Have you seen our incredible SupaLite Support Vehicle out and about on the road? Carl Linney, our Business Development Manager, travels up and down the UK, visiting our trade customers, showcasing our impressive products and developing trade counter relationships.
That’s right, SupaLite come to your business!
Take a look as Carl answers some of our most popular questions.
Find out all about where the idea for the SupaLite Support Vehicle came from, where we visit, and what we showcase.
When and how did the idea of the van come about – did it start with the van then Carl became the driver or vice versa?
The idea of the van came from our Sales Director, Wes Clarkson. We attended The FIT Show in 2023, and many of our customers who came to visit us suggested they wanted to see our products, but without having to come to a trade show.
Essentially, our customers wanted a mini FIT Show to see our products, but instead of them coming to us, we would go to them.
This is where the idea of using a van to showcase our products originated from. The idea quickly became a reality, and before long, I became the driver.
What’s in the van?
The van features everything our trade customers need, from a roof sample to a full range of marketing materials, including product brochures, leaflets, and so much more.
Where do you go and what do you do in it?
We offer UK coverage, so no matter where our customers are based, we can travel to them. We attend open days, training days, and promotional events. The skies the limit!
How do you decide which areas you’re going to go to and when?
Where we visit is driven by the demand of our customer base. One week, we could be in the North West, and the next, we could be at the other side of the country, all the way down South.
Sometimes, you just don’t know which customers we will be visiting to showcase SupaLite, but that’s one of my favourite aspects of the SupaLite Support Vehicle, the spontaneity.
If you ever see me on the road in the van, give me a wave!
How can people find out where you’re going to be?
The best place to find where we are going to be, is by checking our social media, mainly LinkedIn. I will usually post where I’m travelling to next.
If you don’t already, follow SupaLite’s LinkedIn page to stay one step ahead of everyone else and be one of the first to know where we will be visiting in the van.
What type of people come and see the van?
Our main customers who visit the van are trade installers. These are the individuals we have fantastic relationships with. Whether they’re installers we’ve worked with for years, or brand-new SupaLite trade customers, we ensure they have everything they need.
The customer is our main focus. All our energy goes into supporting and servicing them. Training is the key to installers, and we can provide this.
What are the most common questions you get about it?
Believe it or not, the most common question we get asked about the van is, can I borrow it! Although we do not lend the van out to our installers, we can support them in other ways by providing samples, pull-up banners, brochures, flags, and other marketing materials.
What are the most common ‘mistakes’ or ‘myths’ you’re able to help people with?
The most common myth I would say is people think tiled conservatory roofs are too much trouble. Once you understand the product, you’ll realise they’re a lot simpler than initially thought.
During a visit, I can break the roof down to show installers how to simplify their jobs and projects. You’ll get to see first-hand how easy tiled conservatory roofs are.
Do you have any funny stories?! (about the van!)
It absolutely hates multi-story car parks! I’ve come close to being stuck on a couple of occasions.
Are there any other similar initiatives or developments in the pipeline you can tell us about? (you can tease some of hints and tips coming up)
We do have some exciting ideas and plans in the pipeline, and I can’t wait! We’re looking at attending some retail events and country shows, to further expand our audience base, showcase SupaLite products to more installers across the UK, and to increase consumer leads for all our customers.
Why is it so important for people to keep up with training and technical know-how?
Regulations and specifications are constantly changing. If installers don’t keep on top of this, they might not be meeting the correct criteria and requirements when it comes to a project. This can be a costly mistake if the installation is not compliant with regulations.
This can be easily avoided by keeping up to date with the latest installer training and technical workshops.
What should people be looking for when they choose a product – when it comes to extra support and service?
What our customers are looking for when choosing a product is expertise in solid roofs and experience. We provide this to all.
We supply the right training to ensure that our partners become true experts in handling and installing SupaLite roofs. Our comprehensive training covers everything, ensuring that our products are installed efficiently, safely, and to the highest standards.
Additionally, our ongoing support means that you are never alone during this process. Our dedicated support and technical team are here to assist you every step of the way, addressing any challenges that may arise and ensuring a smooth, efficient installation.
We also pride ourselves on offering our customers the right price without compromising on quality and are passionate about delivering excellent customer service. Our team are committed to understanding your needs and providing solutions that exceed your expectations.
On the whole, how is the standard of skills you see when you travel around? Are there certain areas (of skills) that people seem to be better at than others – and other areas that seem to be lacking?
The experienced installers are getting older, and the skills gap needs addressing; this is where training helps. We deliver both, with the aid of the SSV and our training facility at our SupaLite office in Preston.
Our experts are always only a phone call away to help with any questions or queries you have with surveys or installs.
Are there certain areas (regions!) where you notice different trends in products and skills from the people you speak to?
Travelling around the country as much as I do, I’ve found there are lots of busy customers all across the UK. The reality of business is far better than some media outlets would have you believe. There’s more demand than you think.
Want to find out more about our SupaLite Support Vehicle? Get in touch with our experts today.
