Pro Installer March 2016 - Issue 36 | Page 22

22 MARCH 2016 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS www.proinstaller.co.uk INSPIRED BY A DIVERSE STRATEGY Pro Installer Editor Stephanie Wright visited Leeds based entrepreneurs HWL Windows Group to find out how newly appointed Andy Hornigold is getting on in his new role as sales and marketing director, what attracted him to join the diverse business and the contribution he will be bringing to help support the business and its customers. Independently owned, HWL Windows Group has been fabricating windows and doors for over 15 years. The multi-talented fabricator produces products from German manufacturer Kommerling, Shropshire based supplier Spectus, along with Residence 9 profile systems and two composite door suppliers; Solidor and Distinction Doors. Joining the organisation as Sales and Marketing Director is Andy Hornigold. With over 28 years of pedigree from within the fenestration industry, Andy has been involved with some renowned and forward-thinking businesses in the past. Andy explains what attracted him to join HWL, commenting: “I was inspired to join the organisation after meeting Graham Howatson, operations director of HWL Windows Group. The organisation had grown from a company with five employees over the last 15 years into an organisation which now employs a workforce of over 100 within its six businesses. “With a manufacturing site which spans over 27,000 sq ft in Armley, Leeds, the business produces over 650 frames per week from Kommerling C70 and O70 profile systems, Spectus Vertical Sliders, alongside the more traditional and up-market profile system, Residence 9. The 19th century timber look profile has aided the company to service the many fitters and showrooms that install in the conservation areas in Yorkshire. “Through HWL’s sister company, Nordic Aluminium Limited, we also manufacture a comprehensive range of aluminium bi-folding doors, shopfronts, and windows from Smarts, ALUK and SAPA. The decision to operate all three profile sections again enables us to cater for all types of markets. We have recently added a range of aluminium entry doors, which is an exciting new direction for us and the industry. From 2012 to 2015, HWL Windows Group acquired a handful of small retail companies allowing them to secure its supply chain and understand better trade customers. “All the retail outlets comprise of superbly kitted out showrooms, enabling consumers to view a bespoke range of windows, doors, patios and bi-folding doors and supporting trade customers to correctly order to their individual requirements. “As a trade fabricator with retail businesses, HWL Windows Group gives me an unique insight into the challenges our trade customers face on a day-to-day basis, enabling me to offer our trade customers the best possible service and product range.” HWL’s decision to bring on board the Residence 9 profile system, in 2013, came mainly as part of a growing number of enquiries looking for a timber alternative. Andy continues: “I believe that HWL’s decision to embrace R9 has been extremely beneficial for the business, and sales have continued to grow mainly born out of the development of the profile system, but also the marketing support R9 has given manufacturing and sales, including; a web based window designer, POS and marketing material. “I truly believe R9 will continue to offer HWL and our customers an alternative choice to traditional white PVCu window and doors and I will be working with the teams from all of our profile suppliers to increase and maintain communica- tion between the businesses. “In the short time I have been with HWL, I have learnt that once a decision is made to make an investment for the business, there is always a three to five year strategy plan sitting behind it. For example, our current manufacturing units would benefit from being situated on one site. This would improve efficiency across the group, which would greatly benefit our customers. “At HWL, we are conscious of our environmental responsibilities and take great care in selecting materials that have minimal impact on the environment. We take this into account when choosing our products as we know energy efficiency is important to home owners and businesses alike,” Andy concludes. For more information on HWL Group visit www.hwlwindows.co.uk or to contact Andy on 01132449006 Partnership improves market intelligence Whizzle Ltd, which recently renewed its partnership with Insight Data, has revealed how Insight’s Salestracker software helped it produce more accurate analysis for sales and marketing. Whizzle specialises in supplying consumables such as sealants, adhesives and screws into the fenestration industry. Jenny Read, Marketing Manager commented: “We chose Insight Data as it has detailed information on fenestration companies allowing us to segment customers better and target them according to what products they are likely to use. Salestracker has more information regarding these companies and their activities than other databases we previously used or have come across.” The cloud-based Salestracker platform has detailed information on over 15,000 fabricators and installers as well as 45,000 other contacts in the building and construction industry. The data is updated in real-time by Insight Data’s research team and enables companies such as Whizzle to produce detailed, accurate market analysis to aid their sales and marketing teams. Jenny explained: “We use it to readily distribute potential sales leads by size and by company activity amongst our sales team. The data enables us to get an estimate for the potential market for new products. In product development and launches the data is a useful segmentation tool. For example, when we introduced a new aluminium solvent cleaner we were able to approach those customers who specialise in aluminium rather than bombarding everyone.” Salestracker is a fully integrated sales and marketing platform designed exclusively for the building and fenestration industry. For more information, visit www.insightdata.co.uk