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Serial entrepreneur Tony Richards is helping to revolutionalise
the world of window and doors after launching his third
business...
Founder
Tony Richards, who has worked closely with the Chamber,
receiving a wide range of help and support, is excited
about his new venture and is now planning to double
the size of his business unit from 5,000 to 10,000 sq
ft
From its base at Sutton Fold, St Helens, Arcoframe manufactures
and provides specialist frames for the window and door
industry, such as arches, circles and gable ends. The
highly-skilled process involves the softening of rigid
straight lengths of UPVC so that they can be bent into
shape.
The
business, launched in November 2003 with just three
employees, now has a workforce of 23 with plans to increase
this substantially as the company expands into other
regions of the UK.
Founder
Tony Richards, who has worked closely with the Chamber,
receiving a wide range of help and support, is excited
about his new venture and is now planning to double
the size of his business unit from 5,000 to 10,000 sq
ft.
Tony,
who is well known in St Helens for his social enterprise
work and as Executive Chairman of the £10m Millennium
Centre, said: “I really enjoy the buzz of starting
with a vision and developing it through to a flourishing,
sustainable enterprise.”
The
business operates mainly in the North West of England,
often for larger window, door and conservatory companies
that require arched frames.
“Previously,
window companies were experiencing poor service, particularly
in relation to turnaround,” explained Tony. “Normally,
industry lead times can be five weeks.
“We
have established a tracking process that enables us
to keep customers informed on the progress of their
order, from order receipt to final delivery.
“Our
aim is to deliver a complete profile bending service,
in fact, to develop a customer relationship that last
for years,” added Tony, who was also honoured
with the title Freeman of the Borough in recognition
of his social and business enterprise work.
Tony is grateful to the Chamber for the help it has
provided. “Through the support of the Chamber
we have been able to utilise the skills and experience
of a marketing professional,” he said.
“We’ve
also engaged, through the Chamber, a consultant to assist
in the setting up of production planning systems. We
work closely with business advisor Paul Thompson at
the Chamber who is very helpful.”
For more information on Arcoframe, telephone on 01744
615111
Read success stories about
other successful St Helens companies
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