#Bronze For Granite Transformations In British Franchise Association Awards

Granite Transformations franchise owner, Peter Morrison, who has showrooms in Cambridge and Essex, has won the Midlands category in the prestigious bfa/HSBC Franchisee Of The Year 2010 Awards and was placed third overall. The winners were announced at a gala awards dinner at the NEC Birmingham and Peter, his wife Helen and brother Henry, who run their home improvement business as a family concern, were delighted with their success.

The entries were judged by a distinguished panel of judges that included former No. 10 Chief Press Secretary, Sir Bernard Ingham, President of the British Franchise Association (bfa), Cathryn Hayes, Head of Franchising at HSBC and the bfa’s Director General, Brian Smart. One of 16 exceptional finalists, Peter Morrison was praised for his application of imaginative, creative solutions, enabling the continued prosperity of his franchise. The Cambridge-based businessman was named as the winner of the Midlands category, ahead of Chris Bird of Autosmart, Stoke-on-Trent and Glyn Pashley of McDonald’s, Coventry.

On behalf of the judges, Cathryn Hayes commented: “Judging the finalists was tremendously difficult as so many franchisees have shown innovative ways in which to survive and prosper despite the economic downturn. Awarding Peter with the regional title and the overall bronze award is just reward for his tireless efforts to improve his business and take it to the next level.”

Peter is one of 20 Granite Transformations franchise owners in the UK and around 160 worldwide, and was encouraged to submit his entry to these top industry awards by Danny Hanlon, Chief Operating Officer of the European franchisor, Rocksolid Granit. The brand is best known for its unique granite, quartz or recycled glass worktops that fit over existing work surfaces, although made-to-measure replacement kitchen doors have now been added to the franchise package.

“Peter exemplifies all the characteristics of a first-class franchisee,” says Danny Hanlon. “He’s hardworking, imaginative in his marketing, has a clear focus on managing every aspect of cost and always has a keen eye on the bottom line, because after all it is his family’s business and maximising net profit is a key to success. Henry, who works on the production side, is equally diligent about improving efficiency in the workshop and reducing material waste.”

Peter’s team was also responsible for creating a sales aid that has now been adopted across Granite Transformations’ UK franchise network, contributing almost fifteen per cent of national customer enquiries. Known as a `silent salesman`, it is a freestanding merchandising stand that displays the brand’s ‘top that fits on top’ to best effect, at garden centres around the country.

With Helen looking after the accounts and cost control issues, Peter first got into franchising in 2003, on the advice of a fellow Granite Transformations franchisee who is also a friend, opening the original showroom in Trumpington, on one of the main routes into Cambridge. More recently, he identified an equally suitable location in Brentwood and launched a second showroom. His success in promoting the Granite Transformations brand in both of his franchise territories owes much to the professionalism and backing of franchisor Rocksolid Granit, which earlier this year won a similar bfa award for Best Franchisee Marketing support, emphasising the importance of teamwork in today’s successful franchise operations.