In the tenth episode of It's The Small Things, we spoke to Simon Saunders about how he's built Ariel Motor Company into a successful brand that comes with a two-year waiting list. Brought back to life at the turn of the millenium, Ariel adopted the name of a British engineering company that built the world's first bicycle and went on to innovate historic cars and motorcycles. The business shot to fame when its flagship car, the Atom, appeared on Top Gear and went unbeaten around the show's test track, a record it held for two years. Despite the huge demand for its vehicles, Ariel continues to operate with a small team of 35 and builds just 120 cars every year at its Somerset premises. In this episode, you'll find advice on:
- Developing a clear ethos for your business
- Building a strong supplier network
- The impact of giving staff autonomy