Two-Stack: Forward-thinking IT company TruStack celebrates second anniversary

News
22/09/2021

Flexibility has been the key to IT Managed Services provider TruStack making a success of its first two years in business, according to one of its Directors.


The Cramlington-based company, which specialises in delivering IT managed services, celebrates its second anniversary in September 2022 having spent the vast majority of the past two years operating in a Covid-impacted economy.


Formed following the merger of three companies – SITS Group, PCI Services and Pivotal Networks – in 2019, within six months TruStack was battling against the impact of Covid-19.


Despite the challenges it has faced, the company has not only survived but grown - increasing its workforce by 25 percent from 43 to 55, with another six posts set to be filled in the next few months, including three apprentice positions.


Meanwhile, a growth in its active client base to around 450 has meant an annual turnover of more than £10m is expected this year, exceeding all expectations.


Commercial Director Phil Cambers said:

“Flexibility has been one of the key elements to our success, no doubt about it.

“We are very market-orientated. If we see changes coming we adapt as quickly as possible. That is why we underwent a merger two years ago – we had three businesses that were great at what they did but were missing something that the others could provide.

“Equally when Covid-19 hit we adapted the way we needed to work, and made sure our clients were able to adapt as well.

“Ultimately our success is down to our incredible staff - their response to all the changes we have seen in working practices over the past year, like working from home, has been absolutely incredible.”

Mr Cambers added:

“As IT infrastructure and security specialists we also need to adapt quickly to changing technologies, and that is another reason why we have grown so quickly.

“We look at the new technologies on the horizon – whether that’s in security, cloud storage, computer hardware or other areas – and make sure we are bringing the best products and services to our customers to keep their infrastructure up-to-date and working to its full potential.

“If we keep doing what we have been doing for the past two years – adapting to the changing world around us and keeping a step ahead in terms of technology – I am sure we can continue to expand even more.”


TruStack has enabled hundreds of businesses to implement ‘Hybrid Working’ over the past 18 months, so employees are able to work from any location, not just the office.


It has also carried out many digital transformation projects over the last two years for leading North East businesses such as Sintons LLP, Ryder Architecture, Montane and Vantec to name but a few.


Meanwhile, it has continued its long association with several of the North East’s Top 200 companies – including Muckle LLP and Collingwood Business Solutions – as well as big names across the UK such as the Premier League and Vertu Motors.


Moving forward, however, Mr Cambers and his co-Directors are keen to grow the company’s ‘Managed Services’ clientele – businesses which hand over the running of their entire IT infrastructure to TruStack.


Mr Cambers added:

“That is what we want to be doing much more of in the next two to five years – taking ownership of a businesses’ IT demands, meaning they can focus more on the day-to-day running of their business.

“There is a huge shortage of skills in the IT market at the moment. For a customer to find someone to run their IT department is quite difficult and that’s where TruStack comes in to take that headache away.

“Rather than employing someone, the business will come to us to provide that expertise. Businesses are starting to realise they don’t need to employ as many IT people in-house, but can outsource the skills they need.”


One client which has enlisted the services of TruStack this year is Faulkner Browns LLP. The company’s Partner Steve McIntyre said:

“After a long relationship with Trustack spanning over 12 years, we decided to outsource our IT to them following the retirement of one of our staff members.

“We have a workforce of 120 people and, being an architects practice, IT is very much at the centre of our business. The transition to using more of TruStack’s services has been smooth and we feel we made the right decision, rather than immediately trying to replace heads internally.”


Despite the pandemic, TruStack has also managed to raise around £5,000 for its charity partner Tiny Lives, which supports premature and poorly babies and their families at the Neo-Natal Unit at the RVI Hospital, Newcastle.


Innovative, ‘socially-distanced’ fundraising ideas have included games evenings, seed planting and online webinar events.


A spokesman for the charity, Fundraising and Partnerships Manager, Rachel Hardwick said:

“TruStack’s creativity and dedication to continue to raise vital funds for Tiny Lives throughout the pandemic has been inspiring.

“This huge amount of money will make a real difference to the babies and families who have spent time on the Neonatal Unit at Newcastle’s RVI. We cannot thank the team at TruStack enough and we are looking forward to continuing this wonderful partnership.”


TruStack has its head office at Northumberland Business Park, Cramlington, and a branch office at the Evolve Business Centre, Houghton le Spring.


For more information on TruStack go to www.trustack.co.uk or call 0191 250 3000.