Steve's Blog

A blast from the past...

July 2010

Unusually for a current Blog, I am looking back today to February 1982.

I have just unearthed a copy of Hunter's first ever trade price list, TPL1.

Back then Hunter were Hunter Building products, a family owned engineering business with a very limited product range. Like today we marketed a strong range of soil and waste products, but what a difference in rainwater systems.

Today we have 10 ranges in a multitude of colour choices and a brand new Foundry Finish range designed to replace the appearance of cast iron.

In 1982 we had 4 systems, all available in grey and limited lines in white and black.

In drainage our range was a mix and match own production and sub-contracted lines. Today we have all a contractor needs for around the house drainage and our range of gully's and chambers almost exceeds the number of lines in our whole 1982 vintage system.

I am reliably informed by those more senior than I, that delivery lead times in the UK construction industry were typically 3 -4 weeks 28 years ago, with Hunter averaging 15 working days from order to delivery. Today, most orders are delivered within 3 or 4 days.

No wonder our stores and distribution team have to be very well organised in what they do, assisted by top quality IT systems. No computer scheduling systems back in the 80s.

For the record 1982 was a year to remember for me. June 12th 1982 was my wedding day (and June 11th the stag night to ensure I nearly missed June 12th completely)