A Bolton-based bespoke handrail company, founded in 2014 by Kenny Macfarlane and his dad Martin, is on target to reach a record turnover in 2021.
Founded by Kenny Macfarlane and his dad Martin in 2014, Handrail Creations create and install bespoke handrails in prestigious buildings and homes across the UK and internationally.
The Bolton-based company has created handrails for Google and Facebook’s London headquarters and the Houses of Parliament, as well as the US Embassy.
It is now on target to reach £2m turnover and has recently tripled its factory space.
Portfolio includes Italian and Dubai buildings
Handrail Creations is currently managing 130 residential and commercial projects. Their previous projects have seen them work all over the world in locations such as Italy, Monaco, Vietnam, Dubai and Switzerland.
After achieving a turnover of £1.25m in 2018, the company is set to reach £2m this year, despite COVID-19 causing a three-month downturn.
The firm has tripled its factory space in Burnden Park since its launch, and now occupies a 9,000 sq ft facility, with a new office and design studio opening last month.
Growth Hub support helps grow business
The recent expansion follows support from GC Business Growth Hub, part of The Growth Company and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
The business benefits from the help of a dedicated Hub account manager.
Jonathan Crabtree has been advising and connecting the business to the most appropriate support and resources, since they were a start-up.
Jonathan signposted Handrail Creations to the Made Smarter programme. They received an £11k grant which helped them to invest in a new handheld 3D scanner and design software.
Expansion will help the business to continue its meteoric growth and has also enabled staff, who were working from home due to the pandemic, to return to work safely.
It now employs 22 people with four of its production and design team recruited this year.
Expanding to keep up with demand
Managing Director Kenny Macfarlane said: “What started out as a small, exciting project has exploded and we’ve had to expand to keep up with demand.
“Instead of using traditional chisels and pencils to produce handrails, we use state of the art custom built CNC machinery to manufacture each of our timber handrails.
“With the help of our Hub Account Manager Jonathan, we invested in new 3D software and equipment. The scanner gives our team more design freedom and the technology improves our overall processing speeds by 25 per cent.
“Jonathan has been there, supporting us since we were a start-up. The Hub has been great, opening doors for us to so many resources. We’ve also received support for mentoring and management training.
“Our focus is to now continue to grow our UK footprint over the next three to four years.”
Hub Account Manager, Jonathan Crabtree, added: “Handrail Creations is an innovator in their field, never afraid to embrace change, drive progress and strive to exceed customer expectations.
“Their creative approach, tireless work ethic and focus on quality sets them apart. With these attributes, it is no surprise to see this resilient and forward-thinking business going from strength to strength.
“Kenny is a dynamic leader with a passion for the business. They deserve every success and I look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”
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This article was first published on the GC Business Growth Hub website. The Hub is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of a project designed to help ambitious SME businesses achieve growth and increase employment in Greater Manchester. The Hub is also supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Greater Manchester local authorities.
