Ed Booth

Managing Director Tiger Trailers

WCNW: To begin, tell us a little about yourself and your background.

From Cumbria, but based in North Wales now, I’m married with three daughters and one grandson. I have a degree in Business Management and am a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Apart from a spell as a process improvement consultant, my career has been in manufacturing, spanning bathrooms, pharmaceuticals, agricultural equipment and now trailers, mainly in finance/FD/VP and more recently MD roles.

I’m a keen tennis player, still playing for Wrexham 1st team in the Chester and District Men’s Tennis league, and also enjoy walking, spending time with family, and music - mainly indie, including going to gigs.

WCNW: What attracted you to the company?

I met the founders towards the end of Covid lockdown on Teams and then in person, and it was clear the company had put in place a very strong business model with a great product range, and a fantastic production and office facility - so a lot of the building blocks were in place to take Tiger to the next level. Although you can never really know a culture until you start, I just got the feeling it would be a good fit for Tiger and myself. Luckily, they did too!

WCNW: What are your main responsibilities?

I spent around seven months as FD and then became MD as the founders wanted to take more of a board advisory role. The directors and leadership team oversee daily operations and work on strategy for the next 3-5 years.

WCNW: What does a typical day involve?

It’s varied, which I like. We have some standard weekly meetings like production performance and monthly financial reviews, important for measuring our performance and taking actions. But concurrently we’re an extremely entrepreneurial company, able to quickly push ideas forward, from enhancing capacity or developing a new product, to our many CSR activities. We work very closely but with minimal hierarchy, which is a spirit extremely important to us.

WCNW: Who is your target audience and what is the main aim of the organisation?

We work with most of the biggest parcel carriers, supermarkets and logistics providers. Our aim is to provide premium trailers on time to a tailored specification, with efficiency and environment in mind, from cargo capacity and loading speed, to journey reduction and lightweight materials.

WCNW: What projects are you currently working on?

Many people don’t realise that Tiger also builds rigid bodywork solutions including temperature-controlled products (partly manufactured by our Spanish partners Lecitrailer) which are currently once again shaping up to be significant areas of order volume throughout 2024 and beyond. As our main show this year, we’re excited to have confirmed attendance as exhibitors at TCS&D’s Cold Chain Hub at Birmingham NEC in October.

We experience first hand how a CSR focus boosts togetherness, and annually we hold fundraising and awareness events for various Cheshire Community Foundation charities, including enrichment club tours and role-playing to inspire underprivileged youngsters to consider careers in transport. Last year, we joined Women in Transport to encourage more women to join manufacturing and logistics roles.

Sustainability is also a core focus, from actively sourcing wood from suppliers who manage renewable forests, to planting a tree for every Tiger product bought – an initiative we began in 2022. We first installed solar panels on our roof in 2022, doubling capacity in 2024.

WCNW: How have things gone so far?

Really well - we are pleased with our progress. 2023 proved another recordbreaker for turnover, with our order book revealing stronger than ever demand.

WCNW: Any difficulties? If so, how did you overcome them?

The market faces uncertainty due to interest rates and inflation, changes to haulier profiles, and global unrest. We remain confident though, with excellent relationships with our suppliers and customers - so together with our excellent people, we continue to deliver.

WCNW: Did you ever think ‘I’ve taken on too big a risk’? If so, how did you overcome it?

Quite a few times! I think it’s important to reflect and ask questions like these when you embark on any challenge. I think the important thing, whether a new project or team as examples, is to get the help you need to put the structure, process and great people in place for the best chance of success. You can’t do it all on your own. When I have led large projects in big organisations, from shared service centre implementations to acquisitions, this is what I have tried to do alongside having good sponsors and knowing and managing the key stakeholders. It’s good for development to come out of your comfort zone. This is why it helps to be part of a company and within a culture that allows you to try things and learn from them, to get the eventual best result. I have been fortunate to work for a few organisations that have been this way including Tiger.

WCNW: Looking ahead, what are your main aims for the organisation and how would you like it to develop?

We are increasingly centring our approach around people, ensuring they have the tools, conditions, processes and structure to be their best. When people are happy in their work and feel supported, they often overperform. We have a lot of hard work ahead but I’m convinced this will strengthen the platform for future business growth.

WCNW: How have businesses and individuals responded to what you’re offering?

Positively, we would say. We also have a small rental fleet to help existing and new customers with peak requirements, and to help customers bridge any gaps when ordering new trailers. We also have a Tiger Finance division providing operating lease, HP, etcetera - a total solution.

WCNW: Are there any particular people, business leaders or others you look up to? What have you learned from them?

There are no particular people I look up to but there are lots of people I learn from past and present; ones I haven’t met but read about, from all aspects of life, business, music, sport, etcetera, and I learn from people I meet daily, with different approaches, perspectives and solutions. I’ve had some great managers, mentors and coaches and worked with some great people. Some I didn’t always agree with, but I feel I learnt something from them all.

WCNW: What are your career aims and aspirations? Is there anything else in particular you’d like to achieve in your lifetime?

I don’t look too far ahead personally, but my whole career has centred around strategic plans, looking into the future for businesses. Career-wise, if I’m enjoying it, learning, developing, and we’re on an exciting journey of improvement, then I’m happy. Although I’m 50, I think that I can still play decent tennis! So, when retirement finally comes, it would be great along with lots of family time, to play some tournaments around the world on the ITF seniors tour.

WCNW: What message would you give to other people in business?

Be respectful with people - they usually reciprocate. Don’t do people’s jobs for them. Encourage, support and help them to develop, then amazing things happen. Work hard, work smart, keep things simple, stay grounded and have some fun.

A oes gan eich busnes weledigaeth werdd?

A oes gan eich busnes weledigaeth werdd?

Does your business have a green ambition?

Does your business have a green ambition?

Hoffech chi gael cymorth gydag arbedion effeithlonrwydd a lleihau eich allyriadau carbon busnes?

Hoffech chi gael cymorth gydag arbedion effeithlonrwydd a lleihau eich allyriadau carbon busnes?

Gyda phecynnau adnoddau ac astudiaethau achos ar gael, dysgwch sut allwch gymryd camau cadarnhaol i ysgogi newid o fewn eich busnes.

Gyda phecynnau adnoddau ac astudiaethau achos ar gael, dysgwch sut allwch gymryd camau cadarnhaol i ysgogi newid o fewn eich busnes.

03000 6 03000 busnescymru.llyw.cymru businesswales.gov.wales

Would you like support with efficiency savings and reducing your carbon emissions?

Would you like support with efficiency savings and reducing your carbon emissions?

With resource packs and case studies available, explore how you can take positive steps to implement change within your own business.

With resource packs and case studies available, explore how you can take positive steps to implement change within your own business.