Jobs boost at West Mids furniture maker

More local jobs are being created at Midland’s specialist seating manufacturer, Repose, following its most successful month ever.

 

Repose Furniture

L-R Lisa Wardley (MD), John Elcocks (dad and founder), David Elcocks (Production Director and Lisa’s brother)

The company is continuing to expand its team after recently announcing a 21% increase in turnover on the same 12 month period last year.

The continued growth in demand for their specialist furniture, both in the healthcare and home markets, has led to the company expanding its team, with the appointment of two new sales consultants, and further manufacturing jobs being created once Repose has moved to its new premises in Cradley Heath next month. The company was originally situated there as a two man unit 12 years ago, but this relocation to a much larger factory, sees the company predicting annual growth of 25%, once complete.

Kevin Critchlow has been appointed to run the company’s distributor operation in the North of the country, and brings his extensive experience from a similar role. Rachel Panter has been appointed as an account manager to support the internal sales and marketing operation.

Repose has national sales coverage and has set targets to grow each of its regional territories to figures in excess of £600K which will enable a total annual turnover of £5m to be achieved by 2016.

The company puts its continued success down to its constant innovation and key strategic partner distributors in each region, with the emphasis squarely placed on the right product, delivered quickly and at a competitive price.

Lisa Wardley, Managing Director of Repose says: “Coming from the West Midlands we are proud to be growing our business here – it is an ideal location for our national operation with an excellent motorway infrastructure and access to an experienced work force.  Our local success has been fuelled by the excellent support of our local distributors and their increasing sales into the local NHS, Care Homes and Charities.  We hope that this support continues to grow as we work closer with our clients and continue to innovate with the introduction of new products and services.”

Repose continue to build for the future and with sales of over 5000 chairs p.a. across  a range of successful lines, was delighted to secure its new premises at Cradley Heath.  This new factory provides 3 times the space allowing for the expansion of their manufacturing capabilities and the development of a training suite coupled to extensive showrooms where healthcare professionals and distributors will be able to gain valuable knowledge and expertise about Repose’s innovative range of seating.

David Elcocks, Production Director says: “Investing in new production facilities and machinery is a critical factor in our future success.  It provides us with an excellent opportunity to expand our new lines of furniture such as our Stargazer chair/bed which is selling well into Care Homes and Hospices and our reception/ward chairs.  We can continue to innovate at a rate that the market demands and build on our pressure care expertise”