Barry Kirkham: Reflecting on 15 years with Tufcoat

Barry Kirkham has been an integral part of Tufcoat for nearly 15 years. Since walking through our doors in 2010 with a background in design and marketing—but little construction experience—Barry has helped shape the business into what it is today.

Now Commercial Manager, Barry has grown into a seasoned shrink-wrap expert. His creative mindset and drive have been key in leading business growth and launching innovations such as our Wraphix™ shrink-wrap branding solutions.
We sat down with Barry to reflect on his journey, the evolution of Tufcoat, and what continues to inspire him after a decade and a half.

What do you enjoy about working for Tufcoat?
No two days are ever the same—and that keeps things exciting. One day I might be behind the scenes at a Premier League football stadium, the next I’m navigating the corridors of the Foreign Office or Westminster Hall. The variety of work and places this job has taken me is something I truly value.
Being part of a small, agile team also means everyone pitches in. It’s not about rigid roles—if there’s a problem, we work together to find a solution. That sense of teamwork, purpose, and flexibility makes Tufcoat a rewarding place to be.

How has the business changed since you joined?
We’ve seen our fair share of ups and downs—periods of expansion, some contraction, and then expansion again. Since COVID, we’ve rebuilt and come back stronger with a structure that allows us to cover the entire UK and beyond.
We now operate with a main office and wholesale base in the South West, supported by three regional teams. This setup enables us to deliver both supply and installation services efficiently across the country.
At the heart of it all is a focus on customer satisfaction. Long-term relationships have been the foundation of Tufcoat’s success, and that focus is more vital now than ever.

What does your role as Commercial Manager involve?
It’s a broad role. I oversee everything from project management to the integration between our wholesale and installation services. One of my major recent responsibilities has been leading the upgrade of our internal systems.
We moved away from Salesforce after over a decade to a more agile system that combines CRM and financial features within an ERP platform. It’s transformed how we manage stock—from factory to warehouse—giving us greater visibility and eliminating duplication.
I also identified an opportunity to reduce costs and improve efficiency by creating a warehouse and storage facility in-house. Now, we can ship directly from there, helping both wholesale fulfilment and support for our installation teams.
On top of this, I work closely with our Contracts Manager, Kieran Walsh, to ensure project continuity and top-notch customer service. Whether it’s quoting, scoping, or making sure we’ve got the right people on the ground, I’m involved. I enjoy building relationships with our clients and delivering real value to their projects.

What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
Balancing priorities. There’s always something urgent—whether it’s a client need or an internal issue—and switching between those can be demanding.
Our strength has always been our customer service. I work hard to make sure we remain proactive, uphold audited standards like ISO 14001 and ISO 9001, and stay flexible to meet changing project demands. At the same time, I have to focus on growth for our regional teams.
The real challenge is making sure nothing falls through the cracks.

What industry changes have you seen over the years?
The demand for shrink-wrap has grown massively in the last few years. When I started, there were only a handful of companies doing this. Now, there’s a broader mix, including more small and regional players.
We’re also seeing more clients managing shrink-wrap projects in-house, which shows the value and versatility of the product are becoming more widely recognised.

How is Tufcoat tackling sustainability?
Sustainability has been a focus for us long before it became mainstream. We’ve maintained a zero-waste-to-landfill policy for years and constantly look to improve.
We’ve implemented recycling schemes on sites where we supply materials, and we work with partners to ensure our products are part of a closed-loop recycling process. Whether that’s through on-site bins or taking materials back, we’re committed to reducing environmental impact—and educating customers on how to do the same.
There’s always more to do, but we’re proud of the strides we’ve made and our continued commitment to sustainable practices.

And finally, what’s life like outside of work?
Pretty hectic! My two boys are football mad, so most weekends are spent on the sidelines cheering them on. My wife and I stay busy supporting them and soaking in the beautiful Devon countryside with our Basset hound.
When I do get a bit of quiet time, I love spending it in the garden—that’s where I truly relax.

Barry’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when passion meets purpose. From his early days as a newcomer to the construction world to becoming a driver of innovation and growth, Barry has played a pivotal role in shaping Tufcoat’s success story.