The lockdown-induced interest in DIY and home improvements has led to pent-up demand for Exeter firm System Six Kitchens.
The business, based at Marsh Barton, said that interest has surged in recent weeks with homeowners prioritising their living space.
Tom Dalton, director of System Six, said: “There’s certainly some pent-up demand for our products where people have been talking about upgrading their kitchen for years but now they are ready to go for it. We’ve had a good amount of inquiries which is fantastic.”
When lockdown hit in March, the business had just invested in new 12,000sq ft manufacturing site which has been ideal for the introduction of new social distancing measures for staff.
For two and a half months, the business continued on a skeleton scale while it continued with its contracts with high-end house builders.
The company employs 82 staff with some remaining on furlough. It also had to make 14 members of staff redundant.
But despite the difficulties posed by Covid-19, Mr Dalton said he is an optimist and used the time to re-group, launching a new website and product range alongside the introduction of the new appointment-only showroom with extended opening times from 8am-8pm.
He said: “It has been a good opportunity for us to get on with some projects that we wanted to do for a long time.
“Our showroom with longer opening hours means we can ensure thorough cleaning so our staff and customers feel safe.”
The business was founded 45 years ago and Mr Dalton said its reputation for quality products and a trustworthy service has stood it in good stead.
He said: “We have weathered one recession in the past 15 years and we learned a lot from that. We learned that reputation is everything. We pride ourselves on our five star reviews but its not about bragging rights, it’s about actually providing the service that warrants those reviews.”
For the wider South West, Mr Dalton said that the rise in homeworking and a reluctance to travel overseas could be good news for the South West with commuters deciding to ditch city living and relocating to the region or staycationing at home.
He said: “I would hope that the South West will see a boom as it is a very desirable area to live and holiday in.”
And neighbouring businesses in Exeter have also benefited from the lockdown DIY spree with a run on hot tubs and decking.
Mr Dalton said: “Our goal isn’t for growth this year. It is more a case of the year being written off by Covid, but we have used the time to ensure we are at the top of our game so we are ready for the buoyant times to come.”
