Here are some examples of our latest national press coverage
Sierra takes the headache out of fabrication
In an increasingly competitive and tough market, sizable savings can be made by buying in frames rather than manufacturing them yourself. Sierra Windows, the original super fabricator, has calculated a one off saving of £19,400 and a further annual saving of around £69,200, for a fabricator producing 100 frames a week, that can be re-invested to help focus on the retail side of the business.
The headache of machinery breakdowns, staffing problems, quality issues and fluctuating order books will disappear if you choose Sierra Windows to supply your frames. You can be sure of high quality products, made to recognised manufacturing standards, complying with the latest building regulations and carrying all the relevant accreditations. Every cost is fixed, so you will know exactly what you will be paying. What’s more you will benefit from significantly reduced overheads. Your orders will be delivered regularly, at a time you can set watch by. And we offer a market-leading marketing and sales support package tailored to suit your individual requirements.
Sierra has produced a ‘Stop Fabricating’ pack with helpful advice on assessing the real cost of manufacturing and how to tackle the change-over from manufacturing. Without the worry of production problems, you can turn your attention to growing your business, concentrating on generating and following up leads, and you may even find yourself with more free time to enjoy!
New sculptured suite from Sierra
Sierra Windows has introduced ‘Classical’, a fully sculptured 70mm suite that looks as good as traditional timber and with all the benefits of PVC-U.
Recognising the opportunities that an attractive decorative sash presents to installers, Sierra’s technical development team has worked hard to produce a profile that is as aesthetically pleasing up close as it is from a distance. The elegant curves and discreet sightlines of ‘Classical’ make it ideal for all applications.
Like Sierra’s other product ranges, ‘Classical’ is available in Rosewood and Antique Oak as well as white and the extensive choice of styles includes tilt and turn, casement windows and doors. It is a 70mm system featuring pre-applied gasket and click-fit beading making it exceptionally quick and easy to install. In addition, the four-chambered profile easily achieves a U-value of 1.8 W/m2k.
National Sales Manager for Sierra, Paul Tranter, explains the reasoning behind the timely introduction of ‘Classical’: “We have launched this sculptured suite to give our customers more ammunition to help them to close sales, particularly during the current difficult economic climate. The product will be supported by a collection of brand new marketing literature, including POS stickers and posters and retail brochures.
“We really believe that ‘Classical’ is the shape of things to come, and is another example of how Sierra Windows is constantly progressing in order to give our customers one of the most comprehensive collection of low-maintenance building products on the market today.”
Service, service and more service.
We all know it’s a difficult market right now, and that some fabricators are lowering prices to almost non-existent margins to try and attract business and keep their factories busy. This can’t help but have an impact on the level of service they are offering their customers. Paul Tranter, National Sales Manager for Sierra Windows, discusses why rock bottom prices are not necessarily as attractive to installers as the benefits of a comprehensive support package.
In our experience, most installers don’t just want lower prices or cheapest quality products to compete in the market place. They need to be able to keep their promises to homeowners and establish a good reputation locally. If they have the right backing from their fabricator, they know they are less likely to let their customers down, and that good service given now will pay dividends in the future, when that same customer tells their friends who installed their windows, decides to further improve their property or moves to another.
With everyone in the same boat during the present economic climate, it is important for an installer to be able to differentiate his offer, to stand head and shoulders above his competitors. To do this, he needs to have confidence in the quality of product he is offering, know that he can present to his customers in a really professional way and then carry out a first class installation, with the promise of an immediate and comprehensive after-sales service.
This may sound expensive and time consuming, but it doesn’t need to be. Some fabricators offer all these services to their customers as a matter of course. They understand that a holistic approach to their relationship with installers will be mutually beneficial, and offer assistance across all areas of business, from accurate ordering and prompt deliveries to marketing and technical support.
Excellent service as standard
- If you call your supplier, can you be sure of talking to a dedicated sales coordinator, fully trained to handle your requirements with complete accuracy and with extensive technical knowledge of the entire product range?
- Can you order windows, doors, conservatories, hardware and glazing from the same supplier? And do you have various styles and finishes to choose from?
- Is your fabricator’s ordering procedure straight forward enough to ensure they have all the information needed regarding design, quantity, glazing, measurements without the need for further calls?
- Is your order double checked and verified to ensure complete accuracy before an acknowledgement is sent to you?
- Can your supplier offer accurate and efficient scheduling to ensure your order is delivered on time and in full, just when they say it will?
If you answer ‘yes’ to all these, and take that kind of service for granted, you probably already have a dependable and reliable fabricator, and understand the importance of having your calls and orders dealt with efficiently and quickly. If you have answered ‘no’ to any questions, maybe it’s time to look around for a supplier who can give you more.
Great supporting cast
An account manager can be so much more than just the company’s ‘front man’. With a professional team behind him he can help to develop an installer’s business in a manageable way and provide a wealth of marketing and technical support.
A thorough examination will help clarify the strengths and weaknesses of the operation, determine major competitors and establish what opportunities there may be to expand and grow. From this starting point, a plan of action can be drawn up, taking into consideration both short and long term goals. This may be as simple as sustaining and increasing margins whilst growing the customer base and working at retaining existing customers. Or it could mean a major overhaul of the business, such as pulling out of fabrication and retraining staff to focus on retail business. This could involve converting factory space into a smart new showroom, with the assistance of marketing professionals.
Business development goes hand in glove with a smart, targeted marketing strategy. To ensure a return on investment of both time and resources, bespoke items, tailored to the exact needs of the installer, will make them stand out from the crowd and promote themselves in the area. This might include a full range of retail literature, specially designed direct mail items, showroom and point of sale display material, presentation aids and assistance with advertising, promotions and public relations support. |
