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Private Notes
Digby Jones rolls up his sleeves and sets about helping secure the future of a medium-sized business, Hereford Furniture. This family-owned company with over 40 employees makes and sells home furniture but it has recently recorded a loss and this has to be tackled if its future is to be secured. It is ambitious and keen to succeed but, like all businesses, it has problems that need addressing. Are they making the right furniture? Should they change direction? And how do they manage change? And that is where troubleshooter Digby Jones can help.
While Digby always has the best interests of the companies in mind, expect ruffled feathers and bruised egos as he gets stuck in and delivers his analysis and advice. Under Digby's expert guidance and over several months, problems are isolated and tackled, experts are called in and big decisions made.
Lord Digby Jones knows all about success. He has risen from working in his parents' corner shop in Birmingham to the House of Lords by way of time at some of Britain's most high-profile manufacturing companies. He is the ideal person to help three British companies realise their full potential.
Hereford Furniture has granted Digby access all areas, over five months. To really succeed in the cut-throat world of business, they will have to be at the top of their game; efficient, focused and flexible. But are they willing to learn how from Digby and can he really improve their fortunes? Do they think his advice is even right?
Digby Jones believes small and medium-sized businesses such as these are vital to the nation's fabric. They provide jobs and their taxes help fund the schools and hospital we all use. So we all have a stake in their success. But don't expect it to be easy!
Digby Jones rolls up his sleeves and sets about helping Hawick Knitwear. A Scottish textile manufacturer with over 200 employees, that makes and sells wool and cashmere jumpers, Hawick Knitwear is an ambitious business. However like all businesses, it faces problems and stiff competition. The management have difficult decisions to make if they want to achieve success.
The British textiles sector has suffered from the impact of cheaper foreign competition. So how should a company that is determined to keep manufacturing in Scotland react in the face of fierce foreign competition? Digby believes he has the answer - go for exports. His plan is radical and not without risk, but it could potentially earn the company millions in sales if successful. But how will the company react? Do they think his advice is even right?
Digby Jones rolls up his sleeves and sets about helping Ebac, an electronics manufacturer in County Durham. It already runs a successful water-cooler business and employs over 200 staff, but it stepped into the unknown when it bought the assets of Icetech Freezers Ltd based near John o' Groats, which had gone into liquidation.
It set itself the massive task of transporting tonnes of kit south, building a new production line from scratch and relaunching the chest freezer brand Norfrost. And all the time, the clock was ticking and money was being spent - so the management had difficult decisions to make, tasks to prioritise and new systems to set up. And that is where troubleshooter Digby Jones can help.
While Digby always has the best interests of the company in mind, expect ruffled feathers and bruised egos as he gets stuck in and delivers his analysis and advice. The British home electronics and white goods sector has suffered from the impact of foreign competition. So how should a company that is determined to keep manufacturing in County Durham react? How does the company manage growth? Why do they think they can succeed when other British white goods companies have found it tough? Under Digby's expert guidance and over several months, problems are isolated and tackled, experts are called in and big decisions are made.
