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from ECN June 2021
RECHARGE, REFRESH, RE-ENERGISE
We talked to AT&T (GB) on how the industry has been affected by COVID-19, the immediate issues we are facing, and whether existing strategies can be returned to once normality resumes.
Adrian Storr, Managing Director
“It’s been a tough time for us all. The downturn in trade we experienced when the first lockdown was announced meant that we had to get our thinking hats on quickly, introducing new methods of trading, such as the ‘out of hours’ collection service, while keeping customer safety a priority.
“Despite the problems we faced with the lockdown, it was the sad loss of our Operations Director, Simon Pates, in November, that still gives me the most grief. What a loss, not just for AT&T, but for the industry as a whole.
“Looking to the near future, with the knock-on effects of Brexit, the shortage of shipping containers available from China, the Suez Canal blockage and the resultant fluctuations in copper and steel prices, it seems likely that the most serious issue the industry will face over the coming months will be that of supplies. Product availability is one of the key elements of our customer service strategy, so we have a target to hold more than £3m of stock in our warehouses on an on-going basis. With the logistics issues we are all experiencing right now, this will require some serious focus over the next few months.
“There will always be new challenges, but after several years of sales growth, the pandemic has made me even more determined than ever to recharge, refresh and re-energise our plans to invest and grow the business. These plans include the opening of a new warehouse and trade counter in Kent, which will be the first of several new sites we’re looking to open in London and the South East in the near future.
“To further invest in this strategy, we have adopted three new senior members to our leadership team, Ian Wright, Jamie Ribbons and Wayne Coldwell. Ian is our new Purchasing Director, with Jamie and Wayne joining in the newly created positions of Senior Business Development Managers. All three are extremely experienced and talented people who bring with them a new spark of energy and ideas. Due to this I see them as being our ‘three-pin plug’, allowing us to tap in and fully take advantage of this next stage of post-lockdown growth and prosperity.”
John Williams, Sales Director
“What I most enjoy about my work is the relationships I’ve built up over the years with both our customers and the fantastic teams working in-house.
“As we have all experienced, phone calls and Zoom have become the chosen form of communication during this time. I am really looking forward to meeting up with everyone in 3D and returning to normality!
“With our new solid plan, positive outlook, and re-energised team, I am more excited than ever about the future.”
Ian Wright, Purchasing Director
“With my many years of industry experience, I was able to see immediately that the standards set by my predecessor, Steve Habgood, were extremely high, with obvious evidence of a well organised purchasing operation, backed up by a strong and highly trained team. Therefore, my decision to take up this new role at AT&T (GB) was an easy one.
“Having said that, I do not underestimate the challenges that lie ahead, particularly with the current worldwide product supply issues we are experiencing as we come out of lockdown. Initially, my key focus is on working through the supply issues one by one, doing everything possible to satisfy our customer requirements.
“However, as we move forward in time, I can already see a few opportunities where we can improve on how we do things and therefore help move forward with Adrian’s target to recharge, refresh and re-energise.”
“I’ve been working in the electrical wholesale industry in London for 28 years and have recently become aware of AT&T (GB) as a serious competitor, mainly because of the reputation they have for delivering great customer satisfaction.
“Now that I am here, I can see for myself that the logistics infrastructure is second to none. The high focus on warehouse stock held means I can confidently offer my London based customers same day delivery service on orders placed before 11am - a service few can compete with.
“After this grim time, it is great to be feeling excited about the future again and I’m really looking forward to working with the impressive AT&T team and helping them hone what is already an impressive operation.”
“Like Jamie, I am really impressed with the AT&T (GB) focus on delivering exactly what their customers want, but what impresses me most is the positive culture that Adrian and John have built into the company’s DNA.
“I have seen clear evidence that standing still is not an option and the only norm is that all employees are encouraged to constantly seek out new ways to improve and make decisions for the good of the customer, with no micro-management and no internal politics.
“Adrian and John are already listening to my ideas and helping me develop them, so I am delighted to be seen as one of the ‘positive’ elements of Adrian’s ‘three-pin plug’ along with Jamie and Ian. As challenging as things are in a post-lockdown world, I’m feeling extremely confident about the future.”
