CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Leading trade fabricator Modplan is celebrating its 50th anniversary in July 2023. David Burles, CEO, who founded the business in 1973, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating this important business milestone. It’s an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come – but also where we want to go next.”

The business has certainly come a long way since 1973. It started as a DIY and light builders’ outlet in South Wales. Today, it’s a multi-millionpound turnover trade business manufacturing a comprehensive range of PVC-U windows, door and conservatory roofs. It operates from four impressive manufacturing sites in Abercarn, Gwent, housing eight fabrication plants and covering over 165,000 sq. ft. It employs over 250 people.

The company first moved into the fenestration industry in the early 1980s when it started to manufacture single-glazed aluminium windows for the Welsh retail market. In 1985, David spotted a new opportunity and moved into PVC-U window fabrication. Over the years, the company has continued to expand and evolve. It set up the National Plastics chain of trade counters and has a presence in the Scandinavian outdoor living market. It invested in and introduced the Leka System of innovative, lightweight solid roof solutions. Its partnership with VEKA UK stretches back over 25 years and it also partners with retail and leisure group Leekes, and systems supplier Liniar.

Throughout its 50year history, Modplan has weathered some challenging times, including several economic downturns, the miners’ strikes and high interest rates, not to mention today’s cost-of-living crisis.

Surviving and thriving despite the challenges is down to two things.

The first is the ‘Modplan Mission’ – the laser focus on continually exceeding customers’ increasing expectations.

It strives to stay ahead of the market curve and to offering its customers a quality portfolio supported by a proactive partnership ethos. It’s an approach that means many customers have been with the company for decades.

The second is the strength and longevity of the team over the years. David has been front and centre of the business from the start and remains focussed on driving Modplan forward whilst developing additional businesses within the Burles Group portfolio. He’s supported by Managing Director Heidi Sachs, who joined the company in 1983, starting a formidable 40-year business partnership that has been instrumental to the company’s success. Vital too is the wider team – in fact, there is over 1,700 years of experience in the business, which adds incredible value. David is also keen to point out the huge contribution made by his mother, Mrs Burles, who began the business journey with him in 1973 and only stepped down from Modplan at the age of 92!

Fifty years is an incredible milestone, but it’s clear the company is still ambitious for the future. David concluded: “We have a growing business portfolio and we’re looking forward to continuing the journey with our customers and our team. Here’s to the next chapter of the Modplan journey.”

Tel: 01495 246844 ww.modplan.co.uk

The Link Vent with its smart design, flexibility and wide range of colour finishes has been well received across the supply chain and by homeowners. The development and promotion of the product exemplifies the commitment and innovation of Glazpart to deliver high quality product solutions for the fenestration industry. This drive to deliver and promote a vital component for the window and door industry has also seen Dean Bradley nominated for the NFA ‘Director of the Year’ category. Dean’s exceptional leadership has been instrumental in driving Glazpart’s progression and expansion and on his nomination commented, “It is truly humbling to be nominated for this award. I am pleased with the recognition as it reflects the great work of all my colleagues who have helped with the remarkable success of the Link Vent range.” www.glazpart.com

Leading online builders merchant Building Superstore has seen a significant increase in orders placed via its mobile app over the last three months, as more contractors choose the convenience of finding and buying building products and materials at a time and place to suit them.

The recent rebrand from CMO Trade to Building Superstore has supported this shift, with nine times more orders secured on the mobile app in the three months up to June 2023 when compared to the same period the previous year.

From the disruption of having to down tools and ‘pop out’ for urgent supplies, to the stress of not being able to find the required item in stock, buying building materials in person can be a time consuming process. Building Superstore offers a quick and easy alternative, providing over 130,000 different products but still offering access to a reallife customer service team who can help with product selection, technical queries, and best price points.

As part of CMO, the UK’s largest onlineonly retailer of building products and materials, Building Superstore is the company’s dedicated trade service and trade professionals can open an account to order on the website, by telephone or via the popular mobile app. This flexible approach is helping Building Superstore respond directly to its customers’ changing needs, providing a 24/7 service to a new generation of trade contractors who want to be in greater control of their time and money.

Commenting, Rob Martin, head of trade at Building Superstore said: “We are seeing an increase not only in the number of customers choosing to purchase products via our trade app, but also in the frequency and size of orders, and the level of repeat business. This shows us that convenience and flexibility of ordering materials online and on the go is just what our customers want.”

“As well as checking availability to source urgent products for next day delivery and being able to quickly source multiple materials for a range of different tasks, our account holders also have access to a number of exclusive features that will help them keep track of their orders, and create quotations for future jobs. We know that a lot of this necessary admin needs to be done after hours, as well as urgently on site, and the level of control and convenience this offers is definitely something that seems to appeal to our customers.”

Designed to help busy trade contractors save both time and money, the new app is available for all Building Superstore account holders and offers several additional benefits, including special offers and exclusive discounts on larger orders. Users of the new Building Superstore app will also be supported by the merchant’s award-winning customer service, with advisors on hand by phone or live chat to assist with orders from start to finish, including producing invoices for trade users to send to their own customers. A Building Superstore Account can either be cash or credit and as all of Building Superstore’s products come directly from the supplier, the best and most competitive prices can always be guaranteed. The new Building Superstore app can be used across all of CMO’s online superstores. Including Roofing Superstore, Insulation Superstore, Door Superstore, Tile and Floor Superstore, Drainage Superstore and the recently launched Plumbing Superstore. For more information, visit Building Superstore or search for the Building Superstore App on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. www.buildingsuperstore.co.uk