Exhibitor interview: Theresa Turner, director, ArtiCAD
Q: Why are trade shows such as this one important for your business?
A: Nothing beats face-to-face contact with existing users, new customers and other major players in the industry. The kbb show provides a great showcase for us to demonstrate our latest products to a huge audience, over the space of just a few days. And in among the hard work at a show such as kbb, there is always time for socialising and a great deal of fun.
Q: How’s business compared with last year?
A: ArtiCAD achieved revenue growth last year, through new service and product innovation and a strong customer base comprising thousands of retailers. 2020 has started well, with the appearance of a renewed confidence among retailers, manufacturing specialists and industry suppliers. With even more service and product innovation in 2020, plus the kbb show, we’re confident of further growth.
Q: How do you view the health of the UK KBB market? In what ways could it be improved and how can the industry improve?
A: It looks as though at least the first stage of Brexit will be finalised very soon – and the increased confidence and certainty that this may bring to the market, in general, would be very welcome. There are also strong indications that the housing market is picking up and this should provide additional opportunities for those working in the KBB market.
There is clear evidence among our customers that, regardless of their size, they value the use of appropriate technology more and more – as a means of presenting their designs, no matter how the client wishes to receive and view them; as a way of speeding up responses to enquiries; as a tool to gain competitive edge, and as the most accurate means of pricing up a proposed new room.
Q: How do you think the relationship between supplier and customer is changing?
A: The use of technology is enabling suppliers to maintain ever closer contact with customers through social media, blogs, webinars, user-only forums, etc. Customers demand ready access to expert guidance and support from suppliers and, to this end, we have transformed our service teams to expert level and invested heavily in optimising our customer experience. Any supplier who fails to place customer experience at the heart of their business focus will struggle in today’s market.
Q: What are the main challenges you will face as a business this year, and how will you overcome these?
A: Getting even closer to our customers in 2020 is a primary objective for the business. It is important to be constantly aware of the changing needs of customers and to deliver relevant, affordable and compelling solutions to their business challenges. Ensuring that we have the right mix of software innovation and optimum levels of customer service in place, and that we have the processes to adapt these as necessary, is critical to our success. Quality and expertise in all aspects of our work is fundamental.