Tom Raffield benefits from BIG investment and support.
Artisan furniture and lighting company, Tom Raffield, is taking business to the
next level, thanks to a £20,000 grant from BIG Productivity.
A new mezzanine area is due to be installed at the
Falmouth-based firm’s premises in Church View Business Park.
The extra level will maximise the space in the unit,
allowing the 28-strong team at Tom Raffield to expand storage and increase
manufacture of their unique designs.
The company, set up 14 years ago as a cottage industry in
Tom’s back garden, creates handcrafted lighting, furniture and accessories
using the low-energy, low-waste technique of steam bending wood.
Chris Pritchard, Head of Operations at Tom Raffield, said:
“As the business continues to grow and we handcraft our range alongside
developing new designs, we’d like to expand our space and ensure the flow is
efficient through our workshop teams. The grant from BIG has allowed us to
create a small mezzanine area which will really help us to maximise the room we
have here.”
Chris added: “If we can hold more stock and access materials
faster, we can also offer a quicker service to our customers. We are about a
month away from having the mezzanine level installed, which is really
exciting.”
In the longer term, the team at Tom Raffield, are set to
benefit from support from BIG’s Advanced
Advisory Service (AAS).
The service offers strategic, non-financial support to
Cornish SMEs on projects that will be a catalyst for growth. The service provides
12 hours of free professional advice from a team of experienced consultants.
Chris and the team at Tom Raffield worked with consultant
Jon Hurrell to review their current software and its limitations, identifying
important criteria and defining a brief for what they wanted the software to do
for the business.
Although installing the mezzanine has taken priority, Chris
said they will be using the advice they received through the AAS as the
business develops further.
Chris added: “The whole process enabled us to take an
objective look, from an industry-wide context, at how we work and what we want
our software system to do. For us it’s about visibility in the manufacturing
process – it’s about understanding where our inventory is, the efficiency of our
space and teams in the workshop and trying to reduce any blocks in production.
“I would recommend contacting BIG Productivity to local
businesses. The process of applying to was simple and it’s been really smooth
along the way, which has allowed us to take the business forward in the way we
want.”
Lyn Newby, BIG Productivity’s programme manager, said: “The
team at Tom Raffield have made great use of the funding they received, putting
it towards a project they knew would have immediate and tangible benefits for
their business.
“And through the Advanced Advisory Service, with its 12
hours of free advice and support from an experienced consultant, the company
has been able to set up longer term goals that will increase efficiency and
value.
“The advisory service is still open for Cornish SMEs so get
in touch if you think your business could benefit.”
BIG Productivity is a £3.1m fund that offers grants from
£2,500 up to £50,000 to qualifying small and medium-sized businesses in
Cornwall to boost their productivity.
BIG Productivity is supported by the European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth
Programme and is delivered by Cornwall Council.
