Willow Tree Interiors – Top-Counter Business
With the help of Locate East Sussex, Willow Tree Interiors has been able to accelerate its growth plans coming into 2021. Capitalising on outstanding levels of demand, it has moved into new premises and a second showroom in Swallow Business Park near Hailsham.
Focusing on their customers first, Willow Tree Interiors are one of the best examples of how East Sussex can blend tradition and innovation into a great family business.
Adam Berger
Willow Tree Interiors
Willow Tree Interiors grew out of the passion that founder John Stanger has to give customers quality interior design, with a special focus on creating unique kitchens, bathrooms and artisan wooden furniture. He has drawn from his years of experience, seeing the potential for the business to become a recognised leader in the sector, inviting his family and top-tier talent to join the business and branch into more complex and bigger projects.
Building on the strength of word of mouth and referrals, Willow Tree Interiors stands for quality and creates unique spaces using high-quality craftsmanship and finishes. Crafting bespoke cabinetry as well as hosting a design consultation service, the team works collaboratively with its customers by giving them access to over 30 years’ worth of experience and industry knowledge to offering genuine insights.
East Sussex
Willow Tree Interiors has always been at home within East Sussex, working across the south east for a wide range of clients with no job too big or too small. Establishing a Stonegate workshop in 2001, the company has grown significantly over the years, both in demand and reputation, and has been nominated five years in a row for best customer service by the housing social platform Houzz.
Working with their father, Luke, alongside his brothers Josh and Eden, have pushed the firm into new markets and product offerings. The team has invested in its future growth with new vehicles and equipment, culminating in the opening of a dedicated showroom in the heart of Heathfield. Inspired by East Sussex’s natural surroundings, Willow Tree Interiors combines natural wood with traditional countryside architecture to inform and inspire its work.
The Year 2020
As the high street closed due to disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic, Willow Tree Interiors encountered the unusual problem of increasing demand. While the team were planning to grow and invest, plans had to be accelerated as demand was outstripping supply. Even with increased turnover and profits, the company had to turn away work, and put a plan into motion to reduce lead times and find new premises.
Locate East Sussex proved instrumental in assisting Willow Tree Interiors attain a larger production space at Swallow Business Park, as well as helping the company to find and access vital funding. With expert advice and guidance from business manager Adam Berger, Willow Tree Interiors was able to fit out the unit with new extraction and dusting systems, a new mezzanine, a specialized spray booth and a direct showroom for visiting clients. Willow Tree Interiors was also able to secure new, faster machinery including a CNC router.