Receiving a business card by chance over 40 years ago started Robert Rolston on a life-long journey that has helped him turn his passion for accordion music into a thriving business.

The 64-year-old, who stays in Tillicoultry, was just 21 when he took a three-day train journey to Castelfidardo in Italy to learn how to service and repair the musical instrument.

After years splitting his time between Italy, where he continued to develop his skills, and Scotland, importing accordions, Robert set up his own manufacturing business, Manfrini Accordions, in 2008.

With a bursting order book Robert decided to open a permanent workshop in Scotland in 2011 and two years later opened a showroom in Forrester Lodge, Alloa. Since then he has used advice from Business Gateway Clackmannanshire to further market his business on home soil.

He said: “As a youngster I worked in an accordion shop in Motherwell and was given an Italian manufacturers’ business card at a trade show. I decided one day to get on a train and head to the heart of accordion manufacturing in Castelfidardo. I found the manufacturer, showed them the card and managed to convince them, even although I couldn’t speak Italian, to let me import their instrument.

“Each year I would go back and spend time in Italy learning the trade then return home to sell the instruments. In 2008 the recession hit, quality dipped and I decided then that the time was right to manufacture my own accordion, made to my specifications.

“I knew so many of the people who made the different parts of the instrument and through a chance meeting with my doctor, a member of the Manfrini family that ceased to produce accordions in 1983, got permission to re-introduce the name.

“I’d spent three years in Italy perfecting the manufacturing side of things and getting the brand known but I knew I needed to come back to Scotland for our customers. Alloa has such great transport links so it seemed the obvious choice. With the workshop up and running my business partner, Patrick, went to a number of Business Gateway workshops to help with website and IT in general. The information has helped tremendously, in particular with our SEO, as getting seen online is key to our continued success. Since we’ve implemented the advice the number of views on our website has more than doubled. ” Alison Davidson, Business Gateway said: “Robert has always loved accordion music, and even played in a band when he was younger. Using his passion for the instrument, Robert has been able to build a fulfilling career and establish a thriving, and unique business.

“Like so many other successful businesses he recognised that Clacks is a fantastic place to be based. We’re glad that our advice has already brought dividends, and we look forward to continuing to work with him to grow Manfrini Accordions even further.” Thanks to excellent craftsmanship, and famous clients such as Phil Cunningham and Donald Shaw of Capercaillie, the Manfrini Accordian is in high demand.

It takes up to four months to build one instrument, with the body, keyboard and base made in Italy and the reeds and valves installed in Scotland where the instrument is then tuned.

Since starting Robert has sold over 200 Manfrini accordions, with customers coming from the West of Scotland, Ireland and England.

He said: “It was difficult when we started as we were unknown and were trying to compete with other brands that have been established for decades. Getting people to try our accordion took time, and a lot of hard work, but we knew we had a quality instrument.

“People who tried it discovered they would sit and play for a lot longer as they enjoyed the sound and feel of our Manfrini so much more.

“Things have really taken off now and with Patrick’s help, who, having given up his job in the civil service to look for a totally new career, joined me in 2004, I am sure our success will continue for a long time to come.” For more information on Manfrini Accordions visit www.manfriniaccordions.co.uk To find out more about how Business Gateway can help you set up and develop your own business as well as find out when and where workshops are taking place, visit www.bgateway.com or call 0845 609 6611. Alternatively call your local Business Gateway office directly on 01259 208 589.