Conservatory Outlet and its Network or Premium Retailers raised a toast to their ongoing success at the fabricator’s annual Gala Dinner.
Held this year in Lisbon, key stakeholders and their partners from across the Network gathered in the Portuguese capital to celebrate their collective achievements and learn about the company’s plans for the next twelve months and beyond.
The Gala Dinner weekend has been the Wakefield-based manufacturer’s showpiece event since its first iteration over a decade ago, with venues such as the Eifel Tower and the luxurious 5-star retreat at Aldwark Manor playing host to the black-tie ceremony.
This year’s celebration took place at SUD Lisboa, an exclusive waterfront venue that provided attendees with breathtaking sunset panoramas of the Tagus and iconic landmarks such as the Tore de Belem and the [insert name] bridge. After soaking in the views as dusk settled in, guests gathered to enjoy a gourmet four-course dinner, key note speeches, awards ceremony and a private after-party.
The weekend’s theme was the continued and consistent growth of Conservatory Outlet and its retailers. Despite the past year being one of struggling sales across the home improvement industry at large, Conservatory Outlet has increased its sales by 19% through the year-to-date. This success is replicated throughout its retail network, with its partner installers averaging year-on-year growth of an impressive 24%.
During the event’s main speech, attendees also learned of the fabricator’s continued investment and planned expansion of its sector-leading sales and marketing initiatives. These include the development of new websites, further PPC campaigns and a six-figure commitment to bolstering lead generation efforts across the entire Network.
Additionally, plans were also discussed concerning adding further courses to its fully-funded Sales Academy and the impending release of new flush UPVC and aluminium products.
Conservatory Outlet’s CEO, Greg Kane, also used the occasion to formally welcome two new Premium Retailers to the Network, South Wales’ First Class Windows, Doors and Conservatories, and the Newcastle-based installer Windows Plus Roofs, who have joined with their Pennine and Budget brands.
“Many of our competitors, other fabricators and installers have reported significant losses and decreases in sales and manufacturing output. But we’ve achieved the opposite,” Greg begins.
“That’s a remarkable achievement in tough conditions. It’s down to our approach to innovate and add value by providing our Premium Retailers with not only a fantastic suite of exclusive products but by supporting them through other means such as marketing, software development and ongoing training initiatives.
“With our shared values, we have successfully navigated the past 18 months. With sales figures for the businesses within our retail Network up by nearly 25% year-on-year, it’s clear that our open, transparent and non-competitive model works for all involved.
“Our marketing team, alongside our partner agency, DigitalKOG, are helping Network members capture more high-quality leads than ever before thanks to a balanced mixture of social, SEO and search campaigns. And with new initiatives to be launched in the coming months, we’re excited to help our Premium Retailers continue to grow their pipelines and comfortable beat their sales targets.
“We’re also delighted to welcome two new home improvement specialists to the Network,” Greg continues.
“The additions of First Class and both Pennine and Budget ensure that we have the very best installers operating in South Wales and the North East of England within our umbrella. It’s a fantastic achievement for us to grow the Network whilst so many other fabricators have struggled to secure volume. It also underlines just how successful and attractive the Network is to longstanding and ambitious retailers who want to grow.”
The Gala Dinner was also a chance to recognise the achievements of Network members, with Bon Accord Glass and ERG Scotland both presented with a special award celebrating their 50th year of trading. Several companies received Customer Service Awards for achieving outstanding levels of customer satisfaction on public review platforms.
There was also a series of installation-focused awards, with Wycombe-based Hazlemere walking away with the Best Window Installation of the Year. 5 Star won the Best Door Installation, whilst ERG Scotland picked up the prize the Best Living Space Installation for a dramatic conservatory designed and built to extend a remote coastal property in the Scottish Highlands.
Greg concluded: “This weekend in Lisbon has been amazing, arguably our best one yet! From the private restaurant dining on Friday night to the stunning waterfront SUD Lisboa on Saturday and the late summer sun, we’ve provided a truly memorable event.”
“The Conservatory Outlet Network Gala Dinner is the highlight of the year for us and our retail partners. We pride ourselves on being a close-knit Network. Bringing our customers together for a weekend away is just one of the ways that we say thank you for their ongoing support. Importantly, it allows everyone involved to discuss challenges and plan a path forward as we all go from strength to strength.”