Corporate Liveryman Spotlight Q&A – Gary Baker

Gary Baker is managing director at CDUK, the UK and Ireland’s distributor of Corian.

Tell me about your company

In 1976, my father Geoff Baker, a plumbers’ merchant, was driven to find the best quality materials available for interior design and bring them to the UK. In particular, he was searching for a high-quality material that could be made into an integrated vanity unit – a quest that took him around the world and led him to Corian^®.

Made by DuPont™, this revolutionary mix of acrylic and natural minerals offered unlimited possibilities initially for kitchens and bathrooms and then across a wide array of commercial applications. He took his ideas to DuPont™ and in 1979, CDUK became the exclusive distributor of Corian^® in the United Kingdom and Ireland, creating a demand for the material that has led the solid surface market ever since. Corian^® is the original “solid surface” material. From a few sheets back in 1979, the solid surface market in the UK has now developed into a significant industry in its own right.

We are very proud of the part CDUK has played in helping develop Corian^®; however, we are passionate about building on this heritage and adding value in everything we do for our customers, our suppliers and our colleagues.

When did your company hear about The Furniture Makers’ Company?

I first came across The Furniture Makers’ Company in the Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom (KBB) trade press five or six years ago and thought it sounded like a forward-thinking organisation to be part of.

Why did your company want to join as a corporate member?

The Furniture Makers’ Company had the option of joining as a corporate member which has enabled us to interact as a company. I felt it was an important opportunity to raise the profile of Corian® and solid surface within the industry which traditionally associates furniture making with wood and metal.

How has the membership helped your company?

Membership has helped CDUK through developing contacts across the industry. This has manifested itself in everything from sales opportunities to strong marketing opportunities with other suppliers and individual relationships such as setting up mentors for members of staff.  We have also found the events, such as the formal dinners and wine tasting, have offered us great client entertainment options in unique environments.

Would you recommend being a member to others companies?

I think that being a corporate member is a very good opportunity for other companies and have recommended several customers already to The Furniture Makers’ Company.

What area of The Furniture Makers’ Company’s work – welfare, education, excellence – resonates with your company?

I have recently become chairman of the Furniture & Interiors Education, Skills and Training Alliance (FIESTA), an organisation that The Furniture Makers’ Company was involved with in setting up, so I would have to say the education work. We need to raise the profile of our industry to young people and ensure that we have opportunities available to develop our workforce as practical skill courses disappear from our educational establishments.

Tells us something no other member would know about your company.

CDUK was the first company anywhere in the world to use Corian® for external cladding when we did a façade for a masonic lodge in Exeter in the 1980s (which is still there!)

For more information about CDUK, go to www.cdukltd.co.uk.