Export boost adds fuel to job growth

A move into exporting has lit a fire under a Dudley business, helping sales to increase by more than 40% in a year.

Bryland Fire Protection added £2.7m sales in the year to June, as it achieved revenues of £9.2m. Its first export orders contributed £1m to the figures.

The business currently employs 54 people in Dudley and at its recently-opened satellite offices in Farnborough, Hampshire and Colne, Lancashire, and its growth could lead to the creation of 20 jobs.

The fire product specialist began exporting in its 50th year – one of the outcomes of its maangement team going through a Sirius Business Transformation process that focused on developing strategic relationships, building the brand and increasing market share in core sectors.

Bryland Fire Protection has also carved out a new niche for itself in supplying fire suppression systems that are protecting crucial information for the MoD, major financial institutions and online shopping channels.

“We’ve had a really good few years, but the last twelve months have been beyond belief, sales have just taken off,” said Graham Turner, son of company founder Rowland.

It has been supported by the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), which has an 18-strong network of experienced manufacturing growth managers and access to small grants of up to £3,500 funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Bryland’s management team used the support to create a growth strategy

Turner added: “The process was nothing short of incredible. It allowed us to take a step back from day-to-day activities and look at why we are successful and where our core expertise lies.

“One of the outcomes was to have a concerted push on supplying solutions to data centres and that is already paying off.”

Manufacturing Growth Programme’s Helen Fortune said: “Bryland has enjoyed rapid expansion over the last twelve months, but this is just the start. Importantly, the management team has used external advice and guidance to lay the foundations for sustainable growth going forward and the possible creation of 20 new jobs.

“It just goes to show what can be achieved from a relatively small grant and making sure the right specialist is brought in to help.”