators up from 200 to 1,000 frames
a week as
Production and Operations Director before branching out on his
own.
"Using the right system is important. Having worked with
many over the years
I can say with confidence that Spectus's Elite 70 profile is one
of the best.
I've personally converted several installers who refuse to use
anything else now.
But the foundation of the business is built on service.
"Many trade fabricators think anyone can take on someone
else's business
but it requires serious commitment to getting things right first
time.
Systems and safeguards need to be in place, and a strong supply
chain is
important too. Spectus has proven to be consistently supportive,
so our customers
in turn can rely on us.
"People don't give up fabricating easily - even if they
need or want to.
Their business rests on their reputation. Handing over any part
to a company
that's only helped out one or two small fabricators is a risk
most can't afford to take.
Choosing an experienced partner means our customers can concentrate
on what
they do best - fitting and selling windows."
Lancashire PVC-u Trade Frames Ltd
Unit 7, Meadow Business Park,
Meadow Lane, Breightmet,
Bolton, Lancashire, BL2 6PT
Phone: 01204-548-899 . . Fax: 01204-548-890
Website: www.lancashiretradeframes.com
|
