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Family firm
clocks up
a quarter
century
» » UPVC MAINTENANCE
Supplies is celebrating 25
years in business. The family
company is a one-stop-shop for
everything window and door
replacement, maintenance and
repair across UPVC, timber and
composite solutions. We spoke
to Marketing Manager Janet
Webster…
THE EARLY DAYS
The company was started in 1992 by
David Earnshaw who previously worked
as an installer, surveyor and Installations
Manager for various window companies
around the UK. Following the last recession
he noticed that many people were left without
warranties on their UPVC windows and doors
as companies went of business, so set up his
own window repair business. With a toddler
daughter and baby son, the move gave David
the chance to dictate his own hours. FORWARD TO
THE FUTURE
As Janet says, “I joined in
2015 to develop new ways
to grow and support the
business. The new website and catalogue
are our building blocks going forward.” In
2016, Business Development Manager, Paul
Swift, joined the fold and with an ambitious
target for the anniversary year, the business is
working hard on new and better ways to meet
customer requirements. “We’ve recently set up
agreements with several suppliers including IG
Doors and Synseal,” she adds. “By supplying
a wider range; we’re working to give our
customers the choice they deserve without
compromising on quality or availability.”
FROM SERVICE TO SHOP
The company’s first site was a converted
shed in David’s garden. As more people
approached him to fulfil their supply needs,
a lock-up was engaged to house the ever-
growing inventory. By 2005, even this proved
too small and a trade counter was opened
in Pudsey, relocating to the current Batley
headquarters in 2010. “We strive to be close
to our customers –physically and virtually
– and we’re always keen to hear how we can
best meet their demands,” explains Janet.
“With more of our custom coming from other
tradesmen, it made sense to cease offering a
repair service and concentrate on supplying
parts – whice decided to do in 2011.” To
further support this shift, the company
opened a second trade counter in Rotherham
in 2012, in response to a growing cluster
of contacts desperate for a well-stocked and
knowledgeable service. EXPLOITING EXPERTISE
Janet is keen to point out the business has
a lot to shout about this year. “For us, the
fact we are 25 is a big thing. The expertise
we’ve gained and the way we use it makes us
different. Customers know they can phone for
advice or order online. It’s too easy to order
the wrong part so we’re a bit like a ‘comfort
blanket’ for them.”
The business is known as the place to go for
the slightly unusual, however with more than
1,500 products from some of the industry’s
leading manufacturers, Janet says they are
keen to change this: “We’re trying to break the
perception that we’re just here for ‘one-offs’
and make more people aware that we’ll have
the part you need and the equipment you
need to install it.”
The new website and catalogue have both
been well-received: “We’ve a wide audience -
from DIYers to tradesmen as well as property
8 » M AY 2017 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
maintenance organisations and builders’
merchants so it’s important we appeal across
the spectrum.” The new website is far more
than just a shop, “We’re building up a library
of guides that we are sharing on social media.
Again, the message is that we are here to
help. We’ve also doubled the size of the
catalogue with more products as well as more
information so customers can find it easier to
select the product they need – even if we are
just at the end of the phone.”
FAMILY AFFAIR
In the face of all this growth and
diversification the business retains its roots.
David and wife Karen own the business. The
toddler daughter