Is it by the amount of money you make? Is it the awards you win? Is it by the recognition of others? Is it on how well your staff progress? Is it on what you contribute to the economy or is it how you support the local community?
Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd, an independent distributor of washroom and associated products, can rightly say that it is successful on all the above criteria.
Established just over three years ago in April 1995 by Mandie Kemp, the company now employs 10 people and expects to turnover more than £1,000,000 this year. Mandie started the business from her front room with little more than a vision and the determination to succeed, together with over 10 years experience in the janitorial/washroom industry.
Futures Supplies has grown steadily over the past three years, turnover at the end of the first 12 months was £85,339, rising to £261,822 at the end of the second and £616,839 last year. Its success is the result of the vision and determination which Mandie started with, combined with her ability to chose the right people and develop their potential and, of course, Mandie’s business acumen and foresight. Mandie happily acknowledges that Futures Supplies is a team effort and part of that team effort has been the support and advice she received from the Chamber of Commerce and in particular her help with the Chamber’s Training for Work programme.
Nicky Fiander joined Futures Supplies in 1996 on the Training for Work placement working alongside Mandie and her team. Although he did not stay on permanently with Futures Supplies, the experience and confidence he gained opened up further career opportunities for him, which he left to follow. Currently, Daniel Benham is with Futures Supplies on a placement and although it is only early days, all the indications show that he will have a long-term career opportunity with Futures Supplies.
The Futures Supplies’ team has achieved great things such as being awarded IS09002 in 1997, becoming members of the CHSA and last year was awarded Distributor of the Year Award, a national award for service excellence.
Futures Supplies was originally founded to supply City of London based financial and insurance institutions, banks, corporate headquarters and prestigious commercial buildings and now the business also incorporates the whole of the south east of England and includes markedly different types of customers, such as contract cleaning companies and leisure centres. Its client portfolio includes Lloyds of London and Chase Manhattan Bank.
As independent distributors of washroom, janitorial and associated products, Futures provides the benefit of ‘one-stop’ purchasing. Mainline washroom dispensers are supplied free on loan and installed by Futures’ own trained fitters. It will source any product customers need providing unbiased advice on the best product for the job. Managing Director, Mandie ensures the company operates good working practices, which includes running her own fleet of three vans to make sure every customer receives the right products at the right time.
Mandie, who is a member of the Institute of Directors, the Sales and Marketing Institute and a council member of the CHSA, also won a place in the finals of the Cosmopolitan ‘Women of Achievement’ this year. She has the ability to chose the right people and has a very strong team
Futures Supplies is a company to watch!