When Adam Evans, Director of ADS Glazing, first walked through the doors at Midland Aluminium in 2016, he was simply looking to pick up a door for a weekend installation job. He had no idea that a single transaction would be the start of a partnership that is still going strong nearly ten years later.
How it all began
Adam has spent his whole career in the glazing industry, working in the industrial side before moving into residential installations around 2016. As his business grew from weekend work into a fully established company, he quickly realised that finding the right supplier was just as important as finding the right customers.
His introduction to Midland Aluminium was straightforward. The company was based just a few miles from where Adam grew up, and its reputation among local builders and contractors was already well established.
"Being on sites locally, people were talking about them," Adam recalls. "I knew of them because they were just down the road from me, but mainly builders suggesting we go there just because of how great they were to work with and the speedy lead times."
Before settling on Midland Aluminium, Adam had experienced the frustrations that many trade installers will recognise. Slow lead times, inconsistent product quality and, perhaps most importantly, suppliers who simply did not invest in the relationship.
"I did have problems with other suppliers,” he explains. "Lead times was a big one, products weren’t arriving quickly enough, and the quality wasn’t consistent enough. Midland dealt with all of these issues straight away."
From the very first visit, Adam knew Midland Aluminium was different. The person who greeted him that day was Jason Wootton, Director at Midland Aluminium.
"When I walked through the door the first person I met was Jason," Adam says. "He got up, and introduced himself. He was very friendly and extremely helpful. He explained everything, and it was just a straightforward transaction from the off."
Jason reflects on what those early interactions were really about. "When a potential new installer comes through the door, we’re always thinking about what we can do to make their lives easier. Fast quotes, reliable product, honest advice and being there when something needs sorting - that is what builds a long-term relationship, and that is exactly what happened with Adam and ADS Glazing."
Ten years of growth
Across a decade of working together, the partnership has gone from strength to strength. Midland Aluminium's lead times, starting from just seven days on bi-fold doors and two to three weeks on most aluminium products, have directly helped ADS Glazing win contracts that competitors simply could not fulfil.
"I've been able to win jobs because of their speedy lead times and have beaten other competitors purely on that," Adam explains. "If a customer has a kitchen being done in two weeks, Midland can get a bi-fold to me in time so we can install it and everyone's happy."
Free nationwide delivery, 24-hour quote turnaround and consistent product quality have all played their part too. But for Adam, it is the human side of the relationship that has made the biggest difference over the years.
"It's not everyone that can sell a window or a door," he says. “When challenges occur, it's important to know your supplier can resolve it instantly. Jason has always backed ADS Glazing and I've always backed him. It's been a great relationship."
A standout moment: fitting out the showroom
When Midland Aluminium updated its trade showroom, it was ADS Glazing who carried out the installation, giving Adam hands-on experience with new product lines even before they were available more widely.
"That was one of my favourite projects," Adam says. "It meant we got to have a look at all the new products they were bringing in. It was exciting to see them in-person instead of on a picture and it was great to work with Jason and the team."
For Jason, the showroom project summed up what the partnership is really about. "Asking Adam and his team to fit out our showroom was a straightforward decision. After nearly ten years, there is nobody who knows our products better or who we trust more to represent them well."
Still going strong
Nearly ten years after that first Friday afternoon meeting, Adam at ADS Glazing has no intention of looking elsewhere.
"I always recommend Midland Aluminium, just because of the great service I've had over the years. I wouldn't suggest anyone else."
Jason is equally clear about what the relationship means to the business. "Partnerships like the one we have with ADS Glazing are what Midland Aluminium is built on. We are always aiming to be more than just a supplier. We are part of how Adam's business operates, and that is something we take seriously every single day."
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