10 minute read
Business Engagement Profiles
The Stonewall Group Team
A Rugby business which has adapted to expand its services and become a onestop-shop for security services is focusing on a greener future as it takes steps to reduce its carbon footprint.
Stonewall Security is seeing success after adapting its business model to offer more services to clients.
It provides everything from static manned guarding services, key holding and alarm response to mobile patrols and the provision of highly-trained and experienced door supervisors and security officers.
New services include alarm and CCTV installation as well as CCTV monitoring to ensure the business can meet all of the security needs of its clients.
Greener future
for Rugby security firm
The business also launched Stonewall Vaults, a safety deposit box service that will provide customers with a secure method of storage away from their homes, in 2021.
The company is now focusing on green initiatives, investing in electric vehicles and solar panels as well as new technology and software which has enabled the business to become paperless.
It has ambitions to cut down on emissions and offset its carbon usage by the end of 2023.
Stonewall Security, which is based at Mitchell Court by junction 1 of the M6, was established in 2008.
It has around 50 members of staff and works with clients across the region to provide security services for businesses and events.
Stonewall Vaults, also based at Mitchell Court, houses 1,800 secure boxes which can store anything from valuables and keepsakes to important documents.
Director Clare Randall said: “We have changed our business model so that we act as a one-stop-shop for security for our clients.
“We are also educating people on the importance of CCTV monitoring, as cameras alone are often not good enough and are only as good as the person monitoring and responding to them.
“It’s been extremely successful as we have seen an increase in our higher
margin, specialised security work, improving our profits after a very difficult two years.
“We are also an seeing increasing amount of interest in our Stonewall Vaults arm which we are expecting to grow further in the next 12 months.
“Many safety deposit box providers require users to sign up to 12-month contracts, while we provide monthly contracts which can be paid for by direct debit.
“Our big focus now is on sustainability. We do a lot of driving so think it is hugely important to cut down our emissions as much as possible to ensure the business is doing its bit for the environment.
“We are making big investments in this area and have a number of green targets we want to achieve during the next two years.”
More information about StoneWall Security can be found at www.stonewallsecurity.co.uk while further information about Stonewall Vaults can be found by visiting www.stonewallvaults.co.uk
Automotive design expert
invests for growth
An automotive design expert based in Coventry is experiencing growth after investing in specialist technology which has enabled the business to take on more projects.
Futura Design, which has top-tier industry experience in prototype manufacturing and automotive design recruitment, has expanded its specialist paint technology area of the business.
The business, based on Stonebridge Trading Estate, manufactures prototype models predominantly for the automotive industry, but also supports sectors including transport, aerospace, marine, product, medical and motorsport.
It has various manufacturing capabilities, with on-site machinery including CNC milling machines, 3D printing machines and the latest rapid prototyping technology (RPT).
Futura Design also has industry-leading paint facilities for paint development and the finishing of high-end prototype models and specialist vehicles.
It is at the forefront of paint technology and development, creating specialist colours and finishes on behalf of highprofile industry clients including Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley and McLaren, and has now invested in a new state-of-the-art paint booth and welcomed additional staff members as it takes on more projects.
Futura Design was founded in 1989 by clay modeller David Abel, and its ethos has always been to remain at the forefront of the newest technological advancements supporting the design industry.
It has 50 members of staff at its Coventry site, which supplies customers across the UK and Europe, and last year experienced record numbers in turnover and profitability on the prototypes side of the business.
The business also specialises in automotive design recruitment and has over 250 professionals working with clients based across the globe.
Mark Abel, Director of Futura Design, said: “We are making investments in to the business and are seeing growth as a result.
“The specialist paint area of the business is particularly niche as paint technology and development is constantly evolving, and we are right at the forefront of this.
“Our in-house team not only offers colour matching and development, but can create very technical specialist finishes for our clients.
“As a result of the growth of this area of the business, we have invested in more specialist technology, have increased our headcount and are seeing an increase in turnover and profitability.
“We have also re-invested some of this profit into the general infrastructure of our site, making it an even better area for our staff.”
Further information about Futura Design and its services is available by visiting www.futura-design.co.uk or calling 0333 555 7000
Investing in technology
to support clients
A Nuneaton-based financial planning business has invested in new technology to offer an even better service to clients.
Integrity Wealth Solutions, which is based at the Eliot Park Innovation Centre, is now utilising state-of-the-art cashflow modelling tools to offer clients the financial ‘bigger picture’.
The company, which employs 26 people, says the combination of technology and links with other professional companies means it offers a holistic approach.
Managing Director Martin Lindsey said: “Our clients are our business and are therefore central to every decision we make and each action we take. The business has been carefully constructed to ensure that we deliver on our promises whilst protecting and enhancing our client’s financial well-being.
“We are a firm of independent financial planners based in Nuneaton with 26 staff; ten client-facing advisers and 16 staff that support our clients and the advice process. Our advisory team is highly qualified, motivated and experienced, divided into specialisms due to the increasing complexity of the financial services sector and the challenges for one adviser to be an expert in all areas.
“Being truly independent means that we can access and recommend solutions for our clients from across the whole market, rather than ‘shoehorn’ clients into solutions/products that we are aligned to or obliged to recommend.
“We are ‘lifestyle’ financial planners which means that we listen to our clients to establish and really understand what their financial objectives are. Once we understand our clients’ aims and the motivations behind them, we devise and continually hone a strategy to optimise the probability of achieving and exceeding them. We pride ourselves on being the first call our clients make when faced with any financial decisions.
“To help us to do this we have invested in cutting-edge financial planning technologies. Market-leading cashflow modelling tools help us and our clients see their financial ‘bigger picture’ and their potential financial future. Risk profiling tools make sure that clients are never exposed to more risk than they are comfortable with.
“We take a holistic approach to advice because we believe that we are responsible for our clients overall financial wellbeing. This means that we will discuss relevant topics that we do not advise on such as wills, LPAs and trusts which all have an impact on our client’s financial security during their lifetime and beyond.
“The holistic approach means that we work very closely with other professional firms, such as lawyers and accountants, as we are confident that this leads to better client outcomes.
“Our advisers would not be able to support clients without our proven infrastructure and back-office team.
“Our operations director does not give advice, and our compliance director only maintains a limited number of key clients which enables them to focus on building and refining the processes that ensure we satisfy our regulatory obligations and operate efficiently which ultimately benefits our clients. Equally important, our experienced administration team implement those processes by working with colleagues, product providers and third-party investment companies to ensure the smooth running of our clients’ financial plans.
“We recognise that the success of our business is dependent upon our employees and their ability to provide the best outcomes for our clients.
“We strive to ensure that every member of our team understands the importance of their role within the business, has a voice and is encouraged to develop and grow in line with their career and personal aspirations.
“We invest heavily in our staff and support them in their professional development, funding professional qualifications and providing training support.”
For more information, go to: www.integritywealth.co.uk
A Coventry construction equipment manufacturer is continuing to expand its global footprint – and is proud of its local roots.
Headquartered in Prologis Park, Coventry, Mecalac Construction Equipment UK is a global leader in the design and manufacture of compact plant machinery. With a heritage spanning more than 70 years, the brand is renowned worldwide for its innovation, iconic designs and first-to-market technologies.
A major local employer, almost 200 team members work at Mecalac’s Coventry facility, spanning a wide range of roles and departments.
Two key product lines are assembled at the company’s state-of-the-art facility – site dumpers and compaction rollers – both used by construction professionals all over the world.
Committed to quality, reliability and robust product design, Mecalac sources only the best materials and technologies for its products. The company has supplier partnerships that span multiple decades and is continuously looking to further build its network via new relationships with other local businesses.
Having won multiple awards for both its products and processes, Mecalac is a true pioneer of first-to-market equipment solutions. The company continues to fly the manufacturing flag for Coventry and Warwickshire and is proud to put the region on the map as a hub of construction equipment excellence.
Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mecalac has continued to grow its global footprint, invested heavily in its product range and further developed its talented team. Thanks to significant R&D, the company has recently launched a number of new products and operator technologies, with further announcements in the pipeline for the coming months.
Mark Royse, Head of Sales at Mecalac Construction Equipment UK, said: “We’re proud of our Coventry roots and further building relationships with the local community. With a strong pedigree of manufacturing excellence, going back to the British automotive industry of the 1950s, Coventry is the perfect base for our UK operations. It’s a hub of manufacturing talent and an exciting place to build your career.
“In 2022, we’re looking to further grow our local supplier network and continuing to invest in our team. Last year we achieved Thrive at Work Bronze Accreditation, as part of our health and wellbeing strategy, which further demonstrates our commitment to being an employer of choice. We’re proud to offer job opportunities and aim to build ever-stronger relationships across the local community.”
