Comtrans plans growth from success
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• Comtrans, distributor of hitech products, has boosted turnover from E8m to Mm in less than a year since Christian Salvesen bought it for Um.
Salvesen has backed new general manager Chris Taylor's plans to double warehousing capacity at its seven depots from an average of 1,800m2 to 3,700m2 to meet an expected influx of new clients. Each expansion will be linked to new business, which Comtrans hopes to win from a "hit-list" of 10 companies.
The St Albans, Hertfordshire
based company switched its Midlands operation last week to a 6,500m2 warehouse at Wednesbury, formerly a Salvesen storage depot. Nearly half the space will be occupied by AEG white goods.
Comtrans marketing director Jim Bowe says the company has been forced to diversify because of the downturn in the computer market, but is still committed to hi-tech products. Each vehicle has a two-man team trained also to install equipment.
The company has won a dedicated contract from Agfa Gevaert, worth Om a year, to distribute photocopying and photographic equipment. "We took over the existing fleet of 34 and slimmed it down to 27," says Bowe, adding that the company is close to other deals.
Partners Michael Gratton and Michael Hobdell, who sold out to Salvesen, have now left the company.