Bereco, based in Rotherham, distributes in excess of 30,000 engineered timber windows and doors per annum into the UK new build market via house builders, developers and contractors. Over the last two years they have also developed a small network of retail trade installers who supply and fit the product into upmarket retail replacement applications.
Bereco have engaged the services of The Window Consultant to further develop and expand the network of trade retail installers on an interim management / sales agency role.
As Kevin Martin, MD of Bereco explains ‘I met Martin via the mutual introduction of one of our retail trade accounts and quickly secured his services to represent us in the trade. His services very much suit what we are looking for, as we feel that we have found a cost effective external sales resource with a good work ethic, an excellent network of trade window contacts and we can tap into his knowledge of the dynamics of the trade window marketplace’.
This is an ongoing project for both parties but within a very short space of time Bereco have seen a whole host of newly introduced retail trade customers and have now a better understanding, reputation and awareness in their new target market.
Premium House is a platform which provides window installation companies access to a modern, professional and highly optimised website and is part of The Strategies Group in Camberley.
The website, currently being utilised by a growing number of Pioneer members, generates high volume browsing traffic, increased leads and retail sales through a combination of its optimisation and the design of the site.
Premium House & Strategies decided to engage the services of The Window Consultant to promote the website within key installers of the national retail trade window market.
As Neil Colling, MD of The Strategies Group explains 'we were looking for an appropriate way of promoting and introducing our website concept to like-minded retail installation companies across the UK and we felt strongly that Martin has a good network of contacts and more importantly the kudos within this client base to deliver a real and believable message.'
As an ongoing project for all parties, this sales agency agreement with The Window Consultant delivers results in a cost effective manner.
When an East Midlands based retailer was presented with an opportunity to control the trading activities of a competitor and was faced with the challenges that accompany absorbing all facets of a newly acquired business, The Window Consultant was engaged on a consultancy basis to assist.
As the company owner discusses ‘as a small business that was taking its first steps in acquisitions, Martin was able to come in and offer a completely independent, objective and informed opinion on what we were doing.’
Often the decision making process for the sole owner of a small business is difficult as often there isn’t anyone in the business to bounce ideas to and from. Martin’s consultancy was invaluable as it allowed us to introduce some important management information systems and principles such that we could effectively monitor the new business.
This East Midlands retailer offers a strong recommendation of The Window Consultant’s ability to offer affordable, practical and simple advice across all facets of a window business.
Kevin Hill, who was the Managing Director of trade fabricator John Fredericks, from June 2005 through to the successful trade sale of the business in August of 2009, offers a personal reference as to Martin Hall’s skills and expertise.
Martin worked for me as Sales Director during my tenure with John Fredericks and was a key member of the management team that I assembled to run the business.
As a management team, we faced the enormous challenge of steering a highly leveraged private equity business through the worst of the recent recession and Martin very much played his part in assisting with our strategy of increased top line sales but at a reduced cost base.
Martin contributed across all functions of the business at a strategic and operational level whilst still always focusing on his core role which was to achieve and outperform sales budgets.
I found Martin to have an excellent work ethic; he was well versed in the ways of the trade window industry and has the added ability of an astute analytical mind which allowed us to shape our sales strategy during a very dynamic time for the window industry.
It comes as no surprise to me that Martin has launched a consultancy business to the UK window industry as his skill set is such that he can add value across all sectors of the trade from adding front line sales through to advising businesses at boardroom level.