Whether we are working with builders, architects, distributors, specifiers or sub-traders, we know that our customers like to do business with people face to face which is why we have continued to build our sales and account management teams with people based all over the UK so they can deliver a local service to our customers.
Towards the end of last year, we were joined by Gareth Cole, our South West Regional Sales Executive who is based in Bristol to look after and grow our customer base in Wales and the South West of England. Already a fantastic recruit to the team, we thought we would catch up with Gareth and see how his last couple of months have been since starting at Thermal.
Tell us a little about yourself
Well, I have been working in the construction industry for over 30 years. So, as you can imagine, I know the market well! Whilst working across a number of areas, I have always been looking after customers from both a building project perspective as well as through distributors. I like to work for businesses with a strong customer service reputation as I like to make sure I am supporting my customers and ensuring they are successful in their sales and projects. Thermal Economics really stood out to me.
How has it been getting out to new customers and building your network?
I have a fantastic network of contacts in this region already, but the great thing when you start somewhere new is that you have an excuse to get out and catch up with your contacts. Which, is what I have been doing as well as meeting new customers who have either contacted our head office or people who have been passed my contact details.
It has been great working at Thermal Economics, I have been well supported and one of the reasons I joined Thermal was because of their different way of selling. It’s not just a product sales with this manufacturer, they support customers throughout the entire building project – helping at the design stage, meeting budget requirements and ensuring building regulations and energy needs are met, delivering insulation on time and helping with training to ensure the insulation is installed correctly.
I know I also have a fantastic Technical Team based at head office who I can get hold of any time if any of my customers have a unique requirement that we need to find a solution for. It’s a great service to demonstrate to my contacts.
And how is the market out there?
Well, it’s fantastic to see the Welsh construction sector booming. It has been suggested that the rate of growth is going to triple that for the UK as a whole this year! Great for jobs, but also great for all of us in the market. The Construction Skills Network (CSN) predicts Wales as having the strongest growth rates across the UK which is extremely positive!
The South West is buoyant. We find we are working with more regional rather than national contractors currently and there are lots of projects on the cusp of starting – but this is what you would expect at this time of year and with the weather we have recently had. There are a lot of projects for student accommodation and retirement properties in the area which we have been quoting for as well as a significant focus on social housing.
Nationally, we have been busy helping our customers fill their PIR shortage with our TE Ground Floor Insulation and the water resisting properties of Alreflex Platinum is proving to be of specific interest in the high exposure regions of Wales and the West Country. We have also been working with a number of builders to deliver our Robust Details installation training.
As a whole, I like the fact that I have a wide offering of both acoustic and thermal products to be able to deliver to customers. Where some customers may be struggling to get hold of certain products for their build, with the breadth of products I have available to me, I can often find a more cost effective and most importantly, available solution for their build.
Any final words?
Well, generally, please do get in contact if you would like me to come and see you and either help with an immediate requirement or even if you would just like to hear more about Thermal Economics. I am looking forward to meeting more people in the market and working with the Thermal Economics teams. Time has flown and I’ve been having great fun!
If you would like to speak to Gareth and arrange a meeting, please contact him on 07741 385608 or email him at [email protected].