Having a close relationship with your suppliers is just as important as finding the right products for your portfolio, according to a leading window installation company.

Tamworth-based Bradley Scott Windows has been a Listers customer for almost a decade, and benefits from a wide range of high-end products that include the Sheerline aluminium range, the Residence Collection, and the authentic PVC-U flush alternative to the Timeless range.

According to managing director, Andy Farrington, beating down suppliers on price, and not realising the wider benefits that they can bring to your business, can do more harm to your company.

“I’ve known Listers’ MD Roy Frost for more years than I care to remember,” Andy said. “He genuinely looks after his customers and he brings a lot more to the table than windows and doors.

“In particular, during the Covid pandemic, Roy was very proactive, and he put us in touch with a lot of people – such as the chief executive of Certass – who were able to give us excellent advice on how to run our business.”

Andy explained that while he keeps his finger on the pulse by reading the trade press, customer days hosted by the multi-site trade fabricator have directly contributed to creating and maintaining an effective dialogue with his own customers.

“I attended a recent customer day that Listers hosted at Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium, and I was able to take expert technical advice – straight from the horse’s mouth – back to my customers about changes to the Building Regulations,” he said. “This made a real difference to how we sold our products, and how we presented ourselves as a professional company.

“This is supported by ongoing professional marketing support from Listers, which further lifts the professionalism of our business and helps us to continue to win business from our customers, who are typically 45+ and in the market for high-end products.”

On this point, Listers’ product range offers Andy everything his customers wants, he said. “I’m loving the Sheerline bi-fold door at the moment,” Andy said. “It is such a unique offering with the clip-in bead and slimline sash. We’ve been fitting it for a few months now, and the customer feedback has been excellent, especially with the door’s smooth operation.

“Also, my fitters absolutely love it because it is so easy to install, and much quicker than other bi-folding doors.”

Andy admits that the product offering at Listers is a good foundation for Bradley Scott Windows, but a broader partnership between the two companies offers so much more.

“I’ve got three fitting teams I need to keep busy,” he said. “I can’t guarantee that if I my relationship with my suppliers isn’t secure. I like to think Bradley Scott works with Listers, rather than just buys products from them. We are definitely a partnership.”