Gold star for business supplies firm on 40th anniversary

News
30/08/2017


Business supplies firm Irongate Group aims to get top marks for its latest service offering - helping schools save money by providing them with all the classroom essentials.


Complete procurement solution

The Derby-based company, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, offers a complete procurement solution for businesses, supplying them with everything they need on a day-to-day basis.

After realising a gap in the market, the firm is now launching its newest service, Irongate Education, which will enable schools, academies and trusts to make significant efficiency savings through improved procurement practices.

Using the company’s online portal - InOne - purchasing will be made as easy as clicking a few buttons, saving customers time and money by enabling them to source everything they need in one place from one supplier.


Taking the hassle out

Heading up this new service is education procurement specialist Nick Cash. He said:

“Our aim is to take the hassle out of purchasing essential school and educational supplies whilst helping schools’ budgets go further.

When organisations order a diverse range of products from a lot of different suppliers, it costs them more than they think.

InOne simplifies the ordering process so that schools can take full control of their purchasing.

Everything they need from exercise books and stationery to art and craft materials, furniture, office equipment and cleaning and catering supplies is available and can be re-ordered time and time again with ease.”


Long and varied history

The company has come a long way over the years, having started life as a photocopy shop on Irongate in Derby.

It now offers six business service categories so that customers can get everything from one supplier, including office supplies, workwear and staff uniforms, furniture, print and promotional merchandise.

With more than 100 staff working from its headquarters in Kingsway Industrial Park, Irongate Group achieved a turnover of £19 million last year.


Over the last few years it has invested a significant amount into the expansion of the firm, with a 50% increase in warehouse capacity.

The firm is hosting a major procurement event to celebrate its 40th anniversary on Thursday, October 5 at Pride Park Stadium in Derby where there will be more than 52 leading brands and industry experts offering advice for businesses, plus live demonstrations, samples and free gifts.


Irongate Group managing director Adam Noble said:

“Over the years we’ve expanded the number of services and products we offer to make it even easier for customers to get what they need from one supplier, and Irongate Education is no exception. We see this as the ‘missing puzzle piece’ for the Irongate Group and the expansion will undoubtedly mean that new staff is required, as well as in our other divisions.

“We would encourage anyone involved in the ordering of business supplies and education supplies to come down to Irongate Live 2017 to see what they can learn. It’ll be a relaxed atmosphere will stuff going on all day - including a number of competitions and prizes to get involved with, including a Crystal Maze style cash cube game.”


For more information on the Irongate Live 2017 event visit www.irongategroup.co.uk/live

Irongate Group managing director Adam Noble