Installer Profile
INTRODUCING ASHCROFT KITCHEN INSTALLATIONS LTD - WORTHY WINNERS OF 'THE INSTALLER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2019' At the prestigious ek&bbusiness Awards & Review 2019, held recently in London, Ashcroft Kitchen Installations Ltd scooped the much sought-after ‘Installer of the Year’ award. Owned by BiKBBI member Billy Ashcroft, the company fought off many other deserving potential winners to scoop the now coveted award. The Installer Magazine spoke to Billy to discover how his business has risen to such prominence: Many congratulations Billy, what does winning this award mean to you? It means a great deal to me and my family. I am over the moon that my work has been given this recognition. How do you think you can use the title to your best advantage? I think the Award will help me stand out from the crowd and give any prospective customers greater confidence in me. What advice do you have for anyone else being nominated? Just enjoy the experience and learn from it. It is a recognition in itself to be nominated. I was nominated and shortlisted in 2018, never won, but came back as winner in 2019. So, going right back to the beginning, what got you into fitting kitchens? It was more by chance than anything. I was asked to labour for a kitchen installer and after a load of boxes became a kitchen, I knew there and then that was what I wanted to do. And how long have you been installing? Since 1994, so coming up 26 years, based in Cumbria since
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2010. I am an all-in-one kitchen fitting tradesman, carrying out all aspects including plumbing, gas and electrics myself. I do have a part-time assistant who comes along with me for the first 2 or 3 days of a fit to assist with ripping out, building furniture and lifting of the worktops. What’s has been your biggest challenge whilst growing your business? Not being academic, however I went on to achieve Corgi, now Gas Safe status and my Part P Electrical qualifications. Do you have any retail contracts? Yes, I currently install kitchens on behalf of Wickes. I have previously fitted for B&Q and MFI. Why do you work with retailers? There is a guarantee of regular work and the systems the large retailers use suit me. What do you want from a retail contract? Steady work and efficiency but it is also nice to feel part of a larger team. What’s the secret of growing a successful business? Hard work, punctuality, communication and a desire to succeed. How has BiKBBI helped your journey? The BiKBBI is a key to opening doors to new opportunities. Being a member of the BiKBBI enables you to stand out with a professional status as an Accredited Installer. Also, without being a member of the BiKBBI I would never have had the opportunity to receive this award or recognition in any way.
