– Halo fabricator celebrates three decades in business
Scarborough-based SWC Trade Frames has celebrated its 30th anniversary in style – with 150 people enjoying a party with free bar, buffet and children’s entertainment.
The family-run firm was established by George Bleasdale and Paul Richings in 1989 and bought by family members when they retired in 2003 and 2016 respectively. The current management team Chairman Susan Richings, Managing Director Rhys Richings, Finance Director Matthew Doherty and Sales Director Mark Catchpole share more than 65 years’ industry experience, meaning customers are well looked after by a reliable and knowledgeable team.
Mark explains: “I think the reason the business has not only survived but thrived for so long is because we are so people focussed. Feedback from customers and staff has been key to SWC’s continued growth and success over the last 30 years, as demonstrated by the fact that many customers have traded with SWC since the beginning.
“SWC supplies exclusively to the trade, a strategy that has built trust and loyalty with our customers as they know there is no conflict of interest, and we strive to be a one-stop-shop for our clients – making the specification and ordering process swift and simple. We are a company primarily focused on providing excellence in customer service… we just happen to manufacture!
“Our long-standing suppliers have undoubtedly played a large part in our success, especially Halo. We receive quality and service, so we can offer our customers the same. We’ve been supplying Halo System 10 and Rustique profiles for around 26 years, and we have benefited from the PVCu systems supplier’s many technical innovations that have led and reshaped the industry. Now Halo is part of the VEKA UK family, our business relationship is stronger than ever.
“Much like VEKA, team SWC is proud to be family run and to let family values support our decision-making process. As a family business, our succession plan is already in place, which means we are more than happy to continue investing in the future of the company and we’ve spent over £1.5M on new machinery and transport in the last three years alone.
“Alongside our core business, we also support a number of charities. From baring all in a men’s ‘Naked and Proud’ calendar, to spending the night in a Victorian Jail for the local Hospice, we’re always proud to do our bit!
“For our 30 year milestone, we were delighted to celebrate with staff, families and friends at the local Roscoe Rooms – a venue owned and developed by an SWC customer. It was a great event recognising all we’ve achieved over the last 30 years, and we’re looking forward to seeing the business continue to grow and flourish over the next 30 years.”
VEKA UK Sales Director Neil Evans said: “The SWC team work incredibly hard and it shows. Reaching 30 years in any industry is quite an achievement, and it’s all the more impressive in an industry as competitive and ever changing as ours. Customer service is key to retaining long-term customers, and that’s something that SWC is evidently very good at. Congratulations to SWC Trade Frames, here’s to the next 30 years and long may our partnership continue to flourish.”
