Plumbs
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[edit] Plumbs
[edit] History
Plumbs was founded in the 1950s by Thomas and Bernice Plumb, initially as a market business. In the 1960s, their son Geoff Plumb, developed the business into a small mail order company specialising in a niche market of stretch furniture covers. Mr Plumb still plays an integral part of the company as Chairman of the board.
During the mid to late 1970s the company expanded via retail outlets to a peak of 90 shops. Owing to the recession and a desire to return to core activities the shops were sold in the early 1980s and a relatively new venture, "Home consultancy", replaced retail as the way forward for the company. By 1990, home consultancy accounted for half of the company's total sales and it now stands at nearly 90% with he remaining sales coming from the mail order and sub-contract sectors.
[edit] People
Plumbs employs around 400 people at its base in Preston. The company also has over 150 self-employed consultants throughout the country, extending the Channel Isles, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. In addition, Plumbs utilise the services of over 100 skilled upholsterers, "Technical Designers", located across the UK.
