November/December 2021

Xpert Advice
SINGLE SOURCE SUPPLY
In his latest column, Karl Williamson, Window Ware’s business development manager, explains
why ordering from a single, multi-brand source of tools, hardware and other essentials can help
lighten the load amid continuing supply chain challenges...
When we go for our weekly grocery shop,
how many of us choose to visit 10 different
shops to buy what we need? I doubt
anyone has the time or the inclination for that!
Why in business, then, are we seemingly
content to deal with multiple suppliers, juggle
several deliveries and wade through all the extra
paperwork to procure the necessary goods? Seems
crazy doesn’t it?
In today’s busy workplace, surely, it’s better to
keep things simple and save on hassle by sticking
with a single trusted source for those sought-after
tools and hardware?
A one-stop-shop
Demand for home improvements has gone
through the roof in the last 18 months, putting
trade counters and hardware stores under
increased pressure to keep their shelves well
stocked for customers.
But with material shortages and supply disruptions
continuing to hamper vendor ability to replenish
fast-moving stocks, unfortunately empty shelves
and limited product choice have become all-toocommon
consequences.
In a bid to track down elusive products, many
trade counters will be ordering their hardware from
multiple suppliers but, as we already know, this
can bring its own problems, such as service and
quality inconsistencies, greater risk of delivery
delays or inaccuracies, not to mention added
expense and extra admin.
At Window Ware, we have made it our mission
to be a one-stop-shop for all the top-sellers. As
one of the UK’s leading independent hardware
distributors, we stock a huge range of big brands
and well-loved tool names including Stanley, Don
Carlos, Kendo, Bahco and Xpert of course, as well
as a wide range of silicones and other installation
essentials, making it quick and easy for customers
to stock up and plug any gaps in their inventory.
A dependable supplier
Even before Brexit or the pandemic, Window Ware
had been working hard to increase business
resilience, build healthy stock reserves and put a
range of new measures in place to ensure customers
had continued access to the products and support
they needed to meet increased demand and
capitalise on the home improvement boom.
Astute forward planning, advanced procurement
and heavy investment in our 5,000+ product
range has helped to secure essential stock for all
the businesses we serve.
An upscaled warehouse function ensures hundreds
of orders leave our warehouse every day with
99.3% accuracy and an average On-Time-In-Full
(OTIF) score of 94.7% for the last seven months,
jumping up to 96.4% in September! We’re sure it
won’t be long before we’re hitting our pre-Covid
delivery service level of +97%.
We have also continued to hit our daily KPIs in
each department, meaning 97% of calls are
answered in 10 seconds or less, all email enquiries
receive a same-business-day response and the
average customer happiness rating for this year
has remained high at 93.9% .
At Window Ware, our goal has always been to
deliver great service and get the goods out to the
customer exactly when and where they need them
– doesn’t matter if that customer is a fabricator,
installer or locksmith buying for upcoming jobs,
or a trade counter or hardware store trying to
keep their shelves stocked. With so much in the
news about supply shortages, reduced choice
and empty shelves across every sector, and no
signs of demand slowing down yet, you can rest
assured Window Ware has got you covered!
Find your nearest Xpert tools stockist at: www.
xperttools.co.uk/stores/, or if you would like to
become an Xpert stockist, visit: www.xperttools.
co.uk/become-a-stockist/
Contact Window Ware:
01234 242 724
www.windowware.co.uk
@WindowWare / @XpertTools
68 T I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST