SWINDON entrepreneur Paul Train has single-handedly sped to the top in carbon fibre retail in the UK.

A keen motorcyclist, he set up The Carbon Fibre King in Swindon in 2010 and is now one of the largest retailers for carbon fibre parts in the UK, selling around the world.

Even though he is the only employee and his own boss he manages to turn over £250,000 every year.

Paul told the Adver: “I’ve always had bikes since I was 21 so it’s always been a passion. I was always a fan of Ducati, they’re those typically-red Italian nice-looking bikes,”

Paul started working for Dick Lovett as a trainee technician mechanic at 16 and later moved to become a salesman of high-powered Ferraris.

Always competitive he became one of the top salesmen at the Ferrari dealership in Swindon at a time when it was one of the best in the country.

But after 23 years he had the idea to sell the carbon fibre parts himself. “I saw there was an opportunity with carbon and decided to give it a go and worked from home on the side for two years.”

Setting up from home Paul had low overheads and soon business picked up so much he needed to upgrade.

“I basically had a garage and loft extension just full of carbon decided to buy a 1,850 square foot unit in West Swindon on the Glenmore Business Park,” said Paul.

“When I left Dick Lovett I did a reconnaissance to China and went to all the factories on my own and just visited them,” he said.

“I had a look at all their parts and who I was buying from before I made I set up any contracts.

“I took the trouble to do that which a lot of people haven’t done.”

The secret of Paul’s success for a self-employed business boils down to a simple mantra. He explained: “Sell a quality product you are a passionate about and believe in.

“But good customer service of course is vital too.”