Streamlining the Style Group: How Safestyle, Tradestyle and Windowstyle stay ahead with lean thinking software

Being better, quicker and smarter than rivals has enabled Style Group to thrive while others are floundering in a difficult market. Now one of the largest independent UK PVC-U window and door manufacturer and retailers, its growth is based on streamlining its operations for maximum efficiency, to deliver the best service to customers. Cutting out extra steps and errors in each arm of the business – Safestyle; Tradestyle and Windowstyle – means the Group is more effective and outperforms competitors. Underpinning its success is the latest lean thinking technology from Profitmaker software.

Profitmaker Office has been part of the infrastructure at Windowstyle UK, Style Group’s Barnsley-based production arm since 1997. Profitmaker.net was introduced to ensure efficient order processing and tracking at Tradestyle UK, the organisation’s key trade company in 2002. And Profitmaker Mobile was introduced at Safestyle UK (retail) in 2005, allowing its surveyors to do all calculations online via their Laptops, from measuring and amending a quote to entering the order. Accurate surveys are uploaded in real time and accessible at Safestyle’s Head Office with no paperwork.

It’s been a successful long-term relationship, as Nick Lilburn, Group Director of Style Group UK Ltd observes: “Profitmaker Office has helped reduce waste, reduce labour, and improve speed and efficiency. As Profitmaker.Net links directly to Profitmaker Office there’s no duplication when inputting data, and no need to re-key information. It’s shortened the end-to-end process time significantly.” Tradestyle customers can price and order products online and even view the progress of their orders.

“The Profitmaker team are always available to help,” adds Nick, “and only a phone-call away. They work closely with our in-house experts to ensure all the company’s needs are met. If our needs change, then they work with us to adapt the software.

“Profitmaker Mobile is used by Safestyle’s surveyors. Any data inputted onsite can be send directly and immediately to the office to be processed. Surveyors can save time by printing out a confirmation of the exact specifications onsite for the homeowner. The company saves money on materials and time, and human error is eliminated.”

Profitmaker Office makes the most of Windowstyle’s state-of-the-art machinery, so fabrication is as efficient and accurate as possible. Windowstyle produces over 5,500 frames and 12,500 sealed units per week, giving it a competitive advantage over industry rivals.

Mike Nagle, Sales & Marketing Director of MBN International Systems Ltd, which produces Profitmaker software, comments: “Even the smallest improvement in efficiencies can make a huge difference. The principles of lean thinking are based on eliminating waste and streamlining business so that productivity increases, cycle times are shortened, performance is improved and customer satisfaction levels soar.

“The full suite of Profitmaker software links installation, surveying, sales, order processing and manufacturing to work together efficiently, maximising profits. It puts lean thinking into effect across the board.”