Conservatory Outlet grows retail network
Conservatory Outlet has welcomed two new companies to its retail network, Ayrshire’s RMC and Dundee-based installer Ecofit.
The Wakefield-based manufacturer now supplies to 29 retailers, with a presence in every postcode in Scotland.
The announcement was made by CEO, Greg Kane, during the firm’s annual ‘Network Celebration’ held at the iconic Esferic building in Barcelona’s Montjuic park.
The event included key stakeholders from the businesses that form the network, who joined together to celebrate achievements of the past year and discuss how to manage further supply chain pressures, energy price rises and fluctuating consumer demand.
They also learnt more about how Conservatory Outlet has invested £100,000 into a new academy to support staff with sales training and a raft of new measures being introduced to help facilitate growth, along with other initiatives and a look ahead at what’s in store over the next 12 months.
“Whilst many of our competitors took major casualties and lost many clients during the last two years, we’re been able to maintain all of our network – a fact we put down to the shared values of honesty, quality and innovation,” explained Greg.
“Not only have we remained intact, but Conservatory Outlet has strengthened its coverage in key strategic areas with the arrival of two of Scotland’s finest home improvement specialists in RMC and Ecofit.
“This takes us to 29 companies, with another new member set to be announced shortly.”
He continued: “I don’t think we’ve ever had two years like we’ve just seen, moving from the issues surrounding COVID-19 to supply chain disruption and, this year, massive price rises. Throughout this, our focus has remained on delivering new solutions, products and initiatives to drive leads for our retailers.
“Our marketing team, working with DigitalKOG, is helping members with new website content, social media, digital and in-person campaigns to make searching and purchasing the right options a lot easier.”
The Conservatory Outlet Gala Dinner was used to recognise some of the achievements of its members, with West Yorkshire Windows (WYW) celebrating 15 years in the network and Amber Home Improvements, Premier Windows and Conservatories and Mitchell Glass all marking their 10-year anniversaries.
Wycombe-based Hazlemere took two titles (Best New Living Space and Most Complex Design Installation), 5 Star the Best Window and Door Installation accolade and Archie Dootson of WYW taking the Apprentice of the Year award.
There was also time to highlight Trevor Malia as the Network’s ‘Unsung Hero’. He joined James Oliver Conservatories as an apprentice and now, 30 years on, leads a conservatory fitting team that works on all the company’s flagship and high-value projects.
Karen Clough, marketing director, went on to add: “Barcelona has been a fantastic trip and underlined the superb community and family spirit we have in the network.
“This was none more evident when eight of us – Joey Heaton (TWC), Stewart Kelly (Eden), Mervyn & Lindsey Stanley (ERG) and Paul Reid, Garry Myles and Sarah Boyle (all Ecofit) – decided to skydive from a plane at 10,000m. Together, we managed to raise more than £2,700 for the NSPCC and a further £900 for Prospect House in Swindon. It was a brilliant opportunity for the Network to come together and show support for some fantastic charities.”