Caravan site up for web award

From the archive, first published Wednesday 21st Sep 2005.

THREE Swindon firms have been shortlisted in a regional e-commerce competition. This is the seventh year of the South West of England Regional Development Agency's E-commerce awards.

They reward the best use of broadband, teleworking, mobile and wireless technology, online sales and marketing, customer care online and the most integrated business.

The winners from south west England will go through to a national final in October, at which they could win the title of e-Champion 2005 and a cash prize of £50,000.

There are only 25 shortlisted nominees across the region.

From Swindon, RV Sales have been nominated for online customer care and sales and marketing, SRK Communications for best use of teleworking and end-to-end integrated business, and Velvet Software are competing in the best use of broadband and best use of teleworking sections.

RV Sales is based in Blunsdon and has managed a 70 per cent increase in revenue between July 2003 and July this year, largely due to embracing e-commerce.

It was started in 1998 by managing director Roger Therrien and originally offered the public and caravan dealers the chance to sell recreational vehicles (RVs) such as caravans, motorhomes and camper vans through the website. But it has diversified into other areas like creating and maintaining website directories such as www.rvsales.com, www.camping-gas.com and www.campsites-uk.co.uk, renting websites to other RV suppliers, and developing software.

Mr Therrien said: "I started out retailing caravans in 1979, but as the world wide web gained prominence I realised this presented an ideal marketplace for business expansion.

"As web-based technology has developed, our income and efficiency has increased and we have also gained invaluable experience and knowledge of website design and development."

Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire's IT business adviser Andy Poulton encouraged Mr Therrien to enter and said: "Generally business and industry awards are not prioritised by small businesses because the day-to-day business needs to take priority.

"This is a great shame, as there are now numerous opportunities to gain recognition and to showcase business excellence.

Newsquest, the publisher of the Swindon Advertiser and Wiltshire Business magazine, also holds its own Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards.

Nominations are now open ­ to find out more call Clare Hamilton-Eddy on 01793 528144 or visit www.wiltshirebusinessoftheyear.co.uk

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