Ipswich Trade Centre (ITC) was established in 2019. The business, based on Farthing Road Industrial Estate in Ipswich, is a multi-supply company which provides tools, PPE, custom workwear, fixings sealants and general consumables.
Paul, a company director, explains that ITC’s success comes from its ability to be competitive and to offer huge savings and great service.
“We are a really simple business,” says Paul, “and consequently we make procurement in business easy. We really are that ‘one stop shop’ for all businesses and even integrate our customers with each other where we cannot supply certain items.”
Many companies come to ITC when competing for a large tender or project as ITC’s buying power and connections enables them to be more competitive across an extensive range of products.
“We offer a complete range of construction, industrial and office products, working with clients to maximise time efficiency by using our buying network to provide best value,” explains Paul. “This network also means we can keep projects or businesses well stocked at all times.”
As one of Ipswich’s only PPE suppliers with critical items on the shelf, ITC has been much in demand in recent months.
“We did adapt as many of the trades we supply on a regular basis weren’t working. For a short period we concentrated on cleaning products and PPE and we’re proud we were able to procure sufficient product to meet demand.”
Paul is hopeful that new government initiatives to support manufacture in the UK will help control the rising cost of PPE coming in from China and elsewhere which has results in boxes of nitrile gloves going from £3 to £10 over a period of months.
Business is picking up again with most trades now back at work and many new customers discovering the benefits of working with ITC.
“Most of our new business comes from word of mouth but I would encourage any business purchasing products on a regular basis to come to us for a quote. Time and time again we quote for companies who haven’t realised how much they could save, or haven’t considered changing to a new supplier because they assumed they were getting best value for money already.”
Paul has invested heavily in the business but by avoiding massive overheads and bringing together a team who love the business, ITC has become Ipswich’s number one supplier and its client base is growing day by day. Paul recently invested in an automated custom workwear department which allows ITC to customise up to 500 items of workwear a day.
“We can now provide customised workwear at exceptionally competitive prices and with super-fast turnaround. When word spread, I expect this department to be extremely busy.”
Though still a relatively new business, ITC’s reputation is already well-established and Paul is very confident about the future.
“We have proven we can make savings of up to 50% on everyday consumables and our customer service is second to none so ITC is perfectly placed to supply businesses of all sizes. We work with customers to enable them to not only function effectively and efficiently but to grow and develop with us.”
If you’d like ITC to provide a quote or simply want to find our more, visit the website or give them a call on 01473 898111.
ITC is now exploring other expansion opportunities in other locations around the UK.
Ipswich Trade Centre, Unit 3, Sovereign Centre, Farthing Road, Ipswich IP1 5AP