are safe is extremely important, so that’s a crucial side to our business now.”
Charlotte, Elizabeth and Daniel
While he didn’t found the Brysdale’s name, it was John who took over what was then a small joinery firm in Burscough in 1972 and started it on its journey to what it is today. He was working as a salesman for pallet racking and shelving firm Dexion when he saw his opportunity. He bought out the company and transformed it into a specialist centre supplying pallet racking and storage solutions, soon moving away from simply delivering to also providing design and fitting services to customers.
After a relocation to bigger premises in Walton Summit allowed Brysdales to expand its services, including installing mezzanines to enable companies to maximise the capacity of their facilities, the company moved to Drumhead Road in Chorley, just off the M61, in 1998.
so we increased the number of employees by 50 per cent within three months.”
Turnover at the company is now up to £10m. Much of that growth has been driven by a desire to support people to improve and develop their skills.
Elizabeth said: “One of the things I have always been really keen on is making sure we have a space where people can be their best self. If they can evolve, we create a business that is evolving with them.”
A big part of that evolution was in leveraging Elizabeth’s role within the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) to begin training Brysdale’s staff to become SEMA- approved rack inspectors (SARIs).
For me, it’s about building something strong, something lasting – a business that can continue to grow and evolve long after I’ve stepped back
Elizabeth bought the business in 2014 and, since then, the firm has grown 400 per cent in terms of both turnover and people.
Elizabeth said: “When I bought the business, we employed 14 people and were turning over £2m to £2.5m depending on the year. We had plateaued. In fairness, we’d had the banking crisis in 2008 and people were still coming out of that. Lots of businesses had been forced to make adjustments at one point or another.
“But to grow, we needed more people. By January 2015 I had taken on another seven,
The company facilitated its first fully qualified SARI in 2012 and now has seven inspectors going on site to inspect storage systems, identifying any safety faults and supporting businesses to make any repairs that are required to bring them back into line with regulations.
Elizabeth said: “We now have our own internal training and development programme which helps people in our team to meet the national standard. This is a very highly regulated programme and the exams are very difficult. It’s not just ticking a box. At the end of the day, making sure these racks
Meanwhile, occupying a significant portion of Brysdales’ floor space is a company with a very different heritage. In 2016, Elizabeth was presented with the opportunity to acquire Railex, a Southport-based stationery manufacturer founded in 1908 that was at risk of closing its doors. Today, the business continues to produce sustainable products, including files and notebooks made from recycled materials such as takeaway coffee cups.
Although Railex represents around a tenth of Brysdales’ overall turnover, it remains a venture Elizabeth is particularly passionate about. She said: “Some of the Railex processes are fascinating, and there is an incredible depth of skill within the team – some of the ladies have been there since they were 16. The craftsmanship behind some of the patented products is remarkable, and seeing how they are made is genuinely inspiring.”
Initially focused on wholesale, Railex has since expanded its reach, with its products now available online via Amazon, opening the door to a wider and growing customer base.
Brysdales is firmly a family story as well as a business success, with Elizabeth’s daughter Charlotte having joined the company 12 years ago, and her son Daniel beginning his own journey with the firm in 2023.
While the foundations of a second generation are taking shape, Elizabeth is clear that any future handover must come naturally.
She said: “It’s never been about expectation or obligation – it has to be their choice. I’m incredibly proud to see them finding their own way within the business, but what matters most is that they’re here because they want to be. If that continues, then of course there’s a wonderful opportunity for them to carry Brysdales forward.
“For me, it’s about building something strong, something lasting – a business that can continue to grow and evolve long after I’ve stepped back.”
the Awards Align your brand with
Sponsor
talent, ambition and future business leadership
Build valuable connections across the county
Showcase your
commitment to Lancashire’s future success
Find out more here!
Awards Ceremony: Friday October 16 Park Hall Hotel & Spa, Chorley
LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK #Sub36
27
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
