Stone celebrates 20 years of public sector success

System builder pledges to uphold its high standards as it plans for growth

System builder Stone is celebrating its 20th year of supplying the public sector and education markets.

With accumulated revenue of £630m over the two decades, the company has built, configured and shipped more than 800,000 Stone-branded PCs to the UK public sector and education market.

It also recently moved its premises to a 100,000 sq ft building which houses its Environment Agency-approved authorised treatment centre for IT hardware recycling.

Public sector customers include Coventry City Council, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and numerous education establishments including University of Nottingham, Wren’s Nest Primary School and the government’s first UTC JCB Academy.

Despite tough economic conditions in 2011, the firm’s recent achievements include being a listed supplier on the IT Recycling Framework Agreement from the NHS Shared Business Services Commercial Procurement Solutions – granting it access to NHS Trusts across the UK. It was also reappointed as a listed supplier on the Desktop Hardware & Peripherals Framework Agreement from the Crescent Purchasing Consortium.

James Bird, chief executive of Stone Group, said: “Given these times of austerity and the level of cuts to public spending in recent months, it is a remarkable achievement for a business that is entirely focused on public sector and education to reach 20 years of trading.

“This has been possible by remaining dedicated to providing our customers with the best value and service, from the initial manufacturing of our products to the ongoing services and support.”

He added: “Our clients repeatedly emphasise the value they place on our after-sales and warranty services, and how it is these services that ensure the efficient running of their business. It is our intention to continue to uphold the high standards we have set over the past 20 years.”