Southern Enterprise Awards 2020

27 | Southern Enterprise Awards 2020 Aug20481 Best Panel Furniture Manufacturer 2020 - Worcestershire Established in 2015, Cotswold Panel Products is a family-run business dedicated to manufacturing Built Panel-based Furniture using state-of the art machinery. Founder and Managing Director, Martin Clarke, and his team produce high quality products for office and educational spaces, point of sale and retail, and the event, hospitality and exhibition sector. Whether they are creating a tabletop, bespoke bar, reception counter or point of sale item in solid wood, compact laminate or recycled plastics, the Cotswold Panel Products team produces consistent and high-quality products that are finished with excellence. This has predominantly been achieved through the firm’s continual investment in the latest technology and cutting-edge machinery, that Cotswold Panel Product’s team of highly skilled operatives are able to use to manufacture components to a client’s exact specification, whether they require one piece or one thousand pieces. As a result, the company has come a long way from its humble beginnings in only five short years, boasting LASER ABS technology as well as a high-level standard of PUR, both producing almost zero bond-line between board and ABS edge. As Martin and his team look forward to the next period of growth, they are investing in even more state-of-the-art machinery as well as resources and streamlined process that will both drive up quality and reduce costs. It is practices such as these that have guaranteed customer returns and positive referrals that generate continual business activity. Cotswold Panel Products also takes pride in its speed in reacting to requests, offering a standard lead time of just two to three weeks at the most, but for event and exhibition markets, in which last-minute service is frequent and often paramount, the company turns around urgent orders in just days, sometimes hours in order to meet demands, a service which is highly valued by their customers. Being well situated in an accessible location for companies all over the country and having established links with a local network of transport partners also means that if a client requires a product the next day, Cotswold Panel Products will do everything they can to make that happen, and commit to any agreements they make. In Martin’s words “Once we say Yes, We mean Yes” Despite the dynamism and professionalism of the firm, Cotswold Panel Products has maintained the authenticity of a family-run business, this guarantees excellence in both its products and customer service. Every member of the team is involved in the decision-making process, whether it be in regard to improving the quality of a product or where the annual Christmas party should be held. Whilst collaboration is key, every individual take’s ownership of the products they manufacture, making sure they get their clients’ requests right first time, within budget and to the highest possible standard. This often means keeping an eye on the latest trends within the industry and advising clients how they can get the most out of their product. For example, the firm’s board supplier Egger Ltd has a constantly evolving selection of On Trend Décor materials which can be adapted to many sectors or purposes and has led to an evolution of aesthetics within certain markets. The exhibition market, for instance, has been moving away from traditional black and whites to On Trend Decors such as Egger Pasadena Pine and Egger Charleston Oak. This was, however, prior to the nationwide lockdown that had an impact on many of Cotswold Panel Products’ clients, particularly those within the Exhibition and Events sector. The firm is looking forward to a bounce back within this market soon and wishes their customers in the sector, such as Concept Furniture, Eventhire UK and Spaceworks/WDT a quick and successful recovery. With this same optimism, Cotswold Panel Products is seeing the opportunities ahead following Covid-19, as they work closely with a number of new key customers on ranges of branded furniture. This new niche is requiring the firm to look at investing in new machinery which will enable faster processes and will fundamentally lead to greater cost effectivity. The continued expansion of the firm into new markets and higher quality products will go hand- in-hand with its consistent devotion to friendly and professional customer service. There is no doubt that big things lie ahead for the ambitious firm that is Cotswold Panel Products. Contact: Martin Clarke Website: www.cotswoldpanelproducts.co.uk For five years, Cotswold Panel Products has been growing through continual investment into high-tech machinery designed to increase productivity, capability and quality. However, despite the panel-based furniture manufacturer’s evolution and progress, Cotswold Panel Products has retained the personal touch that comes with being a family-run business, striking the perfect balance between professionalism and personability. As the company celebrates its well- deserved award at the Southern Enterprise Awards 2020, we took a closer look at the factors behind their success.