A new chapter has begun for Glencraft, manufacturer and supplier of bespoke and handcrafted beds and mattresses.
The purpose built factory and showroom allows for a more streamlined manufacturing process of Glencraft’s products and has upgraded the working environment of 46 employees, around 80% of whom are disadvantaged, disabled or visually impaired.
Glencraft’s clients include a number of the UK’s leading hotels, NorthLink Ferries and Entiér, Scotland's largest independent contract catering and support services company.
The move comes as Glencraft is announced as a national finalist in the Social Enterprise of the Year Award category at this years’ UK Private Business Awards, which celebrates the best of UK private businesses and their contribution to the UK economy. The social enterprise has also pledged to pay workers a Living Wage and is one of a small percentage of UK companies to offer this.
Well-known figure within the business community Graham McWilliam, who has taken up the position of general manager at Glencraft, said: “It has been a fantastic few months for the entire Glencraft team. Moving into our new premises has been a milestone for our company and being shortlisted for the Private Business Awards, which are highly regarded and respected in the UK business sector, gives us a real sense of pride.
“Within such time, we have also launched a new website and introduced the Living Wage for our committed workforce. Glencraft is one of only 1,500 companies in the UK to offer its employees the Living Wage and we believe that, along with strong in-house encouragement and training, this is of utmost importance to our staff who are the real source of our success.”
Earlier this month, the company launched several of its established products online with Argos, the UK’s largest mattress retailer, and has since received a number of orders from across the UK.
Mr McWilliam continued: “We have a very loyal customer base in Aberdeen, and we hope to extend our reach with our supplier agreement with Argos. Having already received orders from customers across the UK, it really underpins the quality and value of our mattresses when placed side by side with our competitors.”
Glencraft has been producing high quality products since 1843. As a registered charity all profits are re-invested to provide career opportunities for disadvantaged, disabled and visually impaired employees.
The social enterprise currently supplies mattresses to leading hotels including Gleneagles, The Bonham, The Chester Residence and the Marcliffe. Glencraft also provides products to Robert Gordon University and a number of oil rigs within the North Sea and beyond. Glencraft holds a royal warrant and, by providing expertly designed and manufactured mattresses, has helped four generations of the Royal Family at Balmoral get a good night’s sleep