Two brothers who took over the reins of the Fife-based firm set up by their father 26 years ago are aiming to grow the family business by entering new markets.
Roger and Chris Hunt of Discounted Office Supplies, Dalgety Bay, are adding a packaging division and launching an updated website with e-commerce capabilities.
The brothers, who have tapped into advice from Business Gateway Fife, also aim to grow the company’s office furniture and janitorial supplies divisions.
The next generation has joined the team, with Roger’s step-daughter Eilidh starting as trainee office manager.
Roger said: “There are hundreds of office supply firms out there, but our customers, many of whom have been with us for over 20 years, like the fact we are a local family business.
“We can respond quickly to the customers’ needs no matter how unorthodox their request may be we’ve sourced everything from marmalade to toilet seats over the years.
“Two years ago Chris delivered to a restaurant in Edinburgh who had been a stationery customer for a number of years and realised there was an opportunity to supply them with janitorial goods.
“This saw their monthly spend with us rise from £100 to £1,300 overnight.
“Over the next year we aim to double our turnover in both janitorial supplies and office furniture, and add a new packaging arm to our offering that will increase our revenue further.”
Roger and Chris took over from their father Frank who stepped down at the age of 73 and went to Business Gateway, where an adviser encouraged them to think differently.
“She helped highlight how important a clear business growth strategy would be and, as a result, we have decided to develop a new website,” Roger explained.
“We never want to lose the personal touch that selling face-to-face brings, but we know that an e-commerce site will attract new customers.”
Sam Greer of Business Gateway said: “We quickly identified the strengths of their brand and opportunities available to them. They have now converted a junior part time staff member into their first full-time employee whose skills will improve their online trading.”
The company was initially home-based and focused on selling snacks to local businesses before adding a stationery service.
Roger said: “I made sales calls from my bedroom and Chris had the fax machine in his room.
“The garage was our warehouse, and dad made deliveries in the van.
“As we became more successful we needed more storage space, so moved to a warehouse in South Queensferry, then to a bigger unit in Inverkeithing before moving to our present location in Dalgety Bay.
“We are very proud of what our father has managed to achieve. Keeping a business afloat through recessions and increased competition is no mean feat, and we hope that we will be able to steer the ship as successfully as he has.”