Success for Bexhill fencing company after year's trading
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
James ‘Jim’ Blackman set up JGF Contractors Ltd in May, 2015, with just one van and a fencer but is now working for councils and housing developers and employs nine people.
The 48-year-old was in the army for seven years and believes that mentality has helped him to succeed.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“I think it’s an army thing of wanting to be the best. I don’t just want to do back gardens, I want to do more,” he said.
“It’s a challenge every day, people keep telling me they are proud of me so I must be doing something right. But I wouldn’t be happy just doing a nine to five job.”
The army veteran served in the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery during the 1990s as a dog handler and began work in the fence-building industry when he left.
After a few years and having moved back to the area from Cornwall, Jim decided to go solo and started up his own business.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdJust 12 months later, he is securing major contracts for fences from Wealden District Council as well as developers Bloor Homes, PH Beck, Polecat Property Services and Bovis Homes – the company building the Worsham development.
Many houses are being built in Bexhill and the surrounding area which Jim is doing his best to capitalise on.
James has six fencers working for him and although he spends most of the time in the Clifford Road office chasing the next contract, the veteran said it is no less stressful.
The company director said he does not really have a goal for the next 12 months, but just wants to keep growing as the ambitious businessman admitted the firm is ‘not where we want to be’.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdJames also thanked his team as he is enjoying working with his friends, who he claims to owe a lot to for all of their hard work.
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
1) Make our website your homepage at www.bexhillobserver.net/
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bexhillobserver
3) Follow us on Twitter @BexhillObs
4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
The Bexhill Observer - always the first with your local news.
Be part of it.