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» STRAND HARDWARE defied the ‘ Beast from the East ’ when it went ahead with its office reopening event and rededication ceremony .
Fortunately , the majority of guests were not deterred by the snowfall , with 70 people attending , including staff , suppliers , customers and media representatives .
They included representatives from Athmer , who travelled from Germany , to support their UK distributor and Simon Forrester , Chief Executive Officer of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers . They toured the newly refurbished Strand House , in Walsall , where the company has been located for more than 30 years .
Christine Franks , the wife of company founder , the late
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Jonathan Franks , carried out the ribbon cutting ceremony .
“ I know that Jonathan would have been extremely proud to see how Strand Hardware has flourished ,” she said .
The building has had a radical makeover resulting in a more modern , open plan work space for its expanding team . It also includes a hi-tech reception and energy efficient measures including better insulation and motion sensor lighting .
Many of the materials used in the project were sourced
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from suppliers and clients including new windows , fire doors , electricals , plumbing , furniture , decoration , carpeting and signage , along with some of its own ironmongery products .
Guests were treated to refreshments and goody bags and a special cake was created to mark the event .
Managing Director Steve Marshall said : “ The completion of the refurbishment project has taken many months of planning , organisation ,
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disruption and hard work from all concerned . Those who had visited us before will no doubt see a vast improvement in our working environment , and our environmental credentials .
“ Since the dear late Mr Jonathan Franks set up the company in 1992 , Strand Hardware has gone from strength-to-strength , navigating its way through many national and global challenges , while always sitting solidly on its impeccable financial foundations .”
He also paid tribute to Strand ’ s ‘ family ’ – its 21-strong workforce and Jonathan ’ s daughter , Catherine Franks who took over as MD in 2005 and now chairs its board .
www . strandhardware . co . uk
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