Manufacturer of Antique Replica Furniture For Sale

Business description

Offers Invited

Established originally as a dealer thirty five years ago, this business has built an enviable reputation for the production of high quality replica furniture. Having built a significant presence in the UK and European markets, more recently this business has enjoyed considerable success exporting to the US, so much so that a large percentage of its turnover is now generated via the US marketplace.
Based in East Anglia this company employs over twenty highly skilled craftsmen ably supported by a very efficient administration team.
Its freehold premises includes 10,000 square feet of showrooms in which there are over 600 pieces of furniture on display at any one time, as well as an equally sized manufacturing operation – namely the Mill, Cabinet Maker’s shop, a specialist veneer room for shaping, bending and pressing veneers and a Polishing shop. Although most customer visits are by appointment from the trade, in response to customer demand, this business has recently begun a retail operation by opening its showrooms to the general public.
This business specializes in the creation of shaped furniture. The craftsmen are equally comfortable working with new and old woods, always using high quality materials, hand picked veneers, oysters and marquetry panels to create a full range of replica furniture to suit a wide variety of tastes. A prominent feature of the business is the ability and willingness to deliver bespoke pieces of furniture to individual clients.

Additionally, this company has had considerable success in the US by working with key customers to develop prototypes of particular pieces so that they can be test marketed over there. This has become a significant point of differentiation between this company and its competitors. Certain pieces are made from restored carcasses, although there is a move towards replica pieces made completely from new wood as these are better able to cope with the American climate and air conditioned environments.
New designs are continually being created from Clients' drawings and this business is always keen to extend its range, embracing new projects with relish.
This business is the epitome of high quality product and customer service and on schedule delivery – all at a competitive price.

Property information

Location:

The company operates from 40,000 square feet of premises, equally divided between the manufacturing plant and showrooms. There is also 2,000 square feet of office space and ample car parking. Operating from a 1.2 acre site overall there is more than sufficient space to expand. It is generally considered that Planning Consents would be readily available.
The manufacturing plant consists of the Mill, the Cabinet Maker’s shop, a specialist veneer room for shaping, bending and pressing veneers and a Polishing shop. 10,000 square feet on the first floor is given over to approximately twenty showrooms where there are over 600 pieces of furniture on display at any one time.

Other information

Expansion potential:

Having already established a first class reputation for quality, innovation and design of fine furniture, there is still tremendous scope for establishing the brand and growth and expansion both domestically and internationally. Although some work has already been done there are excellent opportunities to increase penetration into the UK retail sector particularly department stores.
The interest in and desire for antiques, reproduction and contemporary furniture appears to be growing worldwide as witnessed by this business’s already impressive export record. Although this business has built a significant presence in Europe and the US there is still potential for further export sales into these markets.

Competition / Market:

The high profitability and strong growth of this business is mainly as a result of word of mouth recommendation, bearing strong testimony to the excellent reputation the business enjoys within its sector. A well designed, informative and user friendly website is a major asset of the business generating leads particularly within the export markets. The company also has had considerable success generating leads from target sector specific mailings – to Interior Designers and Decorators for example.

Support & training:

The owner is happy to assist with the handover of the business.

Reasons for selling:

The owner wishes to retire.