Clearview National October 2016 - Issue 179 | Page 60
SOLIDROOFS&CONSERVATORIES
The bigger
picture
»»PREMIER ROOF SYSTEMS WAS
founded in 2011 by childhood friends and
experienced industry professionals, Jamie
Blackwood and Chris Mullen. In the five short
years since it began, the business has grown
from just the two directors to employing
seventeen people and now fabricates between
twenty to twenty-five roofs per week, including
the Guardian Warm Roof system. The
company’s success and reputation has not come
without hard work but, as Jamie tells Clearview,
they have always kept their eye on the bigger
picture…
“I went into PVCu window fabrication
straight from school and worked at a couple of
companies over a 10-year period. During this
time, I was given the opportunity to fabricate
roofs and spent the next 8 years developing my
experience in this area.”
Meanwhile, Chris Mullen, a friend to Jamie
since childhood and who Jamie had helped
to get his first job in window fabrication, had
enjoyed a successful career as a professional
boxer. The pair had often discussed setting up
a business together but as Chris’s boxing career
came to a natural end, the time was right for
them both to seriously consider a joint venture.
As something they had in common, window
fabrication was a logical choice but, on closer
inspection of the market opportunities, they
decided that there was more potential for them
in roofs.
It was after a meeting with Tony Morrison
at Eurocell, who offered his support, that Jamie
and Chris took the huge step to get funding for
their first 2,000 sqft factory to begin fabricating
conservatory roofs. Eurocell helped with the
setting up of their production software and
soon Premier Roof Systems has its’ first big
customer, TWR Trade Frames.
“In the early days it was just Chris and
myself, working all hours to fulfil every role
the business required. We had no money
for advertising, as we ploughed every penny
back into the business, so the growth of our
customer base was completely reliant on repeat
business and recommendations. We knew we
had to build a good reputation and it was very
hard work at times but we always had our eye
on the bigger picture,” Jamie explains.
After an intense first 6 months, Premier Roof
60 » OCT 2016 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
Systems was in a position to start employing
new members of staff to help build the business.
And with its winning formula, the company
grew at pace, moving to a 3,000 sqft factory
at the end of year one and, more recently, to a
10,000 sqft factory earlier this year.
The latest appointments for the company
are Marketing Manager, Pouya Bostani, who
has already set a marketing strategy for the
business and revamped the website to great
effect, generating leads including walk-in
enquiries. And also Operations Manager, Jon
Orrock, who has a background in engineering
and a wealth of experience in large scale
manufacturing. “Jon has applied his big
business mentality of lean manufacturing
techniques and SOPs (standard operating
procedures) to help us become more efficient
and systematic,.” says Jamie.
The foundation of traditional conservatory
roofs on which the company was built still
stands as a key area for Premier Roof Systems.
But, after identifying the potential for solid
roofs, Chris and Jamie met with Ross Darcy
and Joe Kearney from Guardian and decided
to take the big step of remodelling their factory
to accommodate fabrication of the Guardian
Warm Roof as their solid roof solution.
The potential for the product proved an easy
sell to Premier Roof Systems’ trade installer
customers due to its impressive thermal qualities
and LABC approval. From there, demand for the
product quickly grew and although competition
has grown steadily, as other suppliers launch their
own versions, Premier Roof Systems has found
that its choice of quality products, reputation
and experience has allowed it to continue to
grow its market share.
The latest Premier Roof Systems’ product
is the Skypod from Eurocell. This slim line
rooflight is a versatile and innovative system
of pitched skylights for flat roofs, combining
contemporary looks with exceptional build
quality. Skypod was launched by Eurocell almost
a year ago in response to customer feedback. It
has proven a popular product within Premier
Roof Systems’ range and even attracted interest
from outside the industry including builders and
architects.
Jamie concludes, “I can honestly say that the
last five years have been a real adventure for
myself and Chris, thanks to our loyal customers
and the great team we have built. I look forward
to a bright future for Premier Roof Systems.”.
www.premierroofsystems.co.uk