Employing over 250 people, the Conservatory Outlet Group has been named in LSE’s annual publication of ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’, highlighting firms that have significantly grown their own revenue and consistently outperformed industry peers.
The report, now in its seventh year, is compiled based on factual information as opposed to nominations and features some of the country’s most dynamic and innovative businesses.
Conservatory Outlet Group, which includes its manufacturing operation in Wakefield, Clearview Home Improvements in the North West and Pennine Home Improvements in the North East, has been included due to its rapid and expansive business growth over the last year, with turnover up 15% and this has continued into 2020.
Despite the sizable disruption caused by Covid-19, the company posted a year-on-year sales increase of 20% for June, July and August thanks to a number of sales initiatives and new innovations in digital design technology.
“It’s an honour and privilege to be officially recognised alongside some of the most impressive companies in the country,” explained Greg Kane, CEO at the Conservatory Outlet Group (pictured, left, with MD Michael Giscombe).
“Our team have worked incredibly hard over the past year to ensure we offer our customers unrivalled levels of service, backed by a product portfolio that we’re confident is amongst the most diverse in today’s market.
“The retail business is performing at an exceptional level, breaking sales records on an almost weekly basis and we are meeting the demands of a hugely buoyant marketplace.”
He continued: “We’re proud to be flying the flag for Yorkshire and the home improvement sector on such a prestigious list and, with our phased investment over the next six months, look forward to an equally successful end to 2020 and beyond.”
This unprecedented level of success has been reflected in the performance of Conservatory Outlet’s Network of independent retail customers, many of whom have broken their own monthly sales records in the period immediately following the easing of the first nationwide lockdown.
Quick to respond to the everchanging landscape caused by Covid-19, the company introduced a number of key initiatives during lockdown that ensured continued business growth. This included the launch of an online sales forum in early April, which allowed its customers to come together to discuss the latest techniques and tools to further perfect their approach to the pandemic.
This was followed by a ‘lockdown sales competition’, which saw salespeople from across its Network generate over £4m of sales over a four-week period – all achieved virtually.
“In spite of the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, we have continued to innovate throughout the year, launching an innovative new aluminium range of windows and doors and pressing the button on a hefty £500,000 staged investment,” continued Greg.
He concluded: “The three-stage plan, which began in September, will take six months to complete and features a sizeable investment in state-of-the-art equipment, key infrastructural changes and a 10,000 sq ft factory expansion, all designed to meet growing demand from the home improvement market.”
