Excel Yarn Issue 4 AUTUMN 2018 BBSA SHOW SPECIAL

ONE EXCLUSIVE Introducing our unique and exclusive collection of Roller & Vertical fabrics as previewed at the BBSA show 2018

INSIDE EXCEL A family run business since 2005 , we will share a bit of our history and how we have grown over the last 13 years.

STREET LIFE Why we recreated a little bit of our Yorkshire down south for the BBSA stand with a difference.

MEET THE TEAM Find out more about the sales team behind Excel and the wealth of industry experience they carry between them.

OCT 2018 BBSA SHOW EDITION ISSUE 004

‘yarn’ noun

1. a continuous twisted strand of natural or synthetic fibres, used in textiles.

verb 2. Informal. to spin a yarn; tell stories.

C O N T E N T S 04 ONE EXCLUSIVE

An introduction to our striking new fabric collection.

09 UP NORTH

How we used the beauty of Yorkshire towns to create our street stand.

11 INSIDE EXCEL

Our ethos, history and passion for the industry we all love.

14 QUICK TRENDS

A brief look at the interior design trends going down a storm this season.

15 FABRIC COLLECTIONS

An overview of all our Soft Furnishing collections.

17 FOCUS ON -EXCEL SALES TEAM Sales Director, Neil Fuller, introduces you to his team.

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STREET LIFE! Welcome to our extra special BBSA show edition of Excel Manufacturing’s Yarn Magazine.

This might be the first time you have heard of us, but we have been here in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, manufacturing and supplying to trade customers for over 13 years.

As well as a glimpse inside our business, we’ll also be introducing our new Roller & Vertical range, ONE EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION. We are so proud of it and with some stunning photography to support the range we’re confident you’re going to love it too.

Our stand has been a year in the making, after the house at the 2015 show the only way we could go bigger was to bring the entire Excel factory to you. We hope you enjoyed our Northern street party.

Problem is ...where do we go from that for 2021!

We hope you enjoy this special edition, if anything it’s a little something to read while you finally sit down and soak your aching Show Feet!

For more information on Excel and our products, please feel free to call us on 01484 452 010 or email sales@excelgb.com.

D E S I G N E D

Bamboo - Golden Glow

T O

L E AV E

A

L A S T I N G

I M P R E S S I O N

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E XC LU S I V E LY

for You

A diverse and exciting NEW range of contemporary, exclusively designed and curated Roller & Vertical fabrics.

Bold attention grabbing prints, stylish modern textures and new sheer and woven metallic options, this collection has something for every interior taste or trend.

There are water resistant and fire retardant finishes, blackout fabrics and we supply a range of operating systems using Louvolite and Eclipse components.

We also offer motorisation by remote or smart phone using Somfy motors and home hub interfaces.

All can be personalised to the individual with extensive design additions on our rollers from bottom bars to cassette finishes and shaped hems, braiding, eyelets, pulls and poles. High end vertical headrail options are also available and vertical fabrics can also be supplied as roller blinds.

We have pulled together our best range yet for the traditional, the modern and the bold - something for everyone and we can’t wait to share it with you.

ONE EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION will be available to buy from January 2019.

For more information or to preview the book contact sales & service on 01484 452010 or call your Area Sales Manager. *Find out more about our sales team and who covers your area on page 16.

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R O L L E Living R STY LE Rooms Making a living room comeback, roller blinds have spent years being the go to product for kitchens, bathrooms and kid’s bedrooms but their sleek, stylish lines can make a real design statement throughout a home.

The One Exclusive Collection has a range of patterns and fabrics to bring out the best in a living room both stylistically and practically with no reason to lose the luxury curtains. Fit a sheer blind behind them for gentle light diffusion or why not even a stand-out blackout on that south facing window to reduce the glare for those movie evenings.

Clean and chic or full of design personality, rollers are the obvious solution for rooms with multiple smaller windows or french doors without overcrowding the space and can even be motorised to allow for uninterrupted lounging as the evening starts to fall.

Add a matching fabric pelmet or a closed cassette in a contrasting colour for that polished up scale finish.

Napa - Vassa

Ginko - Chartreuse

Skandi - Blue & Lime

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UP NORTH RIGHT UP YOUR STREET Maybe you were at the 2015 BBSA Show and saw our award winning House stand?

Almost immediately after the joy of the event had settled, we started to think about how we could top it for 2018. We joked about streets, high rise flats, towns and entire cities then grounded ourselves and decided the next step up would be our own manufacturing site.

We wanted to bring Excel to you, with customers all over the country not everyone has the chance to come up North for a site visit (although they’re always welcome) so we set about recreating it and with the ‘next it will be a whole street’ idea still in the back of our mind, why not throw a good old Yorkshire street party inside. After all, more buildings equals more windows we can utilise for our products!

Each Director took one of the buildings under their wing and put their own personality into it. From Joanne Schofield’s cosy traditional country home to Matthew Bamford’s hi-tec, stylish contemporary abode - from Neil Fuller’s serene olde world book store to Stephen Halliwell’s lively bar & restaurant - ‘Casa’ is an actual recreation of his favourite local hang out! - we hope you enjoyed your visit.

The aim was to convey that there is much more inside Excel than a production line it’s about the people and our individuality. We put our heart’s into our stands, just like we do in the running of our business.

‘Eeh, thas a reyt bobby dazzler!’

Dialect orig. North England

1. A complimentary phrase descriptive of something or someone considered outstanding, striking, or attractive 2. ‘Those blinds from Excel are outstanding!’

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We are very lucky to live in an area with some of the most beautiful streets in the country, the ones full of history, charm, cobbles and the irresistible childhood draw of sweets in jars.

The Shambles in York is arguably the best preserved medieval street in the world, mentioned in the Domesday Book, most of the buildings today date back to the late 14th century. Now filled with souvenir and gift shops, bakery’s and a chocolatier, The Shambles was actually a butcher’s street, homing 25 of them - the meat hooks are still in place outside the shops.

In the heart of Bronte Country, the main street of Howarth still houses tea rooms, antiquarian book shops and the Black Bull pub where Branwell Bronte’s demise into alcoholism allegedly began. A hill top town, the Main street has it’s steep areas but its definitely worth a visit when the Howarth 1940s weekend is on. The street party atmosphere is second to none.

Sandgate in Whitby leads off from the 17th century market place with its traditional ice cream parlour and as well as toy and sweet shops that bring back days of yore, it houses some of the best jewellers in the country. Visit on an Autumn weekday to browse without the crowds!

The Shambles York

Main ST Howarth

We hope you can see the inspiration in our stand.

Sandgate - Whitby

Join us on the sunny side of the street!

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FA MI LY O W NED Since 2005

Owners and Directors, Stephen & Janet Halliwell and Nathan & Joanne Schofield started on their Excel journey in 2005. With the keys to what is now our Unit 1 in one hand and broom’s in the other, Nathan & Stephen embarked on clearing the way for a bright future.

This could be the first time you’ve heard of Excel, but we have always been here in Huddersfield, proud of our heritage in an area famous for its historical textile manufacturing. With over 30 years experience in the industry we are relentless in the pursuit of excellence and innovation.

Our mission is to be the best in the eyes of our customers, employees and suppliers and we are confident that we can supply you with the highest quality product possible through our highly skilled and dedicated employees and manufacturing process.

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M A N U FA C T U R E R S TO THE TRADE

There is a wealth of passion here and our staff are the heartbeat of the company - their dedication, professionalism and motivation is a breath of fresh air but don’t just take our word, come and visit us sometime and see for yourself!

Here at Excel we like to build a community around us and extend the family feeling to our customers.

We work co-operatively with you and can offer a truly tailored and personal service and it’s this that we believe really sets us apart.

TRUST, RESPECT HONESTY....

We have high standards that we are constantly improving on and these three words are what drives us in our mission to produce levels of service and products that are paramount to our business and will contribute positively to yours too.

“

Excel continue to be o u r m a j o r s u p p l i e r, their attention to detail is incredible.

”

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H A R E W O O D

Yo u w i l l f i n d i t difficult to improve your per formance it already excels all my other suppliers.

No pun intended.

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“

Excellent product and very pleasant, knowledgeable s t a f f.

”

...if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence

AVA I L A B L E

J A N UA R Y

01484 452 010

sales@excelgb.com

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Q U IC K T R E N DS NAVY

Graham & Brown -Sashiko Wallpaper

THE big colour of the season, moody for winter yet gentle enough that the trend will carry through the next year. Use is as a neutral or an accent. Match it with gold and keep accessories minimal for the ultimate in modern oriental chic.

Bamboo - Golden Glow

FE ATURE PAT TER N S

Busy, oversized and in your face, big blousy design will be working its way on to walls, bedding, cushions and rugs.

Can’t face a full wall? a room screen or window blind is a great option for more temporary bold pattern explosions.

COCK TA I L H OUR

John Lewis - Tigers Eye wallpaper

Marble, brass, velvet, silk and smoked glass. The 1930’s style and attitude of lounging luxe is back and set to continue for a while. Decadent colours with Art Deco furniture and of course the drinks trolley centrepiece.

Mind the Gap mindtheg.com

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Hexa - Gold

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Sainsbury’ Home barware

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Car pe tr i g h t - K ah rs Oa k No uve au C h a rc oal Wood Floo r

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Fabric Collections LO V I N G LY H A N D M A D E F R O M S TA R T T O F I N I S H With a vast array of fabrics in our sample books, our attention to detail and using the best quality components.

We have a passionate and creative team behind us that lovingly hand make every item in our soft furnishing range and we are confident that we offer an exceptionally high standard of finish that is sure to add a luxury feel to any home.

CLASSIC

HAREWOOD

WENT WORTH

R O M A N B L I N D S As standard we manufacture Romans using the new stab stitching method which gives a more flat/smooth finish, however if a traditional full stitch line we will always accommodate. We leave pelmets to your personal preference - its as simple as indicating your desires when ordering and we will complete your items to your exact specifications.

C U R T A I N S We offer all styles of curtain finishes including eyelets whether they be metal or plastic, pinch pleat and the standard pencil pleat. We also aim to make life simple by supplying any poles, tracks or tie backs you need for a complete job and for matching or complimenting accessories, we also manufacture ties backs and piped or un-piped cushions at any size.

C L A S S I C S Excel’s signature collection of timeless plains and textures in natural shades and colours that are suited to any interior. The Classics fabric range is an ideal and compact core to your book collection.

H A R E W O O D

Luxuriant and contemporary, daring and sophisticated, Harewood’s fabrics range from graceful elegance to all out luxe. A versatile collection of beautiful weaves, soft silks and show stopping velvets that is just calling out to be draped hung and shown off.

W E N T W O R T H The contemporary Wentworth collection is a diverse mix bursting with bold modern patterns and chic design with matching plains in a range of fabrics from woven textures to satin. This is our first collection to include voiles for the complete window finish.

As well as our own collections we also carry and supply quality fabric collections from Abraham Moon, Clarke & Clarke, Prestigious and Porter & Stone.

This ensures we have something for you to offer every style, taste and budget.

FArea O C USales S OTeam@ N “ D E D I C AT E D T O S U P P O R T I N G O U R C U S T O M E R S ” Neil Fuller, Sales Director You’ll find yourself in safe hands with our knowledgeable, friendly sales team who are dedicated to supporting you and your business growth.

Each with many years experience in the industry, our sales team operate with one objective in mind; creating, building and maintaining their relationships with all our customers so they too feel a part of our Excel family.

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Being with Excel for almost 8 years and fast approaching 30 years in the Industry, I am privileged to be the Sales Director here at Excel looking after all our trade customers.

I believe in our ethos of everybody being part of a big family and this means we bring the best out in everybody, although some say I like too much paperwork!

I am proud to be able to manage the best sales team in the industry, which between the 5 of us, have nearly 100 years of experience in the blinds industry.

CRAIG BROWN

Meet our Team First, a little about me, I have been married to my wife Kate for 34 years and in my spare time, have until recently been a senior instructor and assessor for the Duke if Edinburgh Award Scheme. I also enjoy mountain walking and parachuting.

Craig Brown is the longest standing member of our team, starting at Excel in 2008 and joining sales 6 years ago, now married to a member of our production team he has three young boys and is very keen (too keen?) on football. Craig covers the North Midlands, Yorkshire, Manchester and the Northern Wales area.

Richard Brown covers London and the Home counties and joined Excel 4 years ago after 13 years at HD, 10 with Luxaflex and 3 with UK BLINDS. With two grown up children now he has time for a round of golf or three and getting the DIY done for his wife.

RICHARD BROWN

CHARLIE ‘O’ HARA

3 years ago Charlie O’ Hara joined us from bonnie Scotland 12 years at Sunrite Blinds. Covering Scotland, Ireland and Northern England, when he’s not with his teenage daughter he can be found tearing wildly around enjoying Europe on his motorcycle.

Finally Duane Willis joined our team earlier this year after 20 years working for blind retailers and has brought a wealth of industry knowledge with him.

Duane spends most of his spare time chasing after his toddler son. Duane covers South Wales, West Midland and the South West.

“We don’t close a sale, we open a relationship”

DUANE WILLIS

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Reasons to choose...

S E RV I C E

01

We have a dedicated team of individuals, always with your best interests at heart to ensure your expectations are always exceeded.

02

EAS E We work tirelessly on each step of the process; from order acceptance, product manufacture and to the bespoke item being fitted, to make sure the overall experience is as easy and straightforward as possible.

TRU S TE D

03

Working closely with our supplier partners, we have developed into one of the most trusted blind manufacturers in the UK, for Quality, Service and Value.

04

U N I QU E We have always understood that no two jobs are the same, and pride ourselves on finding a solution to any unique situation.

FUN We understand that all people need to be treated in a professional and courteous manner, but we do like to keep work life enjoyable too!

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K E E P

U P

T O

D AT E

Our interim Email Shots are not just a way of promoting products and business, they are also the easiest way for us to keep you updated on our service and we will now be including lead times and discontinued fabric updates on the bottom of all email correspondence.

If you’d like to be added to our mailing list, please email marketing@excelgb.com

@Excel_Blinds_UK

/ExcelManufacturingBlinds

Excelgb2005

Excel Manufacturing Ltd

Until the next issue, you can keep updated with Excel on Social Media - anything you tag us in we promise to repost.

Excel Manufacturing Ltd Unit 1 & 2 Fieldhouse Park, Old Fieldhouse Lane, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD2 1FA Tel: 01484 452010 Fax: 01484 452015 Email: sales@excelgb.com Web: www.excelgb.com