BOSS Door Controls

The Business Gateway service is playing a pivotal role in helping new businesses get up and running - and provide new local jobs.

One business to take advantage of the service is BOSS Door Controls Ltd, based on Livingston's Brucefield Industry Park.

Owner, Russell Marks thought he was pushing an open door when he made the decision to start his own business.

A former national sales & marketing manager, Russell saw a market opportunity in the door controls market.

After only three months of planning his new venture, he opened the doors of his new business, BOSS Door Controls Ltd, on Livingston's Brucefield Industry Park.

BOSS specializes in the supply of door controls. The company operates in a niche market, customising the door controls for its customers and their clients, with an emphasis on new build and refurbished commercial projects such as schools, hospitals, hotels, office accommodation etc.

His first venture into business ownership, Russell is confident that his strong sales & marketing background will drive the business forward.

The company's main route to market is through a UK wide team of self-employed sales agents, although Russell maintains a strong sales role in managing key accounts.

Russell's marketing strategy focuses on building the brands of his main customers specialist distributors called architectural ironmongers and wholesalers - rather than promoting the name of BOSS itself.

BOSS can then be responsive to whatever branding the customer or their clients wants.

Key to the company's fast start up and strong projected growth has been the support provided by West Lothian Council's Business Gateway.

Russell Marks said: "The support from West Lothian has been invaluable in helping us to boost our manufacturing capacity very early on in the life of our business.  Although a relative newcomer, we are projecting strong future growth, with a turnover anticipated to grow beyond £2M within 3 years".

Russell's business adviser Jim Henderson has provided a range of support from locating the business premises to assisting with recruitment.

Russell added: "Particularly significant was the project grant from the council which facilitated early stage investment in a specialist engraving machine, which allows BOSS to deliver the own branding concept to their customers giving them a unique selling advantage and helping to develop their customer base."