Continuous investment is key, after 10 years in the business, consort is still going strong

In contrast to many within the industry, Consort Ltd enjoyed a successful 2005. Sales & Marketing Director, Stuart Buchanan, says ‘Consort's success is largely due to our continuous investment in new machinery. We now produce a fully sculptured system and this can only be fabricated with the best machinery in a modern factory'.

Our investment will continue - to date we have invested over £3 million pounds in machinery and transport.

Focus on the Customer

Over the years, Consort has focused its attentions on providing the best customer service on offer. They have a dedicated customer service team with a department for windows, and a department for conservatories. The installer usually receives their quote for conservatories within 4 hours of sending a request.

A team of experienced customer coordinators work exclusively on helping customers with any problems they have with their orders.

Consort saves storage space at its works by taking deliveries from Veka every morning.

With a day and a night shift, the factory floor is laid out simply, with saws, welding and cleaning stations set up in lines to maximise efficiency in case of breakdowns.

Stuart first joined the company some 9 years ago from Profile 22. At that time, Consort produced only externally glazed windows with mechanical transoms and mullions. Years of implementing systems, fine tuning, investment, innovation and a turnaround time from order to delivery of just 5 days, have helped Consort to become one of the industry's few continued success stories, even in these difficult times.

‘The market place last year was a difficult environment. This year could be more of the same. Consort have recognised this and are producing sales aids and literature which will help our customers to sell to the end user'. The majority of our brochures are overprinted with our customer's logo'.

‘We have invested in a window and conservatory software programme which can be used to help our customers sell more product'.

Simple and Secure

All Consort products are BSI kitemarked and meet with the most stringent safety and security standard on the market - Secured by Design. The company is planning the manufacture of a vertical slider on site, as they feel this is an area of the market in which there is major potential for growth.

Stuart's key to running a successful business is by keeping things simple. All Consort profile is fully sculptured - windows match conservatories and doors. Stuart feels that customers want a product, well made and delivered on time.

Consort have a complete sales strategy with less emphasis on the window, more on the benefits of using a computer program sales aid to superimpose how the window or conservatory would look on the customer's home.

No Silver Bullet

Consort have recently finalised a new brochure template which can be branded for customers. The brochure features Consort artwork, but an installer's company name and details can be printed on. This is a free service provided by Consort to its highly valued customers.

‘The problem this industry has always had is converting leads to sales. There is no silver bullet for this' says Stuart. ‘If I knew of one, I'd have retired a rich man years ago. Due to the nature and cost of double glazing as a domestic improvement, the conversion rate is always going to be low. If we can do anything to help our customers sell our products in the market, we'll do it without hesitation'.

‘The main thrust from Consort will always be re-investment, making good product, on time, and most importantly, looking to our customers best interests'.