Northallerton business supplies company set for rapid expansion following “game-changing” £3m acquisition

Expanding Yorkshire business supplies company Corporate Trade Supplies (CTS) UK has completed the £3m acquisition of a personal protective equipment firm.

CTS UK, which specialises in personalised uniforms, workwear, promotional products and cleaning and hygiene products, has bought Safeguard Supplies in a “game-changing” deal. The transaction will enable the Northallerton based CTS to “rapidly expand” its business, allowing the company to deal directly with factories in the Far East.

Howard Gill, managing director of CTS UK, explained: “This is a tremendously significant, game-changing deal for us. The acquisition of Safeguard Supplies enables us to expand into healthcare and to become the largest importer of health and safety products from China in Yorkshire.

“This will mean we will be playing a crucial role in helping the country to recover from the global pandemic by providing healthcare equipment across the UK. We will now be servicing the retail, food manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality sectors, which is an exciting new dimension for our business and our brand.

“It is important not to underestimate the importance of this deal in the on-going expansion of CTS UK. It is absolutely crucial to the company’s swift and exciting evolution. We estimate that Safeguard Supplies, which will operate under the CTS UK umbrella, will have a turnover of £10m within three years.”

AJ Swinbank, the founder and chairman of CTS UK, added: “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved at CTS UK during the past two years, under the energetic and inspired leadership of managing director Howard Gill.

“The success of CTS UK has seen us expand into new premises in Northallerton and create much-need quality and sustainable jobs in North Yorkshire. We are planning to recruit at least 20 more staff in the next couple of years, with overall turnover targeted to reach £50m by 2027.”