Reports/Case studies

Six years ago, Keith Howells started up his own company from his bedroom. Since then, Keith has grown his company, Forge Trading UK Ltd, into a family-run affair, employing seven staff, mostly family members and achieving a turnover of half a million pounds.

Forge Trading UK Ltd produces promotional and corporate clothing in Hampshire. The company uses embroidery and screen printing and is often commissioned to customise products for specific launches or events. In particular, the company has produced T-shirts for such big names as Garnier, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Darkness, Holly Vallance through to local organisations such as Southampton City Council.

Keith used to rely on a dial-up connection to access the internet at his office plus factory. Recognising that this was a huge drain on efficiency and his time, Keith recently made the decision to purchase broadband through BT Local Business.

Keith says, ‘I just couldn’t download large artwork files before. In fact, I used to go next door to a photography company to get them to download emails on my behalf and burn them onto cds. The broadband connection has put an end to this and made a huge difference to us. I used to spend long periods of time dialling up and logging-off – now of course broadband allows you to be connected all day and with considerable cost savings. I’ve just done the sums and broadband has halved my monthly internet bill’.

Keith uses the internet and direct mail to promote his business. In time, Keith also hopes to increase his online presence, as the company grows.

Keith believes that, ‘Broadband makes everything so much easier to deal with. In the past, things have been a headache as the technology hasn’t been up to speed. However with broadband internet, it’s still early days for us, but it’s not so difficult to imagine the future and to think of adopting new software applications and how best to grow the eBusiness side of the company. Broadband is certainly one of the best business decisions I’ve made this year!’
Forge Trading UK Ltd’s website can be visited at www.ft-uk.com

Website: www.ft-uk.com