Graham was The Defence Group’s sales manager for over ten years before being his promotion to national sales director last year. He has a wealth of experience in the security industry, and welcomes the opportunity to take the company on to its next stage of development.
“We have substantial plans in place in terms of growing both market share and our product range,” Graham told SMT Online. “These are exciting times at The Defence Group, and I’m relishing the opportunity presented to me and the rest of the team here.”
CCTV and intruder alarm systems
Chris is taking the managing director’s chair vacated by the company’s chairman, Sufian Abdullah, who will retain an interest in the organisation while concentrating on the launch of two new businesses.
The Defence Group has offices and manufacturing premises on Petre Street in Sheffield, from where it supplies customers with a comprehensive range of products (including roller shutters, personnel doors, CCTV, intruder alarm systems and other specialist security solutions) on a nationwide basis.
Meeting the recession head-on
The company is meeting the recession head-on by expanding its range of security products and increasing its workforce. While the credit crunch is hitting industry and commerce hard, The Defence Group is taking more calls from businesses looking to install specialist security measures to safeguard against a rise in crime.
Graham continued: “We have gone through some dramatic changes as we’ve developed our product range and services to stay at the forefront of the industry. The current market place provides continual challenges which, as a company, we pride ourselves on being able to manage. We’re confident that our proactive and positive approach will win us more customers. Waiting for the recession to end isn’t really an option.”
The company’s new product range includes alarms, CCTV systems, integrated lintel shutter systems and Cooper’s Fire Curtains to add to its already expansive range of window and door security products. Expanding the range was a natural progression for The Defence Group in its aim to provide customers with everything that they need for business security under one roof.
Expansion of sales and marketing effort
As well as increasing its range of specialist products, The Defence Group has expanded its sales and marketing team with two further appointments.
Ikram Mirza has been appointed as the new business development manager, while Natalie Hill is the new sales office co-ordinator. Hill explained: “We’re targeting schools and colleges with information about our roller shutters and CCTV solutions as they are particularly relevant security products for that market. The response so far has been positive as customers value the fact that they only have to deal with one provider for all their security needs.”
The Defence Group recently received accreditation from both CHAS and Construction Line in recognition of the high quality products and services it provides.
