Canopies firm posts record sales after expansion

Canopies UK has registered record financial figures throughout the month of August that surpasses anything achieved in its 23-year history.

The Darwen-based company, which manufactures and installs bespoke carports, canopies and shelters for residential, commercial properties and schools saw turnover exceed £650,000.

This beats the previous record obtained last August of £575,000, representing an increase of 14% based year-on-year for the same month.

Managing director Elaine Morris said: “This growth shows a true testament to the quality of people that we have working here at Canopies UK.

“Whilst the economic climate does seem to be recovering, albeit slowly, we recognise that commercial organisations and homeowners do not have as much as disposable income as they did seven or eight years ago.

“To not only increase our figures, but also to smash past the previous highest figure and deliver the highest turnover record in our 23-year history in August 2013, demonstrates a real success story for both ourselves and British business as a whole.”

Sales figures to the domestic side of the business, which focuses primarily on homeowners, was the best since 2011 with a turnover of £156,000, providing a growth of 13% year-on-year from 2012.

Commercial sales were also increased by 7% in August compared to last year and the company has grown sales by 6% for the current year as a whole.

Morris continued: “Sales figures for the year are up, which is a strong position to be in. But we cannot rest on our laurels and know that we have to keep pushing on for the remainder of the year.

“But we are extremely confident about this and hopefully we can continue breaking records into the future.”

Meanwhile, the company also recruited two further commercial sales staff in June and July taking the number in the team to four.

Brian Clarke has been taken on to cover areas of the North West, Shropshire and the Midlands, whilst Peter Evans will primarily be covering the counties in the South West and South.

Sales director Jason Eastwood added: “Both Brian and Peter have backgrounds with canopies and shelters, so their expertise has enabled them to seamlessly integrate into the company. “This has ultimately contributed to the excellent figures recorded for the commercial part of the business in August and hopefully this expansion will yield further results from September onwards.”