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Interview of Ben Dracup
Written by the Property Investor Today team
We are Primethorpe Paving

Who are you and what does it say on your business card?

We are Primethorpe Paving. Supplying the UK with the finest imported stone products available on the UK market. We get it right first time, every time.

What products do you offer?

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Top-quality stone products and accessories for use in the landscape gardening trade. Paving slabs, cobblestones, walling stone - you name it! Anything stone, anything landscaping.

What makes your products different and how would they benefit property investors?

The industry is flooded with cheap, poor quality materials. They look okay when first installed but fail as soon as the British weather tests them. Our products are all carefully sourced and perfected over more than a decade to ensure you only get the best.

A landscaped garden is one of the best kerb-appeal improvements you can make, but it can also come with plenty of headaches if done incorrectly. We make sure the materials you choose can be relied on for the foreseeable future.

What are the latest trends in your industry?

Outdoor porcelain is making a huge surge towards being the most popular paving product on the market. They are ultra-low maintenance and long-lasting. They take a little more effort to install but are super easy once they are done. It’s the next best thing in paving.

What is your greatest achievement in your current role and what made it so special?

It was a few years ago now, but when we first reached an annual turnover of £1million, it felt like the business had moved on from a small family business and begun the journey towards the big, national supplier it is today. This milestone is still the most significant for me.

What is the most satisfying part of your job?

Repeat business is the most satisfying part of the job. When we see a new trade customer and they come back to us for a second time, it’s a really good feeling. Sometimes they come armed with photos of a fantastic project using our materials, very excited to show us. There is no better feeling in business!

How have you continued to operate in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact of lockdown?

A lot of our business went online, delivery only. Contactless delivery was able to continue relatively easily, and our e-commerce department saw a huge uptick.

Summer lockdown was perfect timing for people doing home improvements outdoors, and as such our contactless deliveries were able to continue.

Did you have to make difficult choices, and what are the lessons learned?

We learned how important our staff’s mental health was. We had an incredibly intense period of online sales, so our sales team effectively became order processors and there were even some other job roles that effectively got absorbed into sales also. Without the interaction in-person with customers, a lot of our team found it a little harder to get motivated.

As such, the work environment had nothing to pick it up. We have made a focus on treating our staff more regularly to keep their spirits up. Even something simple like a weekly lunch at the company goes a long way to putting smiles on people's faces.

With people stuck indoors during the lockdown, have you seen an increase in sales due to people updating their gardens and outdoor spaces?

Completely. Sales were not a problem during the lockdown, rather our ability to stay motivated and keep up with the demand was the testing factor.

We now have a greater appreciation for our true capacity and the scale of our company.

What do you see for the future of the Paving industry?

People love their gardens, and a patio is always a popular feature. We can see paving moving towards reclaimed and other sustainable materials. Natural paving will always have its place also!

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