Workwear provider eyes Europe after record results

A workwear firm is targeting European expansion after a record-breaking year.

Corporate Trade Supplies UK has unveiled plans to push on across the continent.

The blueprint comes after the company registered £45 million annual turnover following the “most exciting, rewarding and successful year in its history”.

Bosses say the figure represents “a large increase” on year-on-year performance, adding revenues are tipped to reach £100 million by 2028.

Operating from bases in Northallerton, North Yorkshire; Harworth, near Doncaster; and Carlton Miniott Business Park, on the outskirts of Thirsk, the 2021-founded firm supplies printed and embroidered clothing, footwear and personal protective equipment to clients including Aldi, Waitrose, Jaguar Land Rover and HSBC.

Hailing its progress, managing director Howard Gill said the business – which previously bought Thornaby-based MI Supplies and clothing and footwear wholesaler Progressive Safety, and has seen its recently-launched Axis Packaging arm secure multi-million-pound deals – is in a “confident position”.

He said: “Apart from buying excellent and compatible businesses, we have welcomed a host of high-profile new customers, recorded our busiest web activity and handled the most orders through our Northallerton site this year.

“Our new acquisitions are key to our sustainable, technology-led growth and have cemented our position as one of the UK’s leading independent providers of workwear, consumables and personal protective equipment.

“This has proven to be a winning combination, and we plan to expand into Europe within the next 12 months.”

AJ Swinbank, founder and chief executive of the business, which last year secured a £4 million funding package from HSBC UK to support growth plans, added: “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved.

“It has been an exhilarating journey, which I believe has only just started.”

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