Formed in 1994 by Lloyd Simpson, the business has grown steadily over the past 19 years to become one of the leading promotional merchandise companies in the UK and the largest of its kind in Yorkshire. LSi specialises in providing companies with promotional items to promote their products and services, personalising anything from pens and pencils through to umbrellas and corporate uniforms with company logos etc.
For the first few years the business grew steadily in line with most start-ups and after 5 years with the emergence of email and the internet the business rapidly expanded. This resulted in two office moves and as the business expanded a further move was made in January 2013 to new impressive offices, a warehouse and a state of the art showroom which is the largest of its kind in this country.
Over the past 19 years, LSi has employed in excess of 100 people, most living in the Kirklees area, and has also worked closely with many local companies to help promote and market their own brands including well-known names such as Mintex, Ronseal, Theakstons, Cummins Turbo Technologies to name a few, as well as many large and small companies around the UK.
The judging panel were impressed by the steady organic growth the company has demonstrated and the fact that LSi has experienced record breaking sales figures for this year so far, which is a trend that looks set to continue. With ambitious plans for growth over the next few years the future looks very bright for this fine local business.
Lloyd Simpson, Managing Director said “To win this award is the icing on the cake for 2013, we started the year with a move to our fantastic new offices, in February we won a national award from the BPMA, in October we opened what we believe to be the largest merchandise showroom in the UK, taken on 5 new members of staff this year and exceeded all our sales forecasts. To be recognised for our efforts is just reward for the talented and hard working team of 30 people we have here at LSi. This will give us great impetus for next year our 20th Anniversary.”
Towndoor Limited is a company based in Meltham, Huddersfield, which specialises in the development and rental of commercial property.
Founded in 1988 by Stuart and Lucy Bamforth, The Bamforth Group were initially involved in the dismantling of the huge premises which formally housed Case Tractors. During this process 50% of the factory site was sold to the group in the name of Towndoor Ltd, and within 4 years the whole of this huge site had been developed into an industrial estate which was fully occupied by 38 individual companies providing over 400 new jobs.
Further gradual expansion followed over the years and now Towndoor have over 90 units throughout Huddersfield and Leeds spread across 7 sites. Having over 1 million sq ft of space in units of various sizes with properties including trade counters, garages, warehouses, offices, manufacturing spaces, apartments and even a reservoir.
The judging panel were most impressed with the year on year growth and increase in profits and the fact that the bulk of the profit is reinvested in the business to grow the stock and also to continually improve the quality of the premises. Also the company contributes where possible to local community initiatives, as an example they are completing a ¾ million pound safety project at Meltham Mill’s reservoir to protect local residents and businesses from possible flooding.
Towndoor Managing Director, Dan Bamforth said “We at Towndoor are constantly looking to expand and improve our portfolio. Previous work processes that proved to be problematic have been replaced radically transforming business applications across the company. This has resulted in a more transparent approach bringing together all aspects for measuring progress towards our business success”.
Andrew, an apprentice trained plumber, set up the business back in 1985 after being made redundant. Having been turned down by the banks for a loan to start the business, Andrew borrowed enough money from his mother to get it off the ground. Working initially with his mother as secretary, and then his wife and brother; the business has grown steadily over the years by reputation, word of mouth, hard work and long hours.
The business operates throughout Yorkshire and beyond on domestic and rented properties, also on a variety of commercial properties including schools and any business where a plumber or heating engineer may be needed. Working on everything from small contracts to sophisticated £1m schemes including the ‘Melting Point Apartments’ at Firth Street in Huddersfield. Andrew has also made the investment in a new bathroom showroom, Bathrooms by Design in Skelmanthorpe. By creating 44 display bays over two floors he has established a one-stop-shop for all bathroom and plumbing services that anyone would need, resulting in an impressive new outlet for the business.
The judges were impressed by the fact that Andrew’s business has grown steadily over the years from nothing to currently employing 18 staff whilst continuing to trade through what has been the longest slump in the building industry for many years, so great credit to Andrew for driving the business forward during these difficult times through hard work, good contacts and committed staff.
Andrew Locke, Managing Director said “we are very pleased and surprised to win this award, I often think the building trade does not get the reputation it deserves, I believe a thriving building trade is a thriving country. Times have been very tough in the last few years so to win the Business of the Month is a great achievement, we have managed to maintain a solid business and the award is for the whole team”
