Margot James has visited local business Porter & Woodman, who design and market gift hampers, wood packaging and signage for companies including Jaguar Land Rover, John Lewis and the National Trust.
With a turnover in excess of £3 million and current sales 22% ahead of where they were 12 months ago, Porter & Woodman are currently outperforming the industry. Proud of their ‘Made in Stourbridge’ credentials, they have this year taken on 6 new employees, and boast a total staff of 40, all of whom are local to Stourbridge.
As part of the visit, Margot discussed opportunities for young people at the company with directors Mike Hodgetts, Ian Williams and Mark Denison, as well as the potential for expansion into export markets in Europe and the Far East. During a tour of the factory, Margot tried her hand at building a wooden sign, and engaged with apprentices, many of whom studied at Stourbridge College.
After the visit Margot praised the business: ‘Porter & Woodman are a shining local example of how to be successful despite challenging economic times. This is a company that has adapted exceptionally well to changing demand for products by developing a diverse range of products and a flexible production process, and is reaping the rewards as a result. I was also extremely impressed by Porter & Woodman’s ‘Made in Stourbridge’ approach to procurement of staff, especially their commitment to taking on young apprentices. I look forward to watching the company grow and continue to take on more young people from Stourbridge in years to come’.
