Shrewsbury gunmaker aims for big increase in sales following support from the Eureka! Moment project

A Shrewsbury-based bespoke gunmaker is hoping to double their sales thanks to support from the European funded Eureka! Moment project.

Boxall and Edmiston engaged with the project last autumn as they were keen to expand into markets outside of the UK, particularly the USA. However not having shops or distribution channels made it difficult to penetrate these new markets, and the current customisation of guns requires face-to-face meetings with clients – which is expensive in staff time and also travel costs.

Business Development Manager Drew Boxall’s vision was therefore to create a shop window using a web-based tool to allow customers to create their own bespoke gun.

He says:

“Our commitment to using technology has gone one step further with the launch of the gun builder, a dedicated tool for customising a Boxall & Edmiston. The gun builder gives explanations of why certain features improve someone’s shooting and how a bespoke gun can benefit those looking to become better at their chosen sport. Currently the gun builder gives 24 million combinations for customers to choose from.”

After signing up for the Eureka! Moment project, an industry expert from delivery partner University of Wolverhampton visited the company’s premises to fully appreciate the business and understand their current challenges and suggest innovative ways to aid business growth.

Since then, a grant through the Eureka! Moment project has part-financed the new web-based gun builder tool – for which a Shrewsbury based marketing consultancy was awarded the contract to produce the marketing material.

The company anticipates a 100% increase in sales during 2015, and as a result has already created one new full time position, with further job creation anticipated later this year.

An additional benefit of the Eureka! Moment project has been raising awareness of other support available to businesses in the West Midlands through the knowledge sector. Boxall and Edmiston is already working with the University of Wolverhampton on development of a new Trigger guard casting accessing the 3D printer at the university. Future plans could include accessing support of a recent graduate through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP).

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for business growth and prosperity, said:

“These European funded projects are designed to aid our small businesses to compete in the global marketplace – when contracts are awarded to local businesses this increases the impact of the funding even further.”

The Eureka! Moment project is a partnership between University of Wolverhampton, University of Worcester, Staffordshire University, Central Technology Belt, Shropshire Council, Staffordshire County Council, Worcestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council and is open to SMEs within the four areas offering goods and servcies to other businesses.

Further details can be found at shropshire.gov.uk/eureka-moment.

Boxall & Edmiston have used the most advanced Computer Aided Design (CAD) software available to develop a range of products that are not only beauitful, but functional and built to last. The factory boasts nearly £1 million worth of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines, including one of only three specific model of laser in the UK today.

The massive investment in product and infrastructure has been complimented by the company’s staff who have worked tirelessly to develop a range that is not only comepteitve in the UK but globally.

Further details about Boxall and Edmiston can be found at www.boxallandedmiston.co.uk