16 | JANUARY 2021
Director of the Month
Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL ?
As we head into 2021 , we can see light at the end of the tunnel thanks to the global R & D from drug companies to find a vaccine , while the supply issues that have plagued the industry in some quarters , will likely cease by the end of Q1 , and we fully expect demand for composite doors to be strong for the first two quarters .
We ’ ve enjoyed a long and sustained period of growth with increased market share and this is set to continue in the year ahead , as installation companies seek the best possible solid and secure composite door partner . Delivering an excellent customer experience is something that resonates across Endurance Doors and we ’ re investing more than ever before to stay ahead .
Our product development programme will release new colours and hardware this year and we ’ ve a full programme of capital investment and recruitment planned . We ’ ll also be launching the Endurance Academy and a School of Excellence , as we look to invest further in our Installer Partners and it is , we believe , an industry first for the composite door sector .
Given the variables of last year we believe that business relationships and exceptional customer care will be critical in 2021 . While we can ’ t necessarily influence the macro factors that affect us all , what we can do is continue our journey in being one of the most influential and customer centric door companies in the UK .
Stephen Nadin Managing Director Endurance Doors
endurancedoors . co . uk
SPEAKING FREE-LY WITH AIDAN HARTE
The first Director of the Month for 2021 , coincides with 30 years of Freefoam . Therefore Pro Installer caught up with its Managing Director to chat about lean practice , work-life balance and keeping up with the Times ( that ’ s the Irish Times and the modern marketplace )…
When did you join ( or start ) the company ?
I joined Freefoam in 1993 as Financial Controller . It was a small business at the time , with about 25 employees and one extrusion line in Cork , Ireland . Since then we ’ ve grown to a team of 307 across Europe , with 14 extrusion lines in Cork and 16 lines in the UK .
The UK is now the backbone of the business , but we also have a strong presence across Europe , with distribution centres supplying customers in France , Germany , Belgium , the Netherlands , Spain and Sweden . No two markets are the same but our approach in each country is unchanged . We ’ ve built the Freefoam brand around quality , product choice and support and we work closely with customers to give them the products they say they need to sell more in their markets .
Describe your working day ...
My working days are varied , but I have regular meetings and catch-ups with production , operations , finance and the sales team . I usually get to the office shortly after 8am and I work until about 6pm . I ’ m a strong believer in the worklife balance , and I think if you get enough downtime you work more effectively . I ’ m based in our Cork head office and manufacturing facility , and in normal times I travel frequently to Northampton , where we
have our UK manufacturing and distribution base , and to Continental Europe . Like the rest of the world , most of these meetings are now taking place online .
What is your workspace like ?
We have a clean desk policy at Freefoam as part of our commitment to lean work processes and it has proved a great success . It is such a change compared to the days when offices were full of paper . The same is evident in our production facility where lean work processes have had a very positive impact on the work environment .
First thing you do when you get to your desk ?
No two days are the same , but I always check the sales and production numbers for the previous day when I get to my desk . Obviously , these figures can set the tone for the rest of the day .
What websites help you ?
For latest news and business headlines my go-to websites are the Irish Times ( irishtimes . com ) and Telegraph ( telegraph . co . uk ). Over the last couple of years , I ’ ve started to shop more online – and I ’ ve made more than a few purchases . That trend has increased as a result of Covid .
Most useful business tool ?
It ’ s hard to beat the iPhone for ease of use and for getting all the necessary information you need quickly . My Surface Pro is great for desktop work and for giving me flexibility to work at home , or on-thego .
Best business decision in your current role ?
The best decision we made at Freefoam was committing to the UK market and investing in a modern , integrated manufacturing plant in Northampton to include extrusion , mixing and distribution . Our Northampton site now has 16 extrusion lines for foam and rigid product and employs 150 people .
Freefoam ’ s decision to put a greater emphasis on Western European markets over 10 years ago has also paid dividends for the company . We ’ ve developed a strong presence in France and continue to grow in Germany , Belgium and the Netherlands .
Favourite role models and why ?
I have great admiration for Bill Gates . He comes across as a modest person and he ’ s given away so much of his wealth to good causes . It can ’ t be ignored that he created the largest company in the world by market capitalisation , with Microsoft at the centre of everything we do as we go about our working lives .
How do you unwind ?
I ’ m passionate about sports . Hailing from Cork , I have a natural affinity with Gaelic Games which are part of our national identity . I also have a huge interest in Munster and Irish Rugby . I ’ m involved in coaching youngsters at my local GAA club and I get a great kick out of that , especially after a tough day at the office .
www . freefoam . com