Alstons Trade Talk 2018

January 2018
Fleming
Stand No C60 in Hall 1
at NEC Birmingham

Fleming
Chair in fabric 8812, small scatter cushion in 8712, ebony chrome castor legs. Grand sofa in fabric 8817, large scatter cushions in 8712, small scatter cushions in 8787, ebony chrome castor legs. Accent chair in
fabric 8712, ebony solid legs.
Grand sofa in fabric 8547, large scatter cushions in 8667, small scatter cushion in 8237, smokey oak satin nickel castor legs. Chair in fabric 8667, small scatter cushion in 8547, smokey oak satin nickel castor legs.
Grand sofa in fabric 8763, large scatter cushions in 8973, small scatter cushions in
8027, smokey oak satin brass castor legs. Chair in fabric 8973, small scatter cushion
in 8027, smokey oak satin brass castor legs.
Snuggler in fabric 8155, small scatter cushions in 8015, ebony chrome castor legs. Grand sofa in fabric 8307, large scatter
cushions in 8155, small scatter cushion in 8015, ebony chrome castor legs. Accent chair in fabric 8015, ebony solid legs.
2 seater sofa in fabric 8425, large scatter cushions in 8999, smokey oak satin brass
castor. Grand sofa in fabric 8999, small scatter cushions in 8719, smokey oak satin
brass castor legs. Accent chair in fabric 8719, smokey oak solid legs.

Grand sofa in fabric 8656, large scatter cushions in 8132, smokey oak legs. Accent chair in fabric 8132, smokey oak legs. Legged ottoman in fabric 8132, smokey oak legs.
2 seater sofa in fabric 8656, small scatter cushions in 8132, smokey oak legs. Chair in fabric 8656, small
scatter cushion in 8132, smokey oak legs. Legged ottoman in fabric 8132, smokey oak legs.
Snuggler in fabric 8656, small scatter cushion in 8132, smokey oak legs. Legged ottoman in fabric 8132,
smokey oak legs.

SULLIVAN
Grand sofa in fabric 8512, large scatter cushions in 8009, ebony legs. Accent chair in fabric 8009, ebony legs.
Grand sofa in fabric 8228, large scatter cushions in 8116, ebony legs. Accent chair in fabric 8116, ebony legs.
Grand sofa in fabric 8772, large scatter cushions in 8052, smokey oak legs. Accent chair in fabric 8052,
smokey oak legs.
3 seater sofa in fabric 8657, large scatter
cushions in 8131, ebony legs.

Welcome
Our dedicated workforce
Philip Grindrod – Managing Director
Message from Philip Grindrod
2017 has been a challenging year for the industry with uncertainty
surrounding the Brexit strategy and the price volatility that has
existed within our raw material market.
On the positive side Alstons have continued to invest in the future of
our business throughout 2017 on items such as: A new and efficient
layout for our upholstery and loading bay areas, a new showvan and
a new delivery vehicle and two trailers.
During the Christmas shutdown we also installed a new fabric laying
machine within our cutting room, which will be complemented with
a state of the art fabric cutting machine during the Easter shutdown.
These investments are made to keep Alstons at the forefront of
delivering a first class service to you, our valued and loyal; customers.
We look forward to extending a warm welcome to you at our stand
at the January Furniture Show, where we will be presenting our
latest models Fleming and Sullivan.
Wishing you all a happy and prosperous 2018.
Tony Spear - Retirement after 40+ years!
Gary Chisnell - 25 years service
Sue Miller - Retirement after 20 years
Christine Green - Retirement after 21 years
Andy Kennaugh - Commercial Director
Message from Andy Kennaugh
I would like to thank all of our customers for your continued
support throughout the year.
The retail environment during 2017 continues to offer its challenges
and I am delighted how so many retailers continue to develop their
store presentations by creating imaginative and inspiring displays.
We continue to invest in our business and in 2017 we took delivery
of our brand new show van, enabling us to bring our fantastic NEC
launch to many of you.
Despite a difficult environment, I am delighted that as 2017 draws to
an end we are ahead of last year. This is a real testament to everybody
at Alstons who continually develop, create and manufacture our
sofas with continued unfailing enthusiasm and support.
The new products for NEC 2018 are extremely exciting and
I welcome you all to our stand as we all continue to drive our
businesses forward.
I would like to thank all of my team for their continued hard work
and you, our customers, for your amazing support.
I wish you all the best for 2018.
Glenn MacPhail - 50 years service
Style on the go
Dave Evans - Retirement after 12 years
In addition to the main site in Colchester we use 4 regional
transport hubs to distribute our products.
• Selby serving the North and North East
• Burton upon Trent serving the North and Midlands
• Melksham serving the West and South Wales
• Belfast serving Northern Ireland and Eire
Our overnight trunking operation means we can often
deliver the day after production. Using local drivers , on
familiar routes, provides you with the continuity of service
that makes Alstons transport the best in town.
Alstons have a dedicated team of 25 drivers
who pride themselves in delivering the very best
distribution service across the length and breadth of
the UK & Ireland.
Alstons also invested in a brand new show van which has
been touring the country with our dedicated drivers at
the wheel.
From Stirling to Southampton and from Llandudno to Lowestoft
they always go the “extra mile” to ensure customer orders arrive
on time. They love and care for every sofa as much as you do !
We were extremely delighted to be awarded the AIS Gold
Standard Award 2017.
It is the ultimate reward for any AIS supplier to receive this
reward, as it is voted for solely by the AIS members.
Our fleet of high specification “Daf “ lorries are subject to a
rigorous safety inspection programme every 6 weeks , this gives
us the reliability to keep the wheels rolling – over 1 million
kilometres covered each year!

Giving matters
This year our employees nominated the following charities for donations:
Instead of sending Christmas cards Alstons donated the money to
the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.
whether newly diagnosed or longer term, throughout and after
completion of treatment.
Since 1932, Blesma have been the only national Armed Forces
Charity that supports limbless veterans for the duration of their lives.
Helen Rollason Cancer Charity is dedicated to supporting people
whose lives are touched by cancer. Their support centres in Essex,
London and Hertfordshire are vital in helping people living with cancer.
The centres are for patients with all types of cancer at all stages,
The staff also got involved with a Christmas Raffle which
Alstons kindly donated the amazing prices – all the monies
raised from this were donated to Blesma
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans helps all serving and ex-Service
men and women who have lost limbs, or lost the use of limbs or
eyes, to rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and
welfare support.
Behind
the Sofas
Introducing our Factory
Supervisory Team
Clockwise: Rosie Reid, Willie Duncan, Martin Rae, Marc Mannings, Geoff Hambling
Development/Prototype Team
2017 has been an exciting year for the factory
and supervisory team. With new factory
layouts and internal promotions it has been an
extremely busy time for everyone at Alstons.
The outstanding hard work from the team
below ensures that the factory’s day to day
running continues to keep up with the fast pace
that your sofas demand.
Rosie Reid
Operations Manager - started Alstons 2003
How has Alstons helped you in your career development?
I have been given numerous opportunities to actively participate
in production activities over the years, which has enabled me to
develop a unique set of knowledge/ skills within the business. I have
used this experience to help transition from Human Resources
into the Sales Office and now more recently into Production,
where I am really enjoying the challenges that this offers.
If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day?
I’d like to be Ben Ainslie, I am a keen sailor and would love the
opportunity to be aboard one of his extreme vessels.
Least favourite food?
I love all Mediterranean food and despite enjoying tapenade I have
never developed a palate for a bowl of Olives.
Geoff Hambling
Upholstery and Despatch Bay Supervisor -
started Alstons 1971
What do you like most about be working for Alstons?
Although it’s not a small concern in fact growing all the time, it’s
not too big to allow everybody to be involved in anything that’s
going on (new products alterations to factory layout etc.) it makes
you feel you’re part of the company., and you have a say in what’s
going on.
Interesting fact about yourself?
Not had a day off sick for 22 years. I restore old motorcycles in my
spare time, and a good gardener.
What is your favourite meal?
Toad in the hole.
Work Study
Willie Duncan
Mill Supervisor - started Alstons 1982
What have I gained from working at Alstons?
The opportunity to progress within the company and to see
the company progressing to where it is today.
If you could be anyone from any time period who would
it be?
I would not want to be anyone from any time period, because
I am happy being myself and what I do at home and at work.
Are you messy or organised?
I think I am organised but my wife would probably not agree
with me.
Marc Mannings
Frame Shop Supervisor - started Alstons 2004
What is your proudest moment for working for Alstons?
Being promoted to Frame Shop Supervisor
If you could do another job for just one day, what would
it be?
Archaeologist
Three words to best describe you?
Loyal, caring, reliable
Martin Rae
Sewing & Cutting Supervisor - started Alstons 2002
How has Alstons helped you in your career development?
I started in the frame shop where I stayed for 8 years and
then an opportunity arose for a Work Study Engineer role.
Alstons supported my training and education in this role and
I stayed in that position for 7 years. Alstons have once again
been very supportive as I have now successfully secured the
exciting role of Cutting and Sewing Supervisor.
If you were stuck on an island what three things would
you bring?
I would bring a deck chair, sunglasses and silo full of Pina colada,.
If I’m on a beach then it’s time to relax lol.
If you were an animal what would you be?
I would probably be an owl, as they calculate every move and
tend to see the bigger picture.
Trainers
L to R: Rob Phillips, Vida Bucinskiene, Steve Randall, Richard Hudson, Ewa Czernikiewicz, Joe Eardley, Rob Reason, Jon Hay
Once a sketch from our designer Matthew has been approved, our Development
team are the ones who bring it all to life. Firstly we have Rob (Phillips) and Joe
who work on the frame, Steve and Richard on the Upholstery, Vida on the
Sewing and Rob (Reason) and Jon who take care of the lay planning. This is then
followed by Ewa putting the Bill of Materials together.
LAST ORDERS 2018
Burnham - 5 March 18 • Aspen - 3 April 18
Duncan Jackson and Peter Edwards
Duncan and Peter form our Work Study team. Their
role consists of working closely with the Development
team, ensuring new products are engineered to the
correct quality standards and in an efficient way for the
manufacturing departments.
Accounts
accounts@alstons.co.uk
(01206) 733308
Andy Parrott and Tracy Ranson
Our product trainers Andy and Tracy are in the Upholstery
and Sewing departments. Their roles are to ensure that all
operators are trained in the correct methods and reach
the required quality standards on all new products. Andy
and Tracy also train all the new starters.
Sales
SALES: (01206) 733301
SERVICE: (01206) 733306
All our products are FSC ® Certified
www.alstons.co.uk