Leading temporary building specialist Spaciotempo this year marked its 46th anniversary of providing bespoke solutions to UK businesses.
Managing Director, Spaciotempo
It is part of the international GL Events Group and has offices in Staffordshire, Motherwell and Belfast, offering nationwide coverage.
We are proud to say we design, manufacture and install all our temporary buildings in-house, providing a truly personal service.
Our team can project manage any build, taking the stress out of the process for customers.
We provide full turnkey packages for the industrial, logistics, retail, education and sports sectors, offering anything from 5m x 5m storage boxes to unique multi-span structures.
Scott Jameson, Managing Director of Spaciotempo, speaks to Warehouse and Logistics News.
What are your best-known products and services?
At Spaciotempo, we pride ourselves on offering a customer experience that is truly second to none. From the initial phone call, to the site visit, management of the planning permission process and installation of the building, we are committed to delivering a smooth and hassle-free package. We also have a robust reputation for providing exceptionally high-quality products in three diverse styles – Neivalu, TempAstor and Oxygen. We aim to provide an innovative and stylish solution for any temporary building requirement imaginable – no matter how big, small or complicated.
Which market sectors and countries are your customers in? Which areas are growing the fastest?
We offer nationwide delivery on temporary buildings as well as having operations in France and Spain. Historically, the majority of our customers came from the industrial, manufacturing and logistics sectors but the scope of companies that are using our services is ever expanding. In retail, we are seeing an increasing level of demand for temporary garden centres and car showrooms while the leisure and education sectors are requesting sports halls, swimming pools and gyms.
Who are your major customers and what do you do for them?
We have developed strong relationships with a wealth of customers with whom we have worked time and time again. We regularly provide structures to national builders’ merchants Keyline, which is part of the Travis Perkins group, global manufacturing giant JCB and British brewery Marston’s. We have delivered bespoke blue structures for Keyline to match its corporate branding across six sites with additional projects in the pipeline. A dozen of our buildings are currently in situ at JCB bases across Staffordshire while we installed four 30m x 85m structures to create a 10,200sqm warehouse at Marston’s in Burton-upon- Trent. We recently linked a further two 30 x 85 structures at the site, creating a total warehouse capacity of 15,300sqm. Car showrooms have emerged as an important part of our portfolio, proving popular with dealerships including BMW, Audi and Peugeot. Our buildings are a vital contingency plan for these businesses in times of increased demand as well as allowing them to continue to trade if their permanent bases are unavailable.
How do your products benefit your customers’ businesses?
Potentially the most significant benefit is the ability for businesses to expand quickly and with minimal financial outlay. Manufacturing continues to be a highly competitive market and a company’s capacity to immediately cater for an urgent contract can easily make the difference between it gaining additional business or losing out. Many of our customers use temporary buildings as long-term additions to their business but are saved from making large capital investments, paying foundation costs, legal fees, stamp duty and agency fees.
Why should customers choose you as their main supplier in your area?
As the UK’s leading supplier of temporary buildings, we have more than 45 years’ experience and offer a full turnkey package. We manufacture our own buildings which are installed by our contractors, meaning that everyone our customers deal with from beginning to end is an experienced member of the Spaciotempo team. We are one of only a few temporary building specialists that supply our own designs meaning they can be uniquely tailored. Customers can also rest assured that we have been awarded extensive industry-specific accreditations to demonstrate our high standards of workmanship, safety and service and we are a member of key trade associations.
What has business been like in the past year? How have conditions changed over this period and how have you reacted?
Our robust offering has led to us winning numerous new contracts as well as ensuring that we have retained our existing customerbase. It is true to say that there is a level of cautiousness ahead of Brexit with many businesses hesitant to invest in infrastructure. However, we have been proactive in promoting our solution, enabling companies to expand without having to outlay capital which can instead be used to purchase much-needed stock.
What were the business highlights for you in the past 12 months?
At Spaciotempo we are firm believers that in challenging financial times, businesses need to diversify if they are not only to survive but to thrive. We have taken that ethos to heart and have significantly expanded our portfolio during 2018. We have continued to install large warehouses for industry and logistics but have also seen a marked increase in orders for smaller units measuring as little as 5m x 5m. We have worked hard to win business from the automotive sector and as a result have erected a range of bespoke car dealerships for prestigious clients including BMW and Audi. The showrooms can be made to replicate the original buildings with fulllength double-glazed windows, LED lighting, thermo roof gables and tongue and groove tempafloors. Sales cubicles and admin offices can be created while customer toilets can also be installed within the facility.
What has been your most outstanding recent project?
It is difficult to narrow it down as we completed a number of impressive projects during 2018. However, one that I am particularly proud of is Strikes Garden Centre in North Yorkshire. Sadly, the original facility was devastated by a fire in April. The Klondyke Group, which owns the garden centre, urgently needed a new facility ahead of the peak summer season. The company wanted to replicate its original building with a plant area, gift shop and even a 170-seat restaurant. We also installed bespoke features including glazed doors, LED lights and windows, customer toilets and climate control. Our team acted quickly and by the end of July the 2,025sqm building was fully operational – safeguarding jobs, trade and an important local facility.
How have you fine-tuned your offer in the past 12 months and why?
We understand that many businesses are finding it difficult to access lump sums of money to finance a new building, which can severely restrict their growth. That is why we are constantly looking at ways to provide increasingly flexible payment packages, allowing customers to expand without putting themselves under financial strain.
What recent enhancements have you made in customer service?
In 2018 we launched our Customer Charter. This is a pledge to complete all our projects within the agreed time scale and price. We are so confident that we will fulfil our commitment that, in the unlikely event we need to move an installation, we will give our hire customers a free weeks’ hire for each day after the initial start date. For sale customers, we will refund one per cent of the contract for every day that a project is delayed after the agreed start date. Terms and conditions apply.
What new products have you brought in?
Our most recently launched product is the innovative Oxygen building. The structure has an attractive curved roof which has proved particularly popular for sports facilities.
What factors do you see affecting your business in the coming year? How will you turn these into opportunities?
There is no denying that Brexit is having an impact on the way businesses are operating in general. Many companies are reluctant to invest in new permanent buildings which is where temporary structures come to the fore and bridge the gap. We are actively marketing our products and our sales team is on the ground winning new business. By informing customers about the options available – buying a temporary building outright, hiring a facility or leasing a structure with the option to purchase it at the end of the term – we are creating new business opportunities.
Are you planning to branch into any new areas, target new customers and take on more people?
In recent years Spaciotempo has grown significantly and we have strong and committed sales, after sales and operational teams. We already cover the whole of the UK and our sales team is continually looking to build new business relationships and expand our customer base.
Are you investing in new premises and extra staff? What about staff development and training?
We are firm believers in investing in and supporting our staff. We actively encourage employees to take part in mentoring and regular training sessions. We aim to attract the best talent across the business and always look for people with a positive attitude and a commitment to providing a first-class service for our customers. Are you involved in any major trade shows or other industry events over the next year? Look out for us at IMHX at the NEC in Birmingham where we will be exhibiting from September 24-27 2019.
What big news from Spaciotempo can our readers look forward to seeing in Warehouse & Logistics News in 2019?
We are predicting a busy year ahead and are planning for a number of big projects – watch this space!
And finally, if you had to sum up your company in a tweet, what would you say?
Spaciotempo – stylish, state-of-the-art solutions to suit every temporary building need – no matter how big, small or complicated!
SPACIOTEMPO
01889 569 569
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