Small firm to make big business across the pond

May 28 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

Mr Bartlett, who launched the business in 2005 after being inspired by a work experience project while he was at Sunderland University, said: “Graham Wylie gave us some advice on how to submit proposals and we realised we weren’t doing a very good job of it in the first place.

“It’s much more professional now. On the back of the deal in New York we have the potential for further contracts and we’ve got another eight companies who were strongly interested at a recent conference in Miami.”

Meanwhile, the company, which has largely targeted envelope manufacturers in the past, is hoping to broaden its customer base with the launch of a new software product later this year.

The firm is currently seeking North East businesses to trial the product which it says can improve a company’s efficiency.

Mr Bartlett came up with the concept for OnePoint as a student when he was challenged to capture and analyse timesheets for a factory floor during his industrial placement at Washington Envelopes in 2000.

Once he graduated in computer science, he was made IT manager and the envelope company’s owner Dave McGuire was so impressed he helped him launch the business and invested money in it.