SAFETYFLEX, COVENTRY

Established 2010

Employee numbers: 5, plus temporary staff

Generations in the business: 2

Safetyflex designs and manufacturers anti-terrorism bollards from its Coventry headquarters.

Founder Rob Gerrard, a trained engineer, built up another successful company, GME Springs, whose products were supplied to a range of vehicle manufacturers.

But the catalyst for the birth and success of Safetyflex was his wife Jeanette.

Rob explained: “We used to live next to work, and my wife, who is a keen gardener, became a little tired of lorries damaging her lawn as they turned around after steel deliveries. She told me that my personal safety depended on me protecting her cherished garden.” with an obstacle we always find a way around, or work through it.”

So he harnessed his engineering knowledge and used leaf springs, cut in half, mounted vertically, as a series of protective bollards. He said it was the best business move he ever made.

The spring technology has now been used to design and produce spring steel bollards that will stop vehicle threats against any key asset.

These first bollards have been developed into street furniture designed to repel the sort of vehicle terrorist attacks which have occurred across the world.

Marcus, Rob’s son, has developed the company in the UK, and established a network of distribution and installations across the globe which has seen the group’s turnover rise to around £8 million.

Safetyflex products now protect landmarks, buildings and locations including the Augusta National golf course - home of the US Masters, Oxford Street in London and the Melbourne East Police Station in Australia, as well as in the company’s home city.

All four of Alan’s children have chosen to be involved in the family business. “My youngest two, Rebecca and Lisa, went to university and returned to the family business after graduating. Helen and Paul joined almost straight from school.

“My wife and I didn’t pressure the family to join the business, as the decision needed to be theirs. We are, however, very proud that they chose to do so. It’s a new era of the business with a new direction for the future.”

Marcus explained that the family dynamic is key to the success of the company.

“There is a very clear vision and direction and I think that comes, to a degree, from the family element. There are not conflicting corporate agendas at play, and when you are dealing at the higher end of the security community that is very important.

“We are not a massive corporate entity that can use our size and standing to win work. We have to win on quality of engineering, design and service, and being a family firm really resonates with our clients.”

Marcus has three children and two have already been in to experience life at Safefyflex – so that tradition looks set to continue.

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