The Ocea UK team has been overwhelmed with the response to the opening of its new Trade, Learning and Distribution centre on the Windrush Business Park in Witney, Oxfordshire. Boasting a compact product display area, the building also includes a trade counter, dedicated training and presentation areas and office space.
There is also warehousing that will accommodate up to 500 pallets for fast-track orders and deliveries. The Ocea UK slatted covers manufacturing team will remain nearby, at the company’s original Witney base, with sales and technical support switching to the new facility for a combined focus on the fast-growing Ocea UK product ranges.
Ocea UK is operating an ‘Open Door’ policy for the new Witney base with Wednesdays designated for training days on key products such as the Binder Hydrostar counter flow, three ranges of pumps and the top selling Ocea X cordless cleaner. Ocea now has the potential to operate as a specialist ‘click and collect depot’ with heat pumps and dehumidifiers available for same day collection or for pallet delivery within three working days.
SECTION BY SECTION
Benefiting from the huge backing of its giant European owners, the CF group, the opening of the new facility coincided with the launch of a series of new slimmed-down catalogues to cover distinct product areas and enable the trade to sell to end-users. “We are playing to our strengths by leaning on the purchasing power of the CF group but cherry-picking the products we think best suit the UK trade,” explained Alan Thorne, who heads the UK team.
“We want Ocea UK to be viewed as the ‘go-to’ place for the trade,” he continued. “We are focused, as a trade-only supplier, to offer the industry the best products at the most competitive prices so they can retain their margin.” While open to all trade purchasers initially, the top-end supply chain will be stream-lined as Ocea UK appoints recognised Premium Range dealers to promote Ocea products as part of a prestige UK network.
“We like to think we are thinking outside the box and not overwhelming the trade and their customers with a torrent of products that all offer similar functions,” he explained. “You cannot fool the trade, they know we won’t sell them products that simply cause problems.” At the Windrush building, a fully-functioning demo test pool allows trade customers to see the top-selling Inver X robotic cleaner in action.
Another working display, offering a timely response to consumer demand, shows off a compact design Aguapur salt chlorinator system. Displaying the comprehensive DEL cover range alongside its top of the market, Ocea slatted covers, the DEL offers stylish leg designs with built-in speakers and solar options, all at competitive price points. A new range of debris covers highlights triple-stitched credentials available with DEL’s French-manufactured materials.
LINER OPTIONS
It would be wrong to overlook an impressive choice of liner materials backed by a strong sample product range as well as technology to show off the various colour finishes for prospective purchasers. “I have to be honest, we were still completing the showroom during the evening before the official launch,” confessed Anthony Gordon, a long term member of the Ocea UK sales team who is now taking responsibility for new business customers. “All the effort was worthwhile,” he continued.
“People even turned up, we weren’t expecting,” he said. “We have been overwhelmed by the response to the new facility but especially to our new season upgrades on key products,” Anthony continues. “With a mix of existing and new business customers, I think most people were intending staying for a few hours but ended up staying the whole day here because they could not resist the touch and feel opportunities of the product and the chance to go through technical information in detail.”
Offering differing price levels on its Comfort Range and Premium Range pool pumps, it is the Ocea X Hero Pump that is tucked under the arms of most visitors as they leave. “The Hero lives up to its status as a full inverter with variable speeds that is exceptionally quiet,” explained Natasha Seeney from the Ocea UK sales team.
“The Ocea X Hero is a ‘smart’ pump,” she continued. “It is a precision-controlled pump offering huge scope at a very appealing price point,” she added. “I guess that sums up where Ocea UK sits for the pool trade,” Natasha emphasised. “We are keen to not just spread the word to existing customers but to sit down and talk with new customers too.”
Ocea UK
Tel. 01993 707910
Email: sales@oceacovers.com
www.oceauk.com
