Innovation and a determination to drive his business forward are perhaps two of the key reasons why Steve Liquorish is Oxfordshire Business Person of the Year.
But the more humble qualities of being level-headed and adopting a down-to-earth approach are just as important.
Shortly after picking up his award last June, he told The Oxford Times: “This rubber-stamps our belief that we have been doing things the right way.
“I treat people how I would wish to be treated, and this has proved I have like-minded people around me.”
The emphasis on teamwork is typical and he believes winning the award has helped motivate his 18 staff at Grove-based CMS Industries, which designs office furniture.
Like virtually every other business, CMS has been facing testing times in the current economic climate and being able to share a little success has been a welcome fillip.
“We have managed to maintain and grow our market share but there is massive pressure, and that has pushed us to move towards product innovation, which is where most of our focus has been.”
The new product area is LED office lighting and the company is currently developing new tooling and arranging launch campaigns.
Manufacturing for CMS industries takes place in Taiwan which Mr Liquorish says has a greater emphasis on the quality and development of products, whereas China is more in interested in the larger-scale contract market.
But, like the rest of the Far East, the cost of raw materials is soaring, putting more emphasis on the margins of firms such as CMS, which again is pushing the firm towards new developments and the mantra of innovating away from trouble by pouring more resources into research and development.
Much effort has also gone into developing a customer relationship management system that allows more transparency and communication with clients.
Common sense also prevailed when the company set up in Grove Technology Park six years ago, and Mr Liquorish bought the building, which he says offers another advantage in straitened times. And he remains upbeat about the future.
He added: “As long as the focus is on developing new products and adding value, then we remain positive.”
n Contact: CMS Industries, 01235 773370.
Web: www.cmsindustries.com
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