Promotional products specialist Nick Manning, owner of Recognition Express Guildford has won a top business award two months running. Nick was presented with crystal trophies by Recognition Express managing Director Nigel Toplis for achieving record sales during the months of May and June.

Promotional products specialist Nick Manning, owner of Recognition Express Guildford has won a top business award two months running.

Nick was presented with crystal trophies by Recognition Express managing Director Nigel Toplis for achieving record sales during the months of May and June.

Since Nick started the business which specialises in the sourcing, manufacture and supply of promotional products and corporate clothing four years ago he has built up a strong

Nick Manning (right) receives his award from Recognition Express managing Director Nigel Toplis

customer base and has seen steady growth. In the first three months of the new tax year 2011/12 his turnover equalled 50% of sales for the whole of the previous year and as the orders continued to flood in, May was his best ever month followed by an even better performance in June. Sales for those two months were more than three times those of last year.

Said Nick Manning: “I believe the reason we are doing so well is because we give old-fashioned, personal service. Before every one of those orders was placed I met with the customer face to face to find out exactly what their requirements were and recommend some suitable products and then delivered the products to the required specifications and most importantly, on time. Customers really appreciate a supplier they know they can rely on and as a result we build up a relationship based on trust and top quality service.

“I also do a lot of networking – in those record months almost a third of the sales came as a result of getting out and about meeting people at networking events over the years.”

Nick supplies everything from branded pens and promotional items to corporate clothing to businesses and organisations in the Guildford and surrounding areas. Orders for the record months included £5,500 worth of branded torches, light-up bouncy balls and crystal glass paperweights for a software client and a £5,000 order for trolley bags for a corporate golf.

On congratulating Nick for his achievement, Recognition Express managing director Nigel Toplis said: “Beating a personal best sales figure in one month is excellent – but to do it on two consecutive months is outstanding. Nick’s success goes to prove that if you work hard and give customers what they want, when they want it there’s a lot of good business out there to be had.”