A FATHER and son team who met just seven years ago are now running a popular business that turns waste materials into valued goods.
Shortly before Christmas I met up with James and Steve Sharman, of Welshpool company Deuce Fabrications, soon to become Upcycling, and was pleasantly surprised with what I saw.
They were making a heater from an old oil drum which was fuelled by sawdust, producing up to eight hours of warmth at a time.
You have to admit, it is a pretty clever idea considering sawdust is abundant in many factory workshops.
Upon my arrival, Jim and Steve were eager to show off their work, which involves taking scrap metal (all donated) and making a useful, recycled object, which they then sell on.
What struck me as fascinating was that James and Steve work so well together to create their products, which included portable barbecues from beer kegs, a flower stand made from a CD rack and a wood burner created from a used gas tank.
Steve described the business as “therapeutic”, and joked: “It’s a hobby for me and a business for James.”
Considering they only met properly for the first time in 2005, the father and son team have struck a bond strong enough to create what could soon become a thriving business.
James’ wife found Steve online and Steve turned up on Jim’s doorstep out of the blue.
It made for an emotional reunion, but Steve and Jim put their heads together and created a business playing to both their strengths.
Their business is soon to be called ‘Upcycling’, the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials, or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.
Their motto is ‘speculate to accumulate’ and it is clear they have spent a tremendous amount of time and effort to realise their vision.
Steve, who lives in Guilsfield, became a custom American car builder in 1978 after leaving the army, while James, who now lives in Arddleen, has worked in both the transport and care sector and is the manager of the Newtown Reserves football team.
He has aspirations for his son, now 17, to take over the business.
He says: “We’re tackling an issue that won’t affect us, or our children, or even our grandchildren; but an issue that will one day threaten the planet.”
It was clear that both James and Steve provide a strong example to environmentalists across the world.
Their idea is unique to this area and is sure to attract a lot of attention in the coming months.
They have a lot of original ideas, and Jim fondly calls his father a “mad inventor”.
I was shown their latest creation, a Christmas tree stand that clamps the tree shut around it, relying on the weight alone.
He adds: “Please donate, we’ll come and collect.”
To contact the pair, call 07427 024957.