AFTER research findings last week underlined the importance of the family business sector in Scotland we hear from a third generation firm which moved successfully into a niche market that developed out of the fitness craze.
Name:
Jonny Jenkins.
Age:
33.
What is your business called?
John Jenkins & Son and Solid Athletix.
Where is it based?
Falkirk.
What does it produce?
John Jenkins & Son is a third generation steel fabrication business. Solid Athletix is a manufacturer of premium fitness equipment.
To whom does it sell?
We produce structural steel predominately for the housebuilding industry and corporate and private clients.
After spotting a gap in the market we launched our Solid Athletix division, which designs and manufactures bespoke fitness equipment including rigs and power racks (used in weight training) and Strongman gear. Its customers include sports clubs, Personal Training studios and individual companies throughout the UK.
What is its turnover?
£1.2 million.
How many employees?
20.
When was it formed?
John Jenkins & Son was established in 1958. Solid Althetix launched in 2012.
Why did you take the plunge?
When I was younger I had no intention of joining the family firm but I always knew I wanted to start or run my own business.
While working as a surveyor in Edinburgh, I started my own events company that operated a rugby festival (Edinburgh 10s Festival). The event enjoyed six successful years, bringing teams from across the UK and Europe to the capital. This gave me my first insight into running a business and I loved every minute of it. From that point I began to see the opportunities and challenges the family business could offer me. It was a huge gamble, as I had a secure job at that point, but it was a risk I was willing to take to further my learning. I’ve been in the business for seven years now and haven’t looked back.
What were you doing before you took the plunge?
I graduated from Heriot Watt University in 2006 and then joined an international property firm in Edinburgh to train as a surveyor.
How did you raise the start-up funding?
My grandfather set up the firm in 1958 to provide architectural steel work for the likes of Falkirk Council. My dad moved the business into structural steel production for major UK housebuilding companies.He decided to retire in 2016 and handed the reins to me.
What was your biggest break?
Securing our first CrossFit gym fit out for Solid Athletix for CrossFit MTS in Edinburgh in 2012. This attracted more gyms affiliated to the workout trend and things snowballed from there.
Last year we were commissioned to design and manufacture a rig for GB Taekwondo which we installed in the National Taekwondo Centre in Manchester
What was your worst moment?
It hasn’t been an easy ride working in a family business and there have been a few occasions where decisions made in the business have tested relationships! But, I know other people who work in family businesses and they have all experienced the same.
What do you most enjoy about running the business?
Every day is different and brings a new challenge.
What are your ambitions for the firm?
For John Jenkins & Son it has to be maintaining our performance for the year ahead but then increasing production capacity as we venture into larger structural steelwork projects. For Solid Athletix we are working hard to add to our product range and promote our brand across Europe.
My brother-in-law, Stuart Ker, a former senior executive at accountancy firm Ernst & Young, has come on board as a director of Solid Athletix. His aim will be to grow Solid Athletix south of the border and into Europe.
What could the Westminster and/or Scottish governments do that would help?
With the help of Business Gateway Falkirk I’ve got a clear plan in place that will help me push Solid Athletix whilst operating John Jenkins & Son as a whole. My adviser, Caroline Brown, really helped me strike a balance. She has been fantastic, helping the firm successfully apply to join Scottish Enterprise’s Growth Pipeline. This has resulted in specialist support to devise a strategic growth plan for Solid Athletix and we were able to secure a grant to pay for a percentage of the costs to take on a business development resource. We’ve also completed a manufacturing review with the help of the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service. We are accessing marketing and intellectual property support. Without guidance from Business Gateway Falkirk that wouldn’t have been possible so continued support like this is essential for businesses in Scotland.
What was the most valuable lesson that you learned?
I’ve learned an incredible amount from my dad and have huge respect for what he has achieved. He is full of phrases and one that always pops up is: “don’t bite off more than you can chew”. The consequences of taking on too much work can be devastating for a small business so I’ve learned to take one step at a time and build the business slowly without damaging our reputation and cash flow.
How do you relax?
Rugby was a big part of my life before early retirement from the game but I still try to see as many matches as I can. My wife and I both like to keep fit, we do a lot of running and try to climb Munroe’s when the weather allows us. I’m also a member at a CrossFit gym in Edinburgh.
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