Spectus Window Systems
PRESS
RELEASE
Spectus News
    Loyalty Benefits All
17/03/2005
     
    Omega, based in Peterborough, has since 1987 been a Spectus customer.
Recently they have started to fabricate Elite 70, Spectus' fully shaped & co-extruded
system. They say they are "delighted" with the system and the quality of the products
and service provided. However, relationships have not always been so cordial!
   

"About two years ago it would
have been fair to describe
trading relationships with
Spectus as tough" says
Group Managing Director
Rob Morley. "Service levels
were poor and we frequently
had short deliveries that held
up our window production.

Things became so bad that
we seriously started looking
for a new supplier. We never
did switch though and I, for
one, am very glad we didn't.

Rob Morley Group Managing Director with Dave Roden,
Key Account Manager Spectus Systems
    "It was just over eighteen months ago that we noticed the improvement.
Service levels leapt up, quality became more consistent and the introduction of Elite
70 demonstrated the Spectus' long term commitment to its customers & the industry.

"However, this did not bring our search for a new supplier to a halt. As a hedge
against the improvements being a short-term phenomenon, we undertook a wide-ranging review of systems, which Spectus' competitors offer. That review convinced
me that Elite 70 is easily the best 70mm system available in the UK today."
    Group Production Manager
Mark Knowling concurs, "Not only
is Elite 70 the best looking system
on the market, it is also one of the
easiest to fabricate.
The five chambers add rigidity and
the weldable co-extruded gaskets
cut out an entire operation making
our factory more efficient and
cutting waste. Clever design
touches, such as the lugs that
hold reinforcement away from V
notch welds, and the carefully
designed curves, all add to
manufacturing quality & efficiency."

Mark Knowling, Group Production Manager
    Omega is a large, diverse business with a weekly output approaching 1200 frames
with customers as far afield as Hull, Bristol & Southampton. Even the most far-flung
customer receives two deliveries a week. Omega also manufactures their own
sealed units and has an affiliated trims and accessories business, offering supply
and fit to the commercial and new build markets. Omega also has a thriving retail
business "Omega Lifestyle", which is promoted heavily on local radio with celebrity
endorsements from the likes of Laurence Llewelyn Bowen.

The next big project will be to introduce Elite 70 to Omega's successful
British Security Window scheme. "British Security Window (BSW) is, in part, about
the product, but equally the scheme helps our customers grab a bigger portion of
the available business" says Rob. "Elite 70 will be added to the range of windows
we offer under this scheme. It will be manufactured so as to provide enhanced
security and will feature special hardware and third party approvals.
BSW also encompasses doors and conservatory roofs.

"The aim of the scheme is to partner reputable installers in our area of operation.
The ideal installer is one fitting between 30 and 60 frames per week. For our part
we ask for a degree of loyalty and an agreed level of performance; for example the
installer will have to adhere to our customer charter. What we provide in return is
all the support the installer requires to grow their business and hence their profits.

"That support can take many forms. For example, we supply Approved Installer
Certificates, Dealership Plaques, point of sale material and business stationery;
in fact all the things required for them to stand out from the crowd. We can also
assist with local advertising (including radio advertising), PR, showroom design
and even the ability to offer finance. Also, the installer will have the opportunity to
join in with any of the regular promotions we run for Lifestyle; for example
"no deposit" or "no VAT". It really works like a mini franchise. To be part of the
scheme the installer must be technically competent, reliable and reputable.
We ensure they come across as such in front of customers."

Omega are currently updating their show sites in Spalding, Milton Keynes, Coldicot,
Huntington & Peterborough to include the Elite 70. "The designer we use also has
designed Café Uno, Pizza Express, Yo Sushi, Chicago Rock & Garfunkles outlets
and our show sites will have the same modern & relaxing feel to them" says Rob.

"We have an excellent factory, five well placed retail sites, a diverse & loyal customer
base, experienced staff and now the best system on the market. Currently I am
feeling very optimistic, which may put me at odds with the rest of the industry but
I am sure that optimism is well founded."