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Family firm clocks up
a quarter century
» » UPVC MAINTENANCE
Supplies is celebrating 25
years in business. The family
company is a one-stop-shop for
everything window and door
replacement, maintenance and
repair across UPVC, timber and
composite solutions. We spoke
to Marketing Manager Janet
Webster…
THE EARLY DAYS
The company was started
in 1992 by David Earnshaw
who previously worked as
an installer, surveyor and
Installations Manager for
various window companies
around the UK. Following
the last recession he noticed
that many people were left
without warranties on their
UPVC windows and doors as
companies went of business,
so set up his own window
repair business. With a toddler
daughter and baby son, the
move gave David the chance to
dictate his own hours.
FROM SERVICE TO SHOP
The company’s first site was
a converted shed in David’s
garden. As more people
approached him to fulfil their
supply needs, a lock-up was
engaged to house the ever-
growing inventory. By 2005,
even this proved too small and
a trade counter was opened
in Pudsey, relocating to the
current Batley headquarters
in 2010. “We strive to be close
to our customers –physically
and virtually – and we’re
always keen to hear how we
can best meet their demands,”
explains Janet. “With more of
our custom coming from other
tradesmen, it made sense to
cease offering a repair service
and concentrate on supplying
parts – which we decided to
do in 2011.” To further support
this shift, the company opened
a second trade counter in
Rotherham in 2012, in response
to a growing cluster of contacts
desperate for a well-stocked
and knowledgeable service.
FORWARD TO THE FUTURE
As Janet says, “I joined in
2015 to develop new ways to
grow and support the business.
The new website and catalogue
are our building blocks going
forward.” In 2016, Business
Development Manager, Paul
Swift, joined the fold and
with an ambitious target for
the anniversary year, the
business is working hard on
new and better ways to
meet customer
requirements.
“We’ve
recently set up
agreements
with several
suppliers
including
IG Doors and
Synseal,” she adds.
“By supplying a wider
range; we’re working to
give our customers the
choice they deserve without
compromising on quality or
availability.”
EXPLOITING EXPERTISE
Janet is keen to point out
the business has a lot to shout
about this year. “For us, the
fact we are 25 is a big thing.
The expertise we’ve gained
and the way we use it makes us
different. Customers know they
can phone for advice or order
online. It’s too easy to order the
wrong part so we’re a bit like a
‘comfort blanket’ for them.”
The business is known as
the place to go for the slightly
unusual, however with more
than 1,500 products from
some of the industry’s leading
manufacturers, Janet says they
are keen to change this: “We’re
trying to break the perception
that we’re just here for ‘one-
offs’ and make more people
aware that we’ll have the part
you need and the equipment
you need to install it.”
The new website and
catalogue have both been
well-received: “We’ve a wide
audience - from DIYers to
tradesmen as well as property
maintenance organisations
and builders’ merchants so
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it’s important we
appeal across the
spectrum.” The new
website is far more
than just a shop, “We’re
building up a library of guides
that we are sharing on social
media. Again, the message is
that we are here to help. We’ve
also doubled the size of the
catalogue with more products
as well as more information so
customers can find it easier to
select the product they need –
even if we are just at the end of
the phone.”
FAMILY AFFAIR
In the face of all this growth
and diversification the business
retains its roots. David and
wife Karen own the business.
The toddler daughter Emma
from 1992 is now the HR and
Finance Manager after joining
in 2012 and baby son Elliot
is now a 25 year old graphic
designer who is responsible for
the cover of the new catalogue.
The business continues to be
faithful to the local area – keen
supporters of the Yorkshire
Air Ambulance and the Leeds
Rhinos Foundation – and is
arranging a number of events
to take place over the course of
the anniversary year to support
these worthy charities.
You can find out more by
calling 0113 236 0800 or
visiting www.upvcwindow-
doorparts.co.uk... Why not
request a new catalogue too?