A TALENT for joinery has opened doors – and windows – for Richard Pogson.
The former Honley High School pupil has risen from being an apprentice to running his own successful business.
But as managing director of Lockwood Windows, he is still making good use of his building industry skills and hates being behind a desk.
Recalling his school days, Richard says: “I wasn’t a ‘classroom’ type of person – I was a doer.
“I enjoyed joinery at school, so when I left in 1985 I did a three-year apprenticeship with J Wimpenny & Son, the civil engineers at Linthwaite.
“We did everything from counters for British Gas showrooms to staircases and guard rails.
“I worked on a number of well-known buildings, including the former Woolworths store in Huddersfield and Webster’s brewery at Pellon, Halifax.
“I was even introduced to Prince Charles during his royal visit.”
After four years at Wimpennys and at the age of 20, Richard went to work for a double glazing company, but stayed for just 18 months.
“My father was a milkman,” he says.
““But when he had to have two new knees, I had to take over the milk round for a while and do joinery part-time.
“I was starting the milk round at 3.30am, going to work afterwards and playing football Saturdays and Sundays. That was my life for three years.”
Richard started working for himself.
““Because I had joinery skills and because I had worked for a double glazing company, people were asking me to make doors and windows,” he recalls.
“When you work for yourself, you take whatever work comes your way, so I ended up doing doors and windows.”
Richard and colleague Gary Driscoll had the idea of setting up Lockwood Windows “over a few beers” while attending a Huddersfield Town match as sponsors’ guests.
“I was already renting ground floor space at Perseverance Mills for use as a store,” says Richard.
“That’s how it started. Being in the building trade, we had worked for a lot of local builders and tradesmen and I was already working for myself.
“A lot of our early work was won by word of mouth and at the outset I went around measuring up and doing the fitting.
“It slowly grew until there were five of us. The company now employs 14 people. I do all the selling, measuring and organising along with Raymond Simpson, our general manager.
“Year-on-year we have increased business. We broke the £1m-turnover mark in 2008 and while things slowed down last year due to the recession, this year we are approaching £1m again.”
Richard says the big freeze of last winter boosted business as people realised how much heat they were losing – and how much of their money they were wasting – through draughty doors and windows.
Conscious that the double glazing industry does not have a sparkling image, Richard says his motto is “to do a quality job for a fair price” and to give customers peace of mind that they are dealing with a reputable company.
To that end, Lockwood Windows underwent a stringent process with the independent Master Window and Conservatory Installers’ Association to gain its Top 100 industry award – although Richard says the company had already been working to those standards.
“It is very important – especially in today’s economic climate and when people are concerned about household security – that people can be confident about the quality of what they are buying,” he says.
Richard is particularly proud of one unsolicited card from a satisfied customer.
The card, which is pinned up in the firm’s showroom alongside several other thank-you messages from clients, likens Lockwood Windows to Marks & Spencer for the quality of service. “You can’t do much better than that,” Richard says.
The company continues to look at new products to help it stay ahead of the game.
And as well as carrying out work for individuals, Lockwood Windows has completed projects for social housing associations, housebuilders – including Brockholes-based Conroy Brook – and architects.
“At the end of the day, you have to have high standards,” says Richard.
“Otherwise, you don’t get the referrals or the repeat business. You have to do a good job.
“Luckily, Lockwood Windows is like one big family.
“I try to treat people the way I would like to be treated. If the lads need an extra pair of hands, I will help out.
“I hate being in the office. One reason I left Wimpennys when I was 20 was because I did not want to be a foreman and spend more of my time in the site office.
“Quite often, the people who become foremen are the joiners because they generally spend more time on the building site than other skilled craftsmen like bricklayers, plumbers and electricians and they are involved almost from the moment the foundations are dug.
“My father thought I’d made a mistake. I don’t think he takes that view now!”
Richard still puts in a 12-hour day – and no longer has time for playing golf twice a week.
“I’ve played just four times this year because it’s been so busy,” he says.
Although Richard’s football playing days are over – he has turned out for both Wooldale and New Mill – he enjoys spending time with his youngsters Amy, Luke and Ella and is a familiar figure on the sidelines watching Luke play rugby league with Underbank Rangers.
He can also claim to have trumped the 2010 Ryder Cup teams – with a stay at the luxurious Celtic Manor leisure complex long before the cream of US and European golf staged this year’s competition at the South Wales venue.
“It was a little expensive,” he concedes. “But it was well worth it!”
Role: Managing director
Age: 41
Family: Partner Lorraine and children Amy, 16, Luke, 13, and Ella, eight
Holidays: London, Edinburgh and the Celtic Manor in Wales
Car: Toyota Hilux
First job: Working on my father’s milk round
Best thing about job: Job satisfaction from providing a service and getting positive feedback from customers
Worst thing about job: Red tape, rules and regulations
Business tip: Do your best and treat people as you would wish to be treated.
Work: Manufacturing and installing windows, composite doors and conservatories
Site: Lockwood
Employees: 14
Phone: 01484 519677
Email: info@lockwoodwindows.co.uk
