On behalf of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Exemplas, working in partnership with Leeds Beckett University delivered a data-driven diagnostic in the form of the West Yorkshire Business Productivity Service (WYBPS) to Trust Electric Heating.
Trust Electric Heating
Trust Electric Heating is an innovative electric heating company based in Garforth outside of Leeds. Their vision is to be the best heating manufacturer, installer, innovator, and heating-educator in the UK. Scott, the genius and inventor of the NEOS electric radiator wanted to create a smarter and more
sustainable way of conserving energy whilst heating a room, and set about revolutionising the heating market. His wife/MD, Fiona wanted to improve the reputation of the heating industry, and did this by rebranding – to be human, personal, and honest. This Trust Promise enables the company to have a strong and trustworthy relationship with their customers. Together their constant innovation, drive for sustainability, customer-centricity and most importantly trust is what is driving their success.
Joining West Yorkshire Business Productivity Service (WYBPS)
Olivia Hullah Trust Electric Heating Marketing Manager recounted the reason they joined the WYBPS was that they needed support to drive their high growth plans, both strategic and tactical support from a productivity expert.
“We chose to work with the West Yorkshire Business Productivity Service
primarily to drive our high growth plans. While investment into our offices was a consideration, our main focus was on enhancing productivity and operational efficiency to support our rapid expansion. The resources and expertise offered by the West Yorkshire Business Productivity Service were
instrumental in helping us identify and implement critical improvements in our business processes.”“The benefits of the programme for Trust Electric were enabling us to proactively use the
Olivia Hullah, Marketing Manager Trust Electric Heating.
diagnostic tool, guided by an expert, and allow us to gain comprehensive insights into our
operations.”
Initial Situation
Trust Electric Heating had just invested in new warehouse space, which had both the office and manufacturing operations within, when they first met with Jonathan McMullon back in April 2023.
Jonathan, a Business Productivity Manager at Exemplas, was delivering the West Yorkshire Business Productivity Service and had an initial conversation with them. It was clear that the growth plans for the business were ambitious, and they had the space with which to work from, but needed guidance in how to utilise this additional resource to increase organisational productivity. The first step Jonathan took was to lead them through the diagnostic tool.
“The diagnostic tool itself was user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to understand and utilise. The guidance from Exemplas was invaluable, as they walked us through each step, ensuring we could effectively use the tool to gain comprehensive insights into our operations.”
Olivia Hullah, Marketing Manager Trust Electric.
Diagnostic Results
Trust Electric Heating knew from an early stage that they would need to reassess how to effectively train and manage their team as they started on their high-growth strategy. They had already scaled their premises, and with the help of the productivity diagnostic, they knew they had to improve their flow efficiency – through streamlined processes, and better utilise and onboard their new team, having grown from 17 staff to 37 in just 6 months.
The diagnostic revealed several areas where Trust Electric Heating could enhance their productivity, particularly within their factory operations. It highlighted inefficiencies in their production workflows and pinpointed opportunities for process optimisation. Specifically, it showed a need for:
- Better resource allocation
- Digitisation
- More effective staff training programs.
These insights were crucial in shaping their subsequent improvement strategies. They were able to quantify several positive outcomes from the initiatives they implemented.
“The increase in our workforce has not only allowed us to meet current demand more effectively but has also positioned us well for future growth and expansion.”
Olivia Hullah, Marketing Manager Trust Electric Heating.
Cultural Fit
The rapid growth, fuelling the need for doubling of the staff made it very clear that Trust Electric Heating needed to ensure that the hires were not only trained in the new processes, but they fit the over riding culture of the business.
“We hire for culture. “Everyone that walks through that door mentions the culture, the enthusiasm, and the buzz.” “This is the culture that Fiona is instilling, this is what makes people want to be a part of the Trust Electric Heating team, and this will help drive our
Paula Fitzgerald, Office Manager Trust Electric Heating
success.”
Follow-up
Trust Electric Heating are ensuring their culture is embedded with any new hires, and they are looking at leadership skills programmes through further support provided by Exemplas through their Business Boost programme in West Yorkshire (funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund) around leadership and innovation. They are also looking at the “Made Smarter” digital grant programme to support their digitisation needs.
Since working with the West Yorkshire Business Productivity Service, we have experienced significant growth in both total sales, and productivity. ”
Olivia Hullah, Marketing Manager Trust Electric Heating.