UK Point of Sale in growth mode after relocation
FAMILY-business UK Point of Sale is striving to hit £10m turnover for the first time after completing a major relocation and investment programme.
The Stockport-based company, which was founded 25 years ago in a spare bedroom in Hazel Grove, has moved premises six times over the years, and has now bought its own headquarters on Bredbury Park Industrial Estate.
The investment in buying and fitting-out the building and warehouse is between £3.5m to £4m.
Founder Bill Leslie, son and chief executive Jason and daughter Debra Jamieson (sales and marketing director), welcomed guests including the Mayor of Stockport, to the official opening of the new 47,000sq ft HQ, which includes offices, a showroom and manufacturing facility.
UKPOS currently employs 50 people but the new premises – a former distribution hub for the now defunct retailer Allsports – has ample room for growth.
Around 20 staff will be recruited over the next six months in sales, warehousing and distribution.
Jason Leslie said: “We have invested a lot of time and money in creating something where I hope people will want to come and work. We have been looking to move for around two years and I am delighted we have done it.
“It’s been a real team effort, and we are pleased to be able to grow again – there was no space left in our former place in Heaton Mersey, We also had a facility in Wythenshawe for our warehouse, and now we are all under one roof, which will save us money and make us more efficient.
“I’m very ambitious to expand – we had turnover of £8.4m in the last financial year and expect to be up around 20% next time, so we are going to push hard to get to £10m.”
The Mayor of Stockport Cllr Chris Murphy said: “It makes me proud to see a Stockport-based company expand and grow consistently over the 25 years it has been open. By continually providing employment in the district, as well as manufacturing products in the UK, the company contributes a huge amount to our regional economy.”
UKPOS designs and manufactures point of sale display products for major retailers like Tesco and Sainsbury’s and pub operators such as Wetherspoons, It also makes plastic ballot boxes used by hotels to collect customer feedback forms.
Among the guests at the event was Tim Potter, chief executive of accountants Hurst, a long-term adviser to the business. He said: “It is fantastic to see a family business investing to propel itself forward. We have been working with the company for some time and can only admire its relentless quest for progress.
“Jason and Debra deserve great credit for their vision and their passion in delivering this landmark move.”
