Case Studies

Deacon Products Limited

When David Connop set up Deacon Products to manufacture metal goods more than three decades ago, he chose ER Grove as his accountants from day one.

The company is now run by sons Bruce and Jon and has seen many changes since it began trading in 1973, but one thing remains the same: ER Grove are still the accountants. Managing director Bruce jokes: "We just can't seem to shake them off!"

Deacon Products has a workforce over around 20, based in Rowley Regis and Bromsgrove. They produce a wide range of metal products, mainly chain and wire rope, for customers ranging from sole traders to large companies, chiefly UK-based but also for a few customersin North America, Europe and Ireland.

ER Grove carry out the company's annual audit – payroll is handled in-house, along with preparation of the year-end accounts – but are also an invaluable source of advice and information. Bruce says: "They are our first port of call if we have a problem, whether that involves tax, VAT, wages or other financial issues.

"We'll just give them a call as and when we need advice, so we might not speak to them for months, then talk to them twice in a week. I know I can pick up the phone at any time and if they can't help instantly, they always come back to me quickly."

The company has expanded in recent years, buying CSB Lifting and Marine Products in Rowley Regis in 2000 and wire rope specialists Scarlet Oak in Bromsgrove 2002. Both trade in their own names as part of the Deacon Products group.

Bruce explains: "Effectively, ER Grove held our hands through the whole process, guiding us and advising us on the most effective and beneficial way to manage matters such as tax and the writing off of goodwill."

Having the expertise of the ER Grove team behind them is reassuring for Bruce and Jon: their "very friendly and approachable" ethos makes it easy to do business together.

Bruce sums up: "They know the history of our company, they know who we are and where we come from. A lot of businesses don't build up working relationships that go on for years and years – there's a lot of chopping and changing in today's business world.

"We may be old fashioned, but we believe in staying with the people who give us good service. That's what ER Grove does."