Firm’s success has a knock-on effect

9:30am Wednesday 27th August 2008

WORCESTER-based firms are already benefiting from the success of Dragons’ Den slayers Neil and Laura Westwood.

The couple said they decided to use haulage, storage and distribution firm M Pinches & Sons, Blackpole Trading Estate (West), off Hindlip Lane, as they look to keep strong links with the city despite the fact their business has turned from a cottage industry into mass production almost overnight.

Mr Westwood, aged 35, of Warndon Villages, said: “Pinches are obviously local to Worcester but we really liked the guys over at the units there.

“They are really helpful, friendly and they have advised us on how to do things. They are very good value as well.”

As your Worcester News reported last Wednesday, sales for Magic Whiteboard – a statically-charged, re-usable whiteboard that can be stuck up on walls, glass, wood and wallpaper without the need of any drawing pins, tape or glue – have soared beyond expectation after its appearance on the hit TV show and Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden invested £100,000.

Mr Westwood said they had about 1,500 sales last year but are expecting that figure to rocket to at least 10,000 this year now the product is going to be sold in Mr Paphitis’ Ryman stationery stores all over the country and online.

Mrs Westwood said: “It used to be a case of when the orders came in I would wrap the rolls up and go to the Lyppard Grange Post Office with the pram, so to go from that is quite strange.”

As a result, Mr Westwood said the advice they have had from Pinches has been invaluable.

“They have advised us on how the goods have to be packaged up and how to get them into the right Rymans,” he said. “We would have got them all sent back if they hadn’t told us what we had to do.”

Adam Perryman, of Pinches, said: “We are very happy they decided to come to us.

“We have been helping them out with all their deliveries.”

Mr Perryman said they are currently taking Magic Whiteboard up to a distribution depot in Manchester.

“As and when they get more contracts we will be doing the rest of the distribution for them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Westwood said he also wanted to thank Harrison and Clark Solicitors, Deansway, Worcester, for its legal advice, as well as the Richards Sandy Partnership, Edgar Street, Worcester, which has helped them with their finances.

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