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FTSE 100 MARTIN THOMPSON +33.15 Building for growth Column - Page 7 6782.55
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2015
Sitting comfortably Interview - Page 3
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
A firm which has supplied window blinds to customers in North America and the Mediterranean is drawing up plans for further expansion as it marks 10 years in business. Excel Manufacturing Ltd, based at Fieldhouse Business Park in Huddersfield, has embarked on its anniversary year with plans to introduce a new products book to the trade when it takes a stand at the industry’s major show in October at the Ricoh Stadium in Coventry. It follows a year in which the familyowned business lifted sales by 15% and raised profits at a time when the home furnishings market remains tough. The firm was launched in February, 2005, by managing director Stephen Halliwell and son-in-law Nathan Schofield in a 10,000sq ft unit at Fieldhouse Business Park. In 2007, they added
■■ Directors Stephen Halliwell and Nathan Schofield, of Excel Manufacturing Ltd
a mezzanine floor to increase floorspace to 16,000sq ft and in 2010 expanded into the next door unit to take total floorspace to 26,000sq ft. The firm now employs 74 people – most of whom have been with the business for almost 10 years.
Stephen and Nathan are joined in the business by Stephen’s wife Janet and daughter Joanne while other members of the family also work for the firm. Stephen, Nathan and Joanne have many years experience in the industry.
Excel manufacturers all types of blinds, including roller blinds, venetian blinds, pleated blinds and curtains. The firm has about 1,000 trade customer accounts nationwide. It also supplies digital printed blinds for dispatch worldwide. Contracts have included supplying 200 printed venetian blinds featuring images of the Beatles from the 1960s to a department store chain in North America and providing printed blinds for Maltese Airways. Mr Halliwell admitted the recession had affected the business, saying: “We did not grow turnover for three years at one stage, but we grew the bottom line.” But he said: “We increased turnover by 15% last year and improved the bottom line as well. We have three sales managers on the road and we are turning our attention to Scotland next.” He said: “It is not just about making the blinds. It is about developing new systems and looking at how we get the blinds out. “We are constantly changing processes to be more streamlined.”
Network group’s tenacious Terriers create £13m of business A networking group has celebrated its 12th anniversary in style. Terriers is a group of like-minded business people from different sectors formed as part of the Business Networking International (BNI) format of referral-based networking. The group, which held its first meeting in January, 2003 at the George Hotel in Huddersfield, takes only one representative from each profession and has boasted an average of 40 members in recent years. By referring business between members, the group has generated
more than £13m of business during its first 12 years – with 2014 seeing the highest annual total of £2.6m. Mark Sanderson, chief executive of QED Financial Associates Ltd and a founding member of the group, said member firms had flourished despite tough economic times. He said: “Over the past 12 years, we have had some great and dedicated members. I continue to benefit from working with some great businesses, but I also find the group a great source of business and turnover for my firm.”
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The Terriers chapter has businesses from sectors including financial services, construction and retail. It meets each Wednesday at Hinchliffe’s Farm Shop in Netherton. Chapter director Ken Pearce said: “Referrals are the best way to generate new business for most businesses. We provide a structured mechanism for businesses to refer business to one another and to use networking and referrals as a strategy to develop their businesses.” The group welcomes visitors. Go ■■ BNI Terriers members at the group’s 6,000th meeting to www.bnionline.co.uk/terriers/
Charity boost
A charity has been given a marketing boost following substantial funding from a Calderdale company. Overgate Hospice at Elland has been able to recruit Sarah Clarkson as marketing and communications co-ordinator following an offer by longtime supporter and Halifax-based caravan and motorhome insurance company Caravan Guard to fund her first year’s salary.
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Making the cut A Huddersfield teenager who has struggled to find permanent work since leaving school three years ago has now got an opportunity to carve out a career for himself. Aiden Fairs, 19, who undertook several temporary jobs since finishing his education, has been recruited by a town centre butcher’s shop.