Safestyle UK

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Safestyle UK
Type	Double Glazing
Founded	1992
Headquarters	Bradford, England
Industry	Glass, glazing and fenestration
Products	Replacement windows and doors
Parent	Style Group UK
Website	www.safestyle.co.uk

Safestyle UK is part of the Style Group UK and is the largest independent provider^{[citation needed]} of PVCu double glazed windows, doors, French doors, patio and sliding doors in the United Kingdom.

1 History
2 SafeStyle Customers
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

Established on December 22, 1992 with just £2,000, Safestyle has seen rapid growth and in 2005 the company installed more than £100 million of replacement windows and doors. Safestyle’s head office is in Bradford, West Yorkshire and the company now has more than 40 branches across the United Kingdom.

In 1996 the company expanded and set up a new division, Windowstyle, which manufactures Safestyle’s double glazed PVCu windows and doors in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. The company has invested more than £6.5 million in Windowstyle to date, including £2.5 million worth of state-of-the-art glass toughening and processing machinery, and an electricity substation. The facility is set in 18-acre site, employs over 600 specialist production staff, runs 24 hours a day, 6 days a week, and produces more than 5,500 frames and 13,500 double glazed sealed units per week. It is also the biggest employer in the area.

Safestyle UK is known for its distinctive advertising campaigns, and over the years they have produced nearly 500 TV and Radio ads, including award-winning TV ads starring the infamous Window Man (Jeff Brown, who is also the match announcer at Burnley FC), Ken Morley (Reg Holdsworth in Coronation Street), comedy duo Cannon & Ball, ex-Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker^[1], as well as the UK's Biggest Man, Barry Austen, and wacky papier-mâché headed comedian-musician Frank Sidebottom. In March 2007 the Advertising Standards Authority upheld a complaint against a Safestyle advertisement which had been broadcast in September 2006. They agreed that the advertisement had been misleading in two respects, both relating to the "Buy now, pay next year" credit terms. The ASA ruled that the advertisement should not be shown again.^[2]

Safestyle have had a number of partnerships, particularly in the field of fire safety, including the Home Office fire safety campaign and West Yorkshire Fire Service.

Safestyle have also had several sports partnerships, including Rugby League team Castleford Tigers and more recently Leeds United football club, creating a special TV ad for the latter with ex-Chelsea Leeds chairman Ken Bates^[3].

In 2003 the Sunday Mirror published a report on Safestyle UK's sales representatives' techniques, saying that "it is almost a badge of honour to rip off a customer".^[4]

In 2005 the company was nominated in the national G Awards, which take place annually and are open to all organisations in the glass, glazing and fenestration industries. Safestyle won the G05 Award for Best Promotional Campaign of the Year, following that in 2006 with the G06 Award for Best Customer Care^[5].

Also in 2006, Safestyle UK received Government-backed endorsement in the TrustMark scheme^[6], a scheme also supported by the building industry and consumer groups. TrustMark-endorsed companies must have proven ability to make improvements and repairs inside and outside homes, adhering to high standards of workmanship and customer care.

In 2007, Safestyle continued to win industry awards, winning the G07 Installer of the Year Award, and the G07 Health and Safety Initiative Award at the annual industry G Awards^[7].