Staytite Ltd is a fastener supplier that has been providing high-quality products and reliable solutions to customers for over 35 years. Established in 1978, Staytite was originally focused on a single product – the Staytite Nut – a one-piece metal locking nut that was designed in Japan. “For the first five years we simply focused on the Staytite Nut and building the brand,” explains David Cartledge, director of sales at Staytite. “After this we started to look at other product ranges that added value for customers, such as Carp nuts and Barb nuts. We then introduced a complementary range of SEMS, for which we are still the largest UK stockist – both to distributors and end users.”
Initially Staytite predominately grew in the distributor market, which accounted for 60% – 70% of sales. Today, the distributor market only accounts for 30% of Staytite’s sales – with the remainder direct to end users. “We are still very committed to supplying distributors and we are still hitting the same sales values for the distributor market as we were ten years ago,” points out David. “We have simply been growing faster in the end user market.”
During the time Staytite was establishing and growing in the end user market, it also took the opportunity to acquire Andover-based Portafix Ltd in 2008 – a ‘one stop shop’ for a wide range of fastener products for end users. “Portafix was originally a customer of ours and we saw the potential within the business,” mentions David. “They were a solid company that had a good catchment area for big potential customers. We thought we could learn something from them and how they operate, and they could benefit from the added value and the stability to grow we could provide.”
Since the acquisition, Portafix has operated as an autonomous company and gone from strength to strength. Portafix’s close proximity to customers and its ability to respond quickly and efficiently to enquiries is something that David believes is proving popular with customers. “There has definitely been a ‘groundswell’ for the market to go back to how it stood 10 to 15 years ago – where suppliers were close to their customers. It gives you the opportunity to respond decisively to customer’s needs and – from the success at Portafix – we have seen how much of an advantage it can be.”
As well as its developments in Asia, Staytite is also looking to further strengthen its team in the UK. The company has now established a business development team, as well as a customer service team, and has also recently added new buyers to the company. Staytite has also looked to strengthen its quality department, with new personnel enabling the business to measure its suppliers in greater detail. “By expanding our quality department we are able to have better dialogue with our suppliers,” comments David. “We choose suppliers based on the quality of service and product they can provide, and through the quality department we are able to guarantee that the high standards we demand are maintained. If there are any production issues we are also able to work with them and solve any concerns.”
