Burnley firm’s growth set to go through the roof

Specialist roofing slate supplier JRC is targeting a turnover increase of 20 per cent in the next 12 months after taking part in Boost Business Lancashire’s Growth Mentoring programme.

Burnley-based JRC was founded 14 years ago when owner Jason Connor spotted a gap in the market. The business now has a 12-strong workforce distributing from several depots nationwide and supplying business customers across the country.

Director Rosie Connor signed up for the Growth Mentoring programme, delivered by Community & Business Partners, after completing a strategy plan that identified how the business could expand if a skills shortage was tackled.

Rosie commented: “We wanted to market our products to architects and specifiers, but had little knowledge of the specifying world and how to effectively access this market.

“We were introduced to Alan Varley, a director of Lynx Architects Ltd, as our mentor and he explained exactly what architects and specifiers need from a supplier.”

Alan also introduced JRC to networks in the North West so the business can target the right people with the right information.

Rosie continued: “It’s early days yet, but with an updated website, fresh literature and a clear picture of what we need to do, we envisage a growth in turnover of 20 per cent in the next 12 months and potentially the employment of a new member of sales staff linked to this growth.”

JRC is continuing to receive support from Community & Business Partners and has been made aware of other Boost programmes they could benefit from such as Access to Finance. The firm is also looking into Boost’s Skills Assist workshops for key members of the team to address barriers to growth or capitalise on opportunities.

Rosie added: “The support we have received from our mentor Alan Varley has been fantastic. I have learned a huge amount and it will definitely fill a huge skill gap in the company, once everything is in place.”

Jane Houghton-Fenning, business development director at Community & Business Partners, commented: “Alan was the ideal mentor to assist Rosie with the strategic planning. Given his experience in architecture, Alan continues to support Rosie even though the formal programme is complete, adding extra value to the business. It’s great to see the very healthy growth plans that are now in place.” Boost Business Lancashire is the £7.2m Lancashire Business Growth Hub, offering free and part-funded business support to ambitious and growing businesses. Delivered by Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, and supported by £3.6m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), it aims to grow Lancashire’s economy by £20m and create at least 1,200 new jobs and safeguard 700 more by 2015.