Business Lines

A MULTI-LINGUAL team has spread North Lancashire innovations across the globe with its mastery of sales - and seven languages. Carnforth-based company Business Lines Ltd have recently scored their largest single export order of two million products.

Business Lines, which aims to improve the safety of vehicles with patented wheel nut safety indicators, is expanding sales due to its highly talented staff.

Their 19 employees, who operate from Kellet Road Industrial Estate, can speak English, German, Italian, French, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese.

Managing Director Mike Marczynski hand-picked the group to help market Business Lines ‘Checkpoint’ range of indicator products.

Their products help check that the wheel nuts and bolts of trucks and buses are secure, and also that railway and manufacturing plant structures are safely in place.

As well as its Checkpoint indicators, the enterprise trades under subsidiary names within the classic car industry, property management and arts promotion.

Mr Marczynski, a trained industrial chemist, has seen his business grow year on year in markets including the USA, Canada, Australia, South America, Europe and South Africa.

His team, who make 45 per cent of their sales overseas, work with key distributors. They also nurture young apprentices and foreign work experience staff.

Business Lines has also taken on new talent, employing a Hornby student, currently studying German and Dutch at Nottingham University. The young undergraduate assists the team while on university breaks and it is hoped she will take on a full-time role after graduation.

Mr Marczynski said: “Over the years I’ve brought in people with good language skills and sales ability.

“We initially started with a German consultant who has now worked for us for several years, and we then brought in a France-based Sales Manager, and a university graduate from Kirkby Lonsdale who is fluent in both French and Spanish.”

Wax Lyrical

A GROUP which stood firm to turn around a struggling company has seen it shoot into profit and expand across the United Kingdom and abroad.

The 130-strong team at Wax Lyrical has pulled its home fragrance business back from administration.

They manufacture their own candles, reed diffusers, room sprays and accessories and produce licensed ranges for big names Jelly Belly, the Royal Horticultural Society and Fired Earth.

Mike Armstead took over the failing enterprise in 2006 and, with the help of three co-owners, changed Colony Candles’ name and its fortunes. It is now the UK’s largest home fragrance company.

Directors implemented a 5S manufacturing evaluation system at their London Road factory, in Lindal, to focus their efforts on five actions - to sort, straighten, shine, standardise, and sustain. Following the success of their scheme they rolled out the principles across the whole business.

Wax Lyrical’s factory team is divided into groups, with team leaders assessing each member’s progress on a weekly basis.

Directors have set up formal channels for people to forward views through the management structure.

Mr Armstead said he regarded the business as a large family firm.

He said: “I believe everyone’s contribution is equal. You have got to value everyone’s skills.”

Westmorland County Agricultural Society

ESTABLISHED in 1799, Westmorland County Agricultural Society (WCAS) is one of the country’s oldest agricultural societies.

Mixed fortunes have taken the organisation to the brink of bankruptcy on several occasions but in true Westmerian spirit, members have guided the society to where it is today - nationally recognised as a leading agricultural association and one of the country’s largest one-day shows.

But WCAS - a private charitable company - is much more than a one-day show, putting on the increasingly popular Country Fest event and providing an eclectic range of farm educational events and competitions.

And while WCAS has only five staff, an army of volunteers is there to be called on help out with the events.

“Combining employed staff and volunteers is far from an easy mix,” confessed chief executive Christine Knipe. “But mutual respect and a common vision of wanting Westmorland County Show to be the best ensures the team works well together.”

She said the team changed constantly, attracting new volunteers each year. The combined team of employees and volunteers are totally enthusiastic and passionate about their work,” said Mrs Knipe. “Each member brings a wealth of practical and personal skills and experience and all are flexible, adapatable and capable of multi-tasking.”

All staff and volunteers undertake ongoing training as first aiders, fire wardens and in major incident handling.

“There is a clear scheme of delegation and while each volunteer has a key area of responsibility; everyone has excellent knowledge of each other’s roles, thereby ensuring continuity,” said Mrs Knipe.

“Everyone works flexibly and appreciates each other’s strengths.”