The importance of the Bathroom Showroom

The bathroom has definitely become one of the more important rooms in a new build or refurbishment project over the last few years. It is now seen as a place of comfort and luxury rather than just a functional room - somewhere to enjoy spending time and get away from the stresses of everyday life.

Homeowners are becoming more educated and aware of the possibilities and increasingly innovative, funky and technologically advanced products are being manufactured to meet their expectations.

A bathroom project involves many different trades. Product sectors include plumbing and heating, ventilation, lighting, floor coverings, tiles, insulation and plastering - and that’s before you complete it with the sanitary ware and furniture.

Fixtures and fittings are traditionally purchased from merchants, bathroom showrooms and retailers but, more recently, DIY sheds and the Internet have come to the fore.

However, many homeowners, builders and developers want to see what they’re getting before committing to the expense and, despite the success of the Internet and the DIY sheds, specialist bathroom showrooms still play a vital role - in many ways the showrooms bind the whole bathroom sector together.

Many manufacturers and distributors of bathroom products view showrooms as one of their best sales tools in converting interest into sales.  Some independents are struggling to survive due to the threat from the Internet and the sheds, so they need to be looked after and cherished by the whole industry.

What do these independent showrooms expect from the manufacturers and distributors they’re dealing with?  How can manufacturers and distributors sell effectively and support them with the resources and assistance they actually need? Done correctly, meeting their needs can do wonders for product sales and will help a key part of the KBB industry to continue trading.

During June, we find out what the independent bathroom showroom really wants, in the next part of our series: selling to the small independent trades in the building industry. We speak to a small independent bathroom showroom about their views on the industry and their thoughts on how they need to be supported in order to succeed.

Keep checking in at Pin Board – the Pinnacle Consulting Blog to ensure you don’t miss out. If you are a sales professional or company within the KBB sector, it could encourage you to make some small changes to your outlook.

You can also follow us on FaceBook, Twitter or Google +, so you know when it’s published.

In the meantime if you are interested in developing your sales or marketing career in the KBB sector, we have a growing number of superb jobs on our books are the moment – take a look at our latest opportunities here.

Marketing is Key for Construction Product Manufacturers

Effective marketing is vital to successfully build brands and to increase product adoption and sales. Those in construction marketing jobs should provide manufacturers, distributors and merchants in the building products industry with the insight to help gain competitive advantage and to deliver their business objectives.

Marketing and Sales should be inextricably linked. Marketing teams should always support construction sales professionals as it is the foundation on which successful sales can be built. It should also provide resources and commercial direction, based on thorough research, knowledge and market understanding to the company.

Construction marketers are involved in developing integrated strategies for architects, specifiers, contractors, sub-contractors, householders and other users and decision-makers within the supply chain.

As part of a marketing team, one of the main goals should be to provide clear product positioning. This helps so both specifiers and end-users understand your message and why they should buy or use your product instead of your competitor’s. Equally crucial is communicating the quality and relevance of the support, which backs up your products.

With the construction industry continuing to focus on sustainability and the tightening of building regulations, specifiers are beginning to look at product benefits on site and factors such as lifetime building operating costs and durability, rather than just purchase price. Astute marketers will exploit these opportunities to get their message across. 

When looking to build successful sales teams, it is vital to have marketing support and direction working in the background and with them - don't expect sales to work miracles on their own.

Contact the recruitment specialists in construction products marketing on 01480 405225 to discuss your next move. Take a look at our latest marketing jobs.

Job in Focus for May: Sales Director for Commercial Interior Fit Out Products

Our Job in Focus for May is a great opportunity to work for a global supplier of interior fit out products to the commercial market. As Sales Director you would drive growth and manage the external and internal sales teams.

Each month our Job in Focus feature takes a detailed look at some of the fantastic construction and building materials job vacancies currently on our books. Job in Focus is also promoted on our website.Visit www.pinnacleconsulting.co.uk 



Job Title: Sales Director
Job Ref: J4239
Product: Fit Out
Location: London & South East
Salary: £70k

EMPLOYER: Our client are an established and respected supplier of interior fit out products within the high end market with a global presence. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: Sales Director - The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating and driving the company's UK sales and marketing activities with a view to growing the business. This person will also manage an internal and external sales team. The company's customer base includes architects, designers, contractors and corporate end users within the commercial fit out market. 

LOCATION: National but with a focus on London & South East so should live within easy commute of the London so in one of the following counties: Middlesex, Greater London, Essex, Oxfordshire, Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire 

CANDIDATE: To apply for this role you will need to have experience working in a senior sales role managing a team and who has responsibility for sales strategy and accountability. This person should come from the commercial interiors sales market and have a proven success rate working with architects and designers in London. 

PACKAGE: On offer is a basic salary of £45,000 to £70,000 plus bonus, car, pension, mobile phone, laptop and 25 days plus bank holidays. 


For further information or to discuss your career options contact Natalie Matthews on 01480 405225 or apply online.

Employment market is now in a state of prolonged growth

The latest Reed Job Index has revealed that growth in permanent jobs is outpacing the temporary and contract job market as new vacancies in April rose by more than 28% on last year. It also showed that growth is being seen throughout the UK with growth of 16% or more in every region of the UK, Jobs in the construction industry have shown dramatic gains.

The report demonstrates the almost complete confidence that UK employers now have to feel safe to invest in people for the future health of their companies.

So far in 2014, the number of permanent jobs available has grown by over 21% compared to the 2013 average. At the same time, temporary jobs and contract positions have both risen by 16%. 

The Reed Job Index of new vacancies, stands at 196, up from 153 in April last year (the baseline is 100).

In April 2014 compared to April 2013, figures have shown that new jobs in the UK have grown by 28% year-on-year, with the Construction & Property sector up by 65% in the same period. 

Pinnacle Consulting has noticed that manufacturers and distributors of building and construction products have started to heavily invest in all areas of their business, including construction sales positions, in order to keep up the the increase in housing and construction projects.

James Reed, Chairman of reed.co.uk, reacted to the latest news:

"We've seen a marked rise in the creation of permanent jobs since the start of the year, as employers gain confidence and make long term growth plans for their businesses.

"Whilst there continues to be much debate about zero-hour contracts, this shouldn't hide the good news that UK employers are increasingly committed to recruiting permanent staff as the recovery takes hold. Candidates entering the market now have a wider choice of vacancies than at any time in the last five years.”

The news is good for the whole of the country but there was some disappointing news in the report as it was revealed that salaries are still not increasing and are lower than the rise in the cost of living. Is the time now right for salaries go up? Read our article where we ask should we all be saying "Please Sir, I want some more..."

Featured Construction Sales Jobs May 2014

May 2014: With companies in the construction industry now recruiting and with candidates also more confident to starting looking for a new sales job, you may wish to take a look at our current construction products sales jobs.  We have some superb construction sales opportunities on our books at present and we feature some of them here.

If you are interested in any of these roles or are looking to develop your career, contact us or take a look at our website for more details on our construction sales jobs.

• Call us on 01480 405225 to discuss any of our current vacancies
• Email us on recruit@pinnacleconsulting.co.uk
• Visit our website at www.pinnacleconsulting.co.uk to find out about our full range of recruitment services for the building products sector.

Keep informed of ALL our latest jobs when they become available on our Facebook page. Remember to click LIKE! to ensure you receive the full benefits of news, jobs, entertainment, articles, events and promotions.

See below for full details of our featured jobs (click 'Read more' if required).

UK Housebuilding now in 15th consecutive month of growth

It is now beyond a shadow of a doubt that the UK housebuilding industry is in sustained growth mode with the latest Markit/CIPS construction PMI report showing an incredible 15th consecutive month of growth.

The report also showed that activity in the whole construction sector, which includes commercial property and civil engineering, also grew for the 12th month in a row, albeit at a slower pace than in the last in 6 months.  

All involved in the construction industry are experiencing a much better year in 2014 and this is continued good news for merchants and manufacturers of building and construction products.

Great news for employment
It is confirmation that growth in the sector is both strong and consistent and that confidence is flowing through the industry.  More than half (56%) of construction companies anticipate a further rise in output in the next 12 months while just 5% predict a fall and this is supported by the fact that construction industry recruitment has now increased for the11th month running.

The rate of expansion of residential construction was one of the fastest seen over the past 10 years and the 15-month period of continuous housebuilding growth is the longest sustained period since 2006-07.

Commercial activity also increased in April, but growth of civil engineering activity was its slowest since September 2013.

Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit, said: 

“Better economic conditions, a surge in housebuilding, improved access to finance and greater investment spending are all important tailwinds for UK construction growth this year. Moreover, the latest survey is another indication that current UK construction trends are healthier than the relatively meagre official growth estimates so far this year.

“April’s survey indicated that residential building was the fastest growing area of UK construction activity, with the latest expansion correlating with at least 45,000 new housing starts per quarter. While there looks to have been a further steep upturn in new house building starts in April, the trend remains well short of estimated increases in underlying demand each year.

“Set against the tightening supply chain backdrop, a difficult challenge lies ahead for the housebuilding sector to make sure it doesn’t hit a ‘brick ceiling’.”

CIPS chief executive David Noble added: “While the rate of growth slowed slightly in April, the construction sector is still experiencing a remarkably strong and consistent period of expansion. Positive news abounds as housing activity reached a near ten-year high and the sector as a whole benefited from the sharpest rise in new business since January this year. This, alongside improving economic conditions, continued to drive strong job creation, giving further cause for optimism about the future.

“House building was again the leading light in April, with growth now running for the longest continuous period since 2006/2007. This was further supported by a solid expansion in commercial activity; meanwhile civil engineering showed some signs of moderation, as companies looked for new work to replace flood relief activity.

“Reflecting the fast pace of growth filtering through the supply chain, vendor performance in April continued to deteriorate, typified by shortages of capacity, low stocks and worsening lead times. Beyond this, the easing of cost inflation this month was acknowledged to have brought some relief to the industry.”

Construction Products Sales Recruitment Clinics May 2014

If you're ready for your next career move in construction products sales and you would like an independent evaluation of your career? Why not arrange to attend one of our FREE PinBuild Career Development Clinics this May.

PinBuild Clinics are for sales professionals in the construction and building products sector. They provide specialist career advice & a match to our latest construction sales vacancies.

Call to arrange to meet one of our Consultants on 01480 405225 or e-mail recruit@pinnacleconsulting.co.uk

Next clinic dates
Wednesday 7th May - WARRINGTON
Wednesday 14th May - BIRMINGHAM
Wednesday 21st May - DARTFORD
Wednesday 28th May - BASINGSTOKE

Our current jobs: You might find one you'd like to discuss: Search for building products sales jobs

PinBuild Clinics will evaluate the job seeker’s career to date and identify the best opportunities available. The clinics provide professionals with expert advice on how to progress their career by discussing the industry sectors that have potential for growth, the skills and focus needed to ensure that they develop with the changing nature of the market and how to ensure that their career continues to progress rather than stagnating.

The clinics will also assist those that attend to map out a realistic and achievable career path, including any potential training requirements. Assistance will also be given to evaluate their CV and also their interview technique and where they should focus to ensure they realise their true potential in the building and construction industry.

We specialise in external and internal sales positions, marketing and management roles and director and board appointments with manufacturers, merchants or distributors across the whole building, construction and interiors product spectrum.

Take some time out to read about CRASH the construction industry's charity for homeless people and one of our industry partners for our charity initiative 'Helping others as you recruit.'