A great local business!

Nigel Walton, Manager Director of Abbot Fire Group invited me to meet his team and have a tour of his business last week. What a great company they are, helping the world stay safe from fire. The invitation came because I was not able to make the previous event where the Right Honourable John Bercow MP congratulated Nigel and his colleagues on achieving LPCB approval. (All the information is here and here if you want to know what this means for the company)

"Abbot Fire Group are delighted to have been approved by the Loss Prevention Certification Board, LPCB, for LPS 1531 Appendix 1; the installation and application of passive fire protection products. This approval follows a rigorous assessment process. During this process LPCB reviewed products, projects, and documentation relating to Abbot Fire Group’s installation and application of passive fire protection products. A review of a number of on-site installations was also completed.Abbot Fire Group LPCB approval certificate passive fire protection. LPS 1531 Appendix 1 from the LPCB gives third party approval, and reassurance to clients that passive fire protection work has been undertaken by a competent company."

It was good to meet everyone and hear about Nigel's journey to where his company now is and his plans for the future.

During our conversation, Nigel made an interesting observation which struck a chord with me. On social media we often celebrate the retail ('B2C' - business to customer type services and shops in our town) but we often overlook the B2B firms that employ lots of people (like his) and are providing great products and services to other businesses in the town and beyond.

So this got me wondering, do we need a local Crucible of Commerce that can bring together both B2C and B2B firms and build better links, local business opportunities and chemistry? Is there scope for more mutual trading to the benefit of all, not least the people of Buckingham?

What do you think? Please let me know.