History

We stumbled across batteries at a local trade show after a fellow exhibitor left a few samples at our stand. After securing multiple orders we knew this was the future for Supreme Imports.

After sourcing branded batteries from reliable suppliers in Europe we managed to quickly grow the business from our modest 3000 sq foot warehouse.

After signing a distribution agreement with Panasonic we had great success in the independent sector offering both Duracell and Panasonic products with annual sales reaching £2.2m. Even with gross profit of just 5% we still managed to break even that year.

By this time Supreme Imports were becoming more dominant in the battery world sourcing Duracell and Energizer from across Europe. We started to Hire EX Eveready van operators that were being made redundant by the company and today have over 100 van operators all self employed selling our products.

Managed to secure the Official UK distribution agreement for Duracell, Energizer, Eveready and Kodak, at this point the business started to expand rapidly. We found that selling batteries was easy as virtually all retail stores regardless of the market sector sold them in their outlets.
Selling over 50 million batteries each year Supreme Imports Ltd NET profits hit £500,000.

Photomax Ltd was born to sell camera film and single use cameras and at its peak hit £8m in sales.

Moved to new purpose built distribution depot in Trafford Park and signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Samsung batteries. We started to build a strong management team to help structure the business though its rapid growth. Profits now exceeding £1m per annum.

Now the biggest battery distributor in the UK selling 100 million batteries into 2100 live customers. Acquired MCG international Ltd in Sheffield a £5m business in the photographic sector.

Moved into a new 45,000 sq foot distribution centre in Trafford Park and successfully carried out a £16.1m Buyout. Sales now over £28m. And net profits over £2.8m.

Acquired 3 companies: GPS photographic to complement Photomax, Gemini to acquire the Memorex licence and blue chip accounts and Jazz photo which manufactures over 4 million single use cameras each year.

260m batteries sold into 3600 live accounts across Europe. Batteries now account for over 65% of group turnover.

Extension built to existing site which now totals 88,000 sq foot of warehouse and offices.
Extensive investment made in Information Technology systems: implemented WMS a fully integrated warehouse management system (paperless warehouse), ACT customer relationship management system and iDWebstore a fully online system for re-ordering and paperless office.

Signed an exclusive license to manufacturer Eveready lamps and PIFCO batteries. Supreme purchased back into family control with a group structure.

Lazoron PLC (£12m t/o) and Eurobatteries.com the second largest online e-tailer for batteries was purchased and integrated into Supreme Imports and we started to diversify into specialist batteries for mobile phones, camcorders, digital cameras, cordless phone etc.

Acquired the shares of Battery Force Ltd, the largest online e-tailor for batteries based in Kent www.batteryforce.com, sales of Eveready light bulbs are now 15% of the whole business selling over 50 million bulbs each year with over 1000 different SKUs available from stock.

Signed an exclusive licence to Manufacture JCB batteries and now offering a comprehensive range of disposable batteries and sealed lead acid batteries for Golf trolleys and Security.

Developed a range of industrial and consumer LED lighting products along with indoor and outdoor light fittings. Sales back to record high levels selling over 300 million batteries each year.

Signed an agreement with Polaroid to manufacture under license a range of industrial and consumer lighting products.
Relocated Battery Force from its long term home in Kent to Manchester.
Production stock arrives of our own label Powermaster Lighting ranges which include Indoor Fittings, Outdoor & Security Lights and Solar Lights.
Purchased certain Trade and Assets of the business Brand Essentials Ltd.