Partnerships forged at previous FIT Shows have continued to flourish, long after the media storm has died down, its organisers have claimed, proving that the exhibition as a must for any company wanting to make the most of the recovering economy.
One such partnership is that which is shared between 2014 exhibitor IG Doors and Tamworth-based installer Bradley Scott Windows.
IG Door’s Sales and Marketing Manager Richard Kirman and Bradley Scott Windows’ Andy Farrington were well-acquainted before the FIT Show opened in June 2014, but the strength of the door supplier’s offering was not fully apparent until Andy had chance to compare what the market had to offer.
“I went to The FIT Show to see three or four companies that I had researched, but I also picked up more as I walked around,” Andy said. “It was important because I was finalising plans for the new showroom, and I wanted to make the most of the new site.”
Andy said he wants to see new products at an exhibition, which help him to be ahead of the game and his competitors.
“But I also want to see evidence of how a supplier will work with me, become my partner, and what commitment they will make to me for the longer term,” he said.
IG Doors had chosen the FIT Show as the launch pad for its brand new composite door range for the trade – Truedor – which was backed by TV architect George Clarke.
“We had such a range of people visiting our stand,” Richard Kirman said. “We had MDs and fitters and we could explain to all of them about the products and how we were going to market them.”
It was this enthusiastic approach to the show that won Bradley Scott Windows as a Truedor stockist.
“I now have the display that was on the Truedor FIT Show stand in my showroom,” Andy said. “I wanted something special for my new site, something that offered the ‘wow’ factor, and IG Doors’ Truedor gallery display was superb. I got the whole Truedor concept the minute I saw it and had to have the display too. I signed immediately.”
The relationship has burgeoned since, Richard explained. “Andy has become a centre of excellence for Truedor,” he said “We pass sales leads out to our trusted retailers and Andy is excellent at following these up. We even pass leads out to him when we don’t have an appointed installer, in the knowledge that he will deal with them professionally.”
More than 175 further exhibitors can be seen at The Fabricator Installer Trade (FIT) Show which takes place at The International Centre Telford on the 12th, 13th and 14th April 2016. Entry is free but avoid the queues by registering early at www.fitshow.co.uk.
