CO Manufacturing, the new name for Conservatory Outlet, and its Network of Premium Retailers raised a toast to their ongoing success at the fabricator’s annual Gala Dinner weekend.
Held this year in the historic city of Athens, key stakeholders and their partners enjoyed a weekend in the Greek capital, culminating in the now-traditional black-tie awards ceremony.
With the sun setting over the Athenian Riviera, guests were recognised for their individual and collective achievements over the past twelve months, whilst also having the opportunity to learn about the Wakefield-based fabricator’s plans for the coming year.
The year’s ceremony was held at Ploes, a unique floating venue that provided attendees with breathtaking panoramas across the Saronic Gulf, with the iconic Acropolis visible in the distance.
After soaking in the sunset from the top deck, guests went below deck to enjoy a gourmet four-course dinner, keynote speech, awards ceremony and a private after-party.
There was certainly no sinking feeling amongst the group, as CO Manufacturing’s CEO, Greg Kane, used his opening speech to reflect on the CO Network’s growth from a small regional collective to a nationally recognised group featuring leading retailers from across the United Kingdom.
The evening combined a look back at that remarkable progress. But there was also an eye firmly on the present and future of the company. Guests learned about the wildly successful roll-out of the manufacturer’s Ultimate Sales Pitch training programme for its Forté composite door collection – backed by a six-figure marketing campaign – and how it will evolve to include other exclusive product ranges.
During the main speech, attendees also learned of the fabricator’s continued investment in product development and that its flagship Extreme collection of UPVC windows and doors will be undergoing a substantial re-launch in early 2026, complete with brand-new and exclusive security features.
But the evening was first and foremost about celebrating the retailers at the heart of the CO Network. Lincoln-based James Oliver Conservatories were recognised for being part of the CO Network for 15 years, whilst Mitchell Glass, Scotland’s oldest double glazing firm, were honoured for reaching the remarkable milestone of 150 years in business.
The Home Network Group were also formally welcomed into the CO Network through its Pennine Home Improvements brand, further cementing its position as the largest retail installer in the North East of England.
Several retailers were presented with Customer Service Awards after achieving industry-leading Google and Trustpilot scores of 4.8 stars and above. The ceremony was capped off with the CO Network Awards, which once again provided a platform to showcase the best installations across windows, doors and living spaces, with 5 Star Windows, Ecofit, Hazlemere and Permaframe being recognised.
“CO Manufacturing and the CO Network are built on both business and friendship,” said Greg Kane, the fabricator’s CEO.
CO Manufacturing Managing Director Mick Giscombe added: “Our annual Gala Dinner weekend brings out the very best of the CO Network. It’s a chance to recognise everyone’s achievements over the past year, welcome new members and reflect on what makes this group so special. After 20 years, the spirit of collaboration and excellence is stronger than ever.”
The evening closed with a toast to the next 20 years of CO Manufacturing and its Premium Retailers – a fitting finale to a weekend of celebration in one of Europe’s most historic cities.
