Yacht Chandlery and Architectural Metalworking Business For Sale - Suffolk, United Kingdom

Asking price: £225,000

Business description: This profitable niche business makes and sells equipment for classic boats. The ability to work in bronze has led to recent moves into the manufacture of non-marine items such as furniture. Gross Profit is more than 50%.

Years established: 17

Employees: 5

Trading hours: Mon-Fri 9.00 to 5.30

Relocatable: This business can be relocated.

Property : Leasehold

Location: The business has occupied leasehold premises of 1800 sq ft on 2 levels. Since the business is running out of space a move is planned in autumn 2008 to larger 4,000 sq ft premises.

Expansion potential: There is a good deal of scope for improving marketing and sales and improving the efficiency of operations. In addition, a number of new products and services are also about to come on stream.

Competition / Market: The business occupies a niche position in the market, barriers to entry comprising the technical knowledge underpinning the business, the specialist skills in manufacture and the accumulation of loyal customers over a 17-year period. Customers The customer database now comprises over 15,000 people, adding about 1,000 per year. We also have long-term relationships with suppliers, the specialist media and complementary members of the industry (eg designers, woodworkers etc). Basis of business The success of the business is based on: - Technical expertise - Specialism, but within that, flexibility - A long-term view. Promotion, Marketing and Advertising With a well-established specialist firm, the main methods of promotion are currently word-of-mouth, the internet, and by support, sponsorship and participation in appropriate events. It is all very low-key and could almost certainly be improved by a more structured approach.

Support & training: The current owner is willing to provide handover and training as required.

Reasons for selling: The current owner (and founder) sees the need for different skills as the industry and business mature, and would also like to develop other non-related projects. He is prepared to consider options other than an outright sale of the whole.