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8 Wednesday March 9 2011 Visit our website www.humberbusiness.com MAI-E01-S3

IT HAS proved itself to be one of EastYorkshire’s most successful companiesfor almost five decades.But just what lies behind the success ofHull-based Blenkin Products Ltd?Could it be the great value prices it offers onwindows, doors and conservatories? Or theprofessionalism of its team of skilled staff, whoalways ensure customers go away delightedwith their finished product?Whatever the reason, Blenkin Products hasconsistently proved it is one of the best.“We have more than 1,000 customers in themodular building industry, in the UPVCinstallation industry and building sectors –supplying anything that is plastic,” says PaulKnight, managing director of the family-runfirm.“We also supply to the general public and thismeans our windows and doors have been fittedin schools, hospitals, public houses, shippingports, offices andhundreds of homes across theUK.“In each case, we seek to build a long-termrelationship with the customer based on trust,reliability and support.“The majority of our customers have beengiving the company very appreciated repeatbusiness for many years.”Named after Blenkin Street in east Hull,where itwas based beforemoving to its currenthome in Plane Street, west Hull, it originallyemployed four staff – now, it’s close to 40.Founded in 1964, Blenkin Products Ltd was

once primarily a small-scale distributor ofplastic products for the building and holidayhomes industries.It was customer demand over the years thatled the business to open its own UPVC man-ufacturing division, supplying fascias, soffits,rainwater products and a range of homeplastics to trade and the public.Alongside a glass production plant, this pro-gression and variety led Blenkin Products Ltdto the position it is in today – one of the largeststockers and suppliers of its products in theUK, supplying more than 700 windows, 100doors and 15 conservatories each week.It is truly a one-stop shop for customers,providing an array of products for a variety ofclients, whether they be major blue chip firmsin their own right or individualmembers of thepublic.“We employ close to 40 staff and they are eachhighly skilled and trained in what they do,”adds Paul.“This means they are knowledgeable andavailable anytime to give information on any ofour thousands of products.“We are happy for customers to call us or popin and ask questions.We can provide specialistadvice gathered from almost 50 years in theindustry and such is invaluable. We can also

Your one-stop shopfor anything plastic

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make recommendations on the application ofour products.”However, despite its undoubted success overthe years, Blenkin Products Ltd is not contentto rest on its laurels.A turnover in excess of £3.5 million last year– it’s best to date and achieved in very toughtrading conditions – is projected to rise to£5 million in 2011, while money has beeninvested in the firm with a view to taking themanufacturer into the European market.“We recently invested more than £250,000 onautomated machinery,” says Paul, whosebrother Gary is also a director.“This investment was needed to increaseproductivity and better serve our existing cus-tomers, and enabling us to secure and servicelarger orders.“While we are never neglectful and alwaysappreciative of our UK customer base, we areplanning to expand into working withcontinental manufacturers. The injection ofinvestment is likely to achieve serious resultsin encouraging these people to work with usand use our products overseas.“A leading consultancy company is alsowork-ing with us to restructure the business fromtop to bottom, with a view to securing furtherpublic sector contracts in the future.“There’s been no more exciting time to be atthis company than now.”For more information on Blenkin ProductsLtd, call 01482 565654 or visit www.blenkin-products.co.uk

SKILLED TEAM: Blenkin Productsmanaging directors Paul, left, and GaryKnight with staff. Pictures: Kate Woolhouse

FAMILY-RUN FIRM: Gary and Paul in the factory inPlane Street, west Hull. Top, some of their products.