January is always exhibition time for us, with Cologne closely followed by Birmingham. Naturally I always manage to spend a few days in Cologne and it’s always a delight to catch up with our British customers who make the trip out to get the flavour of European developments. The Wiemann stand at Cologne is huge and as it’s the main platform for the company tointroduce prototypes of potential new ranges from a wide range of international customers, it’s always busy. We certainly had a positive reaction to several new designs from our British visitors and hopefully we’ll see some of those coming on stream as the year progresses.
We approached the NEC with a degree of apprehension, no doubt shared by many, and in full recognition that 2011 is going to be very challenging for everyone. It was therefore a real thrill to find ourselves busier than ever and at the end of the event to be sitting on a very healthy new order book and an excellent number of potential new accounts.
We think the reason for such a positive response was partly down to our beautiful stand (thanks to the Wiemann stand team who do us proud every year) and also, of course to some very attractive products and very attractive prices. The models we have introduced over the past few months – including the brand new high gloss Kaylee in black or white options – have really been a response to feedback from our regional agents and our customers and that has proved to be a more than worthwhile exercise. Perhaps surprisingly the dramatic looking Santos – at the top end of our price range – has attracted almost as much attention as our promotional packages and budget ranges. We seem to have the mix of design and price about right, judging by the number of customers taking not just one new range for floor display but two, three or even four is very gratifying.
We know we are going to have to work hard to support all our retailers this year, which we are really keen to do in many ways. I know I’ve said it before – but watch this space! And I promise I won’t allow my son Simon and Jenna’s wedding, now just seven months away, to be too distracting!