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Hull Daily Mail Newspaper Article - Customer Care at Heart of Valve Firms Success
You will find its products on Royal Navy battleships, in the planes manufactured by aerospace giant Airbus and in life-saving firefighting equipment.
It’s therefore little wonder that Flowstar (UK) Ltd can consider itself to be one of East Yorkshire’s most successful businesses.
With an aim to be the country’s leading distributor of pressure reducing, pressure sustaining, relief and safety valves, the firm certainly doesn’t lack ambition.
And thanks to 12 per cent increase in turnover last year – and a further 12 per cent increase is predicted for 2011 – Flowstar has turned it ambition into success.
“Last year was the most successful in the company’s 23-year history. It is certainly a wonderful time to be involved with the team we have in place here,” said managing director Chris Turner, who took on the role in September 2010.
“We have well-motivated staff, an excellent product range and good links to buy and sell in Europe.
“It all added up to our best year ever and based on the first six months, 2011 is looking even better.”
Based in Gillett Street, west Hull, Flowstar is an industrial valve stockist and distributor.
It was first founded in 1988 as a quick response stockist and distributor for Broady Flow Control, another Hull-based company.
Today, Flowstar is independently owned and although Broady products remain a very big part of the business, the firm’s portfolio now also includes products from other high quality valve manufacturers across the world.
The company owes much of its success to its close working relationship with key suppliers such as Germany-based Niezgodka and Berluto, Italian firm Besa, UK-based Delta and multi-national Tyco.
However, some of its biggest projects over the past 12 months have been supplying valves to firms in East Yorkshire, with BP and Croda just two companies to call on Flowstar’s expertise during last winter’s big freeze.
Recent sales to the likes of Smith & Nephew, Hull Royal Infirmary and North Sea Ferries later followed, while further afield you will also find Flowstar valves on board North Sea gas platforms, in Whitehall, London, on board Royal Navy vessels and in the new Mersey Tunnel.
“The largest bulk of our customers are UK-based, but we have a rapidly expanding worldwide business,” said Chris.
“This has been aided by a comprehensive online catalogue as part of our website that has allowed us to dispatch orders worldwide.”
With a diverse range of customers from one-man bands to large blue chip companies – including end users, manufacturers, stockists, distributors and contractors – Flowstar is able to supply everything from single valves to full valve projects.
However, whether it is dealing with a local firm around the corner or a large multinational corporation, the expertise on offer remains the same.
Each of its technical staff are specialists in their field with at least 20 years of experience, and they are able to make site visits to help size valves or discuss any issue you may have.
With in-house repair and test facilities and a large amount of stock, Flowstar is able to deliver quickly while also offering a full package of aftersales care.
“We have the expertise in-house to size and specify the right valve for the application. This is a huge help to our customers,” said Chris.
“We place a huge emphasis on caring for customers and this has been a foundation for our continued success. We listen to their needs and give them the service they require.
“Everybody at Flowstar takes pride in giving a good service at the right price.”
Hull Daily Mail Newspaper Article - Customer Care at Heart of Valve Firms Success
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