Business committed to turning challenges of 2020 in to a positive

Richard Abrahams, Elmhurst

Since 1970, Elmhurst, previously Elmhurst Windows, has been delivering home improvements to thousands of customers across Yorkshire. But as it entered its 50th year, the family run business had many plans to celebrate but like all organisations wasn’t ready for the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

However, despite uncertainty the firm’s managing director Richard Abrahams says he was committed to turning a negative into a positive. This resulted in him turning to social media to communicate with customers, new and old.

This approach by Abrahams seems to have been beneficial with those conversations turning to enquiries and since lockdown lifted these have become new business, which has supported the firm’s bounce back.

In fact Abrahams adds: “Interest has been so high, we’re as busy now as we were during the launch of PVCu windows in the 80’s.

“As people are spending more time than ever before at home and in their garden, they’re contemplating their next home improvement purchase and through our new on line presence we’ve been able to capture these customers and reap the benefits of this.”

However although its use of digital is new, the firm’s engagement with customers isn’t. Since the early 70s it has offered a 15 year guarantee and Abrahams has always made an effort to visit the firm’s customers new and old.

As a result of this communication with customers it has seen the business develop further, something that led to the name change in recent years.

Abrahams said: “A growth area we were seeing was our customers were looking for a one stop shop for home improvements rather than just windows or doors.

“As a result we’ve seen more customers looking at ways they can upgrade their homes. Whether it’s creating an extra room through a conservatory to working with Euroccell [an industry leading fabricator] to launch a range of standalone garden studios or becoming an installer of the latest smart technology.”

Looking ahead to the future Abrahams and his team say they are “working flat out to further expand its product range, grown turnover and spread its catchment area.”

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