Symphony – why kitchens could be a good fit for Retra members
Earlier this year, the Retra Board and staff, including Alert editor, Sean Hannam, were invited on a visit to Symphony’s head office and production facility at Pen Hill, Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
For further information, please contact:
Symphony Robert Williamson national business development manager
Email:
Robert.Williamson@symphony-group.co.uk Tel: 01226 446024 Mob: 07721 689834
Associate member Symphony recently welcomed the Retra Board and staff to its headquarters in Barnsley. We report on the opportunities available to electrical retailers who want to move into selling fitted kitchens.
talk to any Retra members thinking of expanding into fitted kitchens. “In order to get the full benefit of their knowledge and
experience first-hand their commitment to independent electrical retailers, it is well worth making the trip to Yorkshire.”
Fantastic Speaking to Alert, Mr Williamson said: “Myself, Carl Smales (Symphony’s business manager, Northern) and John Appleby (business development manager, Midlands and South West), attended the Retra Conference. It was fantastic and we met some nice people.”
He added: “It was very informative and gave us a bigger viewpoint on the issues faced by appliance suppliers. We are looking forward to building prosperous relationships with Retra members. We are already speaking with five members and are planning open days in our marketing suite to meet with more.”
The privately-owned, UK-based furniture business, which is
an approved supplier to the Sirius Buying Group, became a Retra associate member a few months ago. Started in 1971 by Doug Gregory, in Leeds, supplying kitchens to local house builders, the company has grown to supply nationally both the housing and retail markets with kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture. Symphony is the market leader for the supply and installation of kitchens in the new-build housing market and over one in two new- build properties will have a Symphony kitchen fitted. The business, which had a turnover of £280m in 2021, is planning a major factory expansion at its head office, which will give it an additional 300,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity by 2023.
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Retra is delighted to welcome Symphony as a new associate member. Many of our members are either active in the fitted kitchen marketplace or are considering entering it
It currently employs over 1800 staff and has three manufacturing and distribution centres covering a million square feet in Barnsley, Rotherham and Wakefield. Retra’s trip also included a stop-off at the local timber and building supplies company used by Symphony.
Delighted Commenting on the trip, Retra CEO, Howard Saycell, said: “Retra is delighted to welcome Symphony as a new associate member. Many of our members are either active in the fitted kitchen marketplace or are considering entering it. “The set-up is very impressive. Any member thinking of moving into this market can get a very comprehensive guide on how to get started, plus the levels of support on offer for a new entrant into this sizable market opportunity.” Mr Saycell added: “Robert Williamson, Symphony’s national business development manager, and his team would be delighted to
14 Associate News
Symphony open days for Retra members Since the Retra Conference took place, Symphony has confirmed five open days this year for members to attend. The dates, which are all on Wednesdays, are: • June 15 • July 20 • August 17 • September 21 • October 19
The Retra Board and Alert editor, Sean Hannam, meet the Symphony team at its head office
“We will look to put those Retra members up either the night
before or the night of the event, so that they have a pleasurable experience and we can meet and network before and afterwards,” said Mr Williamson. He added: “This will be a great experience for Retra members
interested in kitchens to come and see first-hand independent retailers’ preferred supply partner for kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and home office furniture. “It will also allow myself and my colleagues to illustrate how your members can share in the success achieved by many other electrical retailers.”
Associate News
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