AN OFFICE furniture and stationery supply company is to expand and take on new staff after forming a partnership with a Scottish firm.

Newcastle-based The Holsta Group has joined forces with HCS (Hunters Contract Services) in a deal worth approximately £500,000 that will enable the company to provide complete office fit-outs across the UK.

To cope with the expansion and help fulfil a number of new contract wins, the company has created a new job and recruited a number of temporary staff.

The Holsta Group started out in 2002 as a stationer and quickly grew to supply furniture, fixtures and fittings to organisations across the North East.

Holsta owner Terry Armstrong said: “Over the last 10 years the company has expanded. From initially supplying boxes of staples we’ve now grown into a position where we can provide everything right down to light fittings and carpets.

“The partnership will help us extend our reach nationally. The support from Investment for Growth helped put processes into place for us to make the most of our UK-wide reach.”

Delivered by the Investment Centre, Investment for Growth was able to provide 40% of the funding needed by The Holsta Group to develop a new website and marketing strategy.

The company currently employs four people and a number of people on temporary contracts which it hopes to make into permanent roles as the business grows.

It has recently completed fit-outs for new schools, offices and 15 fire stations.