Fife Business Week 2018 Launched at Inspirational Fife Manufacturing

AN exciting new era for a traditional Fife joinery manufacturing business, TJ Ross, provided the location for the launch of this year’s Fife Business Week as it moved into new premises in Southfield, Glenrothes.In a week full of events aimed at inspiring and transforming Fife’s business community, Fife Business Week is set to run this year from 5th to 9th November.  It will also provide opportunities for Fife’s businesses to come together to network and exchange ideas.  Now in its ninth year, Fife’s main business event offers a broad range of seminars and workshops, covering important issues for the local economy and is once again set to be a major highlight of the Kingdom’s business calendar. TJ Ross, originally based in Strathmiglo, are specialists in double glazed, traditional, sash and case windows, bespoke curved headed windows and doors, for all styles of buildings including ones in Conservation Areas or Listed.  They also design and make cabinetry, bookcases, wardrobes and make bespoke staircases and cabinetry, all to suit their clients’ requirements.  Martin Richardson bought over the family-owned business in 1992 and undertook to remain in Strathmiglo where most of the workforce was based. They extended the Strathmiglo facility, but quickly outgrew it. For the future of the business, he and his son, Alyn, realised it was necessary to make the move to larger premises in Glenrothes. Martin commented: “We have fought hard to keep the traditional manufacturing at the core of the business while embracing modern technology.  We feel our new boiler plate; ‘Traditional Craft Meets Modern Performance’ describes exactly our ethos.  We offer homeowners and developers alike, high-end finished traditional products for the end users to admire and enjoy for many years to come. To this end, we have opened a new studio in city centre of Edinburgh to meet the needs of clients in the city as well.” Convenor of the Economy, Tourism, Strategic Planning & Transportation Committee, Councillor Altany Craik commented: “Inspiring and motivated businesses like TJ Ross show that Fife has much to offer and there is so much support available to help a Fife business like them to invest, grow and thrive.  It’s fantastic that this company has been in business in Fife for forty years now and through transforming and investing in the business, its future looks very bright. Support and guidance from Fife Council’s Economic Development team has also helped with upskilling of the workforce, management skills and its leadership practices. It is therefore the perfect location to launch this year’s Fife Business Week. “This week of events is a great showcase to promote local business and their success.  It offers the opportunity for every company in Fife to come along, hear from industry experts whilst making new contacts and exchanging ideas. The events will also demonstrate how Fife Council is working with partners across Fife to develop a highly skilled talent pool, get more people work-ready and develop skills that will help business and boost the local economy. “The region is already home to some of the UK’s highest performing businesses, and we are proud that we can offer high calibre, highly skilled staff, good infrastructure links and centres of excellence in many sectors.“Fife Business Week is aimed at supporting economic growth, is designed to inspire businesses to grow, and to encourage them to join us on our journey to make Fife the best place to do business.” The theme for this year’s programme of events is Inspiring and Transforming Fife’s Businesses, aligned to Fife Economic Partnership’s objectives. The week of action will focus on key issues that are impacting Fife entrepreneurs, business start-ups and employers with fresh insights into workforce development, advanced manufacturing, finance and strategy and digital connectivity. Hosted by Fife Council’s Economic Development Team and Business Gateway team, Fife Business Week is designed to support businesses to succeed and flourish whilst making Fife the best place to do business. The full calendar of events to mark the eighth Fife Business Week will be rolled out at the end of September. For more information on Fife Business Week please email craig.rutherford@bgfife.co.uk or visit www.fifebusinessweek.co.uk