Nominated for three industry awards, Quickslide is entering the year’s end on a high. But what’s the takeaway for installers here? Why should your fabricator’s awards, audits and accolades matter to your business?
We’re an award-winning fabricator with award-winning products and services,” says Quickslide’s managing director, Ben Weber. “But it is being finalists in three different categories across the spectrum of our business that feels really special this year.
“They show recognition by our peers for all those things that are most important to us and to our customers – our products, our services and our quality manufacturing. Plus, the icing on the cake, we’ve just scored a perfect mark in our recent audits for both PVC-U and aluminium with perfect scores.
“It means Quickslide has once again been awarded the QCC mark, demonstrating continued compliance for PAS 24 security and BS EN 14351-1 windows and doors standards on all PVC-U products, as well as certification that all aluminium products meet the same standards and compliance for the UKCA mark.
“The results reinforce our strong reputation for quality and compliance, something which is crucial to our trade partners and customers,” continues Ben. “What particularly impressed the auditors was our commitment to continuous improvement and the adoption of new technology, such as our new cutting centre and scan stations, which represent over £1.7m worth of investment to establish what is now an integral part of our VS production.
“It’s also enabled us to automate the recording of relevant compliance information such as weld strength tests rather than relying on someone to manually check and record the information. Our operators can’t actually continue the production process unless this is done, which means that compliance and quality are built in.”
It is this continuous programme of investment in production and product R&D that culminated in the arrival of the enhanced Legacy VS that debuted at the FIT Show last year. The sliding sash has enjoyed a steady growth in popularity since then and is a finalist for Build It’s best window award this year.
Legacy is Quickslide’s most authentic looking sliding sash yet, with its timber-look slim midrail, run-through sash horns and 90° mechanical joints. It’s also its most energy efficient, with a 1.2 U-value option that sets new standards for sliding sashes.
Ben says: “Having our Legacy sliding sash windows shortlisted for the Build It awards is the seal of approval from the experts in self-build and renovation – some of our core customer groups, who use Legacy time and again on their projects. Coupling classic heritage styling with unbeatable technical performance, Legacy means our trade partners can now offer their customers the best in aesthetics and performance, and is the go-to sliding sash window for any conservation, renovation or new-build project.”
Customer care
Legacy VS is supported with the Legacy On-Screen marketing tool, which integrates with Quickslide’s trade partners’ websites to present the sash windows to potential customers. It’s an example of Quickslide’s proactive customer service for partners, and one that has earned the fabricator a place as a finalist in the customer care initiative of the year category in the G24 Awards.
“The G Awards celebrate the glazing industry’s innovation and excellence,” says Ben, “and the customer care category recognises the extra mile we go to support our partners with innovative top-tier marketing solutions.
“Closer to home, we’re also very proud to be finalists for Business for Calderdale’s manufacturer of the year award. We’re a national business with strong local roots, and above all else, it’s our people that are our greatest asset.
“And we know our trade partners feel the same about their business and staff. That’s why we make it our business to do all we can to support them in the products we offer, the service we provide and the quality assurances we can guarantee.”
