For nearly a decade, the National Fenestration Awards has aimed to recognise all areas of the UK industry with an independent and inclusive awards system devoid of judges or panels. The shortlists are voted on by the glazing industry for the glazing industry, and aim to draw attention to the individuals and organisations who make the biggest strides each year in fenestration.
Fresh from a joint category win last year for the new Bi-Folding Door, Made For Trade has enjoyed an extremely productive last 12 months from its North East base, thanks to their game-changing Korniche product line. As a result, the team is thrilled to have been nominated for no fewer than nine different categories in the 2022 NFAs, representing not just product innovation, but everything from manufacturing capability to business, sales and marketing.
The first pair of nominations see MFT recognised under the categories of both Aluminium Fabricator of the Year and Fabricator/Manufacturer of the Year. As a company whose family business roots lie in manufacturing and engineering, this nomination is appreciated following significant efforts to implement new processes at MFT, and the fenestration industry itself. From lean manufacturing to the recent ISO9001 certification, the company’s methods and efforts for heightening quality, improving lead times – and of course reducing cost to the consumer – are certainly recognised with these two NFA categories.
Also in the manufacturing sphere is the award nomination for Bi-Folding Door Manufacturer of the Year. The Korniche Bi-Folding Door was introduced less than 12 months ago and since launch continues to grow its market share as trade partners recognise the pioneering engineering-led focus and hassle-free, time-saving ease of installation qualities. Taking on the values of the hugely successful Roof Lantern, both Korniche products subscribe to the same ethos and are now requested by homeowners and consumers by name alone, thanks to its market-leading aesthetics, and outstanding thermal and security details.
As the awards focus in more detail on MFT’s products, next on the heady list of nominations are both Door Component of the Year and New Product 2022 – both for the revolutionary Korniche Bi-Fold clip-in bead, known as ‘SPEEDBEAD’. The SPEEDBEAD delivers a truly game-changing solution in the glazing world, with a simple clip bead product that vastly improves the time to install and glaze MFT’s bi-folding doors. Supplied fully labelled and with comprehensive installation instructions, this is one of the hallmark qualities that means a Korniche Bi-Folding Door is a must to vastly reduce fitting time on site. Furthermore, the unique advantage of Korniche’s SPEEDBEAD is that the beads can be removed with the specially designed tool (provided with each door kit), allowing beads to be safely removed and replaced for any reason, with no damage to any components.
Next up, Conservatory Product and Conservatory Fabricator categories for the Lantern Roof prove that the top-rated Korniche product continues to be the market leader in its sector. Not only are sales figures at an all time high, but MFT’s consumer research and the attention at recent exhibitions cement the continual demand for this innovative product, loved by homeowners for its design as much as installers for its ease of fitment and clever colour graphic instructions.
Away from the manufacturing workshop and into the office, the nomination of Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year for the Korniche Lantern represents the recent development of the brand, and is a project that has raised the profile of both the product and Korniche name itself across both trade and consumer applications. The marketing campaign that has been delivered for Korniche ensures that MFT’s trade partners benefit from the significant investment in high impact consumer advertising and brand awareness; brand toolkits are free to all trade customers and allow them to key in to MFT campaigns and Korniche brand recognition.
The list of nominations is rounded out with a well-deserved Business Development Manager / Sales Executive of the Year nomination for Chris Caley, Sales Executive at Made for Trade. A member of staff who represents MFT to the highest of standards; Chris is at the forefront of customer sales support and is always on hand to help trade customers, from initial direct sales, to setting up customer accounts, and advice on using the clever Korniche KwikQuote system.
Speaking of the huge number of nominations for 2022, Made For Trade’s operations director Chris Wann said: “Following our success at last year’s awards with a joint win for the Korniche Bi-folding Door, being shortlisted for this huge number of awards in 2022 is incredible, all of which are core to our business services and principles. The support in nominations alone is amazing and MFT are proud to have the backing of voters and pick up any one of those nominated categories.”
Made For Trade extends a huge thank you to all those who nominated the company for these awards. For more information and to cast your votes at the NFAs, visit:
