Expert help opens the door for business boost

Dempsey Dyer, which is based in Pontefract, is on course to increase turnover by 750,000, to 6.5m, after receiving help from the Manufacturing Advisory Service.

The company, which has more than 80 staff and whose clients include local authorities, housing developments and regeneration schemes, turned to the MAS after director Peter Dyer decided to introduce new training and manufacturing techniques.

After arranging for a Manufacturing Advisory Service improvement project, which included strategic and management development, to be carried out, Dempsey Dyer spent 450,000 on improving the timber shopfloor, creating a safer working environment and more efficient production techniques.

Mr Dyer said: "To move the business forward, I was keen to access some external expertise on various issues, however, the last thing we wanted was a consultant coming in, writing a long report and then leaving us to get on with it.

"As an SME, we are all busy doing our jobs and needed someone to work with us to achieve our objectives.

"Our MAS specialist quickly gained the trust of the workforce, and the positive results have been fantastic.

"Looking to the future, we now have a much clearer picture of where the business is going and our workforce has been empowered."

Dempsey Dyer sells to smaller trade outlets which supply the retail sector.

It does not do direct retail sales, meaning it is not a chief rival of firms like Everest Windows.