Under The Roof Avonside Group staff newsletter - August 2018

UNDER THE ROOF p ISSUE 07
AUGUST 2018












UNDER THE ROOF




Avonside’s In-house Branch Wide Newsletter



Pivotal Marketing help INSIDE

THIS ISSUE
launch revamped u PIVOTAL MARKETING


Avonside Newsletter u GROUP MANAGING

DIRECTOR, TONY BURKE
u HOUSING 2018 DEBUT
WE’D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE PIVOTAL MARKETING u RIBA & EAA AWARD
LTD TEAM, WHO HAVE DRIVEN THE RE-DESIGN AND REVAMP WINNING PROJECT
OF OUR QUARTERLY STAFF NEWSLETTER. u VITUAL GOLF
— u SAVING ENERGY & MONEY
Their friendly and experienced team: WITH ECO ROOF
Director – PHIL HATFIELD u INLAND HOMES
Business Development Manager u DECRA ROOFING AWARD
– HEATHER OTWAY u HOUZZ 2018 CUSTOMER
Account Manager – JAYNA PATEL SERVICE AWARD
Junior Website Developer – TAYLIA u NEW STARTER
TINGLE
Digital Marketing Assistant – u APPRENTICE, OLI GREEN
JORDAN HATFIELD u WORLD CUP SWEEPSTAKE
— RESULTS
Also work to keep Avonside’s blog, Twitter and LinkedIn u FANTASY FOOTBALL
accounts active and engaging whilst providing vital website u COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
support. PROJECT
u NEW HOME FOR AVONSIDE
We hope you enjoy the newsletter as much as we have enjoyed GLASGOW
creating it! Any feedback feel free to email
[email protected] – she would love to hear your
thoughts!





If you have a story for the next issue – simply visit THE NEWSDESK
to submit your branch news! – we look forward to reading it!








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Building strong client



relationships








TONY BURKE

Group Managing Director



So how do companies ‘square the circle’

and build those long term strategic
relationships?
The answer is usually a blend of
several things underpinned by hard work,
commitment and transparency. If we take a
closer look I can highlight some of the
things that have worked well for Avonside

Group, but you may have your own ideas
and solutions in addition.
The first thing we believe in is
honesty. If you enter into a project and
relationship on the basis of over promising
against what you can actually deliver, then
you are setting yourself – and your client
IT’S THE HOLY GRAIL FOR ANY - up to fail. I believe you have to take
BUSINESS - STRONG MUTUALLY responsibility as the ‘expert’ in your
BENEFICIAL, ONGOING AND discipline and tell the client like it is. It may

PROFITABLE CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS. make you unpopular, it may even lose you
SOUNDS LOVELY DOESN’T IT? BUT IN some work but from my perspective, as
REALITY, LIFE IS NEVER THAT SMOOTH unpalatable as that is, it’s a price that’s
AND PREDICTABLE; THE REALITY IS worth paying.
THAT WORKING IN THE CONSTRUCTION Failing to be honest will result in you
ENVIRONMENT CAN BE losing something far more important if you
UNPREDICTABLE, DEMANDING AND are seeking long term relationships and

UNFORGIVING. that is – credibility. This underpins every
— meaningful relationship, and once you
have this you may not be the most popular
>>>






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sub-contractor, but you may well be the It is my belief that you often build a better,
most respected, and importantly, you won’t stronger relationship with clients by
saddle yourself with impossible deadlines communicating your expectation that you

that result in acrimony later on. will be profitable and expect to make a
Being honest doesn’t mean being profit in your transactions with them. It
negative; look for creative decisions, even may seem obvious, but if you don’t operate
be prepared to ‘try’ and achieve the profitably you stand little or no chance of
impossible for your client – but at least you being around for a long-term partnership.
are doing so with everybody fully So, I am unapologetic about
understanding the situation. communicating this to clients – after all, if
It might well be a cliché, but it doesn’t you are delivering a first-class job, on time
make it any less true that you must for them then you should expect to make a

communicate well and at all levels with profit – and be paid promptly for your
your client, whether that’s good news or services.
otherwise. The phrase ‘bad news early’ All these things should be woven into
rings true because it means all parties have the fabric and culture of your business, and
more opportunity to react and overcome in my experience the best way to deliver
adverse situations. It also runs back into this is to be clear and open to all of your
the honest approach. clients about that values that are important

In today’s modern society with social to you, your business and the people in it.
media and telecommunications it’s never It’s not about fancy mission statements,
been easier to convey messages, but it just a few clear and simple values that you
needs to be underpinned and utilised by have that everybody in your business
each member of your team, and that’s demonstrates day-in-day out.
about taking responsibility. So, whilst not exhaustive, these are
As an industry we have made great the few simple guiding principles I have
strides over the last two decades to ensure operated by to build up a successful
that we work in a safer environment, and business based upon successful client

although this is about ongoing vigilance, it relationships.
relies upon a zero-tolerance culture with
regard to personal safety. By persuing this I hope some of these principles
approach it further supports your client can work for you.
and their employees as well as your own. —
This is absolutely fundamental.
So far, so uncontroversial I can hear

you thinking – well maybe this next
element is a little more thought-provoking.








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AVONSIDE’S HOUSING 2018


SHOWCASING DEBUT











Homes England, announcing his
organisation’s support for the acceleration of
housing output via modern construction
methods and CIH Founding Director and
Chief Executive, Mark Farmer discussing how
the housing sector could learn from the
automotive sector with the new for
innovations.
Group Business Development Director
Philip Bull MIoR said: “Events like CIH provide
THE BID TEAM WERE DELIGHTED TO us with a platform to showcase how our
EXHIBIT AT HOUSING 2018 – EUROPE’S various divisions including residential,
BIGGEST HOUSING EVENT – FOR THE FIRST renewables and energy can provide energy
TIME DURING THE FINAL WEEK OF JUNE. saving and sustainable roofing solutions for
— social housing.
The thriving annual housing festival saw over “We are committed to working with
200 speakers, 350 of the sector’s biggest local authority and councils nationwide, to
suppliers and over 11,000 visitors network offer solutions to achieve and contribute
and share industry insights and ideas. towards the development of social housing
Avonside had a stand next to energy schemes in the future.
efficient hardware manufacturing and “CIH was an extremely well organised
software design specialists, Prime Hybrid and worthwhile event at bringing issues
Energy at the housing festival, which also within social housing to the forefront and
serves as the Charted Institute of Housing’s provided a great opportunity to network with
(CIH) annual conference. We’re working in existing and new clients.”
partnership with Prime Hybrid Energy to —
deliver innovation and
energy saving solutions
into the housing sector to
reduce energy bills and
help solve fuel poverty.
Highlights of
Housing 2018 included
Gordon More, Chief
Investment Officer of








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Avonside Edinburgh


Contributes to RIBA and EAA


Award Winning Project





OUR AVONSIDE EDINBURGH BRANCH WERE THRILLED THAT
THE ST CECILIA’S HALL RESTORATION PROJECT THEY PLAYED A
LARGE ROLE IN HAS SNAPPED UP THE COVETED EDINBURGH
ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION (EAA) REGENERATION AND
CONSERVATION AWARD, WHILST BAGGING AN ESTEEMED
EMERGING ARCHITECT SPECIAL CATEGORY ROYAL INSTITUTE
OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS / ROYAL INCORPORATION OF
ARCHITECTS IN SCOTLAND (RIBA / RIAS) AWARD.
—
Avonside Edinburgh demonstrated their slating and tiling
expertise by supplying and fixing Cupa H3 Spanish Slates in
diminishing courses to perfectly replicate traditional Scotch Slate
as part of the re-development of Scotland’s oldest purpose-built
concert hall, which originally opened in 1763.
Our Edinburgh branch worked alongside multinational
UK-based contractor Interserve and Glasgow-based PagePark
architects to repair and conserve the Category A listed building so
that the historic musical instrument collections of the University of
Edinburgh could be housed under one (beautifully restored!) roof.
The University of Edinburgh owned building has also had its gallery spaces and
elegant Concert Room fully expanded and revamped and the support functions
within the new extension building modified, so the treasured venue can be accessible
and enjoyed by all.
—


AVONSIDE EDINBURGH & GLASGOW
CELEBRATE NEW OFFICE WITH VIRTUAL GOLF

Our Avonside Edinburgh and Glasgow Residential
Roofing branches marked the opening of our new
Glasgow office in style by joining together for a few
fun-filled games of Virtual Golf at The Golf Lounge. Of
the enjoyable staff night out, which took place on 29th
June in Glasgow, Area Director, Chris McClean said:
“Despite the fact it was 32’C outside and we missed the
big game (Panama v Tunisia) a great time was had by
all. “Gary Coull took the honours with 47 Stableford
Points. His handicap is now under review!”
—




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Ploughcroft Help


Another Customer Save


Energy and Money with


Eco Roof™





OUR HOME IMPROVEMENT EXPERTS, PLOUGHCROFT FLAT ROOFING
LTD ARE PLEASED TO HAVE HELPED ANOTHER DIVISION
CUSTOMER TOWARDS DOMESTIC ENERGY EFFICIENCY
BY INSTALLING THEIR INNOVATIVE ECO ROOF™ SEALS THE DEAL
THERMAL BLANKET FOR A HOMEOWNER IN WITH INLAND
BRIGHOUSE, WEST YORKSHIRE. HOMES
—
Ploughcroft are the proud founders of Eco Roof™, a clever AVONSIDE FLAT ROOFING
combination of high-tech room-in-roof insulation and a DIVISION ARE PLEASED TO
high-quality re-roof, which works harder to keep precious ANNOUNCE THAT THEY HAVE
heat within a home. SIGNED THE PRESTIGIOUS
The recipient of Ploughcroft’s latest Eco Roof™ FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT
project, Mr Swales, will benefit from saving up to £500 a WITH INLAND HOMES.
year on heating costs – so much so that the Eco Roof™ will —
eventually pay for itself! The thermal blanket will also help The agreement has been
Mr Swales increase his property value by up to 14% and secured with southern based
raise this Energy performance Certificate for his home by private house builder and
two bands! brownfield developer, Inland
— Homes which will see Avonside
Flat Roofing Division provide
up to 60% of the roofing across
all their sites. The majority of
sites will be serviced by our
London and Cobsen branches
due to the catchment that
Inland Homes operate within.
The contract was signed
between Inland MD Gary
Skinner and Avonside’s Flat
Roofing Divisional Director,
Eddie Stanton, both of whom
look forward to seeing the
properties and results that the
promising partnership is sure
to bring.
—




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Avonside Cobsen-Davies Worthing



Win Decra Roofing Award






AS A COMPANY, AVONSIDE LOVE HAVING A POSITIVE
IMPACT ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES SO IT IS NO
SURPRISE THAT WE’RE EXTREMELY PROUD THAT OUR
AVONSIDE COBSEN-DAVIES WORTHING BRANCH WON
AN AWARD FOR THEIR BRILLIANT ROOF SHEETING
WORK ON THE ALLMOND CENTRE IN COWFORD.
—
Working with Fowler Building Contractors Ltd, Avonside
Cobsen-Davies Worthing clad the roof of the combined
community hub and sports pavilion in Decra roof sheets, metal tiles meant to emulate roof
tiles.
Their outstanding work was recognised with an award from Decra, Roof Systems, who
are part of the BMI Group (a merger of Braas Monier and Icopal), the largest producer of flat
and pitched roofing and waterproofing solutions in Europe.
The brand new Allmond community centre and sports pavilion is equipped with a bar,
modem kitchen, spacious community room and changing rooms, complete with state-of-the-
art conference facilities. The community hub celebrated its grand opening on May 12th and
hopes to play host to many future community and business events.
Our Home Improvement branch, Ploughcroft Ltd were tasked to install a durable and
corrosion resistant, environmentally-friendly Zinc Dormer Roof for a customer in Leeds and
they did so, surpassing the customer’s expectations.
Zinc is a brilliant material to work with, with its flexibility allowing it to be formed to
solve challenging roofing patterns, making it ideal for
moulding flashing around chimneys as well as for use on the
main body of a roof. Zinc is also a highly sought-after metal in
roofing due to its long lifespan and being entirely recyclable.
Ploughcroft’s Zinc Dormer Roof Project ensured the
customer made great use of the surrounding roof by
furnishing the dormer with stylish Bi-Fold doors with a
pleasing end result.
—




















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PLOUGHCROFT EARN BEST OF

HOUZZ 2018 CUSTOMER SERVICE
AWARD THROUGH CUSTOMER

REVIEWS



WE ARE HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR HOME
IMPROVEMENT BRANCH, PLOUGHCROFT LTD WON THE BEST
OF HOUZZ 2018 CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD EARLIER THIS
YEAR – THANKS IN NO SMALL PART TO THE NUMBER AND
QUALITY OF CLIENT REVIEWS THEY HAVE RECEIVED ON THE
LEADING HOME RENOVATION AND DESIGN PLATFORM.
—
An annual analysis of over 40 million monthly unique users
that make up the Houzz community revealed that Ploughcroft
is among the top-rated home improvement professionals on Houzz, which has
more than one million active home building, home improvement and design industry
professional members.
For Ploughcroft’s Managing Director, Chris Hopkins good customer service is at
the heart of how Ploughcroft operate: “Customers are why Ploughcroft go to work;
every member of the Ploughcroft team strive to offer professional and friendly service
to each customer, no matter if we are installing an Eco Roof™, repairing a roof or
carrying out a conservatory roof replacement. Therefore, customer feedback is of great
value to us and constantly shapes how we deliver our home improvement services.
“We’re very grateful to Houzz and our customers for the Houzz Best of Customer
Service award.”
Marcus Hartwall, Managing Director of Houzz UK and Ireland said: “We’re so
pleased to award Best of Houzz 2018 to this incredible group of talented and customer-
focused professionals, including Ploughcroft Ltd.
“Each of these businesses was singled out for recognition by our community of
homeowners and design enthusiasts for helping to turn their home improvement
dreams into reality.”
—


NEW STARTER: Angela Guy, Sales & Office
Administrator, Ploughcroft.



Our home improvements specialists, Ploughcroft Ltd were glad
to welcome Angela Guy as their new Sales & Office
Administrator earlier in the year.
Angela enjoyed her first day at the business on 2nd May
and has so far found her experience working at Ploughcroft very
interesting.
—





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It’s a Pass for Bracknell KEY


Roofing Midlands CONTRACT
WINS:
Apprentice, Oli Green!



AVONSIDE HONITON
SKILLED OLI GREEN, 21, IS THRILLED TO HAVE PASSED HIS RESIDENTIAL ROOFING:
TWO NVQ LEVEL 2S – ONE IN ROOFING AND OCCUPATION Bovis Homes – Sherford
AND THE OTHER IN SLATING AND TILING, FOLLOWING A £335,000
TWO -YEAR VARIED APPRENTICESHIP AT BRACKNELL p
ROOFING’S BURTON-UPON-TRENT OFFICE.
— AVONSIDE HONITON
Oli credits his apprenticeship success to the diverse range of RESIDENTIAL ROOFING:
projects he has had the privilege of working on and is excited for Backhouse Housing - Castle
his future career in the industry. He said: “I’ve had opportunities Cary
to work on some interesting and challenging projects with £435,000
Bracknell Roofing that I probably wouldn’t have had anywhere p
else and that’s the best way to learn because I can see how far
I’ve come in a short space of time. AVONSIDE HONITON
“The team at Bracknell Roofing have been very supportive RESIDENTIAL ROOFING:
and the structure of the NVQs has been a great way for me to Larkfleet Homes – Ivybridge
benchmark my overall progress and the development of my skills.” £99,000
Praising Oli and discussing the issue of apprenticeships in p
roofing, Bracknell Roofing Divisional Director Simon Smith said:
“The roofing industry needs a continual pipeline of young people AVONSIDE HONITON
coming into the industry. Apprenticeships are critical to that, as RESIDENTIAL ROOFING:
they offer a structured approach to learning and the Taylor Wimpey - Cranbrook
developments of skills – which show the benefits of roofing as a Phase 1
great career opportunity,” £129,000
“Oli is a great example of a young man who has grabbed p
the opportunity with both hands and in a short space of time
has become a skilled roofer who can work as part of our team in AVONSIDE HONITON
the Midlands.” RESIDENTIAL ROOFING:
— Bovis Homes - Seaton Phase
4 and 5
£149,000
p


AVONSIDE HONITON
RESIDENTIAL ROOFING:
Elan Homes - Castle Cary
£99,000
p







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AVONSIDE HEAD OFFICE AVONSIDE EDINBURGH:

WORLD CUP SWEEPSTAKE Barratt Homes - East
Scotland
New build housing - 245

WORLD CUP FEVER units
GRIPPED THE AVONSIDE £582,466
HEAD OFFICE AS p
ALMOST EVERYONE IN
THE BRANCH TOOK THE AVONSIDE EDINBURGH:
PLUNGE BY PICKING AT Avant Homes – Scotland
LEAST ONE TEAM THEY New build housing - 79
FANCIED AS THE WORLD units
CUP WINNERS. £310,073
— p
Each team cost £5 which meant, with 32
teams in the competition, the prize pot AVONSIDE EDINBURGH:
totalled £160.00. Frist place received £80 Dandara Ltd
whilst second and third place won £50 New build housing - 25
and £30 respectively. units
— £174,637
The results were as follows: p
1st Group Business Development Director PHIL BULL
picked winners FRANCE - he promises it wasn’t a fix!
2nd Management Accountant SHARON MILLINGTON
selected CROATIA
3rd Accounts Assistant JAMIE BARRY had BELGIUM
—



Time’s Running Out to Enter

Avonside Fantasy Football!



STILL MOURNING ENGLAND’S WORLD CUP LOSS?
To keep the football fever alive, we’re putting together a
work Fantasy Football team with The Telegraph.
1st place will receive 70%
2nd place will get 20%
3rd place will take 10%

Hurry though, Premier League season kick off is Friday
August 10th!

Anyone from the Avonside Group can join – so what are you waiting for?
Contact Jamie Barry ([email protected]) to join the fun!






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AVONSIDE EDINBURGH CONTRIBUTE TO AWARD

WINNING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT




AVONSIDE EDINBURGH’S HIGH SPIRITS What is notable about the project is the
CONTINUED THIS SUMMER AS THEY time and effort the contractors put into
CONTRIBUTED TO ANOTHER AWARD- getting feedback from pupils, with the
WINNING PROJECT: THE DALBEATTIE majority of students’ suggestions being
LEARNING CAMPUS, WHICH WON THE incorporated into the project.
CONSTRUCTION NEWS COMMUNITY One pupil recommendation included
ENGAGEMENT PROJECT OF THE YEAR moving sinks for handwashing to the outside
AWARD! of bathrooms as this would help towards
— preventing bullying. The campus’ contractors
The aim of the project was to replace and designers obliged and reflected the idea
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s range of in the final building.
nursey, primary and secondary schools with Brilliantly, one child requested a slide to
one single, innovative learning campus. enable them to leave school at the end of
Contractor Graham Construction made the each day by riding down it…much to the
project a reality with Avonside Edinburgh child’s (and no doubt many teachers’) delight,
pleased to have delivered 6000m2 of slating, a slide was installed!
flat roofing, RWG, leadwork and PPC flashings Congratulations Avonside Edinburgh
whilst employing local Operatives on the and Graham Construction!
impressive project. —







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Avonside Glasgow Have a


New Home!



THE TEAM AT OUR AVONSIDE
GLASGOW RESIDENTIAL ROOFING
BRANCH ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE
RECENTLY LEFT THEIR QUEENSLIE
OFFICE AND RELOCATED TO THEIR
NEW PREMISES AT CRAIGHALL
ROAD.
—
The new office is situated on High
Craighall Road, just off Junction 16 of
the M8. A larger office space, the
team’s new home boasts spectacular
views of the city and is another great
step forward to the branch.
To celebrate, the team joined in with the Edinburgh branch and enjoyed a
night out, which included a few games of ‘Virtual Golf’ at Glasgow’s very own The
Golf Lounge.
WE HOPE THEY SETTLE IN WELL!
—




Got a winning story you can’t wait to share with

your colleagues?


IF YOU HAVE NEWS ON:
u Projects your branch are proud of
u Branch news, such as apprentice achievements or awards won
u Personal news, any professional qualifications or training your staff have done, for example
u Charitable events your team members have participated in
u Any new contracts won
u Any other positive team news


Simply fill out the quick and easy form HERE to effortlessly submit your story for the next
issue of the staff newsletter!


Best story, as judged by Group Managing Director, Tony Burke wins a
£50 AMAZON VOUCHER!











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