Ten years ago, Fraser Besant, a 22-year-old entrepreneur, started working in his father's electrical shop on Gloucester Road. The family-run business, Ablectrics, has been a prominent independent electrical wholesaler in Bristol since 1974. In 2015, Fraser took over the reins of the business from his father, but he had a burning desire to explore the lighting market after successfully designing and creating his first LED lamp the previous year.

Fraser's first lamp was a huge hit, which inspired him to establish Fraser Besant Lighting. The company officially began trading in May of this year and is already on track to achieve an impressive turnover of £80,000 to £100,000 in its first financial year. The online business is also experiencing rapid growth, with a monthly increase of 20 to 25 percent.

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The decision to bring manufacturing back to the UK was motivated by the rising costs of buying abroad following Britain's decision to leave the EU. Fraser wanted to ensure the highest quality and most reliable components for his lighting products, opting for all-metal construction and hand-built craftsmanship. As a result, all Fraser Besant lights are now proudly made in Bristol at his workshop on Gloucester Road.

However, success has not come without its challenges. Brexit has led to increased import prices, causing Ablectrics to face a more than 25 percent increase in costs over the last 18 months. Fraser acknowledges that the next 18 months will be equally demanding, but he is determined to find ways to continue growing the business.

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One of the highlights of 2017 for Fraser was the opportunity to design a robot light for the prestigious British car brand, Morgan Motor Company. This exciting project came about after meeting the company's sales director, who was impressed with Fraser's service and workmanship. What initially started as a modest floor-light piece evolved into an extraordinary project. Fraser and his team created a Transformers-inspired robot floor light standing at an impressive 7 feet tall. They named it Morgforma. This exceptional light sculpture even has built-in Bluetooth speakers for playing music.

Morgforma was eventually sold at a private auction, with the proceeds going to the British Heart Foundation. Surprisingly, a Russian businessman purchased the robot light, and it was shipped out to Denmark, where it now resides in a museum. This achievement gave Fraser a sense of pride and reinforced his belief in Bristol as the perfect city to establish and thrive in business.

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Looking ahead to 2018, Fraser plans to focus on strengthening the brand and connecting with the end users of his products. Attending trade shows like Grand Designs Live will provide an excellent platform for showcasing his unique lighting designs across the UK. Fraser believes that hard work and staying focused are the keys to success. He remains dedicated to keeping his customers satisfied and his competition at bay while understanding that challenges will arise beyond his control. With a solid plan and unwavering determination, Fraser is confident in his ability to achieve his business goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long has Fraser Besant been in the lighting business?
Fraser Besant started exploring the lighting market after designing his first LED lamp in the previous year.

2. Where are all Fraser Besant lights manufactured?
All Fraser Besant lights are proudly made in Bristol at his workshop on Gloucester Road.

3. How has Brexit impacted Fraser Besant's business?
Brexit has led to increased import prices, resulting in over 25 percent higher costs for Fraser Besant's business over the last 18 months.

4. What was the highlight of 2017 for Fraser Besant?
Fraser's highlight of 2017 was the opportunity to design a giant Transformers-inspired robot light for Morgan Motor Company, which was eventually sold at a private auction to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.

5. What are Fraser Besant's plans for 2018?
In 2018, Fraser plans to focus on connecting the Fraser Besant Lighting brand with end users by attending trade shows like Grand Designs Live to showcase his unique lighting designs across the UK.