Leading Independent Sheet Metal Work Operation For Sale

Business description

Leading Independent Sheet Metal work operation serving a wide range of industries

Established for over thirty years – and now in the hands of the second generation of the family that opened it, this business has performed consistently well throughout its many years of operation to become one of the leading independent sheet metalwork operations in the area.

With the capability to deliver right across the UK using its own transport, this business prides itself on providing a modern, complete sheet metal service to a wide variety of industries. It has in recent years established a particular presence within the office installation and refrigeration sectors manufacturing to order, all shapes and sizes, from tiny brackets through to cable trays, wet room equipment and enclosures for monitoring equipment. Alongside its customer orders the business has also designed and developed its own product which is generating an increasing following within the music industry.

This business offers a high level of skill and expertise and is equipped with up to date CNC punching and bending technology that enables it to produce premium quality products. A dedication to quality and service at a sensible price initially attracted customers to this business and it is this combined with a fast response to customer orders, which now helps maintain a wide range of loyal customers across a number of industries. As happy to operate from the loosest of sketches as it is from detailed drawings, with innovative and powerful equipment, this business provides a quality product at an honest price. Not surprisingly therefore many customers are directed towards this business by word of mouth recommendation.

With turnover for the 2009 financial year in excess of £290,000 generating gross profits of almost £140,000 and profits available to the owner of the business in excess of £50,000, this is an excellent opportunity to acquire a well established, well managed and profitable engineering operation.

Customer profile:

Operating from a leasehold base – although the freehold could also be made available – close to the Hampshire/Surrey border, this business serves customers locally and right across the UK.

Including a core of regular Clients ranging from small independents through to some much larger corporations, the customer base of this business is very well spread by customer type and across a number of different industries, making it less vulnerable than most businesses within its sector to any downturns in the marketplaces it serves.

Key strengths:

This is a very well established business having been in operation for over thirty years. It has an excellent reputation for providing good quality products at very competitive prices. It is particularly well known for being very flexible – happy to operate from the loosest of sketches – and very reactive, responding quickly to customer orders. This business appreciates the importance of detail – and getting the product right for the Client. It is simply very good at what it does, throughout all aspects of the operation of the business – getting its prices right for the right products, prepared to the right quality and delivered at the right time.

The business has no particular reliance on any one customer or even on any one type of customer – having a good loyal and widespread customer base. This business has also achieved the ‘holy grail’ for all engineering businesses, it has developed its own product which is in increasing demand within the music industry and represents a significant growth opportunity.

Key opportunities:

There is an excellent opportunity to build on the existing product range and customer base of this company. With a strong demand for its products and capacity to increase turnover, a new owner would contribute fresh ideas particularly in the area of marketing and outside influence to build on an excellent base.

Whilst more than adequate for the current operations, a new investor might consider adding one or two pieces of more up to date equipment to the current inventory of machinery. This would have the benefit of increasing the speed of production with a consequent impact on turnover and profitability. Approximately 90% of the work this business manufactures requires a powder coat finish – the addition of a powder coating plant – it is possible to extend the business into the unit next door, would enable this business to keep this turnover and margin in-house. The business could also introduce laser cutting which would enable the business to widen its capabilities to its customer base.

There is certainly the possibility of increasing the distribution of its music industry product and developing the product even further.

Financial information:

The business is offered for sale as a going concern. All financial discussions will take place directly between the vendor and all interested parties under the auspices of Turner Butler.

Turnover for the 2009 financial year was approximately £292,000 generating gross profits of £138,000 and pre-tax net operating profits of £22,700 after Directors’ remunerations of £24,300.

The Asking Price of £125,000 is for a sale of the shares in the limited company based on a Balance Sheet value of £26,300.

Property information

Property:

Leasehold

Location:

The business is located on a small industrial estate within easy reach of all parts of the South East and its customers further afield via the A31 and M3 motorways operating from premises which were acquired by one of the current owners of the business several years ago. There is ample parking on site.

Approximately 1200 square feet, the premises are available freehold, subject to independent valuation or via a lease, term and rent to be agreed. Rates are £2,800 per annum.

Business Operation

Competition / Market:

Having been in operation for more than thirty years, this business has an established reputation throughout the industry and with an extensive and loyal customer base, invests little in marketing and advertising. The business has a presence in all of the usual directories and has a very well designed and informative website which performs very well in all of the major search engines for all appropriate search terms. By far the most cost effective form of marketing for the business however, is the repeat work the business receives – approximately 65% - 70% of turnover – and the strong word of mouth recommendation the business enjoys, testimony to the excellent reputation the business has within its marketplace.

Reasons for selling:

Having been involved in the business throughout his professional career, the current Owner feels the time is right for a change of direction and now wishes to pass the business on to new Owners to build upon the excellent foundations already laid.

Trading hours:

This business operates a basic forty hours per week – between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday with overtime as required.

Other information

Support & training:

The current owner will provide all necessary training and all relevant contacts to ensure a smooth transfer of the business to new Owners.