An award-winning rural business is branching out by offering a range of hand crafted timber products from a new base in Ystrad Mynach.
Craft Wales Ltd designs, manufactures and installs high quality, bespoke products mostly made from locally sourced Welsh timber. They have also recently expanded into Wet Pour Safety Surfacing and Landscaping. The business scooped Caerphilly Business Forum’s Young Business of the Year award in 2008 thanks to its success in producing a range of innovative products such as outdoor classrooms, stages, storyteller thrones, play trains and seating areas.
Caerphilly county borough council has been supporting the venture since the beginning. The authority’s Business Development Team helped with initial start-up advice and provided grant funding when the company was first formed. The council also recently helped the business move into one of its industrial units on Dyffryn Business Park when the home-run operation needed extra space to expand.
Craft Wales Limited have also accessed the Rural Industry and Produce Innovation Fund from the council’s Countryside Service and is working with many schools across the area to install timber playground equipment for children to explore and enjoy.
Martyn Fear, Chairman of Caerphilly Business Forum said: “The Forum was really impressed by the skill, enthusiasm and determination of Paul and his team when we recognised Craft Wales as Young Business Of the Year. They have a great future and the Forum and the council will continue to support them and help them to grow further.”
“I am grateful for all the support we have received from the council and the Forum over recent years and it is encouraging to see that they are there to help new businesses grow,” said Paul Hogg from Craft Wales Ltd, “We are delighted with the success of the business to date and we consider our main strengths to lie in the fact that we offer a completely personalised service, we source Welsh timber wherever possible and believe in promoting eco friendly options.
“Winning the Award last year was a real boost. For a new business it’s really rewarding to know that others, especially experienced business people, recognise what you have achieved and confirm that you are on the right road. We’ll be entering again this year – this time as Business Of the Year”
For more information about Craft Wales contact 01443 858113 or visit www.craft-wales.co.uk. To find out what support Caerphilly county borough council can offer local businesses, call 01443 866222. The Rural Industry and Produce Grant is part funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and funding provided by the Welsh Assembly Government
