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BUSINESS REFERENCE : IE054 / RightBiz OWN BRAND PUBLICATIONS AND MAIL ORDER COMPANY | | | | | | Own Brand Publications and Mail Order Company Specialising in curriculum classroom support for Physical Education and Sport Studies at all levels Confidentially offered for sale Ref No: IE054 Location: North West (Yet fully relocatable)Asking price:325000 | | | BUSINESS LOCATION: | Undisclosed Relocatable UNITED KINGDOM | | BUSINESS SECTOR: | Retail | | TRADE TYPE: | Post Offices | | SALE: | Agent Sale | LEASEHOLD: | £325000 | | | | | | | | | | | BUSINESS DETAILS: | Business Profile:
This business, founded some 20 years ago by the current vendors, was set up initially to support the delivery of the AEB "A" Level Physical Education syllabus. It has since grown to encompass Physical Education and Sport Studies for all syllabuses at AS / A2 Levels, BTEC, GCSE and Primary Schools. In addition this company supports many allied subjects such as Leisure and Tourism, Physiotherapy, Travel and Public Services. The company now offers a comprehensive range of resources for classroom delivery for Primary right through to Higher Education with its own brand publications as well as offering a full range of books from other recognised publishers.
There are two distinct parts to the business, Mail Order and In-House Publications.
Mail Order- This involves the retailing of the company’s own brand titles and currently a further one thousand titles sourced from over fifty respected publishers. These resources include books, DVD’s, CD-Roms, Wall Charts and Book Jacket services. About 80% of orders are fulfilled using third parties (i..e. shipped direct from publisher/distributor) with the remaining 20% being delivered from stock (current stock figures circa £16,000).
In house Publications- The company is proud to publish its own resources in the form of books, DVD’s and CD-Roms. The brand is well established and has excellent recognition within the industry. The current range is in excess of twenty titles with a further 8 titles due to be published within the next 12 months. All work is done in house, the business creates its own DVD footage as well as designing/writing/developing all such necessary resources.
The business has built up a very desirable customer base over the years. Total customer numbers are circa 8000. These include Primary Schools, Secondary Schools/Colleges/ Higher Educational Establishments as well as book shops and private clients. These clients are predominantly based within the UK. In saying that the business does do a small amount of international business.
Technology/Equipment:
The business utilises the SAGE line 50 financial package and also uses the Datapower storage package which creates catalogues/order forms/websites. The website has a tracker, is fully interactive and supports Paypal secure online transactions. All data is backed up on a daily basis on one of two servers the business has.
In addition to this the business has all the necessary hardware/software packages to enable it to produce high quality multi-media in-house. Furthermore it also has a franking machine such is the volume of postal work it undertakes.
Customer Service:
The company is a member of the Business Honours Club which is part of the Youth Sports Trust (YST). The YST is a government organisation responsible for the development of Sports Colleges 'the Flagship to improve PE and Sport in schools', and hence customers can be sure that this company provides high quality relevant teaching resources. As part of its membership the business presents itself every two years to maintain its status as a recognised supplier to schools and affiliated organisations. In addition, the business has developed its own in-depth quality/procedures manual that ensures customers receive the best possible service, demonstrated through the very high customer retention levels the business enjoys, not to mention its impressive customer base.
Key Strengths:
This business is quite unique in its offerings as it provides BOTH teachers AND students with supportive learning resources. Not only does it have its own very well respected and recognised portfolio of publications but it also has very strong relationships with most of the leading publishers/distributors in the industry. Because the business has kept expansion to a minimum in terms of resource it has maintained a speed of response and level of service that few other companies can match as well as good profitability. It has a high level knowledge bank and systems in place that ensure it keeps in touch with all its customers.
Growth and Expansion:
There are many growth opportunities available to a new owner. The majority of business is currently based within England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is scope to expand the operation to serve Scotland and Europe. Further advertising and marketing would certainly fuel this and would also enable the business to sell more advertising space within its own catalogues, generating additional revenues. “E” commerce represents a large growth area. The business has only recently addressed this issue and already has over one thousand clients keen to trade this way with a further six thousand contacts that need to be developed. There is also the opportunity to develop an E-Bay presence. This will not only increase sales, it will also increase efficiency within the business.
Key Opportunities:
The business has maintained impressive turnover throughout its existence but has limited its growth through choice. There is no reason why a new owner investing in additional resource could not significantly increase business levels as this business model is truly scaleable.
Employees:
Both partners work full time in the business and have specific roles they undertake. The business also employs a full time office manager (32 hours/week). In addition to this the business has excellent sub contract relationships with companies who undertake their printing, IT support and graphic design functions as and when required.
Advertising and Marketing:
The business is very active in the exhibitions arena (approx seven per year) and this activity is supported with a highly informative and up to date website, and an extensive publications catalogue. The business also mailshots clients and has a presence on Amazon.
Premises:
There are no premises associated with the sale. The business operates from a home office environment. In saying that significant expense has been incurred in terms of IT, systems and procedures over the years to ensure the business is run effectively.
Business Hours:
Monday – Friday: 0900-1700
Financial Information:
The business is being offered for sale on a going concern basis, all financial discussions will take place directly between the vendor and all interested parties under the auspices of Turner Butler.
Turnover for the last financial year was circa £350,000. It anticipated that with the introduction of the new in-house titles currently in production that this figure should be nearer the £500,000 for the coming year, based on historical evidence. This business has a strong brand, low overheads, good purchasing power and a very desirable and captive customer base. It represents an excellent acquisition opportunity.
Reason for Sale:
This is a genuine retirement sale.
Support and Training
The owners will provide full business familiarisation, training and handover and are offering the business for sale as a going concern with further significant growth potential. They are happy to negotiate a suitable time period with the new owners. The vendors plan to continue writing/producing resource for the sector and would be prepared to work with any new owners to support this and even exhibit on their behalf if so required | | | | | | FOR SALE | | | | | SELLER: | TURNER BUTLER | | CONTACT: | 01895 25 6000 | | REFERENCE: | IE054 / RightBiz | | ENQUIRIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
