Family business GT Electrical is proving the personal touch brings nationwide recognition - and a long list of satisfied customers.

This year the firm is celebrating 35 years in business and winning its fourth Total Excellence and Quality Award (TEQ).

GT Electrical, based in Queens Road, Hull, is recognised as being among the top three best repairers in the country, having come second in the kitchen appliances category of the TEQ Awards.

It is the fourth year in a row the company, which repairs kitchen appliances, has been placed in the top three.

Established in 1998, TEQ is based on the UK's largest independent survey of repair standards on domestic appliances and is widely credited as driving improved service standards throughout the repair industry.

Proprietor Vivienne Bell said: "We are thrilled to be receiving another TEQ Award this year.

"It's a wonderful way to celebrate our 35th anniversary.

"We have continued to concentrate on giving the very best service to our customers whatever the nature of their repair and type of appliance. We will be going all out to win next year.

"I think we are successful because we have stayed a family business. My son, Nigel, is the manager.

"Our customers come first - they support the business and that's what keeps a roof over our heads."

Domestic and General, which administers the TEQ Awards, surveys customers annually on all areas of repair performance. The data is used to pick the winners. Criteria include how politely and efficiently the initial call requesting the repair was handled and how punctual, efficient and courteous the repair engineer was while in the customer's home.

Mrs Bell said: "The award came about because Domestic and General customers were happy with our service. We offer fantastic service.

"For a little family firm to have done so well in these awards over the past four years is great - we are very proud of ourselves."

The company issued about 350,000 customer satisfaction questionnaires in 2005 and 2006 and had a response rate of 40 per cent.

Domestic and General is the UK's largest specialist provider of breakdown protection for domestic appliances, electronic equipment and gas central heating systems.

The company underwrites breakdown insurance policies for nearly 100 appliance brands, more than 2,000 independent high street retailers and catalogue companies.

Reproduced from an article featured on this is hull and east riding

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Hull-based company, GT Electrical, has been highly commended in the kitchen appliances category of the Total Excellence and Quality Awards 2006. This is the fourth year in a row that the company has come in the top three of repairers throughout the UK. Established in 1998, TEQ is the UK's largest independent survey of repair standards on domestic appliances and is widely credited as driving improved service standards throughout the repair industry.

Domestic & General, which administers the TEQ Awards, surveys customers annually on all areas of repair performance. Criteria include how politely and efficiently the initial call requesting the repair was handled and how punctual, efficient and courteous the repair engineer was whilst in their home. The company issued around 350,000 customer satisfaction questionnaires in 2005/6 and had a response rate of 40%. This survey has given Domestic & General a unique insight into the overall quality of repairer services across the UK.

GT Electrical, which covers the city of Kingston-upon-Hull, East Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, has been providing a service for its customers for 35 years. Proprietor, Vivienne Bell, commented

"We are thrilled to be receiving another TEQ award this year. It's a wonderful way to celebrate our thirty-fifth anniversary. We have continued to concentrate on giving the very best service to our customers whatever the nature of their repair and type of appliance. We will be going all out to win again next year."

GT Electrical of Hull have now moved into online sales, with the creation of a presence on eBay.

Webmaster, Alan said:

"It's the start of a move towards more online sales, and supporting our growing national customers, who contact us via email for spares, but up until now have not had the facilities to buy over the web."

First items are going to include vacuum spares, belts, bags, and popular washing machine items, such as Hotpoint Carbon Brushes. Nigel, the shop manager added:

"We're going to see how it goes first, but I've already got plans for some silly priced items on the lead up to Christmas. Zanussi oven elements for £7 or £8, and 1p bids on other items, for example. We'll see what the buying web public want! "

GT Electrical of Hull have taken delivery of their first ISE washing machines, a washing machine designed by independent service engineers for reliability and ease of repair.

Shop manager, Nigel, said:

"We're really excited by this new appliance. Developed by a group of engineers in the appliance care trade, it's been designed so that the common faults we see are designed out, and if it does fail, it's quick and easy for us to get at and fix!."

The machines come with a 5 year warranty, including parts and labour, and prices include delivery and installation. Nigel added:

"The simplicity for our customers is that it comes with a 5 year guarantee, and if it does break down, they simply call us to fix it. You can't go wrong!"

Further details, and information can be found on the ISE website.