Franking firm makes its mark with training
12:59pm Tuesday 8th April 2008
A FAMILY business has set up a training academy for new recruits as part of its expansion plans.
Nationwide Franking Sense, in Moss Bank Way, Astley Bridge, Bolton, was set up 16 years ago by father-and-son team John and Julian Gilbert after John was made redundant from a franking machine manufacturer.
They started the business at their home in Astley Bridge before moving to premises in Lever Street and have operated from their current site in Nationwide House since 1998.
Nationwide Franking Sense is an independent supplier of mail room equipment including franking machines, photocopiers and printers.
Julian's brother, Daniel, aged 32, joined the business 12 months ago as operations director, after working as a regional sales manager with DIY giant B&Q.
The family's goal is to increase turnover to £5 million from the current £3 million within two years.
The sales academy was set up six months ago as part of the expansion plan to recruit young Bolton people with an interest in sales and marketing.
The family says it is passionate about Bolton and is keen to employ people from the area.
Amy Gallagher, aged 20, from Westhoughton, is the academy's first graduate and is now a fully fledged trainee salesperson responsible for developing business in the Wigan area.
Miss Gallagher left a business and marketing course at Manchester Metropolitan University after her first year, deciding that she preferred to move straight into work.
She applied online for the position through the JobCentre. Six months later, she now has a company car and the chance to double her salary during the next year.
She said: "It's good fun here, a lot more fun than a normal office job. I don't like being stuck in the office all the time, so, from my point of view, it's great, plus I get a company car."
Julian Gilbert said: "The basic criteria to join the academy is an interest in sales and marketing. Amy applied for an admin job, but during the interview it was apparent that she had a skill set more suited towards sales.
"We will have two people in the academy at any one time, there will be six months of internal training, learning the product systems and sales techniques."
Nationwide Franking Sense supplies all the mail room equipment for Bolton Wanderers FC, Sheffield United FC and Sainsbury's among others.
It was the first non-manufacturer of franking machines to be approved by the Royal Mail.