Asking price: £99,000

Sales revenue: £158,000

Net profit: £36,000

Fixtures value: Undisclosed

Stock value: Undisclosed

Business description
This business was established by the vendors in 1987 and specialises in producing, retailing, renovating and inscribing memorials and headstones. Using all natural stones the business provides quality crafted memorials with an excellent personal service. The business has superb communications with suppliers and customers with a high percentage of custom direct from the public and with some trade.

Using professional & skilled workmanship, the highly experienced and creative masons design and create the most suitable and distinctive memorial to honour the memory of a loved one. Monuments can be created to suit all tastes using various types of granite and stone and can be inscribed with personal lettering & custom designs. The talented craftsmen take pride in their finished work, ensuring that it is of the highest quality. The masons have produced an illustrated brochure to give clients an introduction to their creative scope to provide a lasting and unique memorial.

While cemetery memorials are the primary focus, the product offerings have grown to include commemorative plaques, war memorials, house names and pet memorials, which again are all custom designed in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes.

The business has various annual maintenance contract agreements in place to provide ongoing support for their clients. Contracts are also in place with local funeral directors and undertakers from whom referrals are regularly received.

With little competition the growth opportunities for this business are virtually limitless for a new owner with additional advertising, opening hours and increased trade with funeral directors.

Quality Assurance

The company understand the need to deliver a quality product, cost effectively and give outstanding value to customers. This commitment to quality is confirmed by working to the highest technical standards including using the new BS8415 safety anchor system for superior stability.

Equipment:

The business have invested in all necessary equipment to provide maximum efficiency for the service provided including saws, polisher, sand blaster, plotter & various other tools, plus a pick up truck with lifting crane.

Technology:

The business has invested in technology with computer inscription software and also utilises Sage accounting and payroll software.
Customer Service:

Customer care and customer satisfaction is a number one priority, the business ensures customers receive a personal and courteous service at this difficult time.. The professional staff are very knowledgeable, talented and are proud of the distinctive memorials they produce.

Key Strengths:

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a very well established and successful business that is widely recognised for the quality of work it provides from initial office enquiry to the workshop, the business is professional, confidential and can supply any customer requirement.

Well established, well known with an excellent reputation the business has excellent potential and is a good platform for a new owner to build upon. Having in depth knowledge of its market the business has been successful since inception being well positioned, cost competitive and with modern production facilities and technology.

The quality of the work cannot be overstated and is further supported by the professional yet flexible service provided. The business is very aware of the importance of establishing a close working relationship with its customers and has a reputation for offering a worry free quality service, which ensures the business continues to grow.

Key Opportunities:

The market outlook for this business is ‘constant’. With little competition the opportunity is immense. There are many excellent avenues for growth, opening additional branches would gain more customers and the business already has the existing manufacturing capability and structure in place to support this. Trade could also be increasd by extending the trading hours of the business.

Investment in additional development of the company website to increase the functionalities and marketing could also significantly increase business in the future.

Financial Information:

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

Current turnover is circa £158,000 per annum with gross profit of circa £126,000 and adjusted net profit of circa £36,000 Asset value circa £6,000.

Years established: 1987

Employees: The two owners both work full time in the business and employ one full time mason and one part time office assistant.

Trading hours: Monday to Friday: 9 am to 5 pm

Property: Leasehold

Lease terms
Both the shop and industrial unit are leasehold, the shop is 5 years and the industrial unit is a 6 year lease, both are easily renewable. The rent for the shop is circa £5,700 per annum and for the industrial unit is circa £9,500 per annum.

Location
The business operates from leasehold premises that comprise of a retail shop with glass frontage, which is situated on a prominent and highly visible busy road in the town centre.
Fully equipped the building contains two offices, a modern kitchen and W/C.

There is also an industrial unit with workshop and lettering studio which has the significant benefit of a self-contained yard. This unit is located in close proximity to the shop. The site is very secure and has the possibility of further expansion in the future.

Both the shop and industrial unit are leasehold, the shop is 5 years and the industrial unit is a 6 year lease, both are easily renewable. The rent for the shop is circa £5,700 per annum and for the industrial unit is circa £9,500 per annum.

Competition / Market
A high proportion of the business’s revenue has been due to its excellent reputation for quality and service that has always ensured a constant stream of business via referrals through word of mouth recommendations and also passing trade. The business advertises through local newspapers and an interactive and user friendly website that advises users of the products and services on offer and gives access to information on how to contact the company for enquiries.

Support & training
The owner is happy to assist with a handover and training period in order to ensure a smooth transition of ownership. The stonemason employed could be interested in staying on for a longer term, if required by the new owner.

Reasons for selling
A genuine sale, the owner wishes to retire