Carl F Groupco has recorded its biggest ever month for sales, its representatives have reported, with sales exceeding £2m. The month caps an exceptionally successful trading quarter for the independent hardware distributor business, as John Crittenden, its managing director, explained.
He added: “If you read the headlines, it’s doom and gloom. But it’s a different picture on the ground. Feedback from our customers is that the market is still buoyant and it’s something that’s reflected in our sales.”
Reporting highlights from every part of the business, John went on to say: “The premium end of the market is still growing and looks likely to continue to do so in 2023. Even at the value end of the market, customers are still reporting full order books, perhaps in part driven by consumer concern over rising energy prices. Fabricators in the commercial and social housing sectors are still securing contracts, albeit at slightly lower volumes due to increased budgetary pressures.”
Carl F Groupco provides an extensive range of window and door hardware and has longstanding relationships with Europe’s most innovative manufacturers. It holds £5m of stock, which means that the business can remain a reliable partner to its customers, they say, offering short lead times and a high level of customer service.
For ease of ordering and an improved customer experience, the company recently launched My CFG, an online digital platform. The company also offers a consultancy service, testing and working with its customers’ fabrication teams and manufacturer partners to scope new hardware solutions and to ensure smooth transitions to new ranges.
John said: “We’re here to support our customers, no matter what the market conditions. But I think the lesson we can learn from this quarter’s results is simple. Let’s not talk ourselves into a downturn as the market is still holding up.”
