Safestyle UK

Safestyle UK is part of the Style Group UK and is a provider of PVCu double glazed windows, doors, French doors, patio and sliding doors in the United Kingdom.

History

Established on 22 December 1992 with £2,000, 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. The facility is set in an 18-acre (73,000 m²) 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.

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.^[1]

The company 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.

The company 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 and Leeds chairman Ken Bates.^[2]

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".^[3]

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.^[4]

Also in 2006, Safestyle UK received Government-backed endorsement in the TrustMark scheme,^[5] 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, they have 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.^[6]

In 2008 the company was criticized by consumer rights charity Which? for its use of questionable sales techniques.^[7]

In 2013, it was announced that Safestyle UK Ltd would be floated on the Alternative Investment Market in a deal worth £70 million.^[8]

Jeff Brown

Jeff Brown, also known as "the Safestyle window man", is known for Safestyle windows adverts where he shouts at customers.

Brown did his first "BOGOF" (Buy one get one free) advert in 1999, and is still working with Safestyle today. As of 2010 Safestyle UK have produced nearly 500 TV and Radio ads, including award-winning TV ads, many starring Jeff, along with Ken Morley (Reg Holdsworth in Coronation Street), comedy duo Cannon and Ball, ex-Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker,^[9] as well as "the UK's Biggest Man" Barry Austin, and papier-mâché headed comedian-musician Frank Sidebottom.

He has been the match announcer for Burnley F.C., and has provided half time entertainment for Accrington Stanley F.C..^[10] He also hosts the lounge for Wigan Warriors RLFC.^[11]

In 2008 Brown released a rap song about his home town of Burnley, to help raise money for Joshua Ford (then aged 9) who had his legs amputated after contracting meningitis.^[12]

In May 2010, Brown was sentenced for dangerous driving and given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after being filmed by another motorist and passenger crossing white lines and driving on the wrong side of the road on the main road between Harrogate and Skipton in the early hours of 4 June 2009. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £2,800 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 18 months and had to sit an extended re-test before he got his licence back.^[13]

In June 2013, Brown ran the Pennine Lancashire 10K after being challenged by Martin Mensforth of Premier Range - who wagered £10,000.00 for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal. Brown, who began training at 21 stone, ran the race five stones lighter after training with Jamie Kennedy at FX Fitness Experience in Burnley. The £10,000.00 cheque was collected by Brown on Saturday 14th September 2013 in front of the crowds at Turf Moor.^[14] Since then, the Jane Tomlinson Appeal donated the cash "back to Burnley", so that Brown could share it out over charitable projects across the town. 21 organisations were given donations totaling £10,000.00 and were all presented at a ceremony at the town's Mechanics theatre. ^[15]

References

External links

• Official Safestyle UK website