MST INTENT ON MAKING THEIR MARK

It all began with a feather edge fencing panel, a Facebook advert and a stormfront! Just one year on and MST Fencing & Timber is literally pulling up trees as sales skyrocket across the south of England for their high quality, hand-made fencing panels.

Based at Overton in Hampshire, MST was founded by Mark Stuart Tosdevine who saw a clear gap in the market for feather edge panels. As an entrepreneur by nature, the 30-year-old grasped the nettle and went for it.

Mark took up the story: “I’d worked in the equestrian sector for almost a decade supplying and installing horse stables. I needed a new challenge and decided to focus on fencing as the damage wrought by storms across this part of the world had led to a boom in demand.

“I headed to my unit with a single feather edge panel left over from my equestrian daysand decided to start making the panels by hand. The phones started ringing after I placed an advert on Facebook and MST Fencing & Timber was born!” he added.

Despite the lockdown that ensued from the Covid19 crisis, demand from fencing retailers, contractors and domestic customers burgeoned as word got around.

Mark went on “We are now making between a thousand and two thousand panels per week on a seven day operation that hasn’t stopped. It’s been flat out, even through lockdown and I’ve now got a couple of skilled panel makers working away constantly to cope with demand.

“We go above and beyond the call of duty and have been known to even deliver loads to domestic customers on Sundays when everyone else is having a lie in!

“We’ve kept the offering simple and focused. We only manufacture closeboard feather edge panels in various sizes as well as square trellis but they are of a high quality.

“We are not the cheapest but customers don’t mind paying a little bit extra if they get longevity and strength from their fencing as well as aesthetic appeal.

“Quality control is critical and if all panels are inspected to ensure they reach the highest of standards. If they fail that check then they don’t go out. Simple as!” added Mark.

A combination of practical skills and entrepreneurial spirit has served Mark well and he has his focus set on becoming a major player in the UK fencing and landscaping market.

“I’m intent on growing this business as effectively as I can and as rapidly as I can. I maintain a firm eye on the figures and always feel as though I’m in full control. We aim to make MST an established and trusted name in the sector.

“We are already spending around £20,000 a month on timber so we are no small fry

“We’ve now got over 20 contractors across the southern counties buying their panels from us. MW Fencing & Landscaping of Whitchurch in Hampshire, for instance, were our first customer way back at the start of the year and they keep returning for load after load. We are clearly doing something right.

“MST is able to supply contractors nationwide and we also have the resources and capability to supply merchants across the UK with all of their panel needs. We’ve grown rapidly and fully intend to continue doing so!” concluded Mark.

MST Fencing & Timber might well be the new kids on the block but expect to hear a lot more from them in the coming months and years!

Mark@mstfencing.co.uk 07717537493