EBB expands in the north with Newcastle branch

Independent paper merchant Elliott Baxter (EBB) has expanded its operations and confirmed its presence in the north of England after opening a storage and distribution branch in Newcastle.

The London-headquartered company now has 11 branches across the UK, and its new facility is 1,858sqm with the capacity to hold 2,000 pallets of stock.

In total, EBB now has the capacity to stock 25,000 pallets throughout the UK.

The company has also recruited three salesmen to expand its southern sales area.

Mel Wheeler and David Plummer have joined the EBB Bristol team and will work in the South Wales and Gloucestershire areas, while Steve Spinks has been recruited to open up a new area for EBB in Norfolk and Suffolk.

EBB managing director Tim Elliott said: "Our recent expansions and recruitment show a commitment and desire from EBB to further strengthen our position as the leading independent paper supplier in the UK."

He added: "Due to EBB's very strong financial position we can expand without having to borrow money. Any growth in 2011 will be self financed like we have always been able to do.

"The obvious risk is credit exposure with certain clients. As always we are looking for controlled growth with a range of clients and products so we can minimise any risk."

He added that the business is looking closely at a number of expansion options that will see EBB grow organically in 2011.

"Our policy of holding huge stocks and offering first class service always opens opportunity. I think that the fall of volume in the last two years has been difficult for some companies in our sector to remain profitable."

Elliott added that the challenge facing most will be to deliver a company that can be profitable on reduced sales and volume, whilst still maintaining very high standards of personal service, stock holding and delivery infrastructure.

"EBB is in great shape on all counts," he said.

The company has 230 staff and a turnover of £90m projected in 2010.