Q&A Zoe Goff
Zoe Goff is Product Manager for the Richard Burbidge portfolio whose career started over 16 years ago. Initially joining the company as Product Manager of Stairparts, Zoe returned to the business following a short career break and has since been developing a bank of product ideas for the brand’s portfolio.
What is your current day-to-day role/responsibilities?
What I love about working for a small company is that I get to be involved in a wide array of projects and day-to-day management of the Richard Burbidge portfolio. Overall, I look after Stairparts, Outdoor, Mouldings and DIY timber products.
I also work on pricing for all the products for our customer base and their entire life cycle, from development to launch and their ongoing management. I look after how each product is made i.e., their specification, production drawings, packaging requirements, how they are sold and who to.
Can you provide some insight on some of the new products at Richard Burbidge for 2023?
Our re-newel cladding was launched this year and is growing in success each week. Existing newels can be structurally difficult to remove in an existing staircase, so coming up with a newel cladding product that gives fresh clean lines to an existing newel is the perfect solution. What we are aiming to do is to ensure that all products are easier and timesaving when it comes to installation.
With the economy under pressure and people in the UK having less disposable income, we have also been expanding the number of products which are at a lower price point – this includes introducing an off-the-shelf fully tested glass stairparts range in pine. Ideal for painting and a much lower price than oak, the use of pine is perfect for achieving specific trends within the home. It’s also manufactured on-site at our factory in Chirk, North Wales.
The new fully tested glass stairparts system also has fewer components than ever, which makes the system easier to fit, saves time for the installer and makes the basket price more affordable in the current economic climate. However, our research has always shown that the end user is pleasantly surprised about the price of a staircase refurbishment.
My favourite addition to the range is the Elements Shadow newel cap. The trend of streamlined newels has continued, and this addition to the range has meant that we can offer the illusion of a newel without a cap with just the perfect amount of detail.
How does sustainability factor in the new collections?
As part of our Race to Zero, where we aim to achieve Net Zero by no later than 2050, sustainability is at the forefront of all of our new collections and business initiatives.
We have recently increased production in our factory in Chirk, North Wales which widely reduces the number of miles our timber travels, reducing carbon emissions from our transportation. All of our timber is FSC approved too, ensuring it is sustainably sourced and an eco-friendly option for customers.
We’re also constantly improving our packaging and removing as much plastic as possible - and where we do need a little, we always ensure it is recycled. The new collections at Richard Burbidge are no different.
Is there anything else in the pipeline for Richard Burbidge in terms of product launches?
The great thing about my role, especially with Stairparts, is that the majority of the products we launch are at some time or another through my role – so I have in-depth knowledge of every Stairparts product. Although, I do lean on the Joinery and Technical manager, Leigh Sperring, for his technical whizzy brain. However, I feel it is my responsibility to help each and every product grow and maximise its potential.
We have some very exciting new developments coming up at Richard Burbidge, so watch this space to see what comes next.
Top Factors to Consider Before Renovating your Staircase
Top Factors to Consider Before Renovating your Staircase One of the most integral parts of a home is the staircase, when designing a home the location of the staircase determines the layout of the entire property. The staircase is the central design focus and a new stairway has the ability to transform your home from the aesthetics to the flow in your house. If you are looking to improve your interior space, a stair renovation may be for you. Here are some of the top factors to consider when looking to renovate your stair space. Interior Décor The staircase plays an integral part in enhancing the décor of your property. When you walk into a home your eyes go immediately to the staircase, the centrepiece and central design focus of the home. There is a staircase design to suit everyone, from glass to timber to metal balusters, every homeowner can find a design to match their interior vision. As the staircase is the first part of your home guests see upon entering, it really sets the tone for the décor style of the rest of the house. High Quality A well designed and well maintained staircase and balustrade can last for a lifetime without needing to be replaced. A good quality stair balustrade will ensure fitting is quick to complete and stays in top condition. Adding Value One of the many perks of choosing to renovate your staircase is that you will add a great deal of value to your home, to both the prospective buyers, and the monetary value. An up to date and current stair design will attract possible buyers to your property, increasing the demand and value. Safety Safety should be one of your top considerations when looking to renovate your staircase, it’s important to choose a company that is transparent about the testing and safety credentials their products hold. At Richard Burbidge all of our stair systems are put through a series of rigorous tests and assessments by FIRA, the recognised authorities in timber product testing, ensuring our products stand the test of time and comply with all the necessary domestic building regulations for your safety. We can confidently say our stair systems are top of the range safety. Experts When installing your new stair system make sure to hire a reputable fitter if you are not confident in installing yourself. We are always on hand to provide our expert fitting advice to ensure your stair renovation runs smoothly. No matter the design, the most integral part of any staircase is the quality of both the materials and the parts. Richard Burbidge is the UK’s leading supplier of stair parts, with over 150 years’ experience manufacturing timber products, you can be confident your Richard Burbidge staircase will be a great investment. See our stairparts collections here. Contact our technical team for any advice prior, during or after installation, on technical@richardburbidge.co.uk or 01691 678 212.
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Richard Burbidge Relocates Head Office
Richard Burbidge, the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of stair parts, decking accessories and decorative mouldings has relocated its head office to Chirk, North Wales, joining the company’s existing onsite manufacturing and distribution facility. As part of the ongoing development of the company, Richard Burbidge has relocated its office headquarters to join its existing manufacturing and distribution facility in Chirk. The Chirk site forms part of the extensive business history of Richard Burbidge, since it was initially acquired in 1986. The move will improve both the service and quality of products by having all staff in one location, unifying working relationships between all departments, from marketing to distribution, as well as improving efficiency, customer service and delivery. Mouldings Grading Facility Tony Miles, CEO of Richard Burbidge, comments: “The consolidation of all offices to Chirk is a big move and demonstrates just how serious we are about British manufacturing and sustainability. “We are a family business and above all, excellent quality and customer service are our priority. The move is already proving successful, with a unified workforce, improved communication and efficiency. “2020 is a big year for the company with increased marketing and production. Richard Burbidge is proving itself as a leading manufacturer of stair parts, decking accessories and decorative mouldings and this year will see further products being stocked in B&Q stores nationwide.”
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