INDUSTRYNEWS
A Clean Sweep
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THE MASTER FITTER Challenge( MFC) finals, held in association with FENSA, have become a highlight of the industry calendar. Held at the FIT Show, the competition has become as highly regarded and reputable as the host show itself. Known for setting difficult installation challenges, the finals have impressed with the levels of skill demonstrated by finalists. And this year was no different, in fact it has even been said by the expert organisers and assessors for the event that it was the‘ toughest yet’.
The competition saw six finalists complete three installations; a solid porch roof provided by Supalite, a window provided by Liniar and a residential door provided by IG / Truedor, safely and expertly in a single day. And, to up the ante this year, the MFC Pavilion was more visible than ever before, situated at the main entrance of the exhibition, opposite the registration desks.
But, proving he excels under pressure, Pennine Windows fitter, Craig Hanson, rose to the challenge and made a clean sweep, winning all four categories of the competition, including overall winner, something that has never happened before.
In the wake of his impressive victory, Clearview spoke to Craig and Pennine Windows Manager, Siobhan Watson, to find out more about Craig’ s road to success and how life at Pennine has changed since Craig’ s monumental win …
“ It was the third time I’ d entered the competition,” explains Craig.“ I was a finalist in the 2013 and 2014 competitions and,
feeling a little disheartened, had decided not to enter again.”
But Siobhan took matters into her own hands, in full confidence of Craig’ s ability and knowing he just needed‘ a bit of a nudge’.“ Although I’ ve known Craig for 20 years, back when he was starting out, I had joined Pennine Windows just 18 months prior to the competition,” Siobhan explains.“ I knew it was Craig’ s dream to win the competition and I have such faith in his ability that I did the application on his behalf, unbeknown to him. After all, the MFC is all about championing the best of what the industry has to offer and Craig is exactly that.
“ On the day of the competition Craig didn’ t disappoint,” Siobhan continues.“ It was like poetry in motion watching him and his partner carry out the work. They were really in the zone and worked together intuitively, hardly needing to speak a word to each other to complete the installations, quickly and professionally,” she adds.
On the Gala evening of the FIT Show Craig was presented with all four awards, a feat never achieved by any installer before, to thunderous applause.“ It was a dream come true and I thank all the sponsors involved from the bottom of my heart,” said Craig.“ My next dream is to win again next year with my protégés, when we will hopefully be entering an additional team into the competition.”
Pennine Windows are now using Craig’ s accolades to great advantage, not only to inspire and nurture the next generation of fitters but also to assure customers of the quality of their work.“ The industry is very competitive and extreme measures need to be taken to stand above the rest. It is our aim as a company, along with the MFC, to encourage people to choose the fitter profession as a credible career,” says Siobhan.“ Craig became a fitter straight out of school at 17 and has learned on the job. His technical expertise and knowledge now amazes me and we are looking to pass that on to our own team here at Pennine.”
Pennine Windows has a team of 3 fitters. The company manufactures using Advance Selecta 70 profile and installs PVCu windows, doors and conservatories across Huddersfield, Yorkshire and countrywide, as well as specialising in fitting replacement fascias, soffits and guttering.
Based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, the company is proud to be family-run and, as such, is very customer-focused to both its retail and trade customers.“ Our trade customers are the back bone of the business.” says Craig.“ We offer a value-added service, designed with a quick turnaround. Integrity is the basis of all Pennine’ s partnerships and trade customers are treated with the same respect and diligence as our domestic and commercial customers,” he concludes.
www. penninewindows. com
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