Success for Bexhill fencing company after year's trading

A Bexhill fencing company is going from strength to strength with some major contracts coming in after a year of trading.
James 'Jim' Blackman of JGF Contractors Ltd SUS-160905-144523001James 'Jim' Blackman of JGF Contractors Ltd SUS-160905-144523001
James 'Jim' Blackman of JGF Contractors Ltd SUS-160905-144523001

James ‘Jim’ Blackman set up JGF Contractors Ltd in May, 2015, with just one van and a fencer but is now working for councils and housing developers and employs nine people.

The 48-year-old was in the army for seven years and believes that mentality has helped him to succeed.

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“I think it’s an army thing of wanting to be the best. I don’t just want to do back gardens, I want to do more,” he said.

“It’s a challenge every day, people keep telling me they are proud of me so I must be doing something right. But I wouldn’t be happy just doing a nine to five job.”

The army veteran served in the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery during the 1990s as a dog handler and began work in the fence-building industry when he left.

After a few years and having moved back to the area from Cornwall, Jim decided to go solo and started up his own business.

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Just 12 months later, he is securing major contracts for fences from Wealden District Council as well as developers Bloor Homes, PH Beck, Polecat Property Services and Bovis Homes – the company building the Worsham development.

Many houses are being built in Bexhill and the surrounding area which Jim is doing his best to capitalise on.

James has six fencers working for him and although he spends most of the time in the Clifford Road office chasing the next contract, the veteran said it is no less stressful.

The company director said he does not really have a goal for the next 12 months, but just wants to keep growing as the ambitious businessman admitted the firm is ‘not where we want to be’.

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James also thanked his team as he is enjoying working with his friends, who he claims to owe a lot to for all of their hard work.

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