Everest (company)

Everest Home Improvement (Everest Ltd) is a British double-glazing and home improvement company.^[1] Roy Saunders is the company's CEO.^[2]

History

In 1965, Everest was founded and became one of the first companies in the market of double-glazing.^[1] In what became a very fragmented market,^[3] with over 3,000 companies,^[1] the company grew to become the second biggest in the UK market by sales^[1] and turnover^[3] with 2.5% of the market (£165m sales) by 2009,^[1] later rising to 3%.^[3]

Private Equity firm Better Capital acquired Everest in March 2012.^[4] In November 2013, Everest won the Interactive Media Awards in content, design, functionality, high standards of compliance and usability.^[5][6]

In 2014, Everest introduced triple glazing to the volume market.^{[7] [8]}

Organisation

The company is headquartered in Cuffley, Hertfordshire and has manufacturing plants in Sittingbourne, Kent and Treherbert, Wales.^[1][2] Everest employs its own product development team, design team, installation team and sales team. The company employed over 1,000 people in 2009, each operating as a franchisee.^[1]

Accreditations

Everest is accredited by the British Board of Agrément (BBA),^[9] the British Standards Institute (BSI),^[10] The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF),^[11] The Conservatory Association,^[12] The Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA)^[13] and Interlay.^[14] The company also carries the Government Endorsed Standards Trust Mark through the GGF.^[15][16]

Advertising

Tan Hill Inn

Everest's slogan "Fit the best. Everest," written by advertising executive Rod Allen, was made memorable by the company's first television advert in the 1980s.^[17] Filmed in 'Britain's highest pub' the Tan Hill Inn in Tan Hill, North Yorkshire, it attempted to showcase the draught-proofing of Everest double-glazing by having television personality Ted Moult dropping a feather on one side of the pubs double-glazed windows, while a gale raged outside.^[1][17][18] A new version of the advert featuring Craig Doyle, was filmed in 2008.^[19] It created some controversy after local planning officials recognized that Everest had not properly authorized the improvement work done to the filming location, as is required for commercial premises.^[20][21]

Advertising bans

In 2008, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned an Everest television advert for potentially misleading consumers as to the amount of hot water generated by a solar panel.^[22] The advert was subsequently amended and allowed to be shown in the amended form.^[22]

In 2011, the ASA banned an Everest ad for solar panels following claims of misleading consumers regarding potential cost savings.^[23][24]

Which? Investigations

A report in April 2010 by consumer organisation Which? claimed that of 14 companies it investigated selling double glazing on the doorstep, most were employing "cowboy" sales tactics.^[25][26][27] The report also added that while consumers trust local suppliers, they still prefer the national sellers because of their quality of products and long warranties.^[28][29][30]

Turnover

During 2013, employing over 2,000 staff, the total operating profits for 2012-2013 were over £5.1 million.^[31]

Products

• Double and triple glazing
• Secondary glazing
• uPVC windows
• Aluminium windows
• Timber windows
• BiFold doors
• Conservatories (uPVC aluminium and timber)
• Orangeries (uPVC aluminium and timber)
• Tiled-roof extensions
• Patio doors and French doors
• Front doors (uPVC aluminium and timber)
• Back doors (uPVC aluminium and timber)
• Driveways
• Patios
• Synthetic grass
• Roofline (guttering, soffits and bargeboards)
• Flat roofs
• Garage doors (steel, aluminium and timber)
• Security systems

References

External links

• Official website