Sternfenster in contention for three G Awards

Sternfenster has been announced as a finalist in three categories in this year’s G-Awards, which demonstrates the fabricator’s commitment to its workforce, and investment in technical innovation.

The Lincoln-based trade fabricator was shortlisted for three categories: Fabricator of the Year, Unsung Hero, and the Training & Development Initiative of the Year.

“Being shortlisted in three categories at the fenestration industry’s most prestigious awards is a fantastic achievement, and recognises the hard work that all of our colleagues have put in to making Sternfenster the success that it is today,” MD Mike Parczuk said. 

“The market for windows and doors has been all over the place during the last two years, but I think we have shown strength and maturity, and provided the support necessary to ensure our customers are the best-placed to win work and prosper. I am proud that everyone at Sternfenster stepped up to the challenge, and this announcement is a direct result of that effort.”

Underpinning Sternfenster’s entry in the Training & Development Initiative of the Year category is its commitment to achieve a Gold Investors in People award, something that only 19% of business achieve, after being awarded Silver in October 2020.

To meet this ambitious goal, Sternfenster created a series of bespoke training and development initiatives aligned to the IIP framework to ensure that it is the company’s behaviour that drives its people, who in turn will drive the business. 

“People are at the heart of Sternfenster’s overall corporate strategy, with our Family Principles and continuous improvement Training and Development Framework being the bedrock upon which our success is measured,” Mike said.

Judges reviewing Sternfenster’s entry to the Fabricator of the Year category will, in part, assess the company’s investment in a new virtual showroom, which gives customers greater control of the sales process, and sits within its consumer lead-to-manufacturing, adaptive approach to selling windows.  

The virtual showroom is a multi-tiered platform that includes elements such as CGI videos, 360º product walkthroughs, sales videos, and a friendly online tour. The result of a £40,000 investment, Sternfenster’s virtual showroom is a response to changing homeowner buying habits, and gives its customers the tools to effortlessly manage leads from enquiry through to sale.

“People moved online during the pandemic to research and buy home improvement products,” Mike said. “And it didn’t decline as we moved back to a sense of normality. It is vital we keep up with changing habits, and even pioneer new ways of doing business, which is why we developed the Sternfenster Virtual Showroom.”

Finally, Technical Trades Manager Kev Wallis was shortlisted as Unsung Hero, thanks to a lifetime of hard work, loyalty, and a commitment to perfection.

Employees and customers alike queued up to say what a great character and role model Kev is, and how he has developed them as Sternfenster employees, or as valued customers.

“Our business would be very different today had we not had Kev,” Mike said. “He has been fundamental to the growth and continued development of our business, our colleagues, and our customers for many years.”

An independent panel of judges will select the overall winners in preparation for the Gala Dinner and Awards evening, which will take place at the Intercontinental London Park Lane on Friday, November 25.