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Verd takes a seat in new Durham premises following national chair sales growth

North East ergonomics firm Verd, which counts premium British retailer Paul Smith amongst its clients, is moving to new premises following recent sales success.

The company, run by husband and wife team Peter and Kim Holdstock, began as a stationery supplier in 1996 but has since developed a popular chairs division, PostureSmart, which accounts for around 70% of its business.

Selling its chairs to one of Britain’s top fashion design houses, as well as seeing them in London theatres, the firm has now expanded to new premises at Crook Business Centre, in County Durham.

Mrs Holdstock: “Our office seating is bespoke and comes in all shapes and sizes rather than one size fits all. We’ve made chairs for one gentleman who was 6ft 10ins tall and for people who are only 4ft 8ins.

“Another client has curvature of the spine and we’ve made a chair he feels comfortable in and we’ve also helped prostrate sufferers. We can accommodate larger people also up to 40 stones.

“The reason PostureSmart has been so successful is the individual attention to detail we provide and the personal aspect we put into each sale. The business has grown from word-of-mouth.”

Recent PostureSmart sales include the chairs in the M6 toll booths, which had to be so robust they were fitted with armour plated gas lifts, as well as chairs to Nissan, BP, the Adelphi and Royal Court theatres in London, and many hospitals.

As well as the specialist seating we have developed ranges of preventative office seating with full postural and back care support which has become the preferred seating for the Sage Gateshead and Funding Circle in London.

Now the couple are finding Crook Business Centre is perfectly placed for their business to grow.

Mrs Holdstock added: “Business Durham has been a fantastic support to us in the move and in finding the right accommodation for us. The premises are fantastically placed as they’re in the town centre and we’re among some really lovely people.”

Simon Goon, managing director of Business Durham, said: “Verd is a fantastic example of how County Durham’s design and manufacturing skills, knowledge and expertise has become highly sought after across the UK. We wish Verd every success in the future as they continue to thrive in their new premises.”

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