Kitchen manufacturer Symphony is strengthening its support to the independent sector and its retail arm with a £1.5 million investment in the face of growing competition from the multiples.
Speaking exclusively to kbbreview, marketing director for the brand, Simon Collyns (pictured), warned that with the mid-market being squeezed and the market shifting upwards, the likes of Homebase with its Schreiber kitchen offering, and even B&Q’s Cooke & Lewis kitchen range, could become a threat to retailers if Symphony does not take action.
As part of its corporate strategy for 2013, Symphony has invested around £750,000 in a new paint plant, as well as money in a new premium cabinet range, living space furniture and has updated its vehicle fleet, all in a bid to strengthen its retail offering and help its retailers differentiate from the competition.
Independents will also be offered a full service package to back up the new product. The market is moving upwards so we have to listen to our independent retailers and put a support them, in terms of their challenges in the market,” Collyns said. “We can design new products for them but we have to have a support package to back it up.”
Symphony is the UK's largest privately owned manufacturer of fitted kitchen, fitted bedroom and fitted bathroom furniture with a turnover exceeding some £100 million, and Symphony’s customers include private developers, social housing providers, hoteliers and independent retailers throughout the UK and also abroad. Symphony, according to their website are driven by a quest for unmatched service and quality, and they have invested heavily in systems and technology to help them deliver ‘right first time’ service - every time. A drive only enhanced with the latest news of continued investment,
The Symphony range of fitted furniture styles and colours offers something for everyone and with over 40 years' experience they are constantly investing in ways to improve their products and service and with direct competition from the likes of other UK brands like Burbidge kitchens and the Second Nature, 1909, and Metris kitchens brands from PWS, Symphony don’t exactly have an easy job in the already competitive and challenging UK kitchen furniture market.