Member Article

Barnsley glazing firm bounces back doubling turnover in 2 years

Barnsley glazing company Royston Glass, run by a husband and wife team, is bouncing back from turnover almost doubling in 2 years.

Royston Glass, which is based in Carlton Industrial Estate, makes double-glazed units, but specialises in glass splashbacks for kitchens and bathrooms.

The company has seen its turnover almost double in the last two years, taken on three new staff, bought a new paint-mixing machine and invested £120,000 in a computerised glass-cutting machine.

To keep up with demand, they have also ordered two new delivery vans.

Clients include fitted kitchen suppliers Symphony and Wren Living and the firm has customers from the Hebrides down to Devon.

The firm’s expansion is being given business support by Enterprising Barnsley, which is run by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

Andrew and Janette Rawson bought the company in 2008, just weeks before the credit crunch hit. Andrew had left a job at developers Urban Splash and Janette her civil service post to commit to the enterprise.

Andrew said: “The timing was so unfortunate we bought the company in March and by June the economy was in freefall.

“We had three or four very difficult years and thought ‘what have we done’, but managed to hang on in there and now things are on the up with a bulging order book and a bright future.”

“We need to stay ahead of the competition. We used to have about three competitors on the splashbacks’ side of the business.

“Now there are hundreds out there. But we are always one step ahead. For example now we are looking at screen printing images onto the glass and our new cutting machine is one of very few in the country.

“Double-glazed units will always be the bread and butter of the business, but the splashbacks are the growing part. And now that house-building is picking up again and splashbacks are becoming the norm rather than tiles, we are getting more and more orders.

“The help of Enterprising Barnsley has been invaluable. They are always there with help and advice in the background when we need it.”

Angela Pedley, of Enterprising Barnsley, said: “Royston Glass is a great, forward-thinking company that is really going places. They have a mix of family values and high quality products which keep them ahead of the competitors.”

Enterprising Barnsley provides free business support to SME’s with growth potential. The programme is supported financially by the European Union and has attracted £2,259,511 investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development, through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .