Henlow Building Supplies are open the the following days over the Easter and May Bank Holiday period.
Good Friday 22nd April 7.30-5.00pm
Easter Monday 25th April 10.00am-4.00pm
Friday 29th April 7.30am-5.00pm
Monday 2nd May 10.00am-4.00pm
Monday 30th May 10.00am-4.00pm
It may be difficult to believe but well-loved local company, Henlow Building Supplies began life in 1977 as a small hardware store on Henlow High Street. It was only in February 1981 that the company became known as Henlow Building Supplies and so this year the family behind the company, headed by MD David Curson, as well as their staff, are celebrating thirty years of successful business that has seen the small hardware shop become the thriving local business that HBS is today.
Paul Sapiano, brother-in-law of David Curson has been with the company from the outset and still enjoys his days at HBS. ‘ My wife started the original shop with her brother but after a few months they needed more help, so I joined them. Over the years the company has thrived and we have never tried to hide the secrets of our success – being a family company makes all the difference. We are all – and that includes staff – invested in customer service, a happy working environment and an ethos that revolves around solid, hardworking commitment. There is an atmosphere in the shop and the yard which can only be found in a family firm that fosters good relationships with customers, many of whom are on first name terms. Our customers know us and trust us, not only with their building projects, for good advice and so much so that we can make orders on their behalf.
HBS believe in competitive prices for quality products sourced from ethically responsible suppliers. These factors, combined with unbeatable customer service have ensured that the company has grown from strength to strength over the last 30 years. ‘We can obtain special order items and negotiate prices between our suppliers and customers’ explains Paul ‘We have great working relationships with many local companies who employ Bedfordshire people which means we are supporting the local economy too.’
‘I really enjoy my job – working with the public who, of course, are real people – families with real homes and concerns. I celebrate my 60th birthday this year alongside the company’s 30th and I couldn’t be happier.’
HBS are well known for their reliable and efficient free delivery service. There have been many local building projects that have depended on HBS and never been disappointed. Phil Thorpe, a lorry driver for the company for the past ten years explains, ‘ I love my work because I enjoy making the customers happy. I deliver when they want and where they want which means sacrifices and early starts but it’s definitely worth it. I like the social side of the job and have got to know many customers well over the years. It means a great deal to me to work for a company that is well organized and well liked. It means I can take real pride in my job.’
Lee Watts, who joined HBS just three months ago and is one of the youngest members of staff, is eager to share his impressions. ‘ I work as a trainee yardsman which means I am outside helping customers with the timber and building supplies. I really like the job as the atmosphere here is so great – between customers and the company as well as all of us who work here. We all get on so well and have the same goal of making customer service and advice a priority.
‘Although I’ve not worked here for very long I am looking forward to a long future here and making the most of the Builders Merchants Federations Apprenticeships and Training schemes that are available to me.’
From youngest to oldest, it’s patently clear that the staff at HBS are a very happy bunch. It may not sound like much, but in my experience, it makes all the difference. It makes the customer care efficient and strong, it makes a huge network of experience and advice available to every customer, it ensures an organized and well-thought out approach to orders and deliveries – happy staff make flourishing, happy companies and that attracts crowds of happy customers – something HBS are proud to have in never-ending supply.
Happy 30th Birthday HBS
Reproduced by kind permission of Melanie Crocker-Hulse and The Villager Magazine
Building on the success of last year Henlow Bridge Lakes presents a charity fishing match on Sunday the 18th of april 2010 from 7.30am with cooked breakfast provided. Finish at 2.30pm with prizes being given out at 3pm. The winner nominates their chosen charity. The event is sponsored by waterline and Henlow Building Supplies. Contact Steve Corrigan on 07929 332642 for further information and booking.
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