Based in Battle, East Sussex and founded in 1938, Howard Bros Joinery Ltd is a bespoke sub-contract specialist joinery contractor, specialising in the manufacturing and installation of all aspects of bespoke joinery and associated trades including metalwork, glass, marble, and granite. It is focused predominantly, but not exclusively, on the London-based fit-out market.
According to Karl Tarrant, Howard Bros: “The market in which we operate has evolved significantly over the past 20 years, with the advancement of CAD, CAM, survey, and collaboration systems facilitating the transition from a rigid, antiquated design/construction process to a fluid/client focused environment in which construction programmes are shorter, and change is anticipated at any stage of the build.
To deliver this kind of approach to customers, Howard Bros works with Autodesk Strategic Partner and software developer, Graitec, a company which was instrumental in helping Howard Bros get up and running with a wide range of Autodesk software including AutoCAD®; Inventor®, Vault, and through tailored on-site training sessions, allowing Howard Bros’s design team to commence with live project work straightaway.
e-Learning during the pandemic
During the pandemic, Howard Bros has been making extensive use of the Global eTraining platform from Graitec which has thousands of topics and content available on demand specialising in the Manufacturing, Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industries. This platform gives Autodesk users access to a robust and ever-expanding course catalogue of Autodesk skills and software training for the Manufacturing industries.
The Global eTraining Platform has been an invaluable tool for Howard Bros, especially in the current crisis. Laura New, Key Account Manager for Howard Bros at Graitec, said: “During this pandemic, the Global eTraining Platform allowed Howard Bros to have access to all the knowledge they needed whenever they required, to provide their employees with world-class training on the Autodesk software they use while integrating their own knowledge capture of best practices, policies, and procedures unique to their company.
“We’re finding this pandemic has forced organisations and their employees to re-consider a more holistic approach to training including Classroom, Online, and consideration of Virtual / eLearning during this period in our lives and trying to work out how training, development, education and technology adoption will be delivered in the workplace going forward so it is becoming more and more important that providers have remote learning and virtual learning tools available to them.”
Tarrant from Howard Bros added: “We value our staff, who have a wide range of specialist skills, and in order to ensure that these skills are relevant within the ever-changing environment in which we operate. We can utilise custom and proprietary training schemes such as Global eTraining to ensure our staff are up-to-date with the latest Autodesk methods, technologies, and legislation. Our business partnership with Graitec and the use of Global eTraining has supported business growth not only in terms of turnover but also providing a platform for continual development of our staff.”
Ongoing Support
Global eTraining is now a key element of what is robust trust-based relationship between Graitec and Howard Bros. As the latter’s use of Autodesk software has evolved, Graitec has been with them every step of the way. Graitec’s technical support and sales team guided Howard Bros through the Autodesk licence transition from a maintenance plan to subscription. Howard Bros is now fully transitioned using their Autodesk Account to manage licence distribution, easily switching users and products to suit its business needs. Graitec has also provided technical drawing services which Howard Bros have taken advantage of during times where Howard Bros’s internal capacity is overloaded.
A new approach in a time of crisis
During the current pandemic, Graitec has been instrumental in providing support and back up behind a new set of point products developed by Howard Bros, consisting of Tea Point, Copy Point, Meeting Point, Coat Point, Notice Point, Rest Point and Media Point. This product range provides end customers with a complete ‘turn-key’ solution for their service areas within the office environment. These solutions require minimal input from other trades adding to its suitability for use within the current working environment, considering social distancing protocols. Also, the use of materials with anti-microbial properties assists with achieving transmission neutral zones within communal areas.
As Tarrant explained: “The Covid-19 pandemic has presented challenges worldwide. On a business level, we have been able to continue to modify our working practices to comply with government safety advice and regulations.
“Our product ranges are designed on the basis of physical interaction with surfaces and objects. The pandemic has raised awareness of viral lifespans on surfaces and associated viral transmission methods. We are developing product ranges, utilising materials with inherent antiviral properties, to create Covid-secure joinery installations.”
Graitec are always available, supporting Howard Bros on these products and on other designs that are also developed using Autodesk software like Inventor® and AutoCAD®. As Tarrant acknowledges: “There is always a new feature or process which requires assistance from a technical guru. Graitec are always there to help and provide insightful advice in a timely manner.”
“That’s also, once again, where we have found their whole approach to training and development to have been invaluable,” added Tarrant. “At a time when we have all had to embrace working from home it has been invaluable to have comprehensive virtual learning available to us to make sure we are all kept up to speed. we are looking forward positively to the future, and we are confident that Graitec, Autodesk and Global eTraining will play a key role in driving us forward.”
Graitec Limited
Riverside House, Brunel Road, Totton, Southampton, Hants, SO40 3WX | Tel: 023 80868947 | enquiries@graitec.co.uk www.graitec.co.uk