Directors' Report 2000.
I have just finished reading last
year's report and realised that I wrote it before the Exeter show in
November. Well this year Exeter has been and gone and indeed Christmas
has too -- is it because JBA has been so busy, or am I just getting
older!
The first thing needing a mention is
the quality of the Falcons going on the road. We have not seen so many
quality builds hit the road in such a short period of time in all our
years in the industry. The engineering standard. finish, trim, dashboard
and in fact every aspect of each new Falcon we have seen on the road
this year has been impressive which fills us with great pride. OK, JBA
did not build the cars but we feel that we can claim some of the credit
for their success.
JBA have continuously striven to
improve the kit and other services provided by the factory. All the
recent changes have culminated in a product which we feel sets the
standard for the kit car market for our style of car.
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JBA Factory Demonstrator
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During 2000 the owners of some of
these superb Falcons agreed to display them on our factory stands at
most of the kit car shows.
Many also attended the JBA
Open Days at the factory in Standish.
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They volunteered to discuss details and pass
on their knowledge and expertise to others already building kits and to
future potential customers. This provided a valuable source of help and
inspiration to those needing information from someone who has been
there, done that and bought the kit -- (by the way anyone also wanting
the T shirt, please contact the owners' club!). This obviously was much
appreciated by and beneficial to all concerned.
Unfortunately a problem has arisen
with the willingness of the two kit car magazines to work together to
promote the industry. There have been difficulties recently between them
and we find it distressing that they are not supporting each other in
promoting the ever increasing list of events. During a heated discussion
with a representitive from one magazine, he stated that there was not
room for two magazines in the kit car industry. Well JBA could counter
this by saying that there is only room for one roadster -- as other
manufacturers will say that there is only room for one Cobra, 7, etc. As
far as JBA is concerned, we welcome competition as it can only lead to
excellence. If the industry is to progress then the more manufacterers
producing quality products the better, but good press coverage of these
products and all events where they are displayed is vital. There is no
room for in-house fighting in any industry.
JBA try to promote all kit car events,
but this year we will be more selective in deciding which venues we will
attend. We feel that all kit car shows should do justice to the industry
but this was not the case last year. Of the established shows held in
2000, Newark was the most enjoyable and rewarding for JBA. Of the new
shows, Malvern is the one to watch. The venue has excellent potential
for everyone concerned. Generally we feel that the shows organised
independently of the magazines like Detling, Newark and Exeter were the
better shows in 2000. On the Website is an events calandar for 2001,
which gives dates for the shows we plan to attend in 2001.
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The introduction of JBA's Website 12
months ago was set up as a sales tool but after learning more about it
and realising the implications of it, we now understand how it can be an
interaction between the factory, the builder and potential customers. |
At
the touch of a button we can contact anyone, anywhere in the world. Due
to our increasing knowledge of and attitude towards the Website, we are
at the moment having it completely redeveloped and by the time you read
this, our new Website will be on line. We are excited about it so have a
look, draw your own conclusions and please let us know your reactions to
it.
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Another pleasing aspect of our
business is the ever increasing number of Falcons coming back to the
factory for refurbishment. This can be as simple as replacing a hood or
as complex as a complete rebuild including retrim, respray, rewiring,
new engine etc. |
This is fulfilling work, as we have been in the business
for twenty years and whilst most production cars of that age are on the
scrap heap, our older Falcon still live on.
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The export side of the business is now
starting to improve after a slow period towards the end of the 1990's. |
When the high value of the pound had damaged the export trade of many
British companies. Let us hope that this side of the business continues
to improve.
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We would like to offer our special
thanks to Ian Bennett for all the work he has done in developing the
Website |
Also to the JBA Owners' Club and its representatives, who
once again, have given us their whole-hearted support throughout the
year.
By being in a position to provide a
commercial service to that special breed of person who is willing to
dedicate their skill and time to producing a thing of beauty and
practicality, Ken and myself have been drawn into a cameraderie often
lackng in some of today's other industries.
Geoff Payne. M.B.E. |
The contact made between JBA
and its customers is maintained long after the sales contract has been
completed. Even whilst writing this report we had a visit from Geoff
Payne, who as many will remember was the person responsible for setting
up the owners' club in the early 80's, and we also received a phone call
from John Fowler from South Africa ( a customer of long standing )
wishing us all the best for Christmas and the New Year. |
In the lottery of life JBA will never
reach a multi-million pound turnover, but in terms of job satisfaction
and friendships made over the years, we have drawn a good lot.
Thanks again for another great year.
JBA Directors Report Year 2000.
