(Image: Supplied)
A Darlington family firm is opening to the public for the first time after more than three decades sending gifts for some of Britain’s best-known companies.
Founded in 1993, Simply Thank You now employs 55 people and has hired five more to launch and grow Simply Gifting.
From its 32,000 sq ft Morton Road base, the firm delivers more than one million gifts a year for 350 corporate clients, including Sky, Samsung, TUI, DFS, Novuna and DHL.
Simply Thank You (Image: Supplied)
The company has traditionally supplied gifts on behalf of corporate clients but is now launching a consumer-facing brand, allowing members of the public to buy hampers, flowers, wines and gift cards directly for the first time.
For founder Colin Eglington, the launch marks a new chapter after a career that began at sea.
He became a Merchant Navy captain and commanded a 450,000-tonne supertanker.
Mr Eglington was working as a shipping liaison officer for the Kuwaiti government when Iraq invaded on August 2, 1990.
(Image: Supplied)
He hid at the family home for two-and-a-half months before Iraqi forces found him and held him as a human shield for three more months.
Back in the UK, Colin visited a bank and realised businesses needed a better way to send gifts.
He founded Simply Thank You in 1993 to make business gifting simpler, more thoughtful and more reliable.
Mr Eglington said: 'After what happened in Kuwait, I came home with a very different view of what matters.
'I went into a bank and saw that the way businesses approached gifting could be better.
'I knew there had to be a simpler, more thoughtful way.
'Thirty-three years later, we deliver more than one million gifts a year for our B2B customers, and opening up to the public feels like a very special next step.'
His son, Mark Eglington, is now managing director and is leading the family firm’s next stage.
The team spent more than a year building the website and preparing the business for consumer orders.
Mark Eglington said: 'I grew up with the business, so I have seen how much care goes into getting a gift right.
'The team here now sends more than one million gifts a year.
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'Simply Gifting means anyone can use that experience, not only our corporate clients.
'We've hired 5 additional team members to help launch and grow Simply Gifting, and we hope this is just the start.'
Simply Gifting’s range includes hampers, fresh flowers, wine and multi-retailer gift cards.
Customers can build their own hampers and choose gift cards accepted by more than 300 retailers.