07/04/2024 - The final update? Lets do this!

Yeah, the photo below is without doubt the most boring photo I’ve ever shared, yet despite that, it’s also one of the most exciting. Why? Because a load of packed boxes signals that orders are now heading out the door on a regular basis!

It’s been six weeks since I reopened production (following downsizing and relocating) and it’s fair to say I’m completely in my happy place.

6 months ago I’d made the decision to closedown the business I love and it was those closest to me that put the idea of downsizing in my head. I cannot thank them enough for that, trust those that love you, they know you, more than you know yourself.

It’s certainly been a rollercoaster since October and I’ve often not known if I am coming or going, but finally, everything is now starting to settle down and it feels great to be back on the tools, doing what I love.

It’s mad how things turn out, my love of the Mini and my passion for making stuff got me into this. Then as Optimise grew it became my sole job to run the show, leaving the production to the team.

You don’t realise how much you miss something, until you start doing it again and I couldn’t be happier, than to be the one back on the tools producing everything we do.

It’s fair to say that my business has gone around in a full circle and I’m absolutely loving it, I didn’t plan this, but now wish I’d done it years ago!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you to the Mini community, thank you for sticking with me throughout and thank you for your support. I regrettably haven’t had the time to thank everyone individually for your kind words, but you can be rest assured that it’s meant the World to me, to know that what I do means so much to the Mini community. Especially as it’s a community that I love and have been around since 2001, when I got my first Mini.

Since reopening production 6 weeks ago and as I settle into a new working pattern, there have been plenty of updates regarding the daily operations here at Optimise, here is what you need to know:
 

• As it’s now only me, email response will be slower than it used to be and I now aim to respond to emails within 2 to 3 working days, but please allow up to one week.
   
• Lead times across our standard product range are currently around 8 to 12 weeks and although I hope to get this down to 6 to 8 weeks, it is realistic to expect 8 to 12 weeks until we drop into the autumn.
   
• Our bespoke schedule is booked up until late September and with several quotes awaiting confirmation, we are getting very close to being booked up for the rest of 2024.
   
• As a result, if you are after a bespoke interior this calendar year (that is not something you can buy as part of our product range), please make sure to get in touch ASAP.
   
• For reference, once the 2024 bespoke schedule is full, the book will be closed and then reopened towards the end of year (essentially I need to finalise pricing for 2025, before I book more work in moving forward).

Fingers crossed, this will be the last “update” with regards to everything the has been going on, it’s now time to leave the Optimise of old in the past and concentrate on it’s glorious future!


Have a great day.

Kind regards,
Andy