Entrepreneur invests in expansion to light way towards £20m turnover

Mexborough-based Supplies for Candles, part of the Nicky Story Holdings Group, is continuing to invest in onsite infrastructure as it further expands its warehouse to accommodate fresh hires and acquisitions.

In April 2020, the company invested £150,000 in a new mezzanine, equipment and offices to create additional space and improve productivity.

This year it has invested over £50,000 to install another mezzanine level. This has provided an additional 2,500 sq ft of warehousing and production space. It has enabled the business to bring one of its previous acquisitions, The Soap Kitchen, inhouse – relocating it north from Devon.

The expansion has also enabled Supplies for Candles to house a new arm of the business, Ava May Aromas.

The enlarged warehouse facilities will provide production space for the Ava May Aroma’s brand, which recently relocated from Hampshire to the Yorkshire site.

Ava May Aromas is the latest acquisition by the Nicky Story Holdings group, which has branched into retail, opening the brand’s first outlet within Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield last month.

Nicky Story, founder of Supplies for Candles, which distributes both candle and soap making supplies in the UK and Europe, started his business from home nearly six years ago.

He said: “This is a really exciting time for the group and all the brands that sit within it – Supplies for Candles; The Soap Kitchen, Glassprint Ltd and Ava May Aromas.

“We are finding ways to work together, across brands, and to have all these businesses and their packing operations under one roof is really going to help us streamline productivity across the board.”

The company has installed a £30,000 wax pouring machine, which will help manufacture Ava May Aromas products more cost effectively and will bring in additional revenue.

Over the past three years, the Nicky Story Holdings group has more than tripled in size and is forecast to turn over £20m in the near future. It now serves over half a million customers and employs more than 50 staff.

Story added: “Our candle making products are in high demand and acquisitions have opened up new revenue streams, which we will continue to develop.

“Over the past couple of years we have cemented ourselves as market leaders in our industries. I am extremely excited for what the future will bring.

“My 2023 goal is to shake up the home fragrance industry. We have a new innovative range of products just on the horizon for Ava May Aromas, which I am incredibly excited about.

“I also have plans to expand into the beverage industry by the end of summer, utilising our glass printing expertise to bring a beautifully designed beverage to the market.”