Clearview Midlands February 2014 - Issue 147 | Page 6

INDUSTRYNEWS Strategy pays off with prestigious award wins Full service agency MRA Marketing has won another two Construction Marketing Awards, for Strategic Planning & Management for EH Smith and Best use of Website with Door-Stop. Since 2004 MRA has won at the CMAs nine times and been a finalist fifteen times. Director Lucia Di Stazio is delighted the specialist agency has been recognised again for helping companies grow. “It’s fantastic to receive this accolade,” comments Lucia, “particularly at the end of such a positive year for the construction industry as a whole.” MRA worked with leading independent merchant EH Smith to develop a strategy to gain a much larger share of builders’ ‘collect’ business and re-launch its Shirley Solihull branch. The launch was underpinned by a sustained and integrated marketing campaign to gain momentum and establish it as a ‘proper builders’ merchant for proper builders’. Making the most of Door-Stop’s online initiatives to help its composite door installer customers buy and sell more easily, MRA’s winning campaign for Best use of Website helped boost orders via www.door-stop. co.uk to 97%, increasing new and existing business. To find out how MRA can help you grow visit www.mra-marketing.com or email [email protected]. Festive Fundraising Edgetech, a Quanex company, supported the Myton Hospice on 20th December by taking part in the Wear a Santa Suit to Work Day hosted by the charity. Employees at the Coventry office and manufacturing facility nominated each other to wear Santa suits and one employee proved to be very popular – Managing Director, Andy Jones. With nominations rolling in Andy saw an opportunity to take the fundraising to the next level. Andy explains: “When nominations reached £75 I joked that if they could raise £100 I would wear a Mrs Claus outfit, and if they raised £1000 I would also have my legs waxed to complete the outfit. Unfortunately for me the team took my offer seriously and began a campaign to raise the funds. Thanks to the generosity and support of the team at Edgetech and our friends in the industry I am pleased to say that we raised £1556.40. “There were 19 male Santa’s and I kept my end of the bargain as Mrs Claus. There’s photographic and video proof available. I would also like to thank Eden Beauty Salon of Whitley, Coventry for kindly providing their waxing services on the day. For more Myton Hospice please visit www.mytonhospice.org. For more Edgetech’s range of Warm Edge Technology call 08700 566844 or visit www. edgetechig.co.uk. ATTAINING BES: 6001 Spectus Window Systems has secured BES: 6001, the BRE Global standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Materials. In meeting the stringent requirements of BES 6001 Spectus has shown a commitment to the sustainable future of building and construction; it also enables Spectus customers to be competitive in markets where stakeholders require responsible sourcing from their suppliers. 6 FEB 2014 In order to achieve the standard Spectus had to demonstrate that it had policies and management systems in place to ensure that the raw materials it purchases come from responsibly and sustainably managed sources. This included an assessment of organisational governance, supply chain management and the associated social and environmental aspects. Martin Althorpe, technical director at Spectus Window Systems said: “We believe that the standard is confirmation of just how serious Spectus is about its responsibilities to its customers and to the wider construction industry. In ensuring that we source our materials in a responsible and ethical manner we’re able to support our customers in delivering sustainable results efficiently and effectively, and with minimal impact on the environment. “As we continue to emerge from the downturn it is crucial that we remain vigilant in maintaining and improving our quality and standards, as both a manufacturer and a supplier.” To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com