Direct Business Supplies
Direct Business Supplies offer a range of office stationery and furniture, embroidered workwear, business printing and adhesive labelling services from their base on the Terry Dicken Business Park.
We first met the team celebrating their 36th year in business, back in 2019. I caught up with the delightful owner Jonathan to find out what has been going on since then.
Adapting to a sea of change
“The pandemic has affected us as we do supply to a large amount of hospitality businesses however, we have also seen growth in other areas. As you’d imagine, the sales within our janitorial department have increased with so many businesses needing PPE. We stock face masks, hand sanitiser etc. Our adhesive labelling service has also been really busy, as many businesses have adapted to takeaway sales.
As our business began with adhesive labelling, we specialised in producing high quality branded printed labels to fit your budget. More people are coming away from the internet as often, when items arrive, they’re not as expected. We can add real value to a customer by helping them get the best for their budget. We can show them samples and advise on the best quality for the quantity required.”
So, when you see that shiny logo, perfectly placed on your takeaway coffee cup, or that branded label that holds together the grease proof paper on your ever so naughty takeaway cream tea, that’s probably the expert handiwork of Direct Business Supplies!
Finding NEMO
5 years ago Direct Business Supplies joined a cooperative buying group to be able to keep prices competitive. With a strong belief in supporting local businesses, Jonathan found the benefits were huge.
“We’re part of NEMO (North East Merchandising Organisation) which we joined to be able to get a better price for our goods that we then pass down to customers. It’s the best thing we ever did. There’s a mutual respect with the other businesses in the group and everybody looks after each other. We deliberately avoid areas where we know another member is present and we’re always recommending each other. That means that the customer can be assured that along with the best price, they are supporting local businesses as well as being environmentally conscious”.
Support local with Office Circle
Amazon have kept the world turning during lockdown when retailers were forced to close. I’m certainly grateful that my friends and relatives did not go without gifts in the absence of our high street. But let’s be honest, how many times have you been peering out of your window to see the 5th Amazon driver of the day delivering to your street? It just cannot be good for the environment!
So, it’s really great to hear about ‘Office Circle’ a new initiative, funded by business, designed to support local business and give consumers an easy & convenient way to support local.
“The idea behind ‘Office Circle’ is to offer a cost-effective alternative to Amazon for office supplies. Think stationery, janitorial supplies, coffee, tea, water bottles, ink cartridges, the list goes on! Essentially you buy online but your order is fulfilled by the independent business that is the most local to you. You can be assured of a competitive price AND a local supplier. It’s WIN/ WIN and great for the environment.”
Room to Grow
That leads me nicely onto the Terry Dicken Business Park where community spirit and collaboration are rife.
Direct Business Supplies have been on the park for 20 years. Initially in unit 7 then extending to unit 6 and finally into unit 5, three years ago. There is certainly opportunity to up or downsize here. I asked Jonathan what he liked about being a tenant on the business park.
“The customer service here is brilliant! Mark & Sue looked after us from day one. The park is very well maintained and despite the many enhancements over the years, such as the installation of CCTV, the rent has stayed competitive. Whenever we have had an issue such as no hot water from one of the taps or something leaking, Dave has arrived the same day to fix it.”
I’ve met a few tenants who practice what they preach, and Jonathan is no exception. Trying himself to support local whenever he can, he mentioned having laundry done at Rooms, getting TV’s from Pearsons, pictures framed at Nationaal Gallery, his van serviced at Platinum Motors, and sourcing computers from Home Fix Computers. I think that might be a record!
So, for all of your office needs, keep it local. Direct Business Supplies can be found at Units 5 – 7, Ellerbeck Way, Terry Dicken Business Park, Stokesley, TS9 5JZ or visit their website
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