Posted July 2nd, 2010 | No Comments
The sale of Authorized Access represents a fantastic opportunity to purchase an established, award winning retail security business and mobile locksmith service. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a business with an active loyal customer base, longevity in business and an excellent reputation.
It is a ‘ready to go’ business with a fully qualified and experienced team in place. Ideal for anyone seeking a low risk entry into ‘being your own boss’ or to expand a business portfolio.
The new owners could choose to take a ‘hands on’ operational role or concentrate on the sales and marketing opportunities within the business, leaving the existing team to carry out the operational functions.
Authorized Access is a lively and energetic family owned and managed business which has been run with integrity since 1989. The business has built an unrivaled reputation in the community to a point today where they represent excellence in their field. Through skillful management and great vision, the business now stands on an excellent trading platform for the future.
The company operates from premises near the centre of Bury, enjoying a modern, vibrant and extensively stocked retail showroom with excellent customer footfall throughout the day. The premises although close to the town centre enjoys dedicated customer and staff parking.
The company has maintained good accreditation levels with BLI qualification for two staff members, Master Locksmith Association (MLA) approval. In addition they have the status as a Mul-T-Lock Centre, EVVA and EuroSpec specialist as well as major stockists of many other security products and brands, benefiting from excellent, long standing supplier relationships.
The company maintains a training ethos ensuring all staff are trained at the earliest opportunity to the highest level. All staff have achieved a Customer Service qualification.
The company is renowned for its outstanding customer service and has been recognized in 3 awards in 2010 the most recent being ‘Customer Excellence’ Bolton and Bury Business Awards 2010.
Authorized Access offers a service to both commercial and domestic customers, providing credit account facilities to a large and long standing number of local companies. The business is currently made up of approximately 75% commercial and 25% domestic customers. They provide services to a wide range of commercial clients from local authorities, PCT’s, Charities and large national companies as well as smaller local companies and sole traders. They maintain and enjoy a high level of repeat and referral based business.
In addition to retail and service, Authorized Access also offer advice led services and bespoke training to companies with employees needing to use locksmith skills and techniques in their normal course of duty.
Reason for Sale
The current owners having established and developed the business over a period of 21 years, are seeking to take advantage of a business opportunity in an unrelated sector and relocate to the south of the country. It was a consideration to operate the business at arm’s length, however given the huge potential for growth, it was felt more appropriate and in the best interests of the business to seek new ownership.
This really is a genuine reason for sale, the existing owners, having completed a two year business development programme have reluctantly decided to sell to pursue another opportunity. They feel the time is right to offer the Company to someone with the vision to take it on to the next level.
Owners Brief:
How We Set ourselves apart from our competitors
Authorized Access believes that the most important single factor in business is ‘the customer’. We are confident that we stand apart from our rivals because we believe that every business activity should be carried out with the sole intention of satisfying our customer’s needs. We source, deliver and install products and services designed to improve the quality of life for our clients.
Authorized Access believes it is not one single factor that sets us apart from our competitors but through a multifaceted approach to business, ensuring that we continually strive to achieve excellence in service delivery.
What you can expect as the new owner of Authorized Access
- Reputation: – Authorized Access enjoys a reputation which is ‘second to none’ both within the local area, community and industry sectors. This is evidenced by the following
- Gaining numerous awards over its lifespan including recent awards for ‘Customer Excellence’ – Bolton & Bury Business Awards 2010, ‘most loved locksmith’ and ‘best service provider’ – Best Of Bury.
- The company enjoys a high level of repeat and referral business both from commercial and domestic clients.
- The company is invited to partner with agencies such as Bury Crime Prevention Panel, Home watch organisations and police crime prevention initiatives.
- Business profile: – The Company maintains a high local profile demonstrated in a variety of ways including
- Charitable work, holding events in house and attending charitable events. Giving preferential rates for charities such as Age Concern, Bury Hospice and Victim Support.
- Effective PR and Networking. The company seeks to actively promote itself and it’s work through a variety of media.
- Its longevity in the town affords it the benefit of being a recognised company name with a reliable and trustworthy reputation.
- Work Experience/Return To work Programmes:- Authorized Access understands the value of offering the provision of work placements to both school children and those individuals requiring a return to work after accident, illness or long term unemployment. These organizations actively seek out Authorized Access as a preferred placement provider.
- Master Locksmiths Association Membership:- Membership of our industries lead organisation has been held since the mid 1990’s, achieved by compliance with codes of conduct and retaining a level of skilled and qualified staff. This status would be retained under new ownership though existing staff qualification or the new owners seeking to obtain this qualification in their own right.
- A fully systemised and operational business- Over the last two years, we have implemented systems and procedures to ensure effective and efficient operational functionality. This includes:-
- A comprehensive and well populated database of Customers and Prospects all managed through a Customer Relationship Management System (ACT).
- Full sales order processing and invoicing from stock via SAGE.
- A interactive and fully optimised ‘permission marketing’ website with an automated email service.
- Company policies and procedures via outsourced HR company intranet.
- Corporate Identity:- The company has a readily recognised and modern identity through staff uniforms, branding and all marketing material.
Financials
The business operates from rented retail premises close to the centre of Bury. The lease has 6 years to run with a break clause option in June 2011 (notice to be given 6 months prior). We have been tenants of the same landlord for 20 years and therefore enjoy an excellent business relationship.
Three year financial projection demonstrates that achievable modest growth will yield substantial profits. This could be improved upon by new owners marketing the business aggressively and exploiting the post recession market.
The business systemically is in a position to be franchised and new owners wishing to choose this option could expect high financial rewards.
Audited accounts and financial projections can be supplied to interested parties on request, after signing a confidentiality agreement.
Principle Activities
Our primary product range and services currently includes:-
- Supply and Installation of general security products which include locks, padlocks, safes, window security, architectural ironmongery, access control, CCTV and some alarm work.
- Our fully stocked security showroom allows customers a ‘hands on’ experience when choosing security.
- Our mobile workshop provides emergency locksmiths facilities, general installation services and is fully stocked with a wide range of popular security products.
- Our longstanding presence in the security industry allows us to offer home and business Security Audits with guarantees to our customers of thoroughness and reliability from a real depth of knowledge.
Specialist Services:-
- We specialise in the design and implementation of high security, restricted key systems, master keyed, keyed alike or managed systems all generated and built by our in house team.
Our customers include:-
- Long standing local authority accounts throughout the northwest including 11 accounts within Bury MBC, plus schools, colleges, care homes and social services departments.
- Primary Care Trusts
- Charities such as Action for Children, Bury and Bolton Hospice
- Housing Associations
- Large local companies including Tetrosyl, Garic Uk, Northern Foods, Cormar Carpets, The Esporta Group
- Many local private businesses and loyal domestic customers.
Contact for more information 07740 740078
Tags: Business for sale, Business Opportunity, Buy Established Business, Established Security Business For Sale, Fantastic Business Opportunity, Master Locksmith's Association approved Company, Unique Business Opportunity | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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Posted June 16th, 2010 | No Comments
What a night! We closed the shop early in order that all staff were able to get home, scrub up and back on parade for 6,45pm at the Premier Suite, DeVere Whites, at the Reebok Bolton, for the Bolton and Bury Business Awards Ceremony 2010, for which Authorized Access had been shortlisted.
The do kicked off with a Champagne reception and everyone had their photo’s taken, there was a littl delay with the meal due to an unfortunate accident but meal completed, the proceedings got underway with Norman Prince as MC. Ex footballer Paul Fletcher entertained us with witty recollections of his time in the game and then the serious stuff began.
I couldn’t believe how anxious I became as the Customer Excellence category loomed and Authorized Access was spotlighted by Dianne Oxberry, introducing the awards.
“And the winner is….. Authorized Access!!”
The audience applauded and our table erupted. What a feeling, we had won! It’s good to know that we treat our customers the way we believe they should be treated but it’s fantastic to be recognised for it.
Customer Delight has always been central to the companies ethos and its testimony to our staff that its been recognised through this prestigious award, following closely on from being voted 3rd ‘Most Loved Locksmith’ in the UK and Best Service Provider in Bury 2010, Home and Garden Section through the Best Of Bury website, all in our 21st anniversary year in business.
On The Night!
Click on the link http://tiny.cc/5la5t and see the short video to get a flavour of the atmosphere at the awards evening and don’t hesitate to contact us at info@authorized-access.co.uk or phone 0161 762 9936 to seek advice on any security related subject.
Authorized Access is a Master locksmith’s Association approved company, employing qualified Master Locksmiths, providing service and advice to both domestic and commercial customers alike, aiming to make a difference in the community for years to come.
Tags: Award winning Locksmith, Bolton and Bury Business Awards 2010, Customer Excellence Award, Master Locksmith Bury | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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Posted May 17th, 2010 | No Comments
Authorized Access has been shortlisted for the Bolton and Bury Business Awards in the Customer Excellence category.
So what!
It’s a lot of work, time and effort to put together a convincing application, time that could really have been spent ‘working’, doing the things I’m supposed to do to make my business successful; you know, sales, marketing, networking, all those things that conventional businesses do.
Well actually, by taking the time to scrutinize what we actually do in our business that makes us think we are worthy of winning such an award allows us the opportunity to apply a different type of thinking, viewing our business the way a customer might view us, thinking about the things that as a customer would give us confidence to invite a company to deliver a service.
The process of evaluation and scrutiny of ones own business from the perspective of a customer is something that any business owner should undertake on a regular basis but I am willing to bet it’s something rarely done.
Whether we win the award or not, having undergone the process has given me a renewed understanding of just why we do certain things and provided the opportunity to remind my staff why I expect them to gain qualifications in relevant areas, wear clean identifiable uniform with clear identity badges, answer the phone with confidence within a certain number of rings and treat each and every customer, regardless of spend, with a friendly respect, along with all the other unmentioned things. Having done so, I am certain; we will have improved the experience each customer enjoys when they do business with Authorized Access.
Every business has customers, so if you own or work in a business, consider this:
What Is A Customer?
- A CUSTOMER is the most important person in any business.
- A CUSTOMER is not dependant on us. We are dependent on him.
- A CUSTOMER is not an interruption of our work. He is the purpose of it.
- A CUSTOMER does us a favour when he comes in. We aren’t doing him a favour by serving him.
- A CUSTOMER is a part of our business, not an outsider. A customer is not just money in the cash register. He is a human being with feelings and deserves to be treated with respect.
- A CUSTOMER is a person who comes to us with his needs and his wants. It is our job to fill them.
A CUSTOMER deserves the most courteous attention we can give him. He is the life blood of this and every business.
Tags: Bolton and Bury Business Awards, Business Awards, Business excellence, Customer, customer award, Customer Excellence, customer expectations, Customer service, customer standards, customer training, Improve customer service | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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Posted May 6th, 2010 | No Comments
It’s decision time!
You now have the chance to decide your future, to choose which path to pursue – that of apathy or that of responsibility.
It’s time to vote. And I strongly recommend that you vote… For yourself.
Whichever politician gets in today, their focus is not yours or your families individual security but that of Britain as a collective although they’re all set on convincing you of how important they are to you and your life.
The truth is, our goal as responsible people, spouses, parents and business people is to make politicians irrelevant to the security of our lives.
I think elections are fascinating but I’m under no illusion that the ‘right’ choice will make a huge difference to my future or yours. Their decisions will certainly influence you and your family’s future but only within the context of UK PLC.
Yours and your families personal security is in your hands, take the time to have your security at home and work checked by a professional. AUTHORIZED ACCESS is a Master Locksmith’s Approved Company who offer a FREE of charge, NO OBLIGATION security survey to ensure that your security complies with the Minimum Security Requirement on your insurance policy.
We have the knowledge and are able to help, but only if you invite us to and sometimes that’s the hardest step. Give yourself peace of mind and contact AUTHORIZED ACCESS today to arrange your FREE of charge SECURITY AUDIT.
Security is a selfish thing, it doesn’t stop crime but it moves the criminal down the street to the next weakest link. Give yourself peace of mind, don’t be the weakest link.
“Remember – Always use a Master Locksmiths Association ‘Approved Company’ when securing your property, where you can be assured that trained staff will provide a quality service with integrity to give you total peace of mind.”
For assistance contact AUTHORIZED ACCESS or call 0161 762 9936, where our fully trained staff will guide you through the process.
Tags: Home security, Locks, Locksmiths, Master Locksmith's Association approved Company, Minimum Insurance Requirement, Security Audit, Security Survey | Posted in Authorized Access News!, Security Advice |
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Posted April 12th, 2010 | No Comments
1st April 1989, so full of anticipation and expectation. New van, new uniform and new customers. This was going to be easy; I was going to single handedly secure the whole of Bury and beyond.
1st April 2010, 21years later, still here (phew). Many lessons learned, not quite so ‘gung ho’ and needing to conquer the world. Some of those people from way back then, still loyal customers and many many new ones along the way. Realised early on that giving my customers the great service they deserved was the only way, forget that and your customers will let you know one way or another.
Ok, now for a giggle, do you remember when…
Mobile phones were rare in business and those that did have them needed a back pack to carry them round. I considered myself cutting edge though having a pager, available 24/7 to all who needed me. Hilarious to think that when this little gadget ‘went off’ all you got was a name, telephone number and a cryptic message, you then had to hot foot it to a working pay phone with your 2p and try and contact the person. Nothing like spontaneity and availability!
Communication…well you have heard of snail mail and it truly was! Not just a slur on Royal Mail’s performance, it was everything from typing the perfect letter (Oh and don’t forget the carbon so you can keep a copy!) with no spell or grammar check, to waiting for returned telephone calls or written orders to be received. Everything took so long! I remember my huge deliberation over whether the business actually needed a fax machine, it seemed so unnecessary.
Cash Is King… I smile when I receive letters stating that companies will no longer be accepting cheques as payment. How long will it be before we no longer accept cash in the same way? People always carried cash and a cheque book; hey you even had a lovely leather bound holder to stop your cheque book from creasing! Credit cards were for the rich and famous, you really knew you were dealing with someone of substance if they produced an American Express Card and you would run to get your manual swiper, rummage around to find the dockets and try to remember how it all worked!
In current times we have a world of instant communication. Mobile phones strapped to our ears, e-mails delivered in ways which I still don’t understand and no matter how much money is taken on credit card, if there is little cash in the till, I struggle to see it as a good day. Don’t get me wrong I am no dinosaur and at Authorized Access we have systems coming out of our ears to make business life more effective. But…..old habits DO die hard!
Were we any better off when the pace of business life was slower? I am not so sure and wouldn’t like to give up my modern goodies and go back to the old ways, even though I sometimes curse the intrusion of my mobile phone. I bet I am not alone having taken a business call on the beach.
Where will business be in another 21years!
Tags: Business, Business Life, Communications, Customer service, Locksmith Bury, Loyal Customers, Master Locksmith | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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Posted April 5th, 2010 | No Comments
Customers, Friends and Colleagues
We would like to say a great big thank you to all those who came and supported us for our 21st birthday celebrations on Thursday 1st April, no it wasn’t an April fool and we did indeed give away free safes, a 3 course meal for two at the Metro Fish Bar and a whole host of other prizes. We were grateful to the Deputy Mayor who came along and said a few complimentary words and Radio Rossendale for proving some great sounds.
For those who didn’t manage to come along on the day we will be continuing our celebrations for the first 21 days of April, with all customers receiving a free gift from the ‘Lucky Dip’ bran tub! Gifts include Safes, Alarms, Free Labour and many novelty items.
As a side issue, we believe we may have upset a few people (not many but even only one would be too many!) Our email campaigns are designed to be informative, fun and providing added value to the reader. Some are selling product on special offer while others just want to share some good news or valuable information. We believe that by using email, we are able to reach people without interrupting their working day and these can be read (or deleted) at the reader’s convenience. However there has been an oversight and we have omitted to include an ‘opt out’ facility. Let me assure you, this was an oversight and never intended as a ‘back door’ way of forcing people to receive unwanted mail.
In today’s climate, like all businesses, we are simply trying to reach as many people as possible in the most cost effective way. We accept that a large percentage of what you receive may, at the time, not be relevant however we hope that the content will give you a flavour of what Authorized Access is about, its values and customer service ethos and come the time you or your business requires security then you will bear us in mind.
From here on in you will see a caption on all our e-mails with instructions on how to unsubscribe to our mailing lists. We hope you won’t but understand if you do.
Here’s looking forward to the next 21 years.
Tags: about local businesses, Business Success, Deputy Mayor of Bury, Growing Business, Locksmith Bury, Master Locksmith Bury, Master Locksmith's Association approved Company, Metro Fish Bar, Rossendale Radio, Safes | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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Posted March 22nd, 2010 | No Comments
21st Birthday Party
Authorized Access cordially invites you to attend their 21st Birthday celebrations
Thursday 1st April 2010
Between 12pm and 2pm
RSVP
0161 762 9936
info@authorized-access.co.uk
50b Bolton St Bury BL9 0LL
As a thank you to our customers Authorized Access will be holding
21days of Celebrations starting on 1st April at our birthday Party.
At our party we will be giving away 21 safes
(£1000 cash rating worth over £65 each supported by Burton Safes)
through a variety of traditional party games.
Come along and have a go.
For the next 20 days, every Customer will be given the opportunity to take part in our ‘Lucky Dip’ and the chance to win anything from key cutting vouchers to a free safe.
A prize every time!
We will be ‘shaking the tin’ for Bury Hospice on the day, our nominated charity for this year
We will be welcoming the Deputy Mayor who opened our new premises in 2008 and Rossendale Radio a great new community radio station.
Come along to support us and join in the fun, what better way to start the Bank Holiday Weekend
For advice on the best solution for your business security,
contact Authorized Access
phone 0161 762 9936 or call into our showroom at
50b Bolton Street, Bury,BL9 0LL
and our helpful staff will advise and assist you
Tags: Business Success, Businesses in Bury, Key Cutting, Keys, Locks, Locksmith Bury, Locksmiths Bury, Master Locksmiths, Safes, Security Centre | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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Posted March 12th, 2010 | No Comments
What a week! Not only did our customers vote us the Best Service Provider in Bury 2010 in the Homes & Garden category, through the ‘Best Of Bury’ website but we also became the 3rd ‘Most Loved Locksmith’ in the whole UK in a nationwide campaign competed for through the Best Of Websites.
The local award was won by a straight vote between twelve local companies, votes coming from their highly satisfied customers, who took the trouble to register on the Best Of Bury website and vote specifically for their chosen company.
The national award was as the result of a nationwide competition in which over 30,000 UK businesses received nominations and Authorized Access emerged as the third placed business in the Locksmiths Sector.
Owner, David Ramsden says “We are all thrilled and highly honoured that our customers feel strongly enough to have bestowed these awards upon us and thank everyone who voted. We also hope that this will give anyone thinking of using the services of Authorized Access, total confidence that we will satisfy all their security needs.” David believes their success is due to a great team, who’s dedication to exceptional customer service is paying great dividends.
Authorized Access, Bury’s only Master Locksmith’s Association Approved Locksmith, celebrates it’s 21st anniversary on 1 April this year and is supporting Bury Hospice as it’s chosen charity throughout it’s year of celebration.
Tags: Best Of Awards, Best Of Bury, Bury Hospice, Locksmith, Master Locksmith, Master Locksmith Bury, Most Loved, Most Loved Locksmiths, security | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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Posted February 25th, 2010 | No Comments
Authorized Access!! A local business, employing local people, serving local people for over 20 years…
Information taken from the ‘Federation Of Small Businesses’ Website suggests that the House Of Commons All-Party Small Shops Group estimates that there will be no independent retailers by 2015!
Apparently for the past three years small independent shops have been closing at a rate of 5000 per year, in the UK. This has risen alarmingly in 2009, when 25,000 small shops, which represents 10% of the total, closed in the first nine months of the year and there are another 50,000 shops teetering on the brink of extinction.
Is it the recession that’s responsible for this phenomenon, or is there a more sinister explanation? Is it inevitable in modern times that price will be the prime consideration when making a buying decision?
Small independent local businesses will never be able to compete on price with large national companies who take advantage of economies of scale or internet based micro businesses whose overheads are so much lower than those borne on the high street.
Service is the key to retaining customers and while small local businesses ignore that fact they give more power to the anonymous ‘big boys’ to drive nails into their coffins. Promise to look after your customer, whatever it takes and you stand a chance of postponing what too many people seem to believe to be the inevitable.
We at Authorized Access know that we do our very best for our customers, we don’t always get it right but we always aim to put it right if things don’t initially go to plan. Our staff are all highly trained, with a recognised qualification in Customer Service, as well as being qualified in their field of expertise.
WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR?
KEEP BUSINESS LOCAL!
Tags: about local businesses, Bury Businesses, Business, business strategy, Customer service, Good business, Good customer service, keep business local, Local business, local businesses, retaining customers, running business | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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Posted January 11th, 2010 | No Comments
25% off All Safes In Stock
When They’re Gone They’re Gone!!
We are offering 25% off all our stock safes through the month of January, purchased and paid for before the 31 January 2010
Offers include Cash and Valuables Safes for Home or Office with insurance ratings from
£1000 to £10,000 cash and £100,000 of valuables
Contact our friendly and helpful staff on
0161 762 9936
or call into the showroom at 50b Bolton Street, Bury, BL9 0LL
to take advantage of these great offers
Visit our web site AUTHORIZED ACCESS
or sign up for free regular security updates
Tags: Biometric safe, Can safe, Cash safe, Digital safe, Electronic safe, Fireproof safe, Home safe, Media safe, Safes, Security safe, Small safes, Valuables safe | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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