PWS
Expands National Sales Force
In response to ongoing sales growth and continued expansion, PWS has strengthened its external sales team with the appointment of Chris Whitecross as Northern Regional Sales Manager. Chris has extensive sales experience, most recently gained at Carron Phoenix and previously at Anheuser Busch.
David
MacArthur National Sales Manager at PWS comments: ‘We welcome Chris
to the team, his appointment underlines our commitment to our customers,
ensuring they are at the forefront of our minds in terms of product and
service.’
Web: http://www.pws.co.uk
tc
bathrooms,
the bathroom products distributor, has expanded its team of Area Sales
Managers with two new appointments. Stephen Frakes will look after the
North West region and Lee Atherage will be dedicated to North London and
the Northern Home Counties.
Stephen has been promoted from the sales department at tc bathrooms, where
he showed considerable skill and enthusiasm dealing with all areas of
customer needs. Lee has worked for five years as Branch Manager for Plumb
Center in Stamford, Lincolnshire, before taking up the challenge of working
in field sales for tc bathrooms.
Stephen
Frakes (left) and Lee Atherage
With
experience both in retail sales and on the supply side, Stephen is looking
forward to the challenge of expanding tc’s existing accounts in the
North West region. Based in Huddersfield, Stephen grew up in Manchester
and worked for a number of years in retail sales for a bathroom products
company in Oldham.
Lee, who lives in Peterborough, has extensive experience of working in
bathroom retail, which he feels gives him a strong understanding of customers
needs within the merchants and independent retail sector.
Now as Area Sales Managers, Stephen and Lee’s roles will involve
expanding tc bathroom’s business with customers in their regions,
including demonstrated the company’s new ranges within its 2007/8
catalogue.
Sales Director Steve Parkinson explains: 'Our business is growing rapidly
as retailers and merchants recognize the quality of our products and the
exceptional service we provide. We have a great story to tell at the moment
with our exciting new additions to our showers, bathroom furniture and
taps ranges. We have seen huge growth in recent years as customers are
recognising the high quality of our products and how they help them maximise
their sales and increase their margins.'
tc bathrooms has seen phenomenal growth of its business in the past five
years with independent bathroom retailers and builders merchants. The
company, which is based in West Yorkshire, now offers one of the most
extensive collections of high quality baths, brassware, showers, mirrors
and accessories in the UK through a national network of merchants and
independent retailers.
For more information or to receive a copy of the tc bathrooms catalogue,
contact the sales department on 01924 845 000 or visit the website http://www.tc-bathrooms.co.uk.
Roman
Appoints New Contracts Manager
Roman, the UK shower manufacturer, has appointed Rob Evans as Contracts Manager for the South East. Rob Evans joins a team of 5 who look after contract work with; house builders, hotels and local authorities.
Rob
brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked as a Sales Manager
in Europe and the US. In his most recent role, Rob worked as a Business
Development Manager for a manufacturer of roof line products which were
supplied within the UK and to European developers.
Rob comments of his new role; 'I am thrilled to be working for a company
like Roman. It is a well known brand that I have heard extremely positive
things about. I am now just looking forward to getting out on the road
and meeting my new customers.'
Tel: 0845 0522 445
Email: brochures@roman-showers.com
Web: http://www.roman-showers.com
Merlyn
Expansion Continues with New Appointment
To
date 2007 has been a fantastic year for Merlyn
Industries UK ltd - with the company enjoying record growth.
As a result of the increasing interest in the Merlyn product range a decision
has been made to further develop the sales operation with the appointment
of Mike Walker. Mike will be responsible for the key Midland Territory.
Mike joins Merlyn with over 16 years experience of the UK Bathroom Industry.
Mike has enjoyed considerable career success with, among other companies,
Jacuzzi and Metropolitan. Mike's decision to join Merlyn is based on its
growth and the company’s approach to market.
Mike comments, ‘The UK shower enclosure market remains very competitive
and continued product innovation is vital. Merlyn is one of the most proactive
enclosure companies in the UK. I have watched Merlyn with interest (and
some envy!) and I am delighted to have the opportunity to join the company.’
Merlyn's UK MD Dana Davies says, ‘We know the Merlyn product range
is superb but we also believe our continued success must, in no small
way, be attributed to our great team and excellent customer service. Mike
has already demonstrated his commitment to exceeding our expectations
on all levels and we look forward to working with him. This is a truly
exciting time for our company and we relish the challenges the next six
months will bring.’
Mike is a father of four and still finds time to train his local under
12's football team!
Tel: 00353 5677 91555
Web: http://www.merlynbathrooms.com
Utopia has significantly strengthened its UK sales team with the addition of several high calibre industry professionals. There have been five new additions to the team of eight Areas Sales Managers covering the UK.
Left
to right, Dave Cooper, Mark Riddell, Kevin Brown, Robin Hughes, Andy Card,
Tony Green, Paul Taylor, Mark Blamires
Ladies, left to right, Katherine Joliffe, Karen Garnett, Debra Walne
The
new personnel include Mark Riddell, Area Sales Manager for Scotland &
Northern Ireland, who has over 17 years' experience in the bathroom industry;
Debra Walne, Area Sales Manager for the North West, who brings with her
over 20 years' experience in the industry; Paul Taylor, Area Sales Manager
for the West Midlands & Wales, who has spent over 35 years in various
sales roles focusing on this region; Andy Card, Area Sales Manager for
the Eastern region, who has worked in the bathroom and kitchen industry
for the last 16 years, and Karen Garnett, Area Sales Manager for the London
area, who has 18 years' experience in the industry.
The new additions join existing Area Sales Managers Katherine Joliffe
(North East), Dave Cooper (South West) and Robin Hughes (South East).
In addition, Mark Blamires joins Utopia as Contract Sales Manager with
responsibility for specification and contract work with particular emphasis
on private developer accounts. Mark will work alongside fellow Contract
Sales Manager Tony Green, who joined Utopia in 2002. Finally, Kevin Brown
has joined the team as Trade Sector Sales Manager, bringing with him over
nine years of industry experience.
Web: http://www.utopiagroup.com
Crabtree
Kitchens in Bristol Appoints a New Kitchen Designer
Crabtree Kitchens has appointed Zoe Wilkins in the position of kitchen designer at the company's Bristol showroom – where Crabtree also has its workshops.
Zoe’s
experience has been until recently for another family run business in
Somerset where she was designing bathrooms and kitchens. Working for Crabtree
she will be involved in developing and expanding the local market in Bristol
and will be using her skills in both product design and innovation.
Zoe will be working closely with Crabtree’s discerning clientele
and will be using her outstanding design skills to create individually
designed bespoke kitchens.
Web: http://www.crabtreekitchens.co.uk
Coram
Appoints Acora Sales Manager
Coram
Showers has appointed Stephen Plant to the newly created position
of retail and distribution sales manager for its recently launched, flagship
retail range, Acora.
Stephen has over 20 years experience in the bathroom manufacturing industry,
including national sales roles in both the trade and retail markets. Having
worked at Coram for six years, this new appointment gives Stephen the
opportunity to utilise his extensive knowledge of the retail sector and
drive forward sales of Acora's enclosure and bath screen designs across
the UK.
Speaking on the new Acora range, Stephen Plant commented: ‘Coram
has been designing and manufacturing market leading enclosures, trays
and bath screens to meet the very specific needs of the UK trade for many
years, so transferring the company's advanced manufacturing capability
and technological expertise to a retail range has been a natural progression.
‘The Acora range has been designed to combine the contemporary styling
and luxurious finish that consumers expect, with the quality, durability,
ease of installation and watertight performance that interior designers,
architects and retailers expect. The result is a range of elegant, high
performance, professional products that set a new standard for the retail
market.’
There are six contemporary enclosure designs in the Acora range, which
include the Bow front, the Walk-in, the Crescent, the Frameless Hinged
door, the Pentagon and the Bi-fold. Designed to offer a spacious and luxurious
showering experience, each of these stylish enclosures is manufactured
using safety glass, the edges of which are rounded and polished.
The Acora range also offers two durable, easy clean shower tray options,
the slim-line shower tray and the standard Waterguard shower tray. The
combination of an Acora enclosure and tray provides a stylish, high performance
showering area, which is so effective at preventing leaks that Coram offers
a watertight lifetime guarantee.
In addition to the enclosures and trays, the Acora range includes a selection
of completely leak free bath screens, which are manufactured using toughened
safety glass and are available in a chrome finish. The range includes
the Sail shape screen, the Folding screen, the Square screen and the Curved
screen.
Coram Showers specialises in the design and manufacture of shower enclosures,
shower pods, shower trays and bath screens. The company's current range
includes the Premier and Optima ranges of shower enclosures, Waterguard
Showertrays, a range of bath screens and the new retail range, Acora.
Designed for fast and easy installation, as well as watertight performance,
all Coram products are designed and manufactured at the company's Bridgnorth
factory in Shropshire and enclosures are power shower tested to BS 6340
against leakage.
Tel: 01746 766466
Vicki
Hitchins Appointed as New Marketing Coordinator at Merlyn
Merlyn
Industries UK Ltd
has announced the appointment of Vicki Hitchins to the position of Marketing
Coordinator.
Vicki brings valuable strategic marketing skills to this vital role. Vicki's
career to date has been focused on solutions based marketing. With her
friendly, collaborative style Vicki's client-centred background will be
key to the continued success of the UK team.
Dana
Davies, UK MD of Merlyn Industries says, ‘Vicki's unique marketing
experience, her eye for detail and exceptional communication skills are
a perfect fit for Merlyn and we look forward to working with her’.
Tel: 00353 567791555
Web: http://www.merlynbathrooms.com
New
Energy Set to Join Franke in the North
Franke
UK
has announced the appointment of Caroline Hardman as Northern Regional
Sales Manager.
Caroline has worked with Franke for three years, and has a wealth of experience
with the company whilst gaining excellent product knowledge through her
previous role as Sales Office Manager.
Caroline,
in addition to Justine Turner, the company's Regional Sales Manager for
the South, will report directly to Commercial Director, David Houghton.
Looking to the future Caroline comments, ‘I am delighted to take
on such a challenging role, as I know the product range well and have
already set up good relations with many of our customers.’ Duncan
Marr, Managing Director for Franke UK, adds ‘I am extremely pleased
to welcome Caroline to the external sales team as her infectious enthusiasm
and energy will be a great asset.’
For more information on Franke, please visit http://www.franke.co.uk
or call 0161 436 6280.
Victoria
& Albert Develops UK Sales Force
Freestanding
bath manufacturer Victoria & Albert Baths
has expanded its sales force with the recruitment of two additional Key
Account Managers. James Stickley (pictured left) is now servicing the
North East of England up to the Scottish boarder and Adam Thresher (pictured
right) the South West of England and South Wales. The development coincides
with the launch of the Amalfi, a new slipper bath from Victoria &
Albert that has been in high demand since it was first shown at EXPO this
May.
Both new starters bring a wealth of experience with them. Adam's last
position was with Ideal Standard concentrating on the exclusive side of
the business, where he was responsible for retail sales of Sottini and
Art & Design. James' background is in high-end Italian tiles with
SIRE and Ragno USA, managing key accounts in Europe, North America and
Canada.
Nick Portlock, Victoria & Albert Group Sales & Marketing Director
says, ‘Our new starters have got the passion and skills that it takes
to succeed in our industry. The whole team is totally focused on helping
dealers enhance their offering with our exclusive range of freestanding
baths - it's all about support.’
For more information about Victoria & Albert baths, visit http://www.vandabaths.com
or telephone 01952 221100.
Victoria
& Albert Recruits New Marketing Manager
Freestanding
bath manufacturer Victoria & Albert
has appointed Jonathan Carter as UK Marketing Manager. Based at the company's
worldwide headquarters in Telford, the new role comes at a time of high-growth
for Victoria & Albert, which in recent years has shown a steady move
upmarket with the launch of distinctive contemporary models all made from
QUARRYCAST, a rare volcanic limestone mixed with resin.
Carter's appointment follows a long relationship with Victoria & Albert
- for the past six years he has been account manager at matm, the Group's
UK creative agency.
Having delivered specialist PR and marketing for a number of bathroom
and kitchen brands, including Victoria & Albert, RAK Ceramics, Top
Rock and Ashley Bathrooms, this experience should prove highly relevant
in the new role.
Jonathan Carter, Victoria & Albert baths' UK marketing manager says
‘I've always been passionate about the V&A range of freestanding
baths, so in many ways this really is my dream job. With the launch of
our new Amalfi bath in full swing, expect to see lots more of the brand
over the next few months.’
For more information about Victoria & Albert baths, visit http://www.vandabaths.com
or telephone 01952 221100.
Utopia
Expands Marketing Department
In line with the company's expansion plans, Utopia has significantly enhanced its marketing department with the addition of Helen Bray as Marketing Manager and Katie Lees as Marketing Assistant.
Liz
Green, one of the original founders of Utopia, has now become Utopia's
Marketing Director with responsibility for this busy department. Liz comments,
‘Reflecting the importance we place on the marketing function, we
have expanded the department and are pleased to introduce the two new
team members. We now have a really strong team in place to take the company
forward to the next stage.’
Helen, a Business Economics graduate, has over 10 years' experience in
the bathroom industry gained with Jacuzzi UK, formerly the Spring Ram
Corporation, where she worked on such brands as Vernon Tutbury, B.C. Sanitan
and Jacuzzi.
Katie Lees is a recent graduate in Business Studies and, as part of her
degree, spent over a year on placement with Yale UK as Assistant Brand
Manager.
In addition to the new recruits, Sam Ball completes the team as Marketing
Services Executive. Sam has been with the company for the last six years
and holds a degree in textile design.
Web: http://www.utopiagroup.com
New
Financial Director for William Ball
William
Ball has announced the appointment of Gavin Abel as Financial
Director. Gavin has been with the company for one year, during which time,
he has held the position of Financial Controller.
Gavin has made an invaluable contribution to the management of the Grays-based
fitted furniture manufacturer and this has been recognised with his promotion
as Financial Director.
Gavin's increased responsibilities will include the management of William
Ball's contracts administration which over the coming months, will play
an increasingly important part of the company's strategy for sales growth.
Web: http://www.wball.co.uk
Please
Welcome Lorne Talbot - Bristan's New Area Specification Manager Domestic
for the Southwest of England . . .
Bristan has secured the services of Lorne Talbot, who has an impressive 20 year's experience within bathroom sales. Armitage Shanks, Twyfords, Davroc, Lefroy Brooks, Laufen and Vitra are just some of the big names that have enjoyed the expert sales skills of Lorne over the past 20 years, and now she is set to further expand Bristan's success story in the Southwest within her new role of Area Specification Manager Domestic.
‘We
are incredibly impressed with Lorne's experience and have great confidence
in her abilities. Looking forward, we can't think of a better person to
help expand our business in the important Southwest region and we wish
her every success,’ says Judith Gibbons, Head of Marketing for The
Bristan Group.
For more information/stockists call Bristan on 0844 7016271, http://www.bristan.com
Bristan has announced the appointment of Dale Marshall as its new Area Sales Manager for South and West Yorkshire.
As
part of on-going improvements and enhancements to its sales team and overall
customer service, Bristan has announced the appointment of Dale Marshall
in the role of Area Sales Manager. Helping Bristan to respond to the needs
of its growing nationwide customer-base, Dale will be responsible for
South and West Yorkshire and aims to build up new and existing relationships
to aid future growth of Bristan's business in this important area of the
country.
Armed with a degree in Management Studies and Marketing from Lincoln University,
Dale spent five years as a management trainee and then department manager
with Jackson Building Centres and a further three years as business development
manager for Henderson Garage Doors, where he covered 200 accounts and
had sole control over the company's Wolseley and Cemco's accounts.
For more information/stockists call Bristan on 0844 7016271, http://www.bristan.com