Omar's revival
- Friday, 7 August 2009
- 0 Comments
Q
The new company is called Omar Park Homes. Will it build lodges and holiday caravans, too, as the old Omar did?
A
Paul Pleszko:
Yes, the new Omar will build all products such as park homes, lodges and holiday homes, plus modular housing. Where possible we will be improving standards and efficiency.
Q
Has the new company purchased the old Omar manufacturing premises at Brandon, along with the offices?
A
Tony Roach:
Yes, and it has also acquired all the office and manufacturing equipment and machinery and existing stocks. Where appropriate, we will be investing in new technology. The Brentmere premises at Earls Barton, which the former company used for holiday caravan manufacture, was closed prior to its going into administration, as part of a rationalisation of the business. The new business has acquired the equipment and machinery. Models formerly produced at Brentmere will in future be manufactured at Brandon, where quality and consistency standards will be efficiently monitored and controlled
Q
What about the Milton Keynes show centre? Will the new company keep that open?
A
Paul Pleszko:
Regrettably, the lease has run out. In the short term, we are building a show centre in Brandon, adjacent to the factory. In addition to allowing customers to view a selection of our homes, we will also invite them to see at first-hand how their new Omar home is built. In the medium term, we will be looking for a show centre around the M6 corridor, suitable for serving the whole of the UK.
Q
Are staff being re-engaged?
A
Tony Roach:
We are appointing former key members of staff wherever we can. In many cases we have been successful and, if appropriate, we will appoint new staff with the specific skills required. Currently we have 17 head office staff and 82 factory employees. We plan to increase the factory employees up to 100/150 by September this year.
Q
When will production begin?
A
Tony Roach.
Production began immediately when we returned to work on May 11th and is gradually ramping up.
Q
How many homes will be built per week?
A
Tony Roach:
We are currently building 12 homes/units per week in a mixture of sizes. From September onwards we plan to build 25 homes per week.
Q
Does Omar Park Homes have orders in the pipeline?
A
Paul Pleszko:
The new Omar is very fortunate in having had orders from the moment we announced we would be returning to manufacture. Most of these orders have come from loyal customers who specify the Omar models and have been associated with us for many years. We also have some orders for modular housing from UK local authorities and a European government.
Q
Will products manufactured by the new company be covered by Gold Shield or a similar warranty scheme?
A
Paul Pleszko:
Yes, we regard it as very important that all our customers should be given the peace of mind of a warranty scheme covering their new homes.
Q
What about warranties on homes manufactured by the old company in its last year of trading?
A
Paul Pleszko:
Wherever possible, the new Omar will treat individual situations sympathetically and work with parks to look after customers.
Q
Will Omar Park Homes handle after-sales on homes produced by the previous Omar company?
A
Paul Pleszko:
Yes, and if long term customers require additional work (non-warranty), services or materials, we will be delighted to help. In some cases there will be a charge.
Q
Will Omar Park Homes be producing exactly the same designs, with the same model names as the former company?
A
Paul Pleszko:
Yes, we feel it is important to keep the same names that are familiar to customers. In fact, the first model to be produced by Omar Park Homes is a Kingfisher, one of our best-selling leisure lodges.
Q
Will new models be introduced?
A
Paul Pleszko:
It has always been our policy to develop the product range and innovate. Omar needs to continue being a market leader and develop new designs to suit market conditions. We aim to introduce innovative materials into the manufacture of our homes to ensure their longevity and integrity.
Q
How is your management team made up?
A
Paul Pleszko:
I am chairman of Omar Park Homes Ltd and Tony Roach, co-owner, is managing director. Steve Jones is company secretary and we have also engaged the management services of John Blanchflower as non-executive director and consultant. John has run a series of successful limited and public companies.
Q
How will the operation and management of Omar Park Homes differ from the ‘previous Omar’?
A
Paul Pleszko:
It will differ slightly – in future it will be a leaner and very focussed operation. However, like the previous set-up, the company is committed to building the highest quality homes and giving the maximum levels of customer service.
Q
In view of the current economic situation, will the new company’s pricing structure be similar to the former one?
A
Paul Pleszko:
Pricing will be fairly similar because we are building similar models. It is our policy to be competitively priced and where we can make savings we will pass these on to customers in the form of products and services.
Q
Is the new Omar intending to exhibit at Stoneleigh, Hull and other major exhibitions?
A
Paul Pleszko:
I am delighted to say that we will be exhibiting at Stoneleigh this year, along with all the major exhibitions. We regard these exhibitions as shop windows where potential customers can experience our homes.
Q
What about the export market?
A
Paul Pleszko:
We are delighted to report that we have a number of significant export orders to service and exports will be an area we will target. We are currently building prototypes for new contracts in Europe.
Q
How does Omar Park Homes see the future of the park homes industry? Are you confident of a return to strong order books, once the current housing/economic crisis is over?
A
Paul Pleszko:
We feel the market for the coming 12 months will be pretty much where it is now, with steady improvement from this period next year. We expect that this year will be very good for holidays in Britain, which will hopefully result in increased demand for holiday homes and lodges.
Q
What has been the reaction from the rest of the industry – suppliers, parks and retail customers – to the setting up of the new company?
A
Paul Pleszko:
We have been delighted by the responses from all sectors and overwhelmed by the good wishes we have received.
Q
Will the new company devote itself exclusively to manufacture, or has it plans to invest in parks, too
A
Paul Pleszko:
Our short to medium term plans are to stick to our core business of manufacturing homes.
Q
Will the new company be joining the NCC/BH&HPA and will homes be badged to the relevant British Standards?
A
Paul Pleszko:
Yes, we value the work of the trade associations and our homes will be badged to the relevant British Standards.
Q
Do you think that the confidence you have shown in setting up a new company is good news for the park homes/leisure caravan and lodge industries generally?
A
Paul Pleszko:
I feel that the new company is excellent for the whole park homes industry and the fact that Tony Roach, a successful businessman from outside of the industry, is prepared to make such a significant investment is an amazing vote of confidence.
Q
Finally, have you got a message for parks and customers who have been loyal to the Omar brand in the past? What assurances can you give them for the future.
A
Paul Pleszko:
Our message to all of our loyal customers is: ‘thank you for your support and good wishes. We give assurances that Omar Park Homes Ltd will be around for a very long time and look forward to working with you in the future.’
Information
Here are the new company’s contact details:
Omar park Homes Ltd, London Road, Brandon, Suffolk IP27 0LX.
Tel: 01842 810673.
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