The company was founded by Mike Henden in Luton in 1990, and having grown consistently year on year, moved to its existing address in Leighton Buzzard in1995, since when the premises have literally trebled in size. The expansion has come from diversity: the company stocks and distributes an extensive range of products catering for many different market applications from pro audio, retail, studio, conference, stage and lighting, to education, pubs and clubs. The stock is vast, and the main emphasis of the business is on customer care and commitment to detail - complemented by experienced staff from a range of backgrounds.
Henden is understandably proud of his company’s achievements, the latest of which has been a major upgrade of facilities, including a significantly expanded warehouse. In the last two years over £500,000 has been reinvested - not just in an office and warehouse refurbishment, but also in the whole company infrastructure - including the IT and communications systems. This may have seemed a daunting commitment given the tough year that much of the industry experienced in 2002, but Leisuretec was able to self-finance the expansion and still achieve significant growth.
On entering the building, one’s first impression is of how calm and relaxed everything and everyone is, a mood reflected in the modern décor of the offices, boardroom and reception areas. The nuts and bolts of the business - the warehouse area - has been expanded by the addition of a mezzanine floor, allowing the company to increase both stock and facilities. Indeed, one of the company’s main aims is to carry enough stock to be able to despatch on the day of order.
Being in the right place at the right time was just as crucial for Nick Spalding, Leisuretec’s managing director. Back in 1994, Henden and Spalding met socially on a squash court and clearly hit it off: Spalding was looking for a career change and thus joined the company as warehouse manager. He fast-tracked to general manager in 1996 and became managing director in early 2000, allowing Mike Henden to move towards a more strategic role.
The relationship between the two works well: both men are hands-on in their approach, but equally happy for other members of the Leisuretec team to develop and specialize in their chosen areas. They both have a positive commitment to the development of the business and the people working there. Much emphasis is placed on training - staff are actively encouraged to develop their skills, and thereby their role within the company. Perhaps this is best illustrated by warehouseman Ramón Gonzalez. Originally from Spain, he has been at Leisuretec just over two years, during which time he’s obtained his driving licence, gained a fork lift truck certificate and developed computer skills.
The company also actively aims to keep hold of good staff, to ensure that experience remains in-house, with the benefits ultimately being passed on to the customer. Amongst the longest-serving office staff are Suzannah Griffin, Lynda Weston, Louise Melton, James O’Leary and Wayne Juggins - who between them have notched up 35 years.
Expanding companies need fresh blood too, and there has been a spate of new signings in recent months: these include sales manager Peter Owen (formerly with Arbiter), logistics specialist Steve Cartwright and Stephany Lambley (formerly with Hayden Laboratories) who has been brought in to develop the company’s sales and marketing activities.
Nick Spalding believes that the company is now in a position of strength, ready to push forward in the market place. He pays tribute to Mike Henden’s policy of re-investing in the business, even when market conditions make that a tough call. But the reality is that the reinv
