|
THE
SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR NEW SCAFFOLDING COMPANY
A South Wales
businessman is hoping the sky’s the limit for his
new business importing and selling scaffolding.
Doug Galloway, 52, aims to cash in on the booming UK
house building sector with C Trade Ltd, which is
based on Newport’s Leeway Industrial Estate.
Thanks to the financial backing of an Italian
businessman and specialist business advice from
Newport-based business management consultancy CODA,
Doug has set a first year turnover target of
£500,000 and is confident his venture will succeed.
Although based in South East Wales, he plans to
eventually sell his scaffolding products to all
corners of the UK.
CODA business mentor Tish John has helped Doug
prepare a business plan, access marketing support.
Before starting the new business in May, Doug ran a
chain of petrol stations in South Wales for 21 years
and also worked for a short time as a business
adviser.
“The idea for the new business came from talking to
contacts who told me there was a gap in the market
for competitively priced scaffolding, which was in
short supply,” he explained.
“I import scaffolding poles from India and provide
them colour coded to make it easier for the owners
to identify them on busy building sites. With the
current house building boom and the preference of
builders to own their own scaffolding instead of
hiring it, I think the business is well set for the
future.
"The feedback from customers has been very positive
but it’s a cut throat business dictated by price, so
you always need to be aware of fluctuations in the
world price of steel.”
He praised the business start-up support from CODA,
which included identifying 600 potential customers
across the UK.
“Although I have business experience, it’s good to
have someone to give you advice and back up when you
need it and I’m learning all the time,” he said.
“The business start up support is very important,
especially for people with no experience of running
a company.
“If I had to give advice to anyone setting up a
business it would be to ensure that they are not
undercapitalised from the start and to be wary of
spiralling set up costs. No matter how well you plan
and budget, there are so many hidden costs when you
start a business.”
Tish John, of CODA, said: “Breaking into a market
can be very difficult but there are positive signs
that the business is going to take off,” she added.
“From Doug’s point of view its reassuring to know
that he can access specialist business advice and
talk things through with someone.”
CODA provides expert advice in business development,
marketing, information systems, accounting,
information processing, taxation, legal and
financial planning. The company also manages the
Graduating to Enterprise and aspire business
programmes for the Welsh Development Agency.
 |
|
