Distribution deal brings 50 new jobs

Feb 26 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

ONE of the North East’s leading providers of contact centre and distribution services has created 50 jobs following a deal with one of Europe’s largest suppliers of recycling containers.

Gateshead-based Spark Response has landed a deal with Leeds-based Straight plc which sees the North East company distribute its wares to local councils and businesses.

To accommodate the increase in business, Spark has converted 22,000 sq ft of its contact centre space into warehousing facilities, which sees 250 contact centre staff moving to another floor at its Follingsby Park site and leaves the firm with 140,000 sq ft in which to carry out its distribution activities and 20,000 sq ft for its call centre work.

Spark’s turnover for this year, which was projected to be £10.3m before the new contract win, is now on track to hit £11m, with the firm predicting that this will mean increasing its 200-strong workforce to 250.

The addition of Straight to Spark’s 14-strong list of clients is an attempt to make up for the loss of B&Q as a client, with the DIY specialists distributing its products through Spark for five years before parting ways in 2006.

Spark marketing and communications manager Alan Sawyers said: “As a number of Straight’s products are used for composting and gardening, the contract will help replace some of the summer work we lost through B&Q. It is these kind of contracts that we are looking to secure in the near future, as they help to balance out our annual schedule rather than leaving us with a rush of orders come Christmas time.”

Spark managing director, Peter Slee, said: “This is an exciting and interesting new business development which presents Spark with a fantastic opportunity to work with a leading UK business within a high-growth industry, and to strengthen our existing warehousing and fulfilment prowess.”