York manufacturer crafts new showroom with £50k finance package

A York manufacturer of oak products has expanded its premises and is set to increase its workforce by more than a quarter, with support of a £50k finance package from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

Oak by Design recently built a 2000 sq ft extension at its workshop at Locksley Park in Tockwith, after an increase in larger contracts meant that the company needed to manufacture and display products at one site.

The extension now houses the firm’s showroom, previously located 15 miles away in Harrogate, where clients can view large-scale example products and work with designers on individual projects.

As a result of the expansion, the company’s turnover is expected to increase by a quarter and three new jobs will be created in its sales and manufacturing teams over the next year.

The new showroom is also heated by a new biomass boiler, which the firm invested in with support from a £15,000 asset finance facility from Lloyds Bank.

Established in 1997, Oak by Design manufactures specialist oak products, including small buildings, conservatories, porches, flooring and doors.

Richard Penny, managing director at Oak by Design, said: “Over the past three years we’ve more than doubled our revenue, and as a result we outgrew our previous showroom on Kings Road in Harrogate.

“The move allows us to combine our whole operation on one site, meaning clients can choose what they’d like, work with our designers and watch their product being made in one location.

“The increased space will provide us with the capacity needed to take on larger contracts and, as a result, we hope to hit the million-pound turnover mark in the next year.”

Gary Whitaker, relationship manager at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, added: “We helped Oak by Design invest in new machinery in 2014, and it’s great to see they’ve gone from strength to strength since.

“The move to the bigger showroom demonstrates their recent successes, and it will be key in helping them grow further. Supporting firms like Oak by Design in maximising growth potential with tailored finance packages is one of the ways we’re helping Britain prosper.”