A LIFT repair company is on the up after building up its client list across the North over the last two years.

Sunderland-based Exel Elevator began in 2010 and in just two years the company has expanded into larger offices twice and gone from two staff to a team of eight.

In 2010 Jonathan Wilde first visited the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) and met business adviser Chris Craig.

They discussed the details of Wilde setting up his own company. He invited previous colleague Elaine Terry to join a business partnership.

She had worked for a multinational company but took her redundancy and a leap of faith after 22 years of service.

Terry said: “In June 2010 we moved into a little office. We had nothing between us; we even had to rent furniture from the BIC.

“Looking back I had no idea what I was letting myself in for but I can honestly say if I had to do it again, I would in a heartbeat.

“There were a lot of sleepless nights when we found that clients don’t come to you straight away.

“We had to make the contacts and between the two of us we began to build up our reputation. Our perseverance paid off and we started to develop our client base and now have customers as far as Leeds and Humberside.

“I am so proud of what we have achieved in a short space of time.

“We had an opportunity and with the BIC’s help we have flourished.

“After being made redundant I now feel I have a purpose for getting up in the mornings, I view the team like an extended version of my family and we encourage people to do well and be as passionate as us.”

David Howell, director of operations at the North East BIC, said: “What is so inspiring about Exel Elevators is that they both worked for other companies and had enough belief in themselves to become their own bosses.

“It is so rewarding to see them grow from strength to strength.”