Greyland is 10

Soon to be celebrating its tenth anniversary, cleaning chemicals manufacturer Greyland has not only now achieved the latest ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Standard but has also further invested in new equipment at its Stockport, Cheshire, factory, including one of the latest chemical-resistant digital label printers that is capable of even sharper customer images and logos than ever before.
From small beginnings, a group of only six people ably led by managing director Richard Dyson set about creating a brand new company. The aim was to offer something different.
There were plenty of established chemicals manufacturers with a quality range, many of these also offering a choice between branded or own label products. Looking at what they believed the market really needed, however, it soon became clear that ever-rising commercial rents and a shortage of storage space, especially in the south east of England, meant that most distributors were desperate for quick deliveries that could not only fulfil orders in hand from their customers, but be replenished very soon after for the next order. And the one after that, time after time.
In effect, Greyland would provide the warehousing from where distributors could easily draw supplies as and when required in days rather than weeks.
From as early as 2002 the average Greyland brand delivery cycle has been as little as 3.2 days across the UK, and own label products delivered in just 4.7 days.
This is some achievement, and has meant major long term investment by Greyland in plant and equipment, extra staffing, additional warehousing, a continuing stream of new products, and ever-improving presentation.
From its initial 50 products, the Greyland range soon increased to 80, then 120 lines. The acquisition of the RB Polishes brand and formulations, together with the launch of its Greenest range, has increased the overall range still further.
Today, Greyland has seven busy filling lines, 28 staff, 40,000 sq feet of warehousing and despatches nearly 200 pallets of cleaning chemicals every week.
The establishment of Greyland laid down a number of non-negotiable ground rules that set the scene for the company’s subsequent remarkable year on year growth. “We see no reason why we should not continue with the original cornerstones that built the company,” said Richard Dyson, “As well as the unmatched delivery cycles, the uncomplicated product labelling policy, and terrific value for money will always be available at Greyland.”
Despite recent unprecedented increases in the price of vital ingredients, the surge in energy, fuel and transport costs, Greyland has endeavoured to maintain its competitive edge. “These days more than ever before we are experiencing a high level of enquiries from distributors,” said Dyson. “Against a backdrop of increased operating costs and reduced margins for everyone, reducing chemical costs helps to ensure survivability. We want our customers to place their orders with confidence that the delivery will be fulfilled without any gaps in the list. We have production staff who are second to none, and the additional warehousing and transport we have available provides tangible evidence that we can deliver.”