Our first #madeinsandwell Monday star since our pause over the summer is Aspen Concepts Limited.

Founded in 2007, the joinery firm and fit-out contractor has a wide customer base, working on UK-wide projects that include commercial office fit-outs, educational buildings, retail outlets, health and leisure centres (including reception areas and locker rooms) coffee shops and cafés.

While its headquarters are in Swindon, Aspen’s main factory and workshop are in Oldbury, Sandwell. It has another factory in Tyne and Wear.

One of Aspen’s unique selling points is being able to manufacture fittings and interior features as well as fit them. Not only wood but metal, solid surfaces, glass, plastic, LED lighting and electrical fittings too.

The company’s high-profile retail clients include John Lewis [pictured] and Bensons for Beds. Having  carried out refurbishment projects on lifeboat stations in the north of the country, Aspen Concepts has recently designed, manufactured and fitted point-of-sale displays for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s attractively refurbished shops along the south coast, at Lymington, Brighton, Selsey and Lyme Regis.

Aspen prides itself on moving with the times. In order to create and retain strong client partnerships, the company invests in marketing, premises, advanced manufacturing equipment and design technology and – perhaps most crucially of all – staff skills. Aspen is currently training four apprentices, three based in Oldbury.

Manufacturing director Neil Arnold said the company’s workforce is supported to stay ahead of the ever-changing requirements of the construction and retail industries, and trained to provide the highest standards of service.

“Our continuous people development strategy allows us to retain highly skilled craftspeople and attract new talent. Aspen Concepts is proud of its well-trained, skilled and proficient workforce,” he said.

Neil previously worked for Sandwell Council as a joiner and took his apprenticeship at Sandwell College. He is admiring of Sandwell Council’s support for local businesses.

“The Think Sandwell concept is innovative, the Business Growth Team is helpful and the execution of events such as ‘meet the architects’, supplier days and the power of networking at Sandwell’s breakfast meetings is fantastic,” he said. “Sandwell Council is leading the way in showing other local authorities how to add value to their business communities”.

As for the future, Aspen has ambitious plans for growth. At the end of this year the company will be moving into a multimillion pound purpose-built manufacturing facility in Cradley Heath, kitted out with the latest CNC technology.

madeinsandwell Monday is a celebration of the talent and diversity within our borough. If you’re interested in being considered for a #madeinsandwell Monday profile and having information about your organisation shared on Think Sandwell and through our social media networks, read this.