D.A.D: ALISON TAYLOR THE ERT INTERVIEW


14


‘We are seeing some green shoots coming through’


In her first major interview since taking over as Managing Director of D.A.D, Alison Taylor talks to Jack Cheeseman about how the company navigated the recent market downturn, but by pushing forward focusing on its key strengths and own-brand products, she says she’s confident there’s recovery ahead.


UK. The business was formed in 1992 by the Gillman family in Gloucestershire; they already operated a successful retail showroom (this arm of the company was originally set up in 1969) but then it also took on the exclusive distribution of other brands. Today, D.A.D’s portfolio includes Montpellier, Beko, Kenwood, De’Longhi and Sharp, to name just a few, plus its own in-house brand,


A


s its name suggests, Domestic Appliance Distributors (D.A.D) is a major distributor of domestic appliances


electronic goods throughout


and consumer the


Iceking. The company maintains that its ongoing successful relationships with major manufacturers enables it to give its retail customers the best possible service, widest range of stock and the most competitive prices. The


ERT-Award-winning distributor


operates a 200,000+ square foot site based in Tewkesbury, and it delivers over 55,000 products each month up and down the country, making over 340 deliveries a day. In 2022 – the company’s 30th anniversary year – the Gillman family sold D.A.D to a private equity firm and earlier this year Alison Taylor took over as Managing Director. In her first


exclusive interview since taking the helm, she tells ERT about her first year in the business… “It’s been pretty full on! But


I love it.


The business is great and the industry is fascinating. I’m really enjoying it.” Ms Taylor says that after investing in the business she planned to do a part time role, however, over time she got more involved… “The business wasn’t bought with the intention of making any big changes,” she explains, “it was a very successful business as it was. But as my interest and knowledge grew, my role became a lot bigger, so it was a natural process to step into the MD role.”


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