FROM its workshop at Wrexham, Cedar Tree Pods creates high-quality glamping pods for clients across the UK.
Established in 2018 by Mike Richards, the business has grown significantly over the past four years and is striving to be one of the top manufacturers of glamping pods in the country. The company prides itself on using the best materials, excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail in its products, which include both its glamping pods and bespoke wooden buildings which are designed and created individually for clients.
Mike, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the carpentry industry, said he decided to set up the company after a farmer friend told him about his plans to install two glamping pods on his land. “That was the start of Cedar Tree Pods, the rest just grew from there with a lot of hard work, late nights and help from some amazing friends and family,” said Mike.
Mike and his father, Denis, who is also a carpenter, set up a simple workshop on the outskirts of Wrexham and set to work.
“We knew that we could create high-quality pods for the glamping market and that was to be the ethos and USP of the business. Just over a year later, we were employing seven members of staff to meet the demand.“
The boom in staycations due to the pandemic led to a rise in orders, with the small team pulling together to deliver them.
It was at this point that Mike decided that he needed additional support and advice in order to optimize the potential of Cedar Tree Pods which led to him working with a business mentor. “It helped us change the mentality of the business and put in place a strategy to enable it to grow and develop. Cedar Tree Pods now employs 20 staff and we’re due to bring on board an operations manager who will oversee the day-to-day running of the business, freeing up my time to focus on our plans for the future.
“Our aim is to be an industry leader in glamping pod production, with an emphasis on our USP of quality and craftsmanship and we want to add more layers to the business and plan to open our own glamping site which will showcase our work.”
Along with his dad, Mike is also joined in the business by his wife Jacqui, his daughter Jodie, brother Daniel and even his young son Michael who loves to help “build and design pods.”
Cedar Tree Pods operates from a 12,00 square foot workshop at Royton, Wrexham, with customers ranging from caravan parks to campsites and diversifying farmers to individuals.
The pods, which come with a 10-year structural warranty, come in either six, seven or eight-metre lengths, with the larger model configured to sleep up to seven people with a fully enclosed triple bunk bedroom, double bed and sofa bed.
Cedar Tree Pods has established trusted partnerships with businesses to offer a range of services to its customers including seeking planning permission, adopting a booking system, and installing hot tubs. Mike added: “With the popularity of staycations looking set to continue, the glamping market continues to grow and we want to be in the best possible position to serve the industry sustainably for years to come.”
Mike also commented: “We have been with H&H Insurance Brokers since we started the business, working with our Account Executive Hâf Rowley throughout that time. It’s great to work with someone who has been with us from the start and understands where we have come from and our plans for the future.” Thank you Mike!
For more information about Cedar Tree Pods visit their website www.cedartreepods.co.uk or their Facebook page @cedartreepods