Two South Yorkshire businessmen, both experienced turnaround managers, have saved Sheffield’s last volume manufacturer of cutlery, preserving a tradition that dates back a thousand years and first put the city on the map as a major industrial centre. David Kynman and Paul Coleclough, who met several years ago when interim managers for a Rotherham technology business, have acquired the shares of the Nickel Blanks group of companies, which includes such celebrated flatware producers as Osborne Silversmiths and embraces the end-to-end manufacture of stainless steel, EPNS (electro-plated nickel silver) and 925 sterling silver table cutlery and associated serving pieces. The latterly loss-making operation, still with a strong underlying business and an impressive customer base, was in danger of having production transferred to the Far East, before David and Paul stepped in and came to an arrangement with suppliers and trade accounts.
Unlike many ‘English’ cutlery brands, which have their products manufactured inexpensively abroad, the group forges, grinds, polishes and plates all of its cutlery in Sheffield, even supplying spoon, fork and knife blanks to other flatware companies. It is currently in the process of gaining official accreditation from the Made in Sheffield organisation, so that it can stamp this mark of quality on all pieces and hopefully establish it as a protected designation of origin.
The newly-acquired operation is now being consolidated under one roof, with one invoicing function, a single stock control system and some level of rationalisation amongst the seven member companies. Employing capital investment funds extended by regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward, which promotes sustainable economic development in the area, the group is relocating from its present sites around the city to new premises near Meadowhall, which will house the entire operation, including upgraded machinery, new IT equipment and a factory shop.
“We took one look at the operation and felt there just had to be a future here. Others planned to move the business overseas and import products from China, but with the 100% made-in-Sheffield heritage, a team of highly skilled craftsmen and outstanding trade customers like Harrods and Pottery Barn in the States, there was clearly bags of potential for a profitable venture with a long term future,” says Director, David Kynman, who plans in future to re-establish an apprenticeship scheme so that vital skills are not lost.
With a combined background in engineering, technology, sales and finance, David and Paul have the right credentials to turnaround the business and implement a medium-term programme for revitalising an historic Sheffield enterprise. Now married with two sons and living in Doncaster, David started his career on what he describes as the ‘lowest rung of the clerical ladder’ at the local railway works, progressing through privatisation to divisional and general management, before project managing a ground-breaking passenger information system for RACAL Telecom and emerging as Director of Strategic Accounts in London. Meantime, he had studied part-time for an MBA at Hull University, which encouraged him to set up his own management consultancy, once more in Doncaster.
A certified accountant, Paul first took a BA in Business Studies at Richmond College, London, before working for Nottinghamshire County Council and qualifying professionally at Nottingham Trent University, then becoming Finance Manager with Pittsburgh Plate Glass. After serving as Financial Controller for a $7 billion German multinational group in Nottingham, he became Financial Director of a motorcycle clothing business, before the enterprise was literally destroyed by fire and he established his own financial and HR staff recruitment agency. After three years, he moved back into industry in Sheffield, as an Interim FD overseeing periods of transition at different companies, before eventually working alongside David on their last assignment.
“We were looking at buyout opportunities and arrived at Nickel Blanks,” says Paul. “The internal systems were antiquated but the core business was sound, so there’s scope for regenerating it into a profitable business. Our five year plan is to become the country’s premier tableware manufacturer.”
In addition to Nickel Blanks, which produces spoons and forks, and the traditional silver and stainless steel cutlery maker Osborne, the group comprises Jessop & Smith, forging knife blades, Beatson Drake, responsible for knife handles and knife assembly, Rutland Cutlery, which grinds and polishes blades, Classic Cutlery, specialist in polishing and EPNS plating, and retailer Dynasty, trading locally under the name Sheffield Scene, all of which are currently located within a half mile radius. Together, they have a unique capacity to manufacture cutlery and flatware from start to finish, employing legacy machinery and skilled manual techniques. The group also owns one of the industry’s largest catalogues of cutlery patterns, a priceless collection of more than 200 designs, covering classic, period and modern place setting styles.
Following the buyout, the group has successfully extended its concession agreement with Harrods, guaranteeing an Osborne brand presence in the silver room of Britain’s premier retailer, and maintained consumer sales in the key American market, through the Pottery Barn home furnishing stores familiar to fans of ‘Friends’. In addition, there is strong export business in Europe, Canada, Middle East, Hong Kong, Thailand, China and Russia, while an e-commerce facility is under development to maximise global online sales.
Trade customers represent a key revenue stream, with prestige names like Fairline Yachts and Waterford Crystal choosing to specify cutlery and serving pieces that are ‘made in Sheffield’. David and Paul also plan to focus on the hotel and catering industry, offering innovative commercial deals targeting those equipping new restaurants, and the group recently received orders from Gordon Ramsay Holdings, for complete cutlery ranges for two new hotel-based restaurants being launched by the world-renowned chef.
Further enquiries to the Nickel Blanks Group, Imperial Works, Sheffield Road, Sheffield S9 2YL, telephone 0114 284 1150.
