UPVC building products manufacturer Kestrel is welcoming a familiar face back to the fold after John Gunn re-joins the leading plastic roofline and cladding specialist as its business development manager for Scotland and Ireland.

John, who has 20 years’ experience in the construction industry, is returning to the company after 16 months.

He explained: “Having initially started with working for Kestrel in 2006, it’s great to be back. In the months I have been away there’s been a significant investment in the Kestrel brand in terms of tooling, fleet, warehousing and staff, and that has had a very positive effect on the team.

“Kestrel has an on time and in full (OTIF) rate of 99 per cent, so we are now reaping the benefits of that re-organisation and investment. Most importantly, it’s resulted in improved customer service.”

Based in Greenock, John plans to spend some time catching up with long-standing and newer customers across his area, many of whom, he said, still face challenging trading conditions.

“There is a degree of cautious optimism in Scotland and Ireland even though the market has yet to reach the buoyancy it’s reached elsewhere,” John said. “There’s a feeling that things are moving forward and while it hasn’t reached the extent of places such as the south of England, the recovery is coming.”

John’s return has been welcomed by the UPVC building products manufacturer's sales and marketing director Simon Reynolds. He said: “John has a great knowledge of the industry, his geographic areas and, of course, Kestrel products. It is great to be welcoming him back and I know he will, once again, be a real asset to our team.”