DOING up the new home will just have to wait...
Joiner Nick Whiteley and his partner of 18 years Julia Dyson sold their house to focus on carrying out their dream barn conversion.
But they ended up diverting their funds into something far less romantic – setting up a business – and have put plans for domestic bliss on hold to live temporarily in a static caravan!
The couple opened Taylor Quality Joinery Solutions Ltd in February this year in 9,000sq ft of industrial units at Upper Mills, Canal Side, Slaithwaite.
The joinery manufacturing and installation company offers bespoke joinery, shopfitting and contract joinery – drawing on Nick’s expertise as an apprentice-trained joiner, Julia’s new-found talents tackling the accountancy and sales side of the business and the experience of Nick’s long-time friend and business associate John Nelson as contracts manager.
“We started with one employee and have already recruited another,” says Nick. “We hope to employ an apprentice in September as we are growing steadily and keeping our heads above water in the current climate.
“We took a huge gamble opening the workshop and putting our own home barn conversion on hold to put the money into the business. But it seems to have been paying off.”
Contracts have included shopfitting the new Poundworld store at the Piazza Shopping Centre in Huddersfield and working on similar projects for clothing chains Primark, betting shop operator William Hill, Mountain Warehouse and Autonomy.
Nick employs reliable sub-contractors to work on schemes across the country, but says: “If the customer wants a man on site in Shrewsbury in two hours, we will have a man on site in two Shrewsbury in two hours – and that might even be me! We have a reputation for getting the work done and doing whatever it takes.”
With shopfitting less in demand due to the current retail sector slump, Nick has been concentrating more recently on contract joinery work, including working for an Irish company.
Taylor Quality Joinery Solutions Ltd has also been involved in domestic joinery work – fitting everything from doors and windows to staircases.
Says Nick: “It has taken time for people to know we are here, but we are getting more enquiries in.”
Nick developed an interest in joinery during his days at Colne Valley High School. “I liked woodwork at school,” he says. “I didn’t particularly enjoy sitting in a classroom, but I enjoyed the practical side of things.”
Nick got a place on a youth training scheme with builder Henry Boot during its partnership with Kirklees Council to carry out major refurbishment projects about the town. He was placed with a Huddersfield company, Pearson and Micklethwaite, where he was given an apprenticeship, which included day-release at Huddersfield Technical College’s site at Carr Green Lane, Dalton.
Nick went on to work for Roy C Smith (Joiners) Ltd at Marsden, which took him into the shopfitting trade – and work on projects in the UK, Ireland and Europe – as well as introducing him to sub-contracting.
It’s all been valuable experience for the new business.
Nick and Julia were hunting around for premises for the new business when they found a vacant unit at Upper Mills.
“This unit had been a spray shop and has been used for making plastic windows and stove enamelling,” he says.
“It’s a good size for what we need and the rent and rates are reasonable. We bought the machinery from a company in Gomersal, which had sadly failed. It’s always the case that someone’s loss is another’s gain.”
Nick’s Colne Valley credentials extend beyond the workplace He has played for Slawit Saracens Rugby League Club for almost 10 years, mainly playing at hooker.
“I was 27 when the team was set up and I was asked by a friend in the pub if I would play,” he says. “I hadn’t done much sport since I was about 16.
“I’ve sustained a broken leg and broken hands. I think the problem now is that the bigger lads are able to catch me up!”
Nick also enjoys mountain biking, saying: “There are lots of tracks around here and I try to get out once a week.”
Steering a course in business, Nick knows that nothing is certain in these recessionary times.
The construction industry and allied trades are particularly vulnerable to the downturn.
But he counts himself lucky in having Julia and John alongside as the new venture takes off.
“Julia is the optimistic one,” he insists. “I am a ‘glass is not even half full’ type of person! Julia has had to learn all the accountancy software. She’s the one making the cold calls when necessary and chasing up the leads.
“I have worked with John at three companies before setting up Taylor Quality Joinery Solutions Ltd and I have known him for 20 years. He has vast experience which I can call on.”
Nick says: “The biggest concern for anyone in business must be the uncertainty of the current climate. We have put everything into this business and we have reliable people with families who depend on us.
“But you have to approach things with a positive mindset. There is no better feeling than when you do a job well and you are working with a good set of lads.”
Meanwhile, that barn conversion will get done some day!
Role: Partner
Age: 45
Family: Partner Julia and sons Benjamin, 21, Thomas, 19, Joseph, 13 and Samuel, seven
Holidays: Cyprus and Florida
Car: Ford Ranger pickup
First job: Making chips at Four Lanes fish and chip shop in Marsden
Best thing about job: It is nice not having to answer to anyone else – and to have the satisfaction of going a good job
Worst thing about job: The uncertain business climate
Business tip: Stay positive
Work: Bespoke joinery manufacturing and installation
Site: Slaithwaite
Phone: 01484 847705
Email: info@tqjs-ltd.co.uk
Website: www.tqjs-ltd.co.uk
