Member Article

Relocation proves a ‘perfect’ present for craft firm

Massive growth in DIY wedding decorations and baby christenings has helped a Wolverhampton firm double the size of its operation and head towards its best ever turnover.

Perfect Tables, which supplies everything you need for weddings, special occasions and crafts, has recently moved into a new office and distribution centre in the City to cope with 30% increase in orders that will see it secure £500,000 sales this year.

The £30,000 investment gives them 2500 sq ft more space to house over 10,000 favours, cake toppers, keepsake books, ribbons, confectionery and stationery.

Run by partners Mandy Hopkins and Ricky Watkins, the company has also launched a dedicated showroom to illustrate some of the latest designs and trends.

“I started the business in 2010 after giving birth to twins, so that I could still work, but also spend time bringing my children up,” explained Mandy, who was previously an export manager for two industrial companies.

“Turnover was about £25,000 in the first year, but that quickly grew over the following twelve months and we quickly realised we needed some storage space for our rapidly growing range of wedding favours and craft decorations.”

She continued: “Never did I think we’d be on course to hit £500,000 by 2016, which represents £100,000 growth this year alone. What’s behind our success? I suppose an eye for the latest trends and colours, plus a determination to make sure the customer receives the best possible service.”

Perfect Tables offers customers from all over the UK and Europe access to thousands of decorations, wedding favours and supplies that will make celebrations extra special.

It uses an extensive network of contacts to source thousands of ‘on trend’ products not readily available on the high street and this has led to an extensive client base featuring major hotels, party planners, cake decorators and a resurgent Asian market.

Investment in the new distribution centre at Merryhills Enterprise Park has given it additional capacity to invest in more new ‘lines’ and launch its first ever showroom, open Monday to Fridays.

Ricky continued: “There has been a lot of interest since our move and this has definitely turned into new orders, so much so that we’ve actually doubled our workforce in the last three months.

“In addition to the physical premises, we have also invested heavily in launching a new e-commerce website (www.perfecttables.co.uk). This boasts a state-of-the-art shopping facility and will complement our work on Amazon and E-bay.”

He concluded: “Many customers benefit from next day delivery and we know this is a big selling point for us.”

Future plans for Perfect Tables include the possibility of offering a complete celebration package, from supplying the products to actually dressing rooms.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .