£60k investment to help Leeds corporate wear business hit £6m sales target

A Leeds-based corporate wear business is aiming to double its turnover in 2016.

The Business Wear Company, which supplies corporate wear to clients including Jet 2, Transdev and Bovis Homes, grew by 42% last year and is forecasting sales approaching £6m in 2016.

The firm’s growth has been given a boost via a £60k Business Loan from Finance Yorkshire.

The investment will support a number of initiatives within the business, including IT improvements to enable online ordering, and additional warehouse facilities.

Bought out of administration in 2011 by Nick Atkinson and Swedish clothing maker Gote David, the Business Wear Company turned over £2.7m last year, and thanks to having recently secured two major contracts, is forecasting growth of up to 120% in 2016.

Nick’s previous experience in the corporate wear market includes a management buyout of London-based Prima Corporate Wear in 1999, which he went on to sell in 2005 to listed company Alexandra for almost £4m.

Since the purchase of The Business Wear Company in 2011, in a move which saved more than 20 jobs, the management team has secured contracts with big industry names, and focusing squarely on first class design, quality and service.

Two recently-won contracts with Compass and Ireland-based Noonan will see the firm, which now has a 34-strong workforce, supply tens of thousands of staff with corporate wear over three years.

Nick Atkinson, managing director, said: “We focus on what’s important to each of our customers; namely great in-house design, excellent service and ultimately a high quality product. This approach has ensured consistent growth since 2011, and we’re grateful for Finance Yorkshire’s assistance in our continued success.”

John Ellis of Finance Yorkshire added: “Thanks to the experience of a strong senior management team and the recently won contracts The Business Wear Company is now looking to a period of unparalleled growth.

“The figures speak for themselves, and we are delighted to support the business as it enjoys such a remarkable renaissance.”