Skipper captures interest of global safety community
What has been your company’s business strategy to gain market share?
We lead through innovation and pride ourselves on delivering market-leading solutions. We strive to offer something different from the commodity-based products that have a limited scope of use. North America now represents a great opportunity for Skipper. To complement the growth of the core Skipper range, we are about to launch a brand new range of waste management and safety solutions that will be available in U.S. stores from June.
Describe the core branded products of your company that you promote most heavily.
The Skipper products encompass a carefully engineered array of fixings and attachments that are just as capable on a building site as a high-end hotel chain. Its super-tough, multi-surface capability gives a new degree of choice to the user. Our flagship product is the Skipper versatile safety unit – with a full 30-foot retractable high-visibility tape function. Deployment allows for a quick and effective safety or restriction zone to be constructed in seconds. The unit attaches to a standard cone, the unique Skipper post and base unit or any one of its specialist fixing arrangements. You can simply add lights, signage and other safety essentials to complement its effectiveness. Skipper is the only product of its type worldwide and now approaching 500,000 units in service, it stands way out in front as our best seller.
How do distributors contribute to your success in the marketplace?
Distributors are key to our success and our core route to market is through distribution partners. Packaging a strong commercial opportunity and responsive supply chain allows us to be successful and our 70+ distributors are testament to this. We recognize that working closely with the right distributors unlocks a new level of market penetration. With a handful of American distributors already on board, the market has been validated and has clearly accepted what Skipper brings to the safety arena.
Do you offer distributors training or other value-added services?
Furnished with sales generation packs, detailed product knowledge and ongoing support, Skipper is a range that can be easily integrated into a product portfolio. Our team of professional marketers supports distributors in both digital and print formats, whether it be a catalog, web store or e-blast. We regularly engage in training webinars to update your knowledge and offer video training modules to share with large sales forces. We plan to continue to have a territory presence at leading trade shows and events – you will find us engaging with those close to us at ASSE in June.
Do you have any recent news about new facilities or new personnel to report?
In readiness for our accelerated growth strategy, Skipper has recently doubled its manufacturing capability to ensure business continuity even at peak times and has action plans to continue in this vein. Alongside our plant, the team has grown and recently welcomed new additions to the senior management team to provide stewardship in developing international trade revenues and new product introduction.
Describe your current financial picture.
Skipper has proven itself as being capable of attaining sustained revenue growth year-on-year and records 50-percent as a typical annual increase. The 3-5 year financial outlook looks strong with revenue targets set to surpass a turnover of $7.5m, a 50-percent increase in product portfolio and more expansive and engaged distributor pool.
Skipper TM, +44(0) 844 412 7757
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