Waterloo Woodwork

Waterloo Woodwork, an enterprise of the Colebridge Trust Ltd, manufactures timber products for outdoor use - including chairs, benches and shelters - while also providing vocational training for adults with learning difficulties.

The enterprise was originally established in 1984 to use carpentry projects as a means of providing basic and life skills training to people with learning difficulties - trainees were involved in the production of wooden items such as bird tables and planters which were then sold to generate income.

During 2005, the enterprise developed a clearer focus on trading to ensure its sustainability and now instead of producing small items for the domestic market, it manufactures high quality products including street furniture, playground equipment, architect-commissioned bespoke items and racking for commercial clients. This has enabled the enterprise to develop long-term clients, provide trainees with more varied work and greatly increase its profit margins - during the last quarter of 2005 it witnessed a 500% increase in sales.

As a result of its newly developed commercial emphasis, Waterloo Woodwork has recently relocated from small business units to a much larger factory in North Solihull to enable it to maximise its production potential. It has also become the main timber contractor for Groundwork Architects in
Solihull, and it produces items for many schools in the area.

The enterprise continues to provide training for adults with learning difficulties, but now also offers its trainees placements in local farms, supermarkets and factories together with in-house college tuition. In the future, Waterloo Woodwork is aiming to increase the number of training opportunities it offers by expanding the range of products and services it offers.

Building on best practice of Waterloo Woodwork, the Colebridge Trust is aiming aiming to secure funding to develop a Social Enterprise Hub that will set-up and develop social enterprises in Solihull. If successfully established the Hub will employ around 15 local people, support 25 to 30 adults with learning difficulties and, with the Learning Skills Council, train 60 young people each year in basic construction site skills.

For orders and sales enquiries call 0121 770 7555

Click here to download the Waterloo Woodwork case study (168KB)