A 74-year-old great-grandfather at the helm of his Shropshire family business today revealed a £400,000 investment in a new factory had transformed his business into a multi-million company.
John Stevenson said his company JR Stevenson was launched in Shifnal in 2000 where his son Adrian joined him six years later. Three years ago they moved to Tweedale Industrial Estate where they re-branded the company J&A Stevenson.
The pair renovated a derelict industrial building in a revamp which cost more than £400,000 and now boasts a one-stop shop from design, manufacture, supply and fitting.
It has since become a family affair for John who has since been joined by his 68-year-old brother Garth, his eldest son Stuart, 51, who moved back to the UK from Spain, along with his daughter-in-law Christine and his grandson, David, 32.
The company is now boasting a multi-million pound turnover and John said the future generations of the family would be able to continue in his success.
“This unit was a closed down furniture warehouse which was in a pretty bad state – most people probably thought we were mad but we saw the potential the unit offered.
“Every penny we have earned has gone back into the business over the last five years but it is now paying off,” John said.
“We had three members of staff and now we have got 23 working here including many we have put through the appropriate training ourselves which has given them an opportunity.”
Mr Stevenson, who has three great-grandchildren including one born just three weeks ago, said he had planned to retire with his wife last year but she sadly died after a very short illness.
“We were preparing to retire together and leave the business in the safe hands of the family but after she died there was suddenly no point so I returned to work.
“They had moved my office and put in a new computer for me but they don’t make me come in every day!”
His son Stuart, a qualified engineer who joined the company in 2010, said: “At times health and safety moves a little too fast but we are moving with that and that is vital to our growth.”
Their first major contract was with Shropshire County Council six years ago to develop a bespoke ramp.
Adrian added: “Everything we make is bespoke and that obviously works for our clients because the standard products are not adequate for their needs.”
David added: “Everything comes in as a raw material and goes out as a finished product and gets fitted by us so it is of the highest quality standard from start to finish.”