PEOPLE

Two Kenrick Staff

Davinder Kaur, Andy White Nash Singh Ranue

Complete Momentous 50 Years Of Service

sister-in-law. Davinder is part of Kenrick’s 16-strong operative team and literally, millions of Kenrick castors and hardware products have passed through her hands during her five decades at Kenrick.

Celebrations have been taking place at Kenrick as two members of the team celebrate a whopping 50 years’ service each. window lock. Excalibur is now one of Kenrick’s best sellers, with the firm now selling around 500,000 sets of the shootbolts a year.

Nash Singh Ranue and Davinder Kaur both joined the West Bromwich-based hardware supplier in 1971 at the tender ages of just 16.

Product development engineer Nash began his career with Kenrick as an apprentice, but his engineering talent was soon spotted and he moved into product development. Nash, who develops and tests Kenrick’s protypes and finished products, also spends a lot of time working alongside customers, helping them to understand and trial new products. Nash has been behind the development some of Kenrick’s best-known flagship products, including the Excalibur He says: “I’ve never worked anywhere else except Kenrick, but I don’t see that as a bad thing at all – it’s hard to believe I have been here for half a century! I’ve really enjoyed spending my working life at Kenrick and having the opportunity to be part of a team that develops industry-leading products. I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.”

Assembly operative Davinder has worked in many different departments on the shop floor, including machining, assembly and packing. Many members of Davinder’s family have also worked at Kenrick, including her husband, brother and She says: “Kenrick is like a second home to me and I have been very happy here for the last 50 years. There is a genuine family feel about the business and everyone is really supportive of each other – it almost doesn’t feel like I’m coming to work.”

Andy White, operations manager at Kenrick, added: “There are so few companies today that have a long-standing heritage and true family values, and even fewer that have loyal staff who have served for half a century! Nash and Davinder are our longest ever serving members of staff and they have both been a tremendous asset to the business throughout their careers. Congratulations to them both on such an achievement.”

Stacey Set To Celebrate 15 Years At Leads 2 Trade

Edgetech Appoints Experienced

New Customer

Stacey Moore has come a long way in almost 15 years at Leads 2 Trade – and her rise mirrors the successful path the leading provider of double-qualified sales leads in the home improvement industry has followed in the same time scale.

The Stockport-based company, which also operates in several other sectors, including heating and plumbing, renewable energy, and security, turned 15 on November 2 – making Stacey one of its longest serving members of staff.

Having joined in March 2007, just five months after co-founders Andy Royle, John Cohen, and Alan Gray set up the company, she quickly hit the heights and worked her way through the business.

“Having dabbled in nearly every side of the business, customer service has always been the part for me and I’m now Office Manager, so I oversee the full call centre and customer service operation that processes all the website enquiries and the management and reporting of the leads and appointments post lead send out,” explained Stacey. beginning, Stacey has seen the business change and adapt to make sure it’s offering the best service to both consumers and members.

“The most noticeable change is how we use technology now. Even though we were in the digital age when I started, we went through the fax stages to send the leads to our members and it’s amazing how everything is now automated and much more technology driven, as a business we have always made sure our lead management systems are cutting edge and have just launched an APP to make things even easier for our members on the move,” said Stacey.

“I think the main reason we are successful is that we process the leads from a website enquiry and turn that lead into a fixed and firm appointment for our members against set criteria. This ensures our members know they are going to get to pitch their products and service to a home owner who’s got a want and need, and conversely we remove the hassle for the consumer of having to arrange multiple appointments, we do it all for them, and keep in touch with them all the way through the process.” https://leads2trade.co.uk

Services Manager

Edgetech, have strengthened their customer-facing team with the appointment of an experienced new customer services manager.

Paula Considine joins the Coventry-based firm after growing a team from 8 to 22 people in her previous role as customer support manager, and developing a number of talented employees who went on to take senior roles in the organisation.

Paula also holds a Level 3 qualification from the Institute of Leadership & Management.

“I’m extremely pleased to be joining Edgetech at this exciting time in its history,” Paula comments. “I feel really comfortable here already, and the team have been amazingly supportive during the transition. I love the environment at Edgetech, and I love coming to work every morning.

“Edgetech is a very customer-focused organisation, but one of my key focuses will be to streamline our processes, and ensure we’re offering the very highest standard of service to the businesses we work with.” www.edgetechig.co.uk

New Face In AluK’s Product Marketing Team

AluK is expanding its product marketing team with the appointment of Luigi Bertino as a product marketing executive. He has joined product managers Lisa Stephens and Peter Willard, enhancing and developing AluK’s product range, so that it stays ahead of a rapidly changing market and continues to deliver what customers need.

Luigi has experience in operations and marketing in both software and retail companies and an impressive list of qualifications which includes an MBA from the University of the West of England and a Masters in marketing and business communication from La Sapienza university in Rome.

At AluK, he will be linking with the R&D, technical and marketing teams and talking and listening to customers about how AluK can continue to improve its product offering.

Luigi is delighted to be on board: “I’m already working hard analysing and reviewing the AluK products and I’m really looking forward to getting out to visit customers and hearing what they think.

“It’s great to be joining a team where there is such an obvious commitment to supporting customers and where the priority is continual improvement. We want AluK to be the first-choice aluminium systems house in the UK and we’re doing everything we can to achieve that.”

https://uk.aluk.com/

Gareth Jones Appointed As Managing Director Of Solar Group (Huthwaite)

Respected industry figure Gareth Jones has been appointed Managing Director of the Solar Group’s Huthwaite based operation, officially taking up his new role from 3rd November. Gareth, who has over 25 years in the industry, will bring his considerable experience to the Group, further strengthening its position and laying the foundations for the future.

The Solar Group’s Huthwaite operation comprises of three businesses, each of which are separate trading entities: Solar Calibre Doors Ltd, Solar Norvik Ltd and Taylor Manufacturing. Collectively the businesses employ over 100 people across sites in Huthwaite and Barnsley, supported by an extensive supply chain. is an extremely exciting time for Solar Group. There is huge potential for our businesses, all of which have maintained quality and supply throughout a very challenging period for the industry. We are in a great position because of our ‘strength in numbers’ – we have a committed supply chain, a reliable manufacturing route and offer an efficient service, all of which is critical for our customers particularly given the current market conditions.

“It is now time to develop our offer as we approach 2022. There is lots of work to be done but we have the capacity and the capability, so are looking forward to an active, engaging year ahead.”

Window Supply Company Appoints Board Director To Head Up Sales In Scotland

Window and door manufacturer Window Supply Company (WSC) has promoted Fiona Rafferty to Sales Director Scotland, as it ramps up investment in Scotland and Northern England.

Fiona, previously head of sales, will work closely with the existing board to drive forward the company’s ambitious growth plans, develop the company’s sales strategies and oversea the expansion of their trade counter network.

Fiona holds more than 25 years’ experience in sales management. Previously as sales manager with a global travel group, thereafter, moving into the fenestration sector, and has been with Window Supply Company since their start up in March 2019. Since her appointment as head of sales in July 2020 sales have grown a staggering 83% year on year.

Window Supply Company CEO, Duncan Murray, says ‘Fiona’s appointment as sales director represents a pivotal time for the company. Fiona is a highly respected figure and brings a wealth of experience and success in leading sales teams and delivering results -therefore we know she is the right person to head up our Scottish sales operations. We are supporting Fiona with significant investment in our trade counter network. Plans are already underway to expand our network and add a further 12 new sales positions within the coming months’. windowsupplycompany.co.uk

Luminia Select Partner

Award Winning Windows & Doors to the Trade

Luminia Select Partner

LEAD TIMES FROM 15-DAYS

THE F82 LUMINIA ALUMINIUM BI-FOLD FROM EMPLAS

• Standard colours including Anthracite; White; Black; Anthracite on White; and Black on White in as little as 15-days • U-Values of 1.4W/m²K (double-glazed) and 0.9W/m²K (triple) • Ultra-slim and symmetrical sightlines • Contemporary hardware including patented flush ‘T’ handle • Fully tested to PAS24 and Part Q • Clip-on cill option

“Yale is known for its high standards, both for quality and certification – and these new additions to our already remarkable team will help us to exceed these expectations and deliver the best possible service we can for our customers.”

Stuart Costigan

Yale Strengthens Team With Three

New Appointments

Yale has announced the expansion of its skilled workforce thanks to the creation of three brand new roles within the business.

Stuart Costigan has been appointed as head of product management for both door and window hardware. Stuart brings a wealth of industry experience and knowledge having already launched various successful door and window products during his past roles.

George Minion joins Yale as a project leader. He will work as part of the technical team at the Centre of Excellence for Window Products in Cheltenham, where he will assist in the running New Product Introduction (NPI) projects. George joins the team from an industry-based test lab and brings with him a wealth of knowledge on products, testing, and industry standards.

And finally, Leigh Bosley joins Yale as a key account manager. In his new role Leigh will be responsible for developing relationships with the company’s strategic distribution.

Managing director, Paul Atkinson, comments: “It’s fantastic to be starting 2022 with a strengthened team. All three of these appointments are brand new roles which have been created to support our growing business.

George Minion

Annabel Mantel Joins

Brisant-Secure As Finance Director

Annabel Mantel has joined Brisant-Secure as the finance director. Brisant gained investment from the British Growth Fund earlier in 2021, which was to support ambitious long-term growth plans and enable further innovations.

Nick Dutton, CEO of Brisant-Secure said, “Annabel is the perfect person to enable Brisant to forge ahead with measured growth, ensuring customers and suppliers continue to receive exceptional service. Her mixture of finance and commercial skills are a perfect match for the business at this point in time.”

Annabel comes to Brisant from a varied background in finance. She started at Ernst and Young and trained in audit, before moving to work in financial services, spending ten years with GE Capital and Santander. In 2016 she left to set up her own consultancy working for small and medium sized enterprises. She comes to Brisant from Casselllie.

Annabel said she was attracted to work with Brisant because, “It’s a good bunch of people; Steve and Nick have built a team that want to stay with the business long term. That’s an attraction. It’s the people that you work with and spend every day with that are the most important; and everyone here is pulling in the same direction.”

Brisant is keen to continue to grow, adding additional innovative products that will work well for their customer base. Annabel added, “Brisant is doing phenomenally well and managed to secure investment from BGF. It feels like I am on familiar ground. It’s a nice culture and a business that fundamentally works and has lots of opportunity to grow.”

The team at Brisant are delighted to welcome Annabel.

SupaLite Promotes Wes Clarkson To Sales Director

Conservatory roof manufacturer SupaLite has announced Wes Clarkson has been promoted to the role of sales director.

The directorship comes three years after Wes joined the business from Padiham Glass, the IGU manufacturer that he ran with his brother Antony and sold to Emplas in 2019. Wes has played an instrumental role in Supalite’s success over the past few years, making the move from commercial manager to sales director a no brainer for managing director Steve Hacking.

Steve comments: “Wes has over 20 years’ experience in the conservatory sector and he’s been a great asset to the team since joining us three years ago. We’re planning to scale up the business over the next few years and having Wes in this new role is a key part of our plans.

“He’s really hit the ground running as sales director and can’t wait to see how he’ll help take the business to new heights in this new role.”

Commenting on his promotion, Wes said: “Over the last few years, I’ve worked closely alongside our busy sales team, living the customer-first ethos to maintain strong relationships with our existing trade partners and creating partnerships with new customers.

“Despite the recent challenges we’ve faced, the organisation has gone from strength to strength. We’ve got lots of things in the pipeline for next year, including introducing new products and software innovations. We’ll also be working hard to maintain our 7 to 10-day lead time.” www.supaliteroof.co.uk