INDUSTRY
S T R AT E G Y I N T E R V I E W
Evolution, not revolution, key for Egan Reid Long-established dealer EGAN REID has been a name in the sector for more than 45 years, and that’s down to a willingness to continually evolve the business
E
gan Reid has come a long way
staff and, by 1990, needed to relocate to somewhere
since the business was started by
bigger; they moved into the purpose-built premises
Jack Reid and Jim Egan in 1957 as
in Stockport where the company is still based.
a letterpress printing business; it
“This move was a big step. It allowed us to
has proved that a business must
grow, as the previous building was far too small for
continually evolve if it is to remain successful.
us,” says Martin.
Perhaps the first example of this is when the
But the business’s growth hasn’t just been organic;
company got out of the printing business in 1976 –
over the past 15 years, Egan Reid has regularly acquired
around the time the print unions were very militant
businesses, including Lincoln-based Todds Group in
– and bought two new businesses; an office supplies
2019, which expanded the company into the office fit-
company in Stockport called Office
out sector; Martin says the company is now much more
Supplies Manufacturing, and an office furniture
than just an office supplies and furniture business; it
company, B&H Commercial.
caters for the entire building.
This was the beginning of Egan Reid in its current
This willingness to expand into new markets, either
form – 2021 managing director Martin Reid joined the
by acquisition or organically, ensured that, when the
business as a fresh-faced 18-year-old the year after.
pandemic hit last year, Egan Reid was able to weather
The company grew quite quickly to 25 members of
[10] JUNE 2021
www.dealersupport.co.uk
the storm.
