Home grown blind and shutter company Hillarys has opened the doors of its new Colwick factory for a behind the scenes look.
The local success story has been in business for over 45 years - founder Tony Hillary fitted his very first made-to-measure blind in Nottingham in 1971.
Today, the company operates across the country and has four manufacturing centres - three in Nottingham and one in Washington.
What's it like inside the firm's new Nottingham factory in Colwick?
"Really impressive!" according to TV presenter and property expert George Clarke.
George was in the city to visit the company’s new production facility and take part in a series of behind the scenes films to showcase Hillary's products and in-home service.
He said: "The level of investment in this dynamic new factory is a bold, confident statement for the ongoing success of the business.
"It’s great news for the local economy and for all stakeholders in the business – employees, customers and suppliers alike. It’s an exciting time for everybody involved with Hillarys."
Most Read
The firm's expansion over the years is impressive - from sole trader to employing 1647 people with sales of over 250 million.
From its sale in 2001 to a private equity firm for £60m, the company has been subject to a total of three management buyouts before being bought by Hunter Douglas, a Dutch multi-national with operations around the world, in 2017 .
John Risman, CEO, said: “Our business might have changed in many ways since the early days, but our essential values of offering quality, value for money products and outstanding service in the comfort of a customer’s own home remain at the core of what we do today.
“We are a multi brand company, which both manufactures product and sells directly to the customer with the leading position in the market. That’s a highly unusual business and a real point of difference which all our customers benefit significantly from.
“As the business has grown we have opened the new factory in Colwick to accommodate increased soft furnishings production and are looking further afield for even more production capacity."
George Clarke, who has been an ambassador for Hillarys for nearly three years, spent two days filming with the Hillarys team, covering every operation within the factory, visiting a local customer to get their view on the Hillarys’ service and the curtains they’ve chosen for their home, and talking to local advisors.
“I’ve had a wonderfully warm welcome and a great laugh with all the people I’ve met in the factory, such a fabulous bunch,” adds George.
Don’t miss
“And I’ve loved seeing the process from end to end, meeting the people involved and experiencing the genuine passion that goes into making and installing the product.”
Susan White, marketing director, Hillarys, added: “It’s been fabulous for us to show George our new factory as it’s something we’re really proud of, and introduce him to colleagues, customers and advisors. He’s passionate about British manufacturing and was impressed with both the technology we have as part of the production process combined with the skill of our operatives who hand finish our curtains and blinds, and the personal service we offer our customers."