The Services – Administration
By setting up as a business administration bureau, Bradford Management has been able to attract and retain skilled personnel to service its three trading company clients. Bradford Management brings economies of scale to its three client companies which make feasible the operation of more sophisticated, secure computer and back-up systems than any one of the business units could individually justify. This results in faster, more detailed processing of information and reports to client company's, who can then make informed business decisions.
All day-to-day office functions are also processed, including creditors, debtors and payments; payment of wages and salaries; banking; monthly financial performance reports and trial balance sheets for each company; and updates of all contract records that allow speedy and accurate back costing for each business.
By acting as agent for its client companies, all parties are able to benefit from ‘bulk purchasing’ of such things as insurance, fuel, power, communications and stationary, as well as access to professionals in fields such as audit, legal, human resources and safety consultants.
The net result is that the trading companies have an administration system of a higher quality at lower cost than what they could seperately afford, with the additional benefit of access to the expertise that comes from over 60 years of hard-won experience.
The Services – Landlord
From acting initially only as an entity to hold land and building assets for the group, Bradford Management’s role has expanded and it now actively grows and substantially improves the asset bases of its three client companies. Over the last 10 years, the 15,000m2 yard, land occupied by Bradford Precast, has been levelled and upgraded to a safe hardstand and had drainage installed. The Precast buildings have been progressively improved with the upgrading of wood and metal workshops, staff facilities and an up-to-date administration area for supervisory and management staff. The purchase of a neighbouring property in 2007 has allowed the relocation of Bradford Building and Bradford Painting into new facilities that are better equipped for future business growth.
Adjacent to its office in Bremners Road, Bradford Management owns and operates a public storage facility of 22 units that are sought after for their level of security. There is usually a waiting list for new clients. The company also manages property for private clients from time to time.
The Services – Projects
Using contacts and expertise built over 60 years, Bradford Management has the skills to take clients’ ideas, develop the concept and do a business feasibility study (including budgeting for costs of proposed buildings, site works, consultants, local authority requirements, and land) to establish viability and a likely rental return. Bradford Management has direct access to the managers of the Building, Precast and Painting companies, their experience and up-to-date knowledge. This means that any feasibility study is relevant to the current market and of real benefit to a client.
This service is confidential between Bradford Management and the client, and will form the base for a decision on whether to proceed on a project. On the basis of a feasibility study, many clients will then engage Bradford Management to manage their project to completion. If the client requests that the contract be tendered, this is done at arm’s length by engaging an independent quantity surveyor to audit the budget and manage the tender process. Bradford Management then works with the successful tenderer. The building of Ashburton’s new Performing Arts Centre was a very good example of this process.
The Future
The management company gives the group a public face. From its more impartial position, it continues to be best placed to overview strategy, monitor and audit standards, manage the recruitment of senior staff and provide formal documentation for the group.
The vision for the future is to keep exploring challenges in construction, and to design systems that improve processes, give better results and are eco-friendly. Rodger is especially interested in researching and developing construction methodology and technology, and applying them across residential, commercial and agricultural sectors.
Bradford Management has a succession plan in place, is clearly well-structured to meet future growth for generations to come and is a name that will become more familiar.
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Feature case study: Performing Arts Centre > |