Scotland’s largest independent office products company has joined hundreds of other businesses and backed the Buy North East campaign.
The Aberdeen-based family firm, which will celebrate seven decades of trading in 2017, has become a member of the Buy North East Roll of Honour by pledging to use local suppliers where possible.
The campaign will also be an agenda item on the next Langstane board meeting.
Managing director Colin Campbell, whose father and uncles started the business in 1947, is a strong believer that local businesses should support each other at all times – but especially when trading is challenging.
He said: “Locally based procurement is important for Langstane and we already work with many, many north-east suppliers. Looking locally first has always been our ethos.
“Businesses in the north-east have a long history of innovation and diversification.
“We’re nimble and flexible and importantly we’re here, on the ground, to listen and react to customers.”
The company is going one step further by hosting a “Lean and mean in 17 event at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom in March to bring together some of its key suppliers.
Mr Campbell is confident the Langstane founders would approve of the Buy North East project.
He said: “In the early days they would be asked for pencils and envelopes, which they bought from Woolworths in Union Street and resold.
“This constant attention to anticipating and servicing the customer’s needs meant Langstane developed from a small printer into Scotland’s largest independent office products company.
“We now have a product range in excess of 30,000, of which 3,500 are available for delivery within the north east on the same day.”
Although the oil and gas industry remains a key sector for Langstane, in recent years the company has expanded into an increasing number of sectors and geographical territories from its bases in Aberdeen, Dundee and Livingston.
The Buy North East campaign is led by Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council – plus Aberdeen Journals and Scottish Enterprise.
To apply, visit www.buynortheast.co.uk.
