A Leeds business is celebrating after picking up a major national award in recognition of its entrepreneurial spirit and surging growth.
Garforth-based electric radiator manufacturer, Trust Electric Heating, triumphed at the annual Entrepreneur’s Circle awards (where it was up against hundreds of other businesses) after a surge in marketing and sales activity saw it record record revenues of £1m+.
The family business, which is run by Fiona and Scott Conor, saw sales soar following a campaign that challenged the stereotype that electric heating is more expensive to run than gas.
With their traditional residential market and landlords firmly in their sights, Trust also turned their attention to prospects within the educational sector and even the Church of England’s wide portfolio of properties.
Managing Director Fiona Conor explains: “We may be a relatively small, family run business (compared to our global competitors) but we have big ambitions. We’re also on a mission to help households tackle this ever spiralling energy crisis and contrary to popular belief, electric heating is often a much more effective and affordable solution than gas.
“It all comes down to the efficiency of your system and that of course includes your radiators. Ours are all made here in Garforth using components that are made in the UK – barring our soapstone core – and are nothing like the old electric radiators you might think of!
“The technology has come on in leaps and bounds and they are now slimline, stylish and super-efficient. That offering, along with being a family business that actively promotes UK manufacturing, resonates with our customers and has seen us record revenues this year which are just shy of £1.5m.”
Fiona received her award on the night from comedian Jimmy Carr and also met with popular BBC “Dragon” Sara Davies, who shared her entrepreneurial journey with the 1000+ audience.
“I am so excited and proud to have won but I will confess I was a little nervous walking onto the stage to be greeted by Jimmy! He was lovely though and reminded us all that there’s room for personality and a sense of fun in business.
“Meeting Sara was incredible. She is such an inspiration, so down to earth and so positive. It has been an incredible year for us but we’re not done yet. We have major goals both in terms of our business growth and our wider mission promoting British manufacturing and helping to play our part in tackling the energy crisis. Watch this space!”
