A long-established Dundee charity which provides employment to those who are disabled or disadvantaged has been expanding its workforce – and would like to add more jobs in the future.
Dovetail Enterprises, which makes doors, furniture, beds and mattresses, has roots in the city going back more than 150 years.
The Dunsinane Avenue venture employs more than 50 people – with over 30 of them being either disabled or disadvantaged.
Dovetail is currently run by Stephen Lynch, who is volunteering as interim chief executive.
Wide range of clients
Stephen’s career includes over 30 years in senior positions with NCR in the UK and US supporting manufacturing and services.
Stephen said the Dovetail customer base is varied.
Clients include retail, NHS, councils and universities, as well as commercial clients like house builders and construction companies.
He added: “We have a lot of loyal repeat customers who know that they will get quality products and services.
“We are competitive in terms of both price and lead time, and we are also popular with customers as we are a local social enterprise manufacturing here in Dundee.”
Dovetail Enterprises employment goals
The interim CEO is pleased to report that Dovetail has hired seven supported employees this year.
He said: “Those include individuals who are partially sighted or suffer from mental health conditions and have been unable to get into employment.
“As they and their families tell us, it’s given them purpose and changed their lives in a positive manner.
“Next time someone needs a mattress and bed, customers will not only receive quality, competitive products from Dovetail, but will contribute to a vital social enterprise in the city.”
Stephen said Dovetail’s vision is to become the best provider of meaningful employment to disabled and disadvantaged individuals in Scotland.
“We believe we can double our workforce and continue to provide meaningful employment to many who are currently excluded from the labour market,” he said.
Covid recovery underway
Stephen said soaring energy bills are a big concern for the charity.
“We are working on initiatives to minimise the impact as much as possible and get more efficient in other areas to try and compensate and remain competitive.
“There is no doubt it will be tough, but we must react.”
Stephen said Covid had disrupted some of Dovetail’s key product lines, especially in the hotel sector where it provides furniture.
He is also eyeing local opportunities.
“We supply hundreds of mattresses each year to universities, but not yet here in Dundee, he said.
“We supply fire doors to hospitals, but not yet to NHS Tayside – so we’re looking to capitalise on buy-local initiatives.”
Dovetail Enterprises history
The story goes back to 1865 when the first steps were taken to set up an enterprise to provide work, support and education for men and women with visual impairment.
This resulted in what was to become Royal Dundee Blindcraft Products, latterly known as Blindcraft.
Meanwhile, in the 1920s, a Lord Roberts Workshop was established in Dundee to provide employment for disabled ex-servicemen.
In the early days of Lord Roberts, toys were a major part of the business. It later developed an expertise for crafted furniture.
These organisations worked independently for many years until 1993.
The local authority recognised that both charities needed new buildings and had much in common, so Dovetail Enterprises came about.
The operation uses a 100,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, purpose-built for those with disabilities.
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