So much so that last year Blue Max spent over £1 million on increasing the size of its warehouse which will ensure the company is primed for further expansion over the coming years.

Clearly, complacency is not a word in the company's dictionary and those at its heart are aiming to ensure it stays that way during the present economic downturn.

Of course any strategy needs to be underpinned by strong products and that's exactly what the Wiltshire company delivers in spades. Its range of school wear in particular is especially strong. It has built on the success garnered by its best-selling Penthouse Polo shirt with the acquisition of Stag, which has added blazers, trousers ,skirts and knitwear to its staple range.

While some firms will struggle to fulfil orders, Blue Max has ensured that its huge warehouse stock supply is of paramount importance, 10,000 products on its books. This can hold up to 5 million garments in stock at any one time.

As the company's Business development sales director, Mary comes across as keenly focused but perfectly down to earth.

She explains that while she had no formal business training, it's a case of dedication and a will to succeed which has been vital to success.

There's no doubt she has seen the business founded with husband David expand beyond recognition from its origins in her attic at Keevil near Trowbridge in the late 1980s.

"I feel that I'm very lucky to have fantastic staff here, some of whom have been with me for many years," says Mary. "It's great fun but extremely hard work- we have a great work ethic here. My husband leads by example, and certainly during those early years he worked all hours and often still does!

"When we first started there were very few suppliers in the school wear market, so we were a breath of fresh air.

"Personally I get hopping mad at a lack of service, so when I started the business with my husband it was with the intention of treating people as we expect to be treated ourselves.

Naming their company after their daughter's champion eventing horse may not on the surface seem entirely conventional, but there's no doubt it has a certain distinctive ring to it.

"Blue Max was a beautiful and charming horse. The business started the day that he retired- I had been asked to raise funds for the British equestrian Olympic fund in 1988 and that was it. Ours was very nearly the largest donation," she explained of her fledgling efforts in printwear.

It was not until 1992 that the firm gained its first full premises, but several moves down the line, it appears well settled at its present location on the outskirts of Trowbridge.

It now employs 48 in total at Trowbridge, Nottingham and a further 40 at a Polish factory, which offers an edge over many competitors reliant on suppliers from outside of Europe.

Such a shrewd move will doubtless prove invaluable in extremely tough trading conditions this year.

As Chief Operating Officer,Ian Ryden explains, "there's no such thing as a recession proof business," but enthuses that the company has a strong degree of confidence in its clothing portfolio.

Ever keen to move with the times, this now encompasses a fashionable new soft-shell jacket, which is anticipated to prove a real, hit with children.

Another area in which it will no-doubt continue to achieve success is in terms of supplying bespoke clothing. It seems there's a growing demand for smaller-volume school teamwear and uniforms, something Blue Max is well placed to meet.

With a dramatically expanded range of clothing at its disposal there is a buoyant mood within the firm.

 "We have had a very good start to the year and are hoping that 2009 will be one of growth as far as schoolwear is concerned. We are offering good quality garments at reasonable prices," comments Ian with conviction.

"Acquiring Stag was a watershed for us in terms of driving forward the business. Our whole ethos has been stocked to the gunnels and ready to go. We always aim to be in stock and offer next day service - which is something that was not standard in the schoolwear market in particular. It makes a big difference to schools.

In our opinion we have the best logistics system and warehouse infrastructure in the business - we have had a few challenges with it last year but we have resolved those.

We are now in a position where we can grow the company at its present site another 50 percent without having to make further changes to our warehouse," adds the director, who reveals that the recent creation of school academies across England has resulted in larger volumes of uniforms being created.

Blue Max has also been mindful of other marketing opportunities including devising a ‘plus size' range to its garments, which has also seen a rise in demand.

Its range spans everything from cotton rich sweatshirts, outerwear and fleeces catering for those school trips to a tidy selection of blazers and knitwear.

Furthermore, it's not just school uniforms which are on offer, the company also turns a smart rate of business in workwear, leisure wear and even rugged outdoor boots and trainers. There's also a range of hi-vis gear.

After taking a tour round its facilities it's clear to see it's a well-oiled machine staffed by a knowledgeable team who take a good deal of pride in their work.

From its warehouse operatives to those in its quality control department, staff are motivated and well trained.

Beyond the pure cost of the two million cubic feet warehouse extension (which includes smart eco-friendly features such as aisles with sensors designed to operate lighting only when they are in use) have been further significant logistic and systems enhancements.

Among these is a computer controlled ordering system that allows garment pickers to locate goods far quicker and more efficiently than ever before. On its mezzanine floor there is an ingenious automated jacket garment storage system that staff have likened to a giant train set, which has also had a big impact.

While there has been plenty of structural development within the company, I was left with the distinct impression Blue Max is still very much a family orientated business.

There's a sense of informality about the place that's quite infectious and you'd certainly be hard pushed to think of many firms offering the bonus of free staff lunches in a communal canteen.

Significantly, working in a market largely aimed at children, the company has been diligent to ensure its ethical trading standards have been maintained.

It makes regular inspections of both its European and overseas suppliers to ensure that welfare standards are fully complied with. Its strong work ethic coupled with providing quality products at realistic prices has seen it retain its position as a significant force in the printwear market.

All in all, Blue Max appears well geared-up to deal with a challenging year ahead and is continually striving to meet the requirements of customers across the UK.

For further information about the Blue Max Schoolwear range contact 0845 23 00 88 or visit the website at www.bluemaxgroup.co.uk

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---