On Firm Foundations

YL: Biker Group was established more than 40 years ago. Can you explain your company’s specialisms?

Based in North Yorkshire and Teesside, Biker Group is a privately owned multi-faceted company providing a diverse array of services to the construction industry. Employing more than 150 people directly and many more through highly vetted sub-contractors, we have become an established organisation that has grown through its reputation for delivering high quality and professional services across all divisions. We specialise in bespoke joinery, construction, groundworks, haulage, material handling, concrete production and waste management. We have the advantage of being able to interlink the various divisions on projects as required.

 

YL: We’re guessing from your surname that it’s a family-run business! Who started the company and how have you come into this line of work? What is your history and education?

My father founded the business, but my brother and I often say our father gave us the bull and we grabbed it by the horns! I was fortunate enough to attend Sedbergh School from which I then progressed to Durham University. I then furthered my education by pursuing a second degree in quantity surveying which in turn provided me with more suitable skills to direct the bespoke Joinery and construction departments.

 

YL: What does your job entail?

Although I direct the bespoke joinery and construction divisions of the business, being a director, my responsibilities don’t stop there. I oversee the running of the business on a day-today basis and also look at efficiencies, financial planning and future strategies.

 

YL: We understand the company actively supports local community projects, charities and organisations - which ones are these and why?Biker Group is not just a business. Whilst profit is clearly vital for successful operating, being the largest employer in our local community we see our business being responsible for more than that. We actively support a number of local sports teams, organisations and community projects that many of our employees and clients families are involved in. We also make significant donations to an array of local and national charities.

 

YL: With such a multi-faceted company, which area is your most successful?

All areas of the business are successful in different ways. Our groundworks division operates on a preferred supplier basis for national house builders within Yorkshire and the North East, on large multimillion-pound groundworks packages. The joinery department is widely recognised as the leading bespoke joinery manufacturer in the north, whilst the construction division is privileged to work on some of the finest properties in the area. Our haulage division also continues to operate a highly efficient and reliable service on a local and national basis.

YL: Your construction, bespoke joinery and architecture is aimed at high-end clientele – how do you meet that challenge?

We have the unique ability of combining the construction division with the finest bespoke joinery team around to offer a complete in-house service, where other companies have to employ sub-contractors. We listen carefully to our clients to interpret their visions. We observe specifications but also share ideas. Each project of varying size offers its own unique challenge but thankfully we have specialist teams with vast experience who relish every task.

 

YL: Do you operate ‘on site’ for all your work?

Most of our divisions operate on site around the north. We install most of our joinery products on site, but they are designed and manufactured in our state-of-the-art workshop in North Yorkshire by a team of the finest local craftsmen we have developed over a number of years. We do not import our products and we are not a broker or a franchise. ‘Traditionally made in Yorkshire’sums it up well.

 

YL: What has been most rewarding for you?

Every project presents its own challenges which in return offer a real sense of reward on completion. The nature of our work is so varied, being bespoke; we actually have the ability to produce anything. Creating the finest bespoke joinery team in the north of England and working on exquisite properties is incredibly rewarding. Hearing all our clients’ compliments is also very satisfying.

 

YL: Have you utilised the family business within your own home, Ben?

I’d be lying if I said no….there have certainly been a few off-cuts thrown in there! It’s nice to be able experience some of our products first-hand, although I often get put to the back of the queue!

 

YL: Plans for the future for Biker Group?

Over the past three years we have seen considerable organic growth across the whole company, creating more than 60 new jobs, which in return has brought around £4 million to the local community. As part of a progressive, family-owned business we aim to continue our growth over the next three years to support the ambitious expansion targets. Although ambitious, we are conscious of upholding our principles, values and ethics and offering the best customer service and advice from start to finish. Our reputation proves we value long-term partnerships, not short-term gains, which is exemplified by the core of our business being clients we have been working with since our origin more than 40 years ago.