A long-established supplier of top-end technical equipment for climbers, mountaineers, backpackers, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts has moved its headquarters from England to Scotland.
Allcord, which developed from the Gourock Ropework Company and was based in Newcastle for more than 30 years, is now operating from a new office and warehouse complex at Livingston, West Lothian. A subsidiary office in Newcastle has been retained.
The move, which has created five new jobs bringing the current number of employees to ten, follows the acquisition of an 80% stake in the company by Coralinn LLP private equity company.
Coralinn chairman Hugh Stewart said: “Allcord has a fantastic reputation in the outdoor clothing and equipment market and Coralinn has invested to allow it to grow substantially in the next few years.
“We have invested in the latest IT systems and have provided a state of the art warehousing facility and showrooms. To bring the business back Scotland where it can trace its roots and provide up to 10 new jobs fits in with Coralinn’s investment strategy.”
Mr Stewart added: “In Kieron Mackenzie we have a Managing Director not only highly experienced in the company’s products but a highly respected figure with a proven track record.”
Allcord, which distributes well-known brands through a network of retailers throughout the UK and Ireland, stocks a comprehensive range of equipment required for the outdoors.
It also supplies industrial ropes and safety equipment to government departments, local authorities, major companies, military establishments, outdoor centres and individual professional users.
Its next-day delivery service is backed by the company’s large stockholding at its Livingston warehouse. Brands include Dolomite, Trangoworld, Fizan, SOTO, CAMP, Climb X, Tendon, TSL, Silkbody, Karrimor, Asolo and Icepeak.
Allcord managing director Kieron MacKenzie, an experienced mountaineer whose achievements include climbing Everest and other major peaks, said relocating to Scotland marked the next stage of the company’s development.
He said: “Coralinn’s backing and the move to our new office and warehousing premises gives us the opportunity and space to develop and grow further.
“These changes represent a new and exciting time for Allcord and the brands we sell. We are looking forward to the challenges ahead and feel both confident and excited to have secured support from Coralinn. They have already demonstrated their long term commitment to Allcord and more importantly to the people involved which is a key part of Coralinn’s investment policy.”
Mr MacKenzie said quality of product and service was of prime importance to Allcord who operate a fully documented and implemented quality management system independently monitored to the International Standard ISO 9001:2008.
He added: “We are proud to be one of the first British companies in the outdoor equipment Industry to achieve such accreditation and we are committed to a culture of continual improvement in all quality matters.”
