European Social Fund in England

Crabtree development consultants

Networking projects helps bring companies closer together!

When Crabtree Development Consultants launched their Building for the Future and Building Together ESF projects, they didn't realise that some of the participants would take the concept of closer working quite so seriously. However, with the merger of two local construction companies - Addison Buildings and Ousebank - that's just what happened........

The two ESF projects, co-financed be the LSC Bedfordshire and Luton, were developed to support companies within the construction sector, helping them manage their businesses more effectively and facilitating networking within the industry. Both Addison and Ousebank were active members of the project networks from the out-set, using the opportunity to build a strong working relationship. In doing so, they quickly recognised that they shared similar values and offered a complementary range of services. With Addison celebrating it's 40th anniversary as a leading provider of conservatories, sheds and garden buildings, and Ousebank well established as a respected supplier of windows and doors, the scene was set for an amalgamation of the two family-owned businesses.

The Building for the Future project has a particular focus on helping organisations develop comprehensive business, training and succession plans, and this support proved particularly helpful to the two organisations throughout the merger period. Additional assistance was offered by Crabtree to the management teams throughout the transition, as they conducted the major restructuring exercise and strategic business review. This included direct consultancy support for the managers, reviewing the knowledge and skills bases within the organisations, and assistance in the development of business continuity plans. With the planning complete, the new invigorated company was soon ready to launch...

Addison Ousebank - as the company is now known- relaunched in November. It is already benefiting from its new status and enhanced service offering. With senior staff in the organisation undertaking formal management qualifications, and robust and exciting plans in place for the coming years, the company has an unrivalled level of experience, expertise and potential.

One of the company's greatest strengths as its focus on communication - both internally and externally. This is central to any organisation's success and is one of the key reasons that the managers were able to make such effective use of the networking opportunities that helped bring about the merger.

With such foresight and enthusiasm, the future certainly looks bright...

For more information, please contact

Stacy Wood

ESF & Development Resources Advisor

Learning and Skills Council

Bedfordshire and Luton

Email: Stacy.wood@lsc.gov.uk

Direct Tel: 01234 420015

Fax: 01234 843211

Web: www.lsc.gov.uk