Dundee furniture manufacturer Dovetail Enterprises is confident a £50,000 investment in new showroom premises will lead to a significant upturn in work for the factory.
Local MSP and Commonwealth Games Minister Shona Robison visited the firm’s Dunsinane Industrial Estate base yesterday to unveil the new facility.
The firm formed in 1993 after the coming together of Royal Dundee Blindcraft Products and Lord Roberts Workshop is officially a supported business, meaning more than 50% of its employees have a disability.
Sales and marketing manager Ann Jamieson said Dovetail had long relied on repeat trade as its main source of income but was now looking to build on that base and identify new business opportunities at home and abroad.
“The bulk of our business has always been to trade, but we have never really promoted ourselves as we have relied a lot on repeat business,” Ms Jamieson said.
“But our clients can only refurbish their rooms so many times, so we need to be out there letting people know what we have here and attracting new business.
“We want to showcase what we can do and, whether it is a private or public purchaser looking for a range of furniture, doors or beds for the hospitality, leisure or education industries, then we need to let them know we have got something for them.”
The company suffered a £217,000 loss in the year to March 31 2013 on total revenues of £2.34 million.
However, it is on track to return to the black in the current financial year, and Ms Jamieson said it was hoped the new products and revised sales strategy would boost trade further in the months ahead.
“Our first target is always Scotland as we are well placed to service Scotland,” she said.
“But we get a lot of inquiries from England and we already supply into Europe, but on a much smaller scale.
“The first phase of our campaign will be to remind everyone in Scotland that we are here, and the second phase will be to take that message out wider.
“We are looking to grow all sectors of our business and we are already looking at bringing in additional sales and administration staff.
“As more sales come through the door, more people will be employed in the factory. We already have a bank of staff to call on, and hopefully we can give them more hours.
“Being a supported business, we look to work with people with disabilities wherever possible, obviously depending on the skill sets available.”
The company employs 57 staff, 37 of whom have some form of disability.
However, Ms Jamieson said the nature of the workforce was irrelevant to customers, who simply wanted the best product at the best price.
“The private sector really don’t care that we have people with a disability here,” she said.
“They care that the goods are delivered to the standard expected and that they are on budget and on time, and that is what we want to focus on too.”
General manager Charlie Marr said Dovetail needed to make the most of its assets in a competitive marketplace.
He said: “It is important for the sustainability of the business to ensure that strategically it is clearly focused on the contract market so that we can make best use of our 100,000ft2 of manufacturing space, modern production techniques and skilled workforce.”
Officially opening the new showroom, Ms Robison said: “Not only is Dovetail a great example of a local business growing, investing and developing, as a supported business they are helping disabled people find sustainable, fulfilling jobs and aiding the community.”
She added: “The Scottish Government recognises the importance of a vibrant supported business sector for Scotland, and Dovetail are an excellent example of what supported businesses can achieve.
“This year is full of opportunity for businesses across Scotland.
“With so much happening in the local area and many hospitality businesses set to invest as the eyes of the world focus on Scotland, the new showroom is an ideal way for Dovetail to bring in new business,” she added.
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