Campers Scotland Ltd Company profile Campers Scotland is an importer, retailer and hirer of campervans and a leading camper conversion design and manufacturing company - only of one of four in the country. Campers Scotland Ltd consists of a highly motivated and trained staff, with unrivalled expertise in Japanese imports, conversions and camper hire. The company has invested heavily in its design and development of camper conversions for the Bongo (offering a range of conversions), Toyota Granvia and Alphard, Nissan Elgrand and the VW T4 and T5 models, as well as versatile options for a wider range of van models such as the Transit, Vivaro, Expert, Boxer and Vito. Its high-quality designs and staff skills present a valuable intellectual asset to potential buyers looking to increase market share and acquire a wellrespected range of products, unique designs with a loyal customer base. Growth Campers Scotland Ltd is one of Scotland's leading campervan hire sale and conversion companies. Now in its tenth year the company has seen excellent growth, with vehicle sales and conversions showing particular expansion. In 2008 it was awarded 'Fast-growth' status by Scottish Enterprise. All sectors of the business have shown significant growth, particularly after the recent move to bigger and better premises. Pre-tax turnover 2006 to 2014 Pre-tax turnover 2006 to 2014 ( ) 1000000 Year 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 Turnover 21,000.00 175,000.00 176,000.00 297,000.00 320,000.00 299,555.00 393,529.00 930,000.00 900000 800000 700000 600000 500000 400000 300000 200000 100000 0 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14
Versatility over Three Sectors Campers Scotland has been a significant presence in three key sectors, camper hire, sales and conversions. By occupying three business areas allows it to respond to each sector according to demand and market changes. The last three years has seen significant investment in design and manufacturing its expanding its range of camper conversions (in particular the Deluxe models and brand-new base vans direct from manufacturers such as VW and Peugeot) with income quadrupling in this area. Growth has also been strong in sales and importation. Last year the company moved to much larger and more central premises in response to the growth in demand. The new premises in Grangemouth has resulted in turnover more than doubling as a consequence, with sales in the two months following the move equalling that of six-months in the previous premises (see graph below). This move coupled with investment in new machine tools and finishing equipment has improved not only the productivity of the company, but the quality of the products as well as the range. In addition, a new fully equipped car maintenance department, offering garage services to customers, has added another all-year round revenue stream to the business. The expansion into the luxury end of the market with the VW T6, Nissan Elgrand, Toyota Alphard and Peugeot Expert Camper Deluxe models, and the recent launch of the new website and online booking system (due for launch early 2015), 2015 is set to be another great year of growth in the hire and sales market, with several new markets emerging (see below). Sales breakdown 2013/14 Sales sector Van sales Conversions Hire Van parts Accessories Repairs Total All figures are net. Year 2013/14 593,500.00 216,000.00 70,000.00 29,000.00 3,100.00 18,000.00 929,600.00 Sales breakdown 2013/14 ( net) Van sales Conversions Hire Van parts Accessories Repairs
Assets The company holds over 180,000 (net cost) worth of vehicle, equipment and hire stock, has significant market share in three sectors, as well as great presence and goodwill within the campervan hire, sales and conversions markets. The move to new premises included large investment in equipment, including carlift, tyre fitting equipment and a wide range of machine tools. 2015 will also see investment in new CNC machine tools that will further speed up production and increase profits. Its unique camper conversions designs plus staff skills and experience, offer highly valuable intellectual property with great growth potential. With conversion sales growing so fast and the strong link between van sales and conversions (roughly 85% of van sales involve some form of conversion this is up from 25% five years ago) this constitutes a large proportion of the value of the company and the revenue stream. With the forthcoming launch of the online booking form on the website, new hire models and penetration into new markets such as commercial sales to UK hire companies and mobility leisure vehicles, further significant growth is forecast. The extensive UK and international customer database is also being offered in the sale. Campers Scotland Ltd enjoys strong branding and is a first port of call for many people entering the campervan market. The website consistently attracts between 100 and 400 visitors a day, with over 40,000 page visits every month (see below). This strong branding and excellent reputation is an asset to any company looking to expand in all three areas. Website usage stats August 2014 New versus returning visitors Website activity August 2014 Visits 8923 Unique visits 6692 Page visits 43054 New visitors 67.50% Return visitors 32.50% Average duration 3.3 minutes Bounce rate 34.00% New visitors Return visitors Infrastructure The company has a bespoke integral IT management system, with multiple terminals, server, databases and a powerful software suite recently updated to Windows 7 Pro. As well as a safe and solid Linux server and Windows network, the company is managed by a very good business management software designed for vehicle, sales and maintenance applications. It manages stock, accounts, invoicing, budgeting and day-to-day job/workshop management. It also runs Sage accounts for realtime management accounts.
Databases include customer database, large image gallery and a Wiki database on servicing and repairs information and van hire instructions. All in all this offers a ready to go package for any interested buyer. Campers Scotland Ltd has a fully equipped workshop both for vehicle maintenance and camper conversions (with roughly 30,000 worth of tools and equipment). The premises cover approximately 4,600ft of warehouse and workshop with separate office suite and reception. As well as a main front car park it enjoys two large enclosed yards of approximately 9,000 square feet. The premises are rented and under no binding leases or contracts. The company is located in Grangemouth in central Scotland near Falkirk and 400 meters from Junction 6 of the M9. It is ideally located for access to Glasgow and Edinburgh including the airports which are only 35 and 20 minutes away respectively. This central location attracts custom from across Scotland (and beyond) from Inverness to the Carlisle as well increasing business from England and Ireland. The hire business attracts business from all over the world and close links to two train stations and two airports is ideal. Employees Employee numbers vary with each season, ranging from 15 in summer to 11 in the winter. Currently eight staff are employed full-time and three part-time staff. The company also runs apprentice schemes and staff advancement and training. Skills Five employees are skilled and qualified in coach fitting and carpentry. The head mechanic/fitter is a master tradesman with decades of leisure vehicle fitting, design and modification. Two employees are fully gas certificated in gas and electric supply safety. All staff are trained in Workshop task/job management software, invoicing and stock control. Two employees are apprentices. All staff are trained in customer care both for hire and sales. Systems developed over seven years of hire and sale are in place for quality control in both areas. One staff member is also a trained accountant. Future Campers Scotland is at an exciting time following a successful move and expansion, with a number of products showing and earmarked for growth. With its order books full through till May 2015 (and growing), income is typically guaranteed for at least three (usually growing to six) months. The launch of the new online booking form will greatly increase market awareness and confidence in the company's new and existing products and with the new online shop will bring in more custom. The website is a full content managed system, with a state of the art online booking form and shop. This important piece of work will bring in a much bigger share of the hire market, especially foreign customers as well as those at home who increasingly want to book and buy online. Campers Scotland Ltd is fully equipped, perfectly sited and has invested sensibly in equipment and key skills such as machine tools and gas and electric certificates allowing
them to carry out work and maintain a wide range of leisure vehicles and to take advantage of the growing demand in campervans. They are also in prime position to benefit from the demand created by the emergence of other campervan hire and sales companies. New conversion lines will also have an impact and form an important part of the development of the company over the coming years. The new lower budget Crafty Camper conversion has, for example, proved very successful, demonstrating the importance of good design in a niche market. 2015 will see an expansion into the new and Deluxe end of the market, with increased profits. They expect to increase market share and attract further interest from across the UK and internationally (through promotion, exhibitions and online sale). This and continued promotion on sales and conversions, plus investment in stock and designs promises further years of growth. The next season will see Campers Scotland further establishing itself as a major player in the Scottish and UK campervan manufacturing sector by expanding its model range, improving production techniques, moving forward on news deals with VW and Peugeot to supply new vans direct to customers and distributors across the UK and beyond and expanding its hire presence. Key areas of growth are therefore expected to be in these dealerships and sales to hire companies, increased branding and more profitable product lines, improved production techniques and greater expansion outside of Scotland and the UK.