Bespoke joinery business crafts growth with bank support

4th March 2015

A family-owned joinery manufacturer has launched a revolutionary new product and purchased factory premises with the support of funding from Clydesdale Bank.

The MWC Group which has its head office in Cirencester, has expanded its product range, becoming the sole UK and European distributor of Earth Anatomy stone products, extremely thin natural stone veneers which can be used for doors, work surfaces, panelling and retail displays.  The business has purchased its previously rented factory, giving it more flexibility to concentrate on further developing Earth Anatomy UK.

The MWC Group is a leading producer of interior environments for the retail, commercial and financial sectors.  It manufactures and distributes display furniture, worktops, flooring, windows and doors for clients including John Lewis.

David Bowers is the current managing director of the family business which was established more than 50 years ago.  His children, Lisa Wooldridge and Jonathan Bowers, are both now directors within the group.

The deal was arranged by John Cary, relationship manager at Clydesdale Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Gloucester.  Clydesdale Bank previously financed the business’ relocation to the larger 54,000 sq. ft. premises in 2012, when it moved its manufacturing operation from three sites to one centralised factory.

Jonathan Bowers, director at The MWC Group, said: “Over the three years we have worked with Clydesdale Bank, the team has always been genuinely interested in what we are doing and supportive of our ideas. The Bank helped us move to our larger premises and now it has helped us to purchase additional premises again. The team’s support has been instrumental in giving us the flexibility to grow in line with our ambitions.”

In recent years MWC Group has concentrated on innovating and expanding its product range.  Earth Anatomy panels can be as thin as 1.3mm, making natural stone lightweight and flexible.  Jonathan believes the development of Earth Anatomy will lead to investment in recruitment over the next year.

He said: “Being a family business allows us to be very dynamic – if we spot an opportunity we can adjust our business model easily to pursue it without having to go through any red tape.  This has allowed us to expand our range and we believe this innovation will continue.”

Rob Spearman, head of Clydesdale Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Gloucester, said: “MWC Group is an example of a local family business becoming a leader within its market and exploring new opportunities to continue to diversify its product offering.  We are glad to support the business’ steps in achieving its ambitions, which have seen the group go from strength to strength.

“As economic conditions continue to improve, Clydesdale Bank remains focused on supporting the growth ambitions of Gloucestershire businesses.”