Graphics firm sees rapid growth

GRAPHICS supplies firm GraphicsDirect has seen its turnover grow by 60% to more than £1.6m in the last year.

The business started as a supplier of products such as pens, drawing boards and paper to students but now lists Hallmark Cards, Morrisons and York St John University among its clients.

Director Chris Booth, who founded the business with Paul Hawkridge, said: “We have grown our share in the graphics supplies market, but also we have started to deliver e-commerce and fulfilment services for other graphics brands, which has utilised our warehousing and staff more effectively, as well as generating additional revenues.

“Both business customers and consumer are actively looking for better and better value on every purchase they make, and our online model does benefit from this trend.  As people seek out the lowest cost items online, we are attracting new customers organically, which is great.”

Launched from a farm shed in Knaresborough, GraphicsDirect has grown to employ eight staff at a warehouse and offices at Tockwith, near Wetherby.

Mr Hawkridge said: “From our beginnings as a local value alternative to high street graphics outlets, we have grown to become the preferred supplier to hundreds of schools and further and higher education centres, and we are seeing more and more opportunities in the market despite the tough economy.”

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