Raising a Glass for G-16 Winners
With the year drawing to a close, the prestigious Glass Awards for 2016 have been hosted again on Friday 18th November, at the glitzy London Hilton on Park Lane. Milton Jones, of Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week fame, was the host, and with his quirky, one-liner style of comedy he was an ideal choice to host G 16.
The awards are great for encouraging and rewarding excellence in the glass sector. For me, I think the standout award is the Unsung Hero award, which is a great idea. It’s always nice to see the ‘underdogs’ get recognised for their hard work. As G-Awards organiser Tony Higgins says of the award:
“Everyone knows the big names, the movers and shakers in this industry – well now, it’s time for those not so well known but just as deserving to step into the spotlight alongside them.”
Hopefully as an industry, we can bring all of this positivity into the New Year.
The Commercial Project of the Year gong went to Glassolutions – Hiscox in York.
MyGlassolutions is the first online service of its kind in the UK market. They enable anyone in the window and door trade, and building industry as a whole, to order a wide variety of glass through their mobiles, tablets or laptops 24/7.
Adam Taylor, Marketing Manager at GLASSOLUTIONS says that the award reflects
“Our dedication to staying at the forefront of the industry in terms of innovation and our appetite to continuously improve established ways of doing things.”
Component Supplier of the Year: Thermoseal Group
Thermoseal Group picked up the Component Supplier of the Year Award for the second year running.
This was only one of three awards Thermoseal received that day, resulting in an EEF Future Manufacturing Award for Export for the North West Region and also a Wigan Business Award for Exporter of the Year 2016. What a year for Thermoseal Group!
Conservatory Installer of the Year: Sherborne
Sherbone scooped the Conservatory Installer award, and it’s lovely to see a family run company doing so well in an increasingly anonymous global market.
Chris Long Marketing Manager at Sherborne chalks their success up to their teamwork and customer service:
‘Our procedures are monitored in all aspects of a conservatory/glazed extension build. The installation team manage each project effectively to keep the whole process as worry free for the clients as possible’
Customer Care Initiative of the Year: Roseview Windows
Roseview Windows were nominated for two G-Awards this year - they must be doing something right! Mike Bygrave, Marketing Manager for Roseview, reckons this is because of their dedication to customers and the team’s drive to be better every day.
Training & Development Initiative: Quickslide
With the glass industry becoming increasingly automated, it’s important to remember that the sector is nothing without people. It’s fantastic to see Quickslide investing in their team – their training budget is an impressive ￡50k.
Quickslide commented that as a business they have truly realised that ‘our employees really are what makes the difference between a good business and a great business’.
Fabricator of the Year: Solidor
Solidor said of the award
“It is a real testament to the outstanding efforts of our staff and the continued support shown by our customers and partner installers.”
They were also nominated for Promotional Campaign of the Year – Retail which they won last year. Clearly, Solidor respect and appreciate their customers, and continued success proves their ascent isn’t slowing.
Glass Company of the Year: Dual Seal Glass
What better way to celebrate your 21st anniversary than with an award singing your praises?
Dual Seal Glass have been finalists in the G-Awards for the past 2 years, they truly deserve this recognition of their hard work.
Dual Seal’s joint managing director and owner Nigel Meredith has said
“I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished to date and would like to thank all our staff for their hard work and commitment.”
Installer of the Year: Sheffield Window Centre
Sheffield Window Centre is a family business with over 40 years’ experience in the industry.
Director Ian Hunter says their success comes from
“Record levels of investment in products and training”
New Product of the Year: Profile 22 Systems – Optima
Another anniversary for a winner this year… Profile 22 are celebrating their 40thanniversary in 2016 alongside their G-Award.
Clare O’Hara, Managing Director of Epwin Window Systems Division, (owner of the Profile 22 brand), said
“the G Awards New Product of the Year title was a tribute to the teamwork that delivered the most comprehensive suite of new systems the industry has witnessed, in record time.”
Promotional Campaign of the Year – Retail: Composite Wood Company – Fastest Growing Home Improvement
Composite Wood Company are marching forward with the future, recognising the importance of social media in the current business climate.
Their campaign has generated over 3.5 million Facebook page impressions so far in 2016, creating a continuous social buzz around Composite Wood.
The leads generated from all this attention are passed on to Composite Wood Company’s national network of distributors and installers. One installer reported they got more leads in 3 weeks than competitors have delivered in 10 years!
Other companies could do with taking a leaf from Composite Wood Company’s book.
Promotional Campaign of the Year – Trade: Mila – GRIP espag handle
This is the second year in a row that Mila have won the Promotional Campaign of the Year award!
Head of Marketing Sarah Gyde has said
“All of Mila’s marketing is a reflection of the quality which runs throughout this business. We always aim to be the best and to set the very highest standards in this industry and I like to think that our award-winning marketing demonstrates that.”
Derek Bonnard Award for Excellence: GGF
Gary Morton was recognised for a key aspect of business that is often forgotten – humanitarianism. There would be no business without people.
Gary’s leadership of the GM Fundraising team has resulted in them raising over ￡1 million for Hope House Children’s Hospices. Well done Gary!
Unsung Hero Award: Jude Knowles, Business Micros
Jude Knowles says she wouldn’t have gotten this award without the support of her fantastic team;
“A Lovely group of people. It’s not difficult to organise or motivate them but that’s what I’m here for.”
Is anyone noticing a theme here? Every single winner mentions team work and personal development as the root of their success. It’s refreshing to see these big businesses all recognising the importance of the individuals behind them. The more appreciated people feel, the more they are willing to innovate and contribute. The glass industry is really beginning to modernise and there are some very innovative businesses making the most of what modern technology has to offer. Once again, congratulations to all the winners, and to those who were nominated.
If you are disillusioned with your current recruitment partners, or you feel some fresh talent and positivity needs to be injected into your company, I would be a great ambassador for you. Call me to arrange an informal meeting on (0)113 2395603 or alternatively email me at [email protected].