Quinn Group
Complete Digital overhaul of Irelands largest independent Group of Companies
The Client
With its Headquarters located in Derrylin, Co. Fermanagh (Northern Ireland) the privately owned Quinn Group is one of Ireland's most successful companies with a proven track record of success in the diverse industries it has ventured into: cement and concrete products, container glass, general and health insurance, radiators, plastics, hospitality and real estate.
Quinn Group was formed by its Chairman Mr. Sean Quinn in 1973, developing from a small quarrying operation in Derrylin, Co. Fermanagh into the large global organization it is today employing over 8,000 People in various locations throughout Europe.
Since 2004 the Group has seen great expansion throughout Europe. With Radiator and Plastic Manufacturing plants in UK, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain and Slovakia; the QUINN property Portfolio also includes some impressive Hotel and Business Centers in Poland, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Turkey and Russia. QUINN-direct Insurance has commenced trading in Belgium and the Netherlands and work is currently underway on a new Chemical facility in Leuna, Germany.
Overview
In early 2008 the Quinn Group of Companies ran a selected competitive tender process where they invited 10 (as they deemed) of the top Irish Web Development Companies to pitch for their new online strategy. They required a complete digital over-haul of the main group web site (www.quinn-group.com) and consolidation of all of the Quinn Group web presences.
The group had grown rapidly and so had all of its web sites being developed by differing agencies on differing platforms whilst adhering to no consistent brand guidelines. The team at Biznet IIS tendered for the business, were shortlisted and won.
Recently we finished the complete digital redesign and handover to their internal IT team of the main Quinn Group corporate web site www.quinn-group.com. We have also completed the complete redesign of all divisional web sites. The Group currently works in 13 Countries and employees 8000 staff in a range of industries.
Our expertise was utilised to completely overhaul and bring a strategic digital consistency to the online efforts of the Quinn Group and all its divisions which could then be handed over to their internal IT and Marketing Team for future development and management.
The Brief
To redesign the Quinn Group Corporate website, delivering an innovative, intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interface which clearly presents the Quinn Group, all of its Business Segments and all relevant company information.
Furthermore we were directed;
- To use rich media such as Flash, JavaScript, Ajax and DHTML to create a modern and slick website interface similar to the range of sample sites provided
- To develop an effective and user friendly method of managing content contained within the rich media (e.g. XML) and to provide training to Quinn Group to ensure that this process is fully understood and achievable;
- To achieve the optimum level of Accessibility conformance, preferably achieving Level Double-AA to WCAI guidelines;
- To achieve the optimum level of Search Engine Friendliness in the development of the website design concepts;
- To ensure that the delivered solution is compatible with all major browsers including IE 6.0 and above, Firefox and Safari;
- To ensure that a mobile enabled version of the site is available to facilitate access via emerging mobile technologies such as IPhone etc.;
Corporate – The Solution
The main Quinn Group web site was approached as a digital sign post where visitors interested in the group could avail of high level group information but then also be directed off to the relevant division. This phase of work also incorporated the deployment of a custom built XML compliant Content Management Solution allowing the management of all aspects of the main Quinn Group web site including all flash components.
Original proposed design was modified against our advice and a lot of the innovative presentation features were stripped away. However the delivered solution meets and exceeds the client’s initial requirements and objectives.
To satisfy the requirements of the Quinn Group corporate web site the biznet IIS team provided a range of custom web design and coding services which included;
- Web Design
- Development of raw html/xhtml templates
- Rich Media Development
- Flash,
- JavaScript
- Ajax,
- DHTML
- Accessibility Conformance and Compliancy
- Search Engine Compatibility
These services were delivered in relation to the redevelopment of the Quinn Group Corporate website which was designed and developed to effectively promote the Quinn Group and all of its Business Segments / Divisions.
Divisional – The Solution
We were also entrusted with the task of redesigning all of the divisional web sites and bringing a structured taxonomy to all of the Quinn Group’s online presences. The group had grown rapidly and so had all of its web sites being developed by differing agencies on differing platforms whilst adhering to no consistent brand guidelines.
A commonality and synergy needed to be brought to a range of web sites servicing a range of different sectors from Hotels, Insurance to Manufacturing. It was highly important that each divisional website could be repurposed to meet the online need of differing audiences whilst also communicating that each site was part of a larger group. In essence each site required its own persona but all had to reflect the core Group ethos and brand values.
The Quinn Group core Brand was a key influencer which governed all design aspects relating to the individual group web sites. It impacted on consistency, colour scheme, font, imagery and personality. It also governed the way in which specific website elements were presented plus the tone of content. The availability of priority calls to action was defined by the specific divisional needs and how they wished to communicate with their target audiences.
This was no easy task but our multi award winning design and strategy team got to work and delivered a solution that has completely overhauled all of the Groups online presences’ and brought a proper information architecture to the divisions and corporate sites. At all times the Quinn Group of Companies brand guidelines were strictly adhered to
The Results
A coherent digital strategy has now been deployed across the entire Quinn Group which truly reflects and portrays the scale and diversity of the group. A cohesive taxonomy to all divisions and there information is now in place which is greatly enhancing the online visitors experience.
Traffic levels have increased in the last 6 months by over 40% with retention levels rising by over 50% as the visitor is now being properly engaged and informed. Online inquiries have risen dramatically with a dedicated team now in place to handle all requests and inquiries.
Within Healthcare, Insurance and hotels the “look to book” ratio has risen dramatically with purchases and bookings now happening in real time. The new site for Quinn Healthcare has been instrumental in securing and achieving over 500,000 customers. This is increasing exponentially week on week.
View the Website