10:05am Thursday 29th July 2010
By Deborah Johnson
A HUSBAND-AND-WIFE business that creates innovative commercial and domestic woodwork has revealed plans for national expansion less than a year after being established.
Funkywood is looking to appoint sales agents around the UK to market its unique products in the coming months, and hopes to have one of its shops in every major city in the country in the next five years.
The business, based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is also building up links to export to five countries to expand on an international scale, and is preparing to launch a website with an ecommerce facility that will allow online sales for the first time.
It marks the latest phase in the rapid development of Funkywood, which has reinvented the traditional door and skirting board by creating custom-made versions with intricate patterns and designs. It has also pioneered the concept of embossing Braille and corporate logos within the wood, and has invented curved door frames.
The business, which was set up in February, has attracted national and international interest from major housebuilders and high-profile interior designers, and is now capitalising on its growing reputation by preparing to introduce the brand nationally.
Funkywood, which is run by Eddie and Helen Proudman, combines Mr Proudman’s experience as a joiner with Mrs Proudman’s sales and marketing background.
The venture was this year’s runner-up in The Northern Echo’s If We Can, You Can challenge.
Mrs Proudman said they were very confident in the expansion plans and for the future of the business.
“We are really excited about our plans, and they will definitely happen, we are confident of that,” she said.
“We are going to build up a network of sales agents throughout the UK, and are on the verge of securing our first one now. They will help build up sales and awareness, and they will concentrate on joiners and builders in their area. We also want to put a shop in every major city in the UK in the next five years, and also want to be exporting to five countries.
“Our new website will hopefully play a big part in that, and people will be able to buy online for the first time. Hopefully, that will play a big part in generating sales from outside the area and in raising awareness of Funkywood.”
Mrs Proudman said brand awareness was a key aspect for the business going forward.
“We want people who are thinking of buying a new door or some skirting boards to think of Funkywood. That will probably be in the North- East first, but longer-term, hopefully, that will be the case nationally,” she said.
“We think we have a really strong brand and we are keen to expand that as far as we can.”
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