Notice Board
RAISING THE BAR FOR HARDWARE GUARANTEES
It may come as no surprise that The Locksmith Journal team has attended a lot of launches over the years . On our recent trip to Gillingham this April though , the launch was a little bit different …
» THIS IS BECAUSE USUALLY WHEN WE go to see a new product or service , it is waiting for us on arrival , or we leave with a launch date ready to reveal to our readers when the time is right . As we sat down with Simon Monks , Dan Powell and Gary Gleeson at VBH HQ for the launch of the brand new greenteQ and architeQ furniture surface guarantees – we were waiting in real time for the website to go live .
While we waited for the dawning of this new guarantee era , Marketing Manager Gary took us through a presentation on the finer details . Except , refreshingly – what followed couldn ’ t be simpler ; the surface finish on greenteQ Suite products has been increased to 20 years , with a 25 year guarantee available on architeQ furniture ( see more on page 20 ).
The first thing that popped into my mind was that ‘ So , if you bought a house and installed architeQ hardware on your new doors and windows , your furniture guarantee would last as long as your 25- year mortgage ?’ The answer was yes .
Can it really be that simple ?
Head of Brand Dan went on to explain that simplicity is key to these guarantees : “ You have to have the right product to be able to offer this guarantee .
“ In the industry , VBH is known for our technical support and knowledge . Each product that is sold is a product of that too – and now we ’ re extending that confidence directly to the consumer .
“ They will spend thousands of pounds on home improvements , yet they don ’ t always understand the different components of a door or window and who is responsible for which part .
“ We believe that someone should be accountable for every part of the product that ’ s sold and installed . We also believe that should be the manufacturer .
“ If it you buy a fridge freezer or a washing machine , you expect a manufacturer ’ s guarantee – and you would use it – this is just the same .
“ Now we ’ re saying to the fabricator , the installer and the end user , we are responsible for our products . For 20 or 25 years . We ’ ll handle it .”
How will they handle it ? During the presentation , Gary went through the process – and yes , it ’ s really straightforward too .
“ It can be almost impossible in some cases to find out what is covered in a guarantee ,” he said . “ This can put consumers off even registering them in the first place .
“ With the greenteQ and architeQ guarantees – we provide QR stickers for the fabricator and the installer and all they need to do is place it somewhere visible on the door or window , that ’ s it .
“ We also have a suite of marketing materials that our customers can use to help promote and explain the scheme . But , even without these , consumers can find out everything they need when they snap the QR code , and it takes them straight to the dedicated website . Here , they ’ ll find all the help they need to maintain their suite , and how to make a claim if needed .”
We hear the term ‘ fit and forget ’ a lot in this industry , but this really is a ‘ stick and forget ’.
What does this say about VBH ?
You can only reach this level of simplicity with years of hard work in the background . And , as MD Simon led us a tour of the VBH HQ ; from the ‘ wall of fame ’ to offices named after Managing Directors of the past – VBH ’ s rich heritage is everywhere . But this is a forwardthinking brand with a vision to match .
“ We ’ re always thinking ahead ,” says Simon . “ Firstly , we ’ re manufacturing products that are made to last . Cheaper products have hidden costs , they cause
problems for everyone down the line , including ourselves if we send someone out to fix them .
“ These extended guarantees represent more than a physical warranty though . We ’ re shortening the disconnect between the industry and end user , and we ’ re setting a higher bar to raise the standards for everyone .”
www . vbhgb . com www . greenteqguarantee . co . uk
10
APRIL 2024
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