Specialised Car Covers
Name: Douglas and Carole Long
Trading Ward: Shipley
Business Name: Specialised Car Covers
Business Address:
Dockfield Road, Shipley
Website: Specialised Car Covers
Email: Contact Specialised Car Covers
Telephone: 01943 864646
Background of Business
Specialised Car Covers, a long-established Bradford business, was set up 30 years ago by Douglas Long and his wife Carole, quite by chance. Douglas wished to protect the bodywork of his cherished sports car so made a plastic cover to fit over it. An impressed neighbour asked him to make one for his car - and a business was born.
Support Journey
The company remained in its first premises, in Chapel Lane, Little Germany, Bradford, for 28 years before demand for covers prompted a search for larger premises. These were found in Dockfield Street, Shipley, where the company bought derelict buildings and invested £750,000 converting them into a modern manufacturing facility. When the business relocated it was helped in meeting substantial relocation costs by Invest in Bradford who, in association with Bradford Kickstart, provided a substantial grant. This recognised the expansion needs of the company and its ability to generate more jobs for local people.
Where are they now
Since moving to Shipley the company has continued to win new business from owners of cherished cars, including HRH the Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal Family. Corporate clients include the McLaren motor racing team and, more recently, Audi/VW, who now protect all their luxury cars displayed worldwide in showrooms and at motor shows with covers made in Shipley. As a result of the Audi contract, which took 18 months to negotiate, the company now needs to recruit more skilled sewing machinists and is investing in advanced new equipment. Invest in Bradford introduced Jobs@ who have already placed one local resident with the company and are looking for more suitable qualified sewing machinists.
