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There have been many positive and negative, happy and sad articles and reports over the last 6 months or so as the whole world got to grips with the devastating effects of a global pandemic. Selecta Systems Sales Director, Andy Green, speaks about how Selecta have coped during this time as they become one of the industries success stories of this extraordinary year as they see exceptional demand for products soar to record levels.
What a strange year 2020 has been! We started the year with optimism and confidence on the back of an excellent 2019, where 46 new fabricators were converted to or started fabricating our Advance 70 System. In January we saw a 25% increase on 2019 figures, with February and March producing similar increases in sales on the previous year. We were then to shut down for a total of 6 weeks, as the majority of our industry did too, at the end of March before a phased return to work began on the 11th May.
I duly believe that there’s not a single person in our industry who could have predicted, planned for or been able to forecast events prior to or post lockdown. Demand from an increased number of at home on-line shoppers certainly caught everyone within our industry by surprise as the home improvement market boomed. With orders stacking up, Selecta returned to work with demand for our products at a level never seen before. Within a couple of weeks everyone was safely inducted back to work from furlough and working at full speed.
Whilst handling that initial demand was logistically tough, as it pushed production, supply and transport to its limits, it did however allow ourselves to bring forward and fast-track our planned programme for growth. Plans were already in place for expansion and investment with another 27 small, medium and large fabricators already converting to our Advance 70 System so far during 2020.
The sales surge from existing customers and the recent influx of new customers joining Selecta, saw sales increase by almost 50% in June, 42% in July and 36% in August, compared with the same periods for 2019. At the time of writing, September is showing no sign of slowing down either! We are currently forecasting a sales increase of between 40 and 45% for September compared with 2019 figures. To keep up with this demand and increase our capacity further, we have added extra shifts to our warehouse, distribution and profile foiling departments. Coloured profiles are now contributing to approximately 50% of all profile sales and continue to grow. We have also increased the delivery capabilities and capacity of our fleet of HGV delivery vehicles to ensure that transportation of our goods remains efficient and effective. A recruitment drive has also seen our staffing levels increase by 9.5%, with further plans to increase resources within other areas of the business over the coming few months.
Lead times across the industry supply chain have primarily been affected by the home improvement boom, where there has been a lot of talk regarding this circulating within the industry press. Selecta have experienced similar issues to many others across the window and door supply chain. In fact, we’ve just been informed that raw material supplies and coloured profile foil may be affected by the recent high demand, with no ‘extra’ deliveries outside of any arranged purchases and possible outages of Anthracite Grey foil stock widely predicted. These are issues that are going to affect the whole supply chain as the suppliers of these materials are commonly used by the majority of the industry supply chain. Being up front and honest in explaining these potential issues is of major importance at the moment, to help each other plan and move forward together.
We have continued to be transparent and up-front with our customer base with longer lead times for certain products than previous, hence the growth plan investments being brought forward backed up by the tremendous hard work and dedication of the Selecta team. However, there are times where the best laid out plans cannot alleviate conditions outside of our own control.
Personally, I would like to thank all our customers for their patience, understanding and co-operation during these times of exponential growth. Their response to the current situation has been endearing and they have shown a tremendous amount of compassion and support. Similar thanks go to our team here at Selecta, with many going above and beyond to ensure that we continue to build and maintain excellent relationships with new and existing customers. We are in a very fortunate position to be experiencing the higher volumes than expected, but that also has a lot to do with the quality of our products and the conscientious, meticulous and hardworking nature of the team here at Selecta. We were experiencing excellent growth prior to the lockdown and the home improvement boom and so to hit the levels we are currently at is exceptionally pleasing, at a time, where we hear so much negativity from the mainstream media.
Moving forward we have further exciting expansion and growth plans afoot to build upon and extend our production and storage capacity and capabilities. I’m sure we are not the only one who’s, as the saying goes, ‘making hay whilst the sun shines’, but we all still need to be cautious as we move in to 2021. I’m confident that whatever 2021 throws at our industry, that Selecta have a business model and structure that provides long-term stability and continuity, mostly owing to independent ownership and a business model that ensures that. We are looking beyond what is looking like being an exceptional and unpredicted 2020, whilst prudently having one eye on how the industry will develop.
As we all begin to get back to work, in what has been frequently described as unprecedented circumstances and exceptional times, Selecta Systems Sales Director, Andy Green, talks directly and openly on how Selecta have dealt with the whole situation, getting back to work and his thoughts on opportunities moving forward.
Selecta began the year with enthusiasm and excitement, having converted 46 fabricators of all sizes in 2019 and a further 12 switching to the Advance 70 System in the first three months of this year. January saw Selecta 25% up on the previous year, with February returning similar figures and March looking resoundingly impressive too. We were certainly looking forward with great optimism and there was a buoyant and confident mood amongst the team as we looked to improve on what was an already excellent 2019.
In February, I was in Tenerife as the Coronavirus outbreak hit a hotel not too far away from where I was staying, and I saw the panic and hysteria first-hand during the return flight back to the UK. No one could truly envisage the devastation and true effect of Coronavirus as it started to spread across the world. Selecta had already commenced introducing a series of workplace precautions and initiatives to protect staff and customers, prior to the government’s announcement at the end of March to officially go into lockdown.
As of 26th March there was an eerie silence at our Birmingham extrusion and distribution centre as extrusion machines were turned off, our fleet of lorries parked up and staff sent home as we closed all operations for what was to be an initial 3 weeks. It was at this point that a lot of people heard the word furlough for the first time, and it gave businesses an opportunity to temporarily shut down and secure their immediate future and the employment of staff. Our whole industry seemed to come together, temporarily closing down and coming to a standstill in just a matter of days.
In turned out that we were to shutdown for a total of 6 weeks before the government announced a new set of guidelines to encourage businesses within our industry to open safely. We re-opened our doors on Monday 11th May, initially with skeleton staff, as we prepared to introduce a series of workplace precautions and hygiene controls to allow further staff to return with a phased programme to full capacity. Upon our return, the response from customers has been immense as we began with a record volume of orders as the team worked tirelessly together to meet customers’ demands. I would like to personally thank every customer for their co-operation, understanding and patience during what has been a difficult time for everyone.
Our business structure has certainly allowed ourselves to be far more flexible and accommodating, being able to go above and beyond where required and provide service and support which may not have been achievable by other window and door profile system suppliers. This, I believe, is what always sets us apart from the competition and forms a huge part of the business ethos.
Since re-opening we have had a phenomenal response from a host of fabricators wishing to switch their profile system to our Advance 70 Window and Door System, with no less than a dozen fabricators currently in the process of being or been converted. It certainly bodes well for the immediate future and continues to demonstrate the strong appeal of working with an experienced and renowned UK based and family owned systems company.
What we have witnessed during the lockdown is a home and garden improvement boom, with families keeping busy upgrading and improving their properties. You have only got to see the huge queues at your local DIY stores and refuse centres, combined with the difficulty of getting materials delivered, to comprehend the surge in home and garden improvements. If you’ve tried to get hold of some grey fence paint or some plaster, then you’ll know where I’m coming from!
With the upsurge in garden improvements, I’ve observed an increase in garden room, summer house and ‘man cave’ builds during the lockdown, with some waiting lists as long as 2-3 months. Also, with working from home increasing and the possibility of this becoming the norm for some, converting garden rooms in to offices can and has provided escapism and solitude for folk wishing to ‘get away’ from some of the trials and tribulations of working in their everyday family home!
We have fabricators whom supply this market and they have been inundated with work during this period. This can and has also presented new fabrication, supply, build and installation opportunities and an option for businesses to expand and diversify, with PVCu windows and doors being used more frequently within these builds. Our Vantage Holiday Home System and Advance 70 System are capable of being installed into these structures with the ability of installing into wall thicknesses between 38mm – 100mm. There are an array of Selecta PVCu window and door options available that provide consumers with the reassurance of added security and warmth to their garden builds as they take enormous pride and enjoyment from their projects.
With holidays being cancelled, coupled with the closure of a large amount of retail stores and hospitality venues, this seems to have freed up those extra funds that consumers are using to finance their home and garden improvements. There are and will continue to be opportunities out there if we actively seek them. It’s certainly not a time for burying our heads in the sand. We are currently in unknown territory.
The global pandemic and resulting country lock down is something that a majority of us have never experienced in our lifetime and for some there will be challenges ahead. We all need to build partnerships around us to tackle these potential challenges and be proactive and practical in our approach. There have already been casualties arising within our industry with rumours of more on the horizon. That’s why during these times of uncertainty you need trustworthiness, dependability and assurance from your window and door system and systems supplier. One that can provide long-term security, by helping you and your business and offering a complete, flexible and personal service and support package. We’re here and ready when you are.
SELECTA SYSTEMS LTD
As you are now aware, we are open for business and operating with skeleton staff. We are currently inducting staff back into the workplace as we continue our structured return to work programme and phased approach to returning to full capacity. This is to ensure that we can safely enable more staff to return to work and we therefore thank you for your patience and understanding during implementation.
ORDERING | DELIVERIES
Orders for delivery and collection will continue to be accepted via email or fax only as we work towards full delivery capacity and the re-opening of the trade counter. Please collate and send your full order requirements in the first instance i.e. no accompanying additional orders thereafter.
FOR DELIVERIES | Please place your orders as per your normal ordering route and by your allocated order day and time slot. Late orders will not be accepted. Orders can be placed via email on orders@selectasystems.com or via fax to 0121 366 6360
We can only accept BACS and CARD payments for both cash and account customers.
TRADE COUNTER | COLLECTIONS
The trade counter will re-open on Monday 1st June 2020 for orders and collections. A series of workplace precautions and social distancing measures will be in place. We will only accept BACS or CARD payments for orders. Cash will not be accepted over the counter. Can we request that you place your orders in advance for collection by emailing tradecounter@selectasystems.com as this will speed up order processing time and alleviate waiting times.
Therefore, we kindly request for your patience and understanding and ask that you always respect the strict social distancing rules of 2m.
SPECIALIST DOORS
The specialist doors department will re-open with skeleton staff on Tuesday 26th May 2020. We are now confident that we can safely re-introduce staff back into the department and continue production. Orders will be processed from this date and we kindly ask for you patience as we work towards full production capacity and delivery.
DELIVERY DRIVERS | TECHNICIANS | SALES REPRESENTATIVES
Drivers, technicians and sales representatives will be operating with strict social distancing, hygiene and health and safety procedures as the safety of staff and customers is of paramount importance to Selecta Systems. Therefore, we kindly ask that you always respect the strict social distancing rules of 2m.
LOOKING AHEAD
Selecta have been working meticulously, since re-opening on 11th May, to ensure that we can operate safely within the government guidelines, thus protecting our staff and customers. We are now closer to returning to full capacity and we sincerely thank you for your patience, co-operation and understanding.
Wishing you and your families good health. Stay safe.
Andy Green
Sales Director
SELECTA SYSTEMS LTD – Update: 12/05/2020 – 3:00pm
We are pleased to announce we are now open for business.
However, we are currently operating with skeleton staff and will be offering a reduced service whilst we look at a phased approach to fully re-opening.
This is to ensure that we can safely enable more staff to return to work as we look at returning to full capacity over the coming weeks.
We therefore request your patience and understanding during this difficult time for all.
ORDERING | DELIVERIES & COLLECTIONS
We are now accepting your orders, ready to return to your normal delivery schedule or for collection as from W/C 18th May 2020 (next week). The trade counter will remain closed until further notice.
FOR DELIVERIES | Please place your orders as per your normal ordering route and by your allocated order day and time slot. Late orders will not be accepted. Orders can be placed via email on orders@selectasystems.com or via fax to 0121 366 6360
FOR COLLECTIONS | Please place your orders via email to orders@selectasystems.com or via fax to 0121 366 6360. Payment will be required up front or as per your credit terms. Once confirmed, you will be allocated and advised of your collection day and allotted AM or PM slot.
ACCEPTING DELIVERIES
Your normal delivery schedule will commence as from W/C 18th May 2020 (next week).
Drivers will be operating with strict social distancing and hygiene procedures as the safety of staff and customers is of paramount importance to Selecta Systems. Therefore, we kindly ask that you always respect the strict social distancing rules of 2m.
MOVING FORWARD
For the remainder of this week and whilst we ensure that we can safely resume all operations, we kindly ask you to contact us via email on info@selectasystems.com for all your general enquires or orders@selectasystems.com for your order enquiries.
May we thank you for your patience, co-operation and understanding during this unprecedented and difficult time for all.
Wishing you and your families good health and stay safe.
Andy Green
Sales Director | Selecta Systems Ltd
UPDATE 11th May 2020 – 12:30pm
Following the latest Government advice, we are pleased to announce we are re-opening today, Monday 11th May 2020, initially with skeleton staff. We will be offering a reduced service whilst we look at a phased approach to fully re-opening.
A series of strict internal reviews are taking place over the coming days to ensure that we can safely resume all operations, with a planned approach to implementation in a series of stages. This is to ensure that we can safely enable more staff to return to work and so we ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time for all, as we look at returning to full capacity over the coming weeks.
We will be operating with strict social distancing and hygiene guidelines as the safety of staff and customers is of paramount importance to Selecta Systems. For the time being we kindly ask you to contact us via the following methods:
For all your general enquiries, please contact us via email on info@selectasystems.com
For all order enquiries, please contact us via email on orders@selectasystems.com
For further updates, please visit our website at www.selectasystems.com or follow us on our social media channels – Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook
We wish you and your families good health and stay safe.
Andy Green
Sales Director | Selecta Systems Ltd
Providing a first rate and continuously developing service and support package continues to be a prominent factor behind the continued success of Birmingham based PVCu window and door systems company, Selecta Systems. With Selecta not one to rest on their laurels, Marketing Manager Mark Walker explains the latest addition to the ever growing Selecta marketing support package.
When fabricators and installers convert to our Advance 70 Window and Door System, we ensure that we make the move smooth, effective and efficient, with very little disruption to the factory or fabrication. This same pragmatic approach is also applied when it comes to the businesses literature, marketing and promotional requirements.
Our marketing support package has grown considerably over the last couple of years, with a comprehensive suite of product brochures, sales and technical sheets and guides, for installers, specifiers and consumers. Further support is provided with a range of bespoke services from a free design service for logo’s, branding and brochures, which also includes flyers, drop cards and adverts to promote products and services.
Last year we launched Connect, our on-line customer support centre, which enables customers to access, download and order all of our marketing materials and technical information 24/7. The launch of Connect has been very well received by our customers, but from the outset our objective has always been to develop Connect in to an all-encompassing go to service and support portal for our customers.
As a business, we fully recognise and support the importance of not only ourselves having an on-line presence, but also our customers. It is now reported that 82% of consumers now use their smartphone to research a purchase they are about to make in a store. So, having an informative, up-to-date and user friendly website is key for customers and the generation leads. Many fail to appreciate that their website is an extension and representation of their business, a virtual shop window, and so needs to serve the purpose it is intended for, be easy on the eye, have relevant and informative content with simple navigation and call to actions.
What Selecta have done is remove the arduous and sometimes costly task of a website update or build, which may be presented to customers when moving profile systems. By teaming up with a leading industry specialist in web design and software, in the Glazing Vault, we are able to provide premium Selecta and Advance 70 based website themes, tailor made for our fabricator and installer customers business.
Our website themes are professionally designed and pre-filled with Selecta products, content and photography, whilst also allowing your own personalisation by incorporating your corporate brand, colour theme, personal information, social media links and contact details.
They are also designed and built using the latest technology with a stunning front end design to help you stand out from the crowd. We’ve made sure that your new website is fully equipped with a Content Management System (CMS), whilst being search engine friendly with email and Google Analytics all set-up and ready for your use. All our themes are mobile responsive and you can have your brand new website up and running on-line in just a few days. This website support package further demonstrates our commitment to supporting and servicing our continually growing customer base.
With a number of exciting product and customer support projects well underway we can only envisage that this will further enhance the appeal of working with the UK’s only independently and family owned PVCu systems company.
RICHARD BENT | 17 May 1956 – 14 July 2019
It is with great sadness that Selecta Systems announce the passing of our Technical Manager Richard Bent. After a short battle with illness, Richard passed away peacefully on Sunday 14th July 2019 with his family at his side.
Richard joined Selecta in 2005 as Technical Manager with many years of experience within the industry under his belt. Richard was predominantly office based and built up an excellent rapport with customers and staff with his friendly and approachable personality. His industry and technical knowledge recently enabled Selecta to develop and achieve PAS 24 on patio doors, whilst also being a major part of the team in helping to achieve SBD, PAS 24 and Document Q certification for a range of products.
Sales Director Andy Green led the tributes to the popular technical manager. “Richard was a well-liked and popular member of the team and we are deeply shocked and saddened by his sudden passing. We have lost an experienced and valuable member of the team. Our thoughts are with his wife, Ronnie and his family and friends at this sad and difficult time. Richard was part of the ‘family’…”
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Richard will be having a natural burial, which will take place on:
Wednesday 31st July 2019 at 11:00am
This will be held at:
Sun Rising Burial Ground
Lower Tysoe, Warwickshire
CV35 0DG
The dress code is smart and colourful. Richards family have respectfully asked for no flowers, but anyone wishing to donate Cancer Research UK can do so (see link below)
CELEBRATION OF RICHARDS LIFE
A celebration of Richards life will follow the funeral from 1:00pm onwards at:
Oak Tree – Generous George
Lickey Road, Rednal
Birmingham
B45 8UX
CANCER RESEARCH DONATIONS IN MEMORY OF RICHARD BENT
Selecta have set up a donation page to Cancer Research UK in memory of Richard. For those wishing to donate, please click on the link below:
Cancer Research UK – In Memory of Richard Bent
RICHARD BENT – TRIBUTES
Since the news of Richard’s passing, tributes have flooded in to Selecta from across the industry via telephone, email and social media, with the recognition of Richard being a kind and lovely man – a true gentleman. Selecta would like to extend our thanks for all the kind words received from everyone at this very sad and difficult time. Below are a small selection of those tributes to Richard.
“I am desperately sad to have read this. What an absolutely lovely man a pleasure to deal with. I can understand how the Selecta family must feel at this time and the wider customer base must be equally saddened. My thoughts are with his family at a difficult time. So sad.”
Graham Bailey | Managing Director | Business Micros
“Rest in peace Richard. Always a gentleman. Deepest condolences.”
Gareth Jones | Managing Director | Profine UK Ltd
“Incredibly sad news. Richard was a wonderfully experienced member of the team who provided me with great support when I first joined Rehau. Rest in peace, Richard.”
David Harmer | Senior Marketing Manager
“Very shocked and saddened to hear this – Richard was just one of those really nice people. Condolences to his family and colleagues.”
Wayne Hewlett | Technical Sales Support | VBH (GB) Ltd
“The Staff at Fair Oak Glass & Windows would like to pass their deepest sympathies to Richard’s Family at this time, Richard was a pivitol part of our relationship with Selecta systems and was always extremely helpful. The Industry has lost a true gentleman.”
Matthew Cooper | Fair Oak Glass
“Such sad news. Great guy and full of knowledge.”
Andy Bingham | 1st Choice Frames Blackburn
“Omg. spoke to him not long ago. What a lovley man, he always had a smile, and i had a laugh with him. My thoughts are with his family.”
Chris Rees
“Very sad to hear this news, Richard was a lovely man, our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Winlock Security Ltd
“Hi Guys, really sad news, Richard was a lovely man and will be missed…love to you all, Paul & Sarah still #partofthefamily “
Oak Lodge Doors
“Please pass on our condolences. Richard was a lovely, kind man. It was a complete shock to hear this sad news.”
Fibretech Fabrications Ltd
“Left it until the end of the day to send you and all the staff at Selecta our condolences with the awful news regarding Richard. I’m sure it’s a terrible shock to his family, friends and colleagues, as it is to us too. Thinking of you all. Richard will be greatly missed.”
Saxon Machinery
“What sad news. He was such a lovely man. Thinking of you all at Selecta, I can imagine he was a nice man to work with.”
Jade Engineering
Family of Richard Bent
Richard’s wife, Veronica (Ronnie) and his family would like to extend her thanks to everyone at Selecta for their support during this difficult time. They would also like to thank everyone for attending Richard’s funeral, their kind donations and for giving him a lovely and touching send off.
Veronica (Ronnie) Bent & family x