Cambrian Park & Leisure Homes – a new lease of life

I suppose it’s no real surprise that the Snowdonia National Park is a place where people want to come and stay. Its scenery is stunning, no matter what the weather, and it’s a place that offers so much – especially for those who like outdoor pursuits.

It’s an area where city dwellers like to enjoy a bit of escapism. So it is inevitable that parks designed for leisure homes are in big demand in this area of Wales.

The town of Porthmadog is situated on a wide estuary very near the coast – and yet within half an hour you’re in the heart of Snowdonia. It’s also famous for its steam railway, which chugs up into the hills to the slate mining centre of Blaenau Ffestiniog, from where you can take trips deep into the heart of the mines.

Just half a mile off Porthmadog’s main street is a small industrial estate where a company named Cambrian Holiday Homes is producing high quality residential and leisure homes. It has been around since 1998, but was taken over a few years ago by Richard Watson and Bryn Jones, who have transformed the business.

Though Cambrian isn’t one of the big manufacturers, it is probably true to say that since July 2006, under Richard and Bryn’s guidance, it has become far better known and highly respected in the business. The new owners had a good, solid background in the building industry. Bryn is still very hands on, often with his sleeves rolled up working in the factory somewhere, while Richard looks after the customer sales side of the business, helping buyers to choose finishes for their new holiday retreats.

New era

Production at Cambrian before Richard and Bryn arrived was fairly limited, so the company had a small workforce and a factory that could only just about accommodate a single unit.

Now the input and enthusiasm of these two hard-working enthusiasts has moved the company into a new era. The range has been increased over the last few years, catering for the needs and demands of a wider range of customers.

I paid a visit to the company’s headquarters where we were soon to learn that big things are happening. When editor Mike Parker was here a couple of years ago, Cambrian was enjoying a boom, with demand outstripping supply, and was planning to move to a new, larger industrial unit a mile or so from its current base. But the plans fell through due to restrictions on space for parking homes.

Instead the existing factory has been extended several times to take on extra work. However, space is limited and as we began the tour Richard pointed out that room for expansion was something that was still desperately needed. The company is continuing to evaluate the situation and plans have been submitted for further factory extensions. Talks with a local landowner and the council has seen some progress and there is likely to be a transformation during 2010.

Office space is also desperately required, plus a one-site showroom for interior décor selection for customers purchasing a Cambrian home. It’s this one-stop showroom where the customers will be able to see the different finishes and materials that can be used in their leisure or park home. “It makes the job of sourcing easier,” Richard explained. “And of course the finishes can be displayed better than at present – as we basically have to use my office!”

Developments will see land behind the factory being used so that storage and parking is taken care of for employees and visitors – at present the main yard provides storage and parking, not an ideal solution.

Flat out

The factory was in full swing during my visit, with two units in various stages of production. Cambrian has found that its concentration on quality and value has ensured that the recent downturn has had little effect on the business. In fact, some extra staff have been taken on to keep up with demand.

Included in the staff expansion are two key new personnel – Chris Buckley, Operations Manager, and Ian Elliot, National Sales Manager, both of whom have more than 20 years in the holiday homes market. Ian and Chris are very much involved with driving the Cambrian name further forward – and after some successful appearances at shows the company is now, in fact, working flat out to keep up with the surge in demand.

Strong foundation

Cambrian is very keen to ensure that the quality of its homes is not just represented by the shell and interiors – it prides itself on the fact that the units also have a sturdy foundation. The company has designed, and also goes the step further of actually building, its own chassis. This enables Cambrian to keep the quality right at all the stages of manufacture.

During my visit the steel fabricators were actually working outside (freeing up valuable factory floor space) making chassis  members – though this job is usually carried out inside the factory.

A strong chassis will prevent problems later on. All the units Cambrian builds are sited by the company itself – Bryn supervises – to ensure each home is as perfect as it should be when the customer arrives to take delivery.

Running smoothly

On one side of the factory, a Millbrook was well under construction. The sides had gone on and cladding was going to be next, while inside the shell skilled craftsman were busy adding the electrics, wall boards and plumbing. Another week would see it completed – and then another Millbrook would be following in its steps.

The factory may be compact but the workers are well organised, so nobody gets in the way of the next man. The factory is also kept very tidy to ensuring the production is kept running smoothly.

Richard was keen to show me the next bay where a second home was now being fitted out. This was a Hudson, a massive 62 ft x 22ft luxury lodge. Its exterior was nearly clad but the interior was seeing some changes to the layout and included was an integral front conservatory which was being painted as Richard took me through the home.

The finished unit was being sent to Y Noddfa Luxury Lodge Park, where it would be sited under the usual strict supervision of Bryn. The Hudson was certainly going to provide its new owner with a superb luxury holiday home.

Superbly designed

Just outside the factory was a completed unit, ready to be taken to the customer, Meldrum Leisure. Richard took me on a tour of this home, called the Lakeland, and I could see that it was extremely well constructed.

The finish, too, from the wallpapering to the fitted doors, was incredibly well executed at every stage.

The superbly designed kitchen and dining area, and the Lakeland’s modern interior, is plentiful proof of the commitment shown by Richard and Bryn to building high-quality bespoke units from this small, yet efficient factory.

Cambrian, then, is a company that has enjoyed a definite new lease of life under its new owners. I was impressed with the factory and the way that the company has a committed workforce.

Eight models are in the Cambrian line up, ensuring a varied choice of homes for the discerning buyers for which Cambrian cater very successfully.

CONTACT

Cambrian Park and Leisure, Snowden Street, Porthmadog, Gwynedd LL49 9BT. Tel: 01766 515287. Email: [email protected]. Web: www.cambrianleisurehomes.co.uk


This review was published in the May 2010 issue of Park & Holiday Homes. To order your copy please click here

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