Member Article

Behind the business with Crafted and Co

Bdaily goes behind the business with Ken Smith, managing director of Crafted & Co, designers and manufacturers of bespoke joinery and furniture.

What key challenges has your company recently faced?

The key challenge that Crafted & Co has faced over the last few years is the economic downturn and its impact on the construction industry. Many people have reduced their spending and investment in bespoke joinery services, so we have seen some of our competitors dropping their prices as a result.

What is your biggest achievement over the past 12 months?

Our biggest achievement over the past 12 months has been continuing the business growth, despite the on-going downturn in the construction sector. Investing in new machinery and making a few subtle changes to our working practices has enabled us to increase production capacity, which has had a notable affect on our bottom line.

What is your biggest focus for the coming year?

Crafted & Co’s major focus for 2012 will be to capitalise on our recent re-brand which took place in Autumn this year. This will help the business to expand and move into new markets; increasing our customer base. Training and development of our staff is another key area that we will continue to focus on; enabling the company to meet new challenges and expectations in new markets.

If you had to choose one top piece of advice for someone just starting out in business, or is currently operating within your industry sector, what would it be?

Do your best to make sure you always have good, trustworthy, experienced people working around you. No business can survive without this.

Can you share with us your view of the current landscape of business, in this region or generally and where your organization sits within it?

Our market sector has now been depressed for four years and because of this continuing uncertainty, it is difficult to predict when things will start improving, both in the north east and nationally. Due to this it is important that we continue running a tight ship, which allows us to remain competitive. I think it is crucial that we keep looking for new opportunities in new markets and with new clients. We are confident that this approach will see us through the recession and allow us to come out as a strong business on the other side. I would imagine most businesses in our sector will have an almost an identical business plan but hopefully our new brand and on-going investment will give us an edge.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Crafted & Co .