A Black Country businessman who started a company in the loft of his home has expanded and moved to a Wednesbury industrial estate.

Neal Hickman, from Penn, Wolverhampton, runs Nelstar UK Limited, which supplies engineering parts and components to a range of sectors from construction to manufacturing. He has taken on a 1,128 sq ft unit at the Woods Bank Estate, which is owned and managed by London and Cambridge Properties Ltd (LCP).

Neal used his experience in the engineering field to branch out on his own in 2005. When the business outgrew his loft and then a garden room, he hired a small office. The new move provides more storage space and will enable the business to grow further. It supplies goods ranging from bespoke bearings to special purpose conveyor systems, sealants, fasteners, gearboxes and pneumatics.

Neal said: “We have access to thousands of products and supply a whole range of ‘engineering consumables’. Our work is mainly Midlands based but includes clients with offices all over the country. We have built our reputation on product knowledge, product sourcing and service.

“We help time-pressed people who cannot afford to spend hours trying to find the products they need. It leaves them free to concentrate on other tasks while we source, cost and provide products which will ensure they keep their machines running throughout vital projects.

“We also offer air conditioning repair work, on site fabrication work, building services and logistic requirements.”

John Marshall, a new member of the team, has been brought in for his knowledge and wide experience in fasteners to develop the business in other ways. The company also operates a website supplying industry standard health and safety signage. The business is a family concern with Neal’s father Alan helping on the accounts side.

Neal said the move to Woods Bank was a natural progression. “My existing lease was coming to an end and I saw this unit was available when I was doing business in the area. It was the perfect size and gives us a better layout for our stock. The estate is quiet with plenty of parking and LCP was very professional in handling the deal.”

Black Country-based LCP is one of the UK’s largest private owners of industrial and retail property. Its total commercial property portfolio runs to 14 million sq ft which is held for long term investment purposes. 

Units ranging from 1,148 sq ft to 56,682 sq ft are currently available to let at Woods Bank. Visit www.lcpproperties.co.uk or telephone 01384 400123 for more information.