Anwick Forge

Moving with the Times

Moving a traditional skill set into the 21st century isn’t always as straight forward as it may sound, but having the ability to adapt can result in an incredibly successful business and one that is highly regarded by its customers.

Anwick Forge, based near Sleaford in Lincolnshire, is a commercial blacksmith's forge, which provides top end, hot-forged bespoke ironwork products to private customers as well as corporate and public sector art projects.

Projects range from one off pieces for major events on the social calendar like the Chelsea Flower Show, to a recent project designing and creating the centre piece of the RAF Association’s Remembrance Garden at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Frances Mackereth from Anwick Forge says: “We have a highly unique offering and one that will only appeal to certain members of the public. Key for us has always been about targeting that customer base and doing it in a time efficient yet effective way, which is why we have and continue to work with 360e.”

360e worked with the team at Anwick Forge to help deliver their overall business strategy and well as look at marketing and how to incorporate and use IT effectively within the business.

Central to this was the development of the website as one of the major marketing tools.

Frances continues: “For us the website had to meet the needs of the people it’s targeting. It isn’t a site you can buy from, instead it’s one which showcases the diversity of our work and the skill that goes into creating these bespoke works of art. It had to be functional as well as look good and be the perfect tool for marketing our business worldwide via the internet.

"We worked hand in hand with the team at 360e to develop a website brief, select web developers and took advice on how to manage the site and keep it current on an ongoing basis. The site now works hard for us and was certainly worth the time and financial investment.”

John Owens and Sue Gordon run 360e. With over 40 years of experience between them, the company specialises in working with companies to help define their business, ICT needs and e-business strategies and goals.

John says: “Anwick Forge is a niche business and one which has clearly identified its audience and understands what it needs to do to grow as well as retain its client base. The website meets its marketing needs perfectly and is an excellent tool in helping promote the business. They combine modern & traditional technology brilliantly, to grow their business.”