I’ve had quite a varied background in my career. I started off as a chartered surveyor working in Manchester, then went back to university and studied product design, followed by an MBA in advanced manufacturing. That combination really led me to where I am now.

KingKraft is a manufacturer of specialist disability equipment. I’m the Managing Director, so I essentially run every aspect of the business. It’s all low-volume but bespoke manufacturing, mainly for the UK market, with a bit of export into Europe.

One of the major milestones I’m proud of was taking KingKraft from what was a very chaotic business with fairly average quality, to one that’s now ordered, with strong quality control and products that are as good as or better than anyone else in the market. It sounds simple, but it was incredibly difficult to achieve.

The biggest challenges have been rising costs, inflationary pressures on materials, wages, electricity, rent, and rates, all while customers aren’t willing to pay more. That’s been tough. It’s meant we’ve had to pull all the overhead levers to stay efficient. It does make you sharper as a business, but it doesn’t necessarily improve profit margins.

To tackle rising costs, we re-engineered products to strip out cost without compromising quality. We changed materials, redesigned for efficiency, and streamlined product ranges to focus on higher-margin items.

We also implemented ERP systems, improved stock control, and redefined job roles. Previously we had six engineers on the road; now we have two (well, two and a half), and we achieve the same output. Better planning, higher product quality, and improved pre-planning for site jobs all reduced errors and increased efficiency.

Recruiting manufacturing staff has also been a huge challenge. Finding people who are interested, have the skills, and are reliable is very difficult. We’re competing against the likes of Rolls-Royce, Boeing, and McLaren, so it’s tough to attract the top talent.

We hire wisely and train. We’re too small to run formal training academies, but we make it a good place to work - far better than some of the online warehouse suppliers, put it that way! Our staff seem genuinely happy and feedback is usually good!

I’ve had a few accountants over the years, and obviously it’s a function every business needs. But what I get from Mike and the team at Gravitate is that when I ask for something, it actually gets done.

If there’s ever an issue, I can call Mike or Charlotte, and it’s resolved quickly. That’s a big difference compared to the typical “just another client” experience.

Mike really understands manufacturing, which is rare in accountancy. His background means the advice he gives is pragmatic and grounded in how businesses actually run. He also offers great general business counsel, beyond the numbers. It’s nice to know someone’s not just out to bill you, but genuinely wants to help.

We love working with Thomas and the KingKraft Team. Co-Founder and Director, Mike Crocker, enjoys working in close partnership with clients to help them know their numbers and boost financial resilience.