Member Article

Nicholson Group driving to success

TEESSIDE transport specialist The Nicholson Group is gearing up for further growth after steering its businesses to success in 2016.

The Billingham-based group comprises Nicholson’s Transport, crane operator Nicholson Hiab and storage business Box Clever. It also provides mentoring and support to young businesses looking to scale up to the next level.

2016 has proved to be the best year to date for the Nicholson Group with all of its companies experiencing increased turnover while staffing levels have never been higher.

Nicholson Group chairman Bob Forster said: “We predicted that 2016 would be a busy year and that has proved to be the case. The new warehousing facility we opened at Eaglescliffe has proved very successful and is up to capacity but we have also moved some of our Box Clever self-storage unit operations there to meet demand from the Eaglescliffe and Yarm area.

“The core of our business is Nicholson’s Transport and that has continued to prosper in challenging economic conditions. But I am most proud of our workforce – we are now at 60 staff across the group – and they all share a commitment to the values of the Nicholson Group.”

A particularly welcome success this year was Nicholson Group employee Eric Conner being named Unsung Hero of the Year in the inaugural North East Employee Awards for his willingness to go the extra mile to help the business and his colleagues.

Nicholson’s Transport was also awarded the Certificate of Operational Excellence from The Pallet Network, which represents hundreds of transport companies across the UK.

But most satisfying for Group founder David Nicholson is the mentoring of young entrepreneurs with links to the transport and logistics sector. The first to benefit was 29-year-old Dan Robson whose herb and flower seed retail business Green Digit is now flourishing in its own 2000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Gateshead.

David then turned his attentions to support J. N. Rusticus, managed by Joe Nicholson – a brand new furniture business which sources and sells unique, ethically sourced home and office furniture from around the world.

David Nicholson said: “When we established the Nicholson Group the focus was always going to be on our own transport and storage businesses, but I am passionate about helping young entrepreneurs.

“I know how difficult it can be to get a new business up and running as I started this firm when I was 17. But we want to help those young entrepreneurs with the right drive and enthusiasm and are always on the lookout for our next project.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jonathan Ward .