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Emma continues : “ We pride ourselves on our technical knowledge . Our technical team are experienced in the industry so have the knowledge of being on site and doing the job themselves . They know what works and what doesn ’ t ; they ’ ve seen everything you can imagine . So yes , we get photos and text messages every day asking for help , but also it is quite comical when installers turn up with a door or window they ’ ve removed , put on the van and driven over to us . Going back to those three magic words though - Knowledge , Service , Inventory - it ’ s what we ’ re here for , and it makes me very proud that we have such a strong reputation in each one of those vital points .
“ Not everyone comes to the company from within the fenestration industry , but when they join UPVC Maintenance , the technical training starts immediately . No matter how much the company has grown and evolved over the past 30 years , that has never changed .
“ From our base in Yorkshire , we distribute all over the UK and Ireland , and even have some customers in the USA . Our customers include DIYers , locksmiths , installers , housing associations , builders merchants ; they all have different wants and needs . Therefore it is not only very important for us that everyone in the team understands the products we sell , but also why we stock them , who needs them and how to use them .
“ Whoever the customer is and whatever project they are working on , they will receive personal service . We don ’ t just want to know your product code . We will help you if you aren ’ t sure what you ’ re looking for ; if it ’ s obsolete , we will know the correct replacement . We will help you save money if we can by offering alternatives etc and if we don ’ t do the product , we will source it for you . We will take the procurement hassle away from you .”
With an in-depth knowledge of the industry , service that could seem to easily rival any national hardware supplier and an inventory running into thousands of product lines , it would be easy to assume that UPVC Maintenance has found the perfect excuse to sit back , relax and enjoy its 30th birthday . Far from it , says Emma as they prepare to launch a product range of their own ; named after its site in Batley …
“ We are delighted to be launching our own product range – Springwell ,” continues Emma . “ At present we have a selection of window and door handles , friction hinges and restrictors . Including our very own multi spindle window handle which we are thrilled with . Each piece very much epitomises all of the experience and expertise we ’ ve collectively amassed along the way . As the industry changes and people ’ s needs and wants adapt , we must also evolve our own offering . For example , even in my own time here I ’ ve seen the development of the 3 * cylinder lock ; just when you think you reached the pinnacle of a product ; something safer , securer , more stylish comes along .
“ When my dad first started repairing doors and windows , then supplying hardware to his own small base of customers , there wasn ’ t much call for fire escape hardware or restricted hinges ; now they ’ re something that are on the daily shopping lists of installers .
“ Yes we have an impressive inventory when it comes to the sheer volume of units we have in stock , but the old adage of ‘ quantity over quality ’ has never been more true . At UPVC Maintenance , we happen to have both .
“ Despite and perhaps because of all of this , our mission moving forward is to continue to expand our product range , and make further improvements to our website to give a better buying
experience for our customers . We have an exciting new product launch coming towards the end of the year too .
“ The fact we ’ ve always wanted to improve , from day one of my dad ‘ setting up shop ’ to launching our own line three decades later is what has kept us going , I ’ m sure . Even in the past few years , we as a company are grateful that we haven ’ t been impacted by covid financially or with staff . Since the pandemic we have seen an increase in sales with last year being one of the best years for us .
“ Secondly , no matter how we have grown , UPVC Maintenance has been part of my life for as long as I can remember . The trust we have for each other as a family emanates to our customer base too . We are not an anonymous warehouse on the other side of a computer screen or something the customer can only contact through a call centre . My dad is still there every day , the teams at both sites are an extension of the Earnshaws . Even my ‘ baby brother ’ who is now a Graphic Designer plays his part when we need creative input . I love the fact that we can honestly call ourselves a family business and the success of the company – and our customers ’ success – is more than 9 to 5 , it ’ s a part of our lives .”
www . upvcmaintenace . co . uk Facebook : UPVC Maintenance Supplies Instagram : @ upvcms
JUL / AUG 2022
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