Business rises from Jones & Co ashes

 

Another local service looks to have been re-born after the former manager of a business that went bust has re-opened from the same premises.

 

Jones & Co Timber Supplies, based at Hendre Hen near Guilsfield, went under in the summer with the loss of vital jobs and a service that had been used by the local community for three generations.

 

And having spent 18 years as its manager, Bill Roberts saw an opportunity. After spending several weeks looking for alternative employment, he decided to try and breathe some life back into the defunct business.

 

“I enjoyed my role with Jones & Co and would have preferred it to continue for just a few more years but that was not meant to be,” he said.

 

“I looked around for alternative employment for a while but kept coming back to the possibility of doing something for myself at the same site. Previous customers, suppliers and friends gave encouragement so I sought help and advice through Job Seekers, Careers Wales and TGAL and have now invested everything I could get my hands on so I have to make it work. I needed a reason to get out of bed in the morning – I certainly have that now!”

 

Bill restarted the business in November and says he has enjoyed a reasonably good start until the weather made December a write-off.

 

“It was the last thing I needed so early on and I need it to warm up asap!” he said.

 

Bill hopes business will pick up enough for him to take on staff in the New Year and expand the company’s services.

 

“At the moment I am concentrating on Timber and related products – there is only so much I can stock. I have facilities for Timber Treatment, Machining of Timber and Pallet manufacture with stock of Sawn treated timber, agricultural/domestic fencing timber and wire, plywood, nails and staples with the ability to offer other related products at relatively short notice.”