A St Helens business that has been trading for just over two years has won North-West Family Business of the Year at the prestigious E3 Business Awards, held at the University of Bolton Stadium.
The Branded Items Group (aka BIG), based in Alexandra Business Park, impressed a panel of independent business leaders with their growth, personal approach to customer service and overall business story.
The family-owned business, run by husband and wife Steve and Louise Fairhurst, offers over 15,000 promotional items and branded merchandise products, from USB sticks and pens to branded clothing. After launching in January 2017 initially selling just one line of products, BIG has grown and expanded to now supply over 500 customers across the UK, as well as in Sweden, Germany and Ireland.
Speaking on behalf of 1 Events Media, organiser of the awards, Managing Director Mubarak Chati said:
“We’ve seen fast-growing businesses, dedicated staff and employers and fantastic examples of innovation at this year’s awards. To win an award in the face of such impressive competition is an achievement of which Branded Items Group should feel justly proud, and I congratulate them.”
Louise Fairhurst said:
“We took a big risk when we set the business up and we made several sacrifices. I left a well-paid secure job, with no guarantee of a salary to work in the business, but our goal is to build a family business that could create a legacy for our children. We were shocked but delighted to win the award as it’s recognition of the hard work we have put in and it’s nice to win it as a St Helens company.”
The business itself, was over two years in the making and only launched after considerable preparation and research into the promotional items industry. Steve commented:
“We ran an online test company for two years, selling a narrow band of promotional items before launching the Branded Items Group. In the process, we constantly mystery-shopped some of the largest companies in our sector and learned a lot about how they operated. We felt there was a market for a company that delivered old-fashioned customer service and advice, in an industry that, at times, can be too transactional and e-commerce driven.”
Despite working UK wide and with customers like NHS England, Cancer Research and Ministry of Defence, the business is focused on working with more local companies. Steve explains:
“We are gradually raising our profile locally and are really grateful to be working with some amazing local organisations like St Helens Chamber, The Steve Prescot Foundation, Willowbrook Hospice and St Helens RLFC. As a family-owned company, service is the major focus with our business, and we believe this will continue to underpin our growth.”
To find out more about the Branded Items Group, visit: brandeditemsgroup.co.uk