AN ERGONOMICS specialist is going from strength-to-strength after selling its chairs to one of Britain’s top fashion design houses and seeing them in London theatres and the toll booths along the M6.
Verd, which has developed its own ergonomic seating solution to prevent bad backs, is finding its chairs have become highly sought after across the country. Following its recent sales success, it has moved into new premises at Crook Business Centre, in County Durham, which is run by Business Durham, the economic development company for County Durham.
The company, which is run by husband and wife team Peter and Kim Holdstock, started out selling stationary supplies in 1996. But 11 years ago the Holdstocks developed their seating, PostureSmart, with advice from physiotherapists and ergonomic experts. The chairs division runs alongside the stationary company and now accounts for around 70 per cent of Verd’s business.
Said Mrs Holdstock: “Our office seating is bespoke and comes in all shapes and sizes rather than one size fits all. We’ve made chairs for one gentleman who was 6ft 10ins tall and for people who are only 4ft 8ins. Another client has curvature of the spine and we’ve made a chair he feels comfortable in and we’ve also helped prostrate sufferers. We can accommodate larger people also up to 40 stones.
“The reason PostureSmart has been so successful is the individual attention to detail we provide and the personal aspect we put into each sale. The business has grown from word-of-mouth.”
Recent PostureSmart sales include the chairs in the M6 toll booths, which had to be so robust they were fitted with armour plated gas lifts, as well as chairs to Nissan, BP, the Adelphi and Royal Court theatres in London, and many hospitals. As well as the specialist seating we have developed ranges of preventative office seating with full postural and back care support which has become the preferred seating for the Sage Gateshead and Funding Circle in London.
Now the couple are finding Crook Business Centre is perfectly placed for their business to go from strength to strength.
Mrs Holdstock said: “Business Durham has been a fantastic support to us in the move and in finding the right accommodation for us. The premises are fantastically placed as they’re in the town centre and we’re among some really lovely people.”
Simon Goon, managing director of Business Durham, said: “Verd is a fantastic example of how County Durham’s design and manufacturing skills, knowledge and expertise has become highly sought after across the UK. We wish Verd every success in the future as they continue to thrive in their new premises.”