EALING’S leading manufacturer called on shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna to support industry in Britain when he visited last week.
The Clay Oven Company is one of the UK’s leading oven makers, creating bespoke pizza and tandoori ovens for clients home and abroad.
More importantly, it is bucking the national trend and has seen profits rise by at least 20 per cent over the past three years.
Director Levon Gulian welcomed the Labour MP, who was curious to learn the secrets of its success despite the tough economic climate.
He said: “Chuka wanted to come down and learn about how a London-based company can manufacture clay ovens, grills and pizza ovens to India, which is quite fantastic.
“We’re export driven, taking more than 50 per cent of our business abroad to Bric countries – Brazil, Russia, India and China.”
The 28 year-old gave up his dream to be a doctor to take over the family business in 2008, which his father Shahi launched nearly 40 years ago.
Its first factory opened in Kilburn making tandoori ovens in 1974 and relocated to Park Royal industrial estate in Dukes Lane, Acton, 15 years ago. It now dominates 35,000sqft and employs 15 staff.
Mr Gulian told Mr Umunna the government must expand its free trade agreements with non-EU countries and break down barriers of bureaucracy to trade abroad and help boost industry in the UK.
He also urged ministers to reduce business rates and offer tax breaks for UK-based manufacturers.
“It was a huge privilege to meet him. It’s humbling and positive that people are listening to us,” he said. “We suggested ideas to improve conditions for businesses.
“Park Royal is one of the biggest industrial estates in London and there’s no other manufacturing going on.
“We need government to reduce business rates for manufacture-based companies or some kind of offset. It can increase employment and stimulates manufacturing.
“Manufacture for decades has been neglected and forgotten about with previous governments. We’re the sixth largest manufacturing country in the world, that’s something to remember.”
Mr Gulian said these values have helped the business grow from strength to strength.
“We’ve resisted pressures to take our manufacture abroad to China where we’d be unable to be as innovative. That makes us unique – we’re able to listen to market trends and work on that. People are trying to copy us but it’s not just about the product. Markets are hungry for new designs.
“We want to keep on expanding, innovating and pushing on with our exports into the Russian and Brazilian markets.”
For more information about the company, visit www.clayovens.com .
