Express Cleaning Supplies
www.express-cleaning-supplies.co.uk
Background
Express Cleaning Supplies was founded in 1991 and provides business customers with cleaning materials and equipment. Based in Malvern, in Worcestershire, the company has seven employees. The company's product range includes capital equipment such as vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaning machines and floor polishers as well as consumables including cleaning chemicals and paper products.
The Business Opportunity
The cleaning industry makes billions of pounds per year, but it often lacks investment in technology. Express Cleaning Supplies' founders recognised that there was the opportunity for the company to sell its products online and compete with its larger rivals.
The Solution
The company received initial advice and support from their local UK online for business adviser at the Hereford and Worcester Business Link. Express Cleaning Supplies now uses the Internet, and in particular their own web site, to promote and sell a range of products online. The site also allows customers to view video demonstrations of some of the machines and download product catalogues. These are also available on CD-ROM for customers who do not have Internet access.
Success
After being the first UK company of its kind to set up an e-commerce site, the Internet has become a fundamental part of the business. Express Cleaning Supplies works with firms across the globe, including some in countries such as Australia, Hong Kong, Portugal, Cyprus and Spain. The site has proved so successful that many 'household names' are now regular customers, and following the distribution of the CD-ROM there has been a marked increase in the variety of products sold. So far, 2000/2001 has seen a 40% increase in turnover, compared with the previous year, and the site is now getting over 5,500 visitors a month.
Year Overview
- Increased the online product range
- Included downloadable video demonstration of products and machines
- Undergone corporate rebranding
- The company has been approached by several venture capitalists
- Due to demand, two new members of staff have been taken on and the company is about to move to larger premises
The Future
In the immediate future the company is intending to expand the online product range and ensure that all orders continued to be swiftly fulfilled as business increases. Express Cleaning Supplies is also looking at video conferencing as a simple way of improving communications with their overseas customers. The company plans to be the e-commerce leaders in its field through end-to-end integration of information and communication technologies.
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