Rising Star & Unsung Hero Plus Two More G26 Nominations

UTF has been shortlisted for four G26 Awards, with nominations for Rising Star and Unsung Hero as well as Sales & Marketing Initiative and Fabricator of the Year.

Universal Trade Frames (UTF) is based in Shrewsbury. The nominations recognise investment and growth across the business while the acknowledgment of Henry Dowd and Terry Saunders for their individual contributions demonstrate a people-centric business.

Rising Star

Henry Dowd is shortlisted for Rising Star after exceeding his first-year sales target, achieving 111% and securing more than £300,000 in orders. Developing a northern territory extending into Scotland, Dowd generated his invoiced sales entirely from customers who had not previously bought from Universal.

“Henry has made an outstanding start in trade sales,” said Richard Hammond, the sales director at UTF. “He has worked hard to learn the products and build relationships across a large territory. The results speak for themselves. He is already a great asset to the company.”

Unsung Hero

Terry Saunders’ Unsung Hero nomination recognises nearly 20 years of service. A trusted source of technical support for customers and colleagues, Saunders became UTF’s top-performing salesperson in FY26 while securing the largest single purchase order in the company’s history, worth £480,000.

“Terry has spent nearly 20 years making the business better without asking for the spotlight. It’s time the spotlight found him,” said Hammond who added: “To be shortlisted for four G-Awards in our 30th anniversary year is a proud moment for everyone at Universal. We have put a lot into developing the business, from our machinery and delivery fleet to our products and sales team.

It’s fantastic to see that work recognised alongside two colleagues who have made such a difference.”

Fabricator of the Year

The Fabricator of the Year entry highlights more than £500,000 invested in manufacturing machinery and a further £300,000 in the delivery fleet. UTF has also generated more than £1 million of new business in each of the last two years, while June 2026 saw record order intake of £1.1 million.

Sales & Marketing Initiative

UTF’s Sales & Marketing Initiative nomination recognises its Solidor SOS – Save On Solidor. Passing the benefits of a new supplier agreement directly to installers, the campaign helped increase monthly Solidor sales from around 30 to 90 doors and attracted more than 20 new or re-engaged customers.

Picture: Richard Hammond.

www.utfl.co.uk

The G26 Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation takes place on Friday 27 November 2026 at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

www.g-awards.com/gawards2026/en/page/booking