VOW has boosted a rapidly-growing area of its business by appointing Jenny Hipkiss to the newly-created role of furniture business development manager for the south of England. The UK and Ireland’s largest business products and facilities supplies wholesaler, part of the evo group of companies, has recruited Jenny as a new selection of steel items becomes available within its First range of office furniture.
Jenny, who has over 10 years’ industry experience, has joined VOW from business furniture manufacturer Senator. She previously worked for office furniture manufacturer Lee & Plumpton, ergonomic furniture and equipment specialist Posturite, and office supplies and solutions distributor Lyreco.
In her new role, Jenny will work with resellers, assisting them to grow their furniture sales with VOW. She has joined the company’s furniture experts, who include northern furniture business development manager Matt Allaby, plus internal sales, commercial support, product marketing, customer service and technical support specialists.
Reacting to her appointment, Jenny said: “I couldn’t see a better time to join VOW’s growing furniture team and I’m excited to now be part of it. Over the last 12 months, the company has invested heavily in this area and is clearly very serious about offering its resellers an unbeatable proposition.
“This is backed up by the largest furniture stock holding in the wholesale market and an extremely reliable next day service, with a uniquely late 4.30pm cut-off time. First range, in particular, which provides an unequalled combination of quality and value, presents a massive opportunity for our resellers to increase their sales.”
Explaining Jenny’s arrival, Vanessa Warne, VOW’s furniture category director, said growing sales and interest in the range meant an additional specialist of her type was essential.
Vanessa said: “Jenny’s history set her apart as a candidate for this role. She brings excellent understanding of the reseller market and great experience of working with end-users, from design brief to installation. She’s delivered projects in excess of £100,000, most recently a seven-storey office block at Bristol Law School.
“She’s incredibly passionate and enthusiastic about interiors and her personality makes her a great fit with our business.”
The new Talos range of steel products under the First range umbrella includes tambours, cupboards, pedestals and filing cabinets available in various colours and come with integral locking to ensure personal security and component warranties between five to seven years.
Vanessa said: “We previewed the new steel items at First range’s southern launch and our Green Light event late last year and the feedback from the resellers attending was fantastic. The items offer great quality and price points that provide resellers with genuine competitive advantages over the rest of the market.”
VOW announced in November that First range had recorded month-on-month sales growth averaging 25 per cent since its launch six months earlier. With the arrival of the steel items, First range now contains over 200 products and includes storage and seating suitable for multiple office environments, plus furniture for reception, bistro and breakout areas.
VOW’s overall next day furniture offering now contains over 1,400 items.
First range’s expansion comes as VOW launches its latest, extended quarterly Mega Deals furniture mailer. This is available free to resellers – who can customise it with their own pricing and branding – via MyMarketing, the company’s portal offering them an innovative email marketing solution and a comprehensive print module.