Drainage systems manufacturer Graf UK enlists its first Drain Doctor franchise.
Specialist rainwater, wastewater and stormwater systems supplier Graf UK has secured its first Drain Doctor franchise.
And just six months after installing its first system for the manufacturer, JP Plumbing and Drainage, based in Buckingham, is so taken with Graf systems it is voluntarily taking on the role of brand ambassador for the Banbury-based supplier.
Six members of Drain Doctor Oxford’s staff had already completed Graf training via seminar when the business installed three Graf systems during lockdown between April to September – two One2Clean treatment plants and a Carat septic tank for large private houses in Oxfordshire.
The company, which is run by Jon and Lisa Parker and their daughters Charley and Millie, will only use Graf UK systems for wastewater purposes and aims to install one a month to help meet their target of almost doubling turnover to £1 million plus in the next few years.
As an accredited Graf UK service provider, they also offer commissioning and servicing as part of the company’s Lifetime Support pledge.
JP Plumbing and Drainage was set up as a Drain Doctor franchise in 2012, four years after the family returned from living in Spain. Jon returned to his drainage engineer roots, subbing out wastewater contracts as the core business was then, and remains, reactive drainage emergencies.
However, as these can often be linked to septic tank issues, and the legislation regarding them has become more onerous over the past couple of years, he spied the opportunity to do wastewater work themselves and turned to Graf UK for help.
“One of my aims is to present to the whole Drain Doctor network the reasons why they should also be working with Graf,” said Jon, 47. “Their systems are the best domestic units out there but not only that, they are just a great company to work with. They have really looked after us. Every dealing we have had with them has been good.
“In my mind, the systems are great value for money and are very simple and easy to install and use. We explain to customers how simply the systems work, how eco-friendly and energy-saving they are, and it’s a pretty easy sell. Any opportunity we get, we sell Graf.”
Jon, Drain Doctor
Jon also presses home to customers the minimal above-ground footprint (600 mm diameter manhole cover) of Graf UK’s wastewater systems and, with house sales picking up during Covid, the fact their low-cost and ease of maintenance help sell a property.
“We have managed to maintain like-for-like sales despite lockdown,” he said.
Once the circa 50-strong Drain Doctor network has completed its head office and training centre move to Brackley, Jon, who completes around 1,500 drainage jobs a year, hopes to be able to persuade other franchises to work with the manufacturer.
He said: “I have already shown them how easy it is to work with Graf. It took just one phone call and one email to create an account with them. Their lead times are impressive, and you can choose your delivery times which is vital in this day and age.”
He concluded: “We enjoy what we do. More than anything we love doing a good job for our customers and working with Graf makes that super-easy.”
