#Amazing Accrington - Winter 2017

DELIVERED

It is always a real pleasure to walk out of a business thinking “what a really nice business” which is exactly how I felt aer listening to Paul Sanderson, Managing Director of Albert Harrison & Co Ltd tell the story of the company

WHOLESALE

by Stephen Tasker

Established in 1919 by 18 year old Hilda Coupe and operating from the front room of a terraced house on Manchester Road, Accrington, the business grew and in 1921 Hilda’s father Moses joined the business. At this time they also moved into No. 2 Manchester Road – more recently known as the town’s police station. Continued success led the business to acquire a vehicle – a motorcycle and sidecar – but on one trip an accident occurred leaving Moses permanently injured. By circumstance and chance, a passenger of the vehicle at the time of the accident was Albert Harrison who initially offered Hilda help to run the business. He went on to marry Hilda in 1926 and then to purchase the business outright: the business name Albert Harrison trading as MCoupe was established to be incorporated as Albert Harrison & Co Ltd in 1940. Continued success under the direction of Albert, and brother Richard, saw the business move to larger premises onWarner Street in 1929, then again to Union Street in 1949 before the current location, Queens Mill on Queens Road, in 1965. Albert’s son, Cyril, joined the company aer the end of the war and worked in various departments within the business before progressing intoManagement. Cyril continued to run the business until 2002 when he retired and although nowmanaged by a young enthusiastic team, the business remains family owned with third generation, GrahamHarrison, as Chairman. Cyril’s three children, Graham, Elaine and Rebecca remain the main shareholders and are absolutely commied to and supportive of the business, always taking a long term view and providing the investment necessary for the business to change and prosper in a continually changing retail environment. It was with some obvious sadness, but tempered with an optimism for the future, that Paul explained that the business will soon relocate to new, larger premises on Shuleworth Mead Business Park in Padiham, providing an increase in space of 2½ times. This will allow the addition of many new lines to the existing ranges of confectionery, toys, GSL medicines, toiletries, stationery and gis. “We would have preferred to stay in Accrington” explained Paul “but there are just no suitable premises available.”

But whilst the business has changed and adapted to profit from changed market dynamics, one thing which has never changed is an absolute commitment to customer service. The success of this core business principle is reflected by a longstanding trading relationship with Welcome Break, a company created in 1959 to service the expanding motorway network. In 1962, Harrison’s started supplying the newly opened services at Charnock Richard, near Preston and due to managing to meet the needs of this nationally respected company by continually improving their service, range and value offering in the face of intense competition, Welcome Break still remain a customer to this day – 45 years later. “We pride ourselves on our service and work extremely hard for our customers – always trying to go the extra mile” explained Paul.

We pride ourselves on our service

The business is proud of its profile brand name customer base which includes RoadChef, Moto, Center Parcs, Merlin Entertainments and Bourne Leisure to name but a few. “Customers knowHarrison’s and trust the service the company will always provide” says Paul, with obvious pride in both the company and the workforce. Now employing 39 staffwith an average service of more than 15 years, the company’s relaxed informal working environment makes this a great company to be part of. Michael Halliwell, Warehouse Manager, has recently completed 40 years service with the company and is the 3rd employee to have completed this milestone. Staff also choose to regularly donate weekly and support three charities and have contributed more than £500 to each of the three charities: East Lancashire Hospice, Derian House and NorthWest Air Ambulance. Harrison’s also regularly donates slightly damaged toys (oen just damaged packaging) to Barnardo’s. Paul aributes the success of the business to a diverse customer portfolio which includes hotels, leisure centres, prisons and retailers as far afield as the Falkland Islands. With more than 6000 product lines Harrison’s has a niche in the travel sector and is able to provide customers with next day delivery of relatively small orders placed before 2pm. An increasing number of customers who are confident to choose Harrison’s as sole supplier are rewarded with improved payment terms and other exclusive offers. Harrison’s has succeeded by adapting to changing market dynamics including acquiring larger accounts and then again when launching online ordering via a website as early as 2006.

“The excellent Feefoweb reviews are all genuine” explains Paul “they reflect exactly what the business is about”. Social media, including Twier, nowplays an important role in the company’smarketing strategy. “As a business in thismarket sector we’re technologically quite advanced” explained Paul, with services including electronic ordering/invoicing and the use of SAPBusiness One (a systemwhich allows the company to streamline key processes fromaccountancy and CRMto supply chainmanagement and purchasing). Under the leadership of Graham, Paul and fellowdirector, CaraMcKenna, the company is keen to raise its profile and have recently signed a two year training kit sponsorship deal with Accrington Stanley with new promotional videos by ScoDawson Advertising currently being produced. Earlier this year the company was also recently nominated for the Lancashire Red Rose Awards andwas proud to have been amongst the six finalists for Best Online Business. The family, management team and staff are all now eager to begin the next chapter of the company’s history as they look forward to their relocation later this year. #AmazingAccrington can be very proud of Harrison’s – 100 years trading history next year and a business which surely deserves its success with a commitment to both staff and customers.

Above: Albert and Hilda Harrison. Cyril Harrison. Below: Current Harrisons office staff. Opposite: Harrisons early van fleet. Queens Mill 1965. Present warehousing. Loading deliveries.

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