INDUSTRY NEWS
Improved fleet and enhanced factory practices
» OAKLAND GLASS HAS INVESTED IN new vehicles and replaced an integral piece of its plant to further streamline glass production and better its offering to customers .
The Dewsbury glass manufacturer , with MD Amanda Falsey at the helm since 2019 , alongside joint MD Tina Moorhouse , has been reassessing its business practices since before the pandemic in an effort to combat glass shortages and the ongoing skills crisis . With glass prices at an all-time high and longer lead times across the sector , Amanda says the team is continuously improving its own part at the start of
the chain , increasing efficiency wherever possible , and making the most of every inch of glass .
“ Over the past two years we have really been able to focus on the product and our processes ,” comments Amanda . “ By swapping out older machinery , the replacement line has more capabilities for better production . The addition of five replacement 18-tonne trucks , alongside our existing fleet means we can continue to deliver glass to our customers , with demand higher than ever . These are just two ways we ’ re improving into 2022 , with more exciting news on the horizon .”
www . oaklandglass . co . uk
OAKLAND GLASS LTD
Diversity and Inclusion award latest triumph
» SHELFORCE , A WINDOW AND door manufacturer that provides high-quality products to local authority building projects , has won Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion at this year ’ s prestigious Asian Business Chamber Awards .
The Birmingham-based company , which works closely with Birmingham City Council , beat off three other companies to scoop the award , which was sponsored by Edgbaston Stadium .
Shelforce ’ s dedication to employing and training people with disabilities from all backgrounds who have multiple roles within the manufacturing process has been integral to its continued success .
Shelforce ’ s Business Manager Howard Trotter said : “ Diversion and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do at Shelforce so to be recognised for that is fantastic and shows that we are making a difference .”
The company is on award-winning form in 2021 , having already been crowned 2021 Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce ( GBCC ) Business of the Year , scooping Excellence for People Development at the same event , and winner the Equality Trailblazer award for the West Midlands at this year ’ s British Chamber of Business Awards .
www . shelforce . com
BUOYANT DEMAND FOR SALES AND LEADS
ANDY ROYLE , CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
» IT ’ S FAIR TO SAY THAT leads have been much easier to come by for installers in 2021 due to the demand for home improvements being at an all-time high and we saw the number of double glazing enquiries received through our numerous comparison websites rise by 40 % from May to September .
While demand remains buoyant , some installers are reporting a definite shift to receiving fewer enquiries from their self-generated efforts , so we are expecting the demand for sales leads from installers to increase from the beginning of 2022 . Many will have invested to meet the demand this year and will want to ensure that new business is there in the short to medium term so their current volumes can be maintained .
We expect our pre-arranged appointment lead service , which gives the installers the peace of mind that they only pay for the lead if they sit and pitch it to be attractive to save time and deliver an acceptable cost of sale .
www . leads2trade . co . uk
18 JANUARY 2022 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM