Tuesday 15th September 2009 - Published by Lara Page - Account Manager
Gift firm set for expansion following investment from Dee Set
The owner of a Huddersfield based gift firm is gearing up for expansion after national distribution and merchandising company invested in the company.
Sue Grant, Managing Director of Crazy Popular Products has created a joint venture with Stoke based Dee Set in a bid to boost market share.
She said “The investment means we can expand the business from a logistics perspective, develop more exciting products and grow in the gift market place”
“We’re really excited about working with Dee Set and look forward to developing additional innovative products”
Sue started Crazy Popular Products, out of her previous success with The Natural Wheat Bag Company Ltd formed in 1996. It was the first company in the UK to sell heatable, fragranced wheat bags and was widely recognised within the gift industry, winning several awards including ‘Product of the Year’.
The bags which are scented with a range of fragrances including Lavender, Eucalyptus and Citrus are designed to be incorporated into a variety of products including cuddly characters, pillows, eye masks amongst others. The company has subsequently acquired licences for two brands, Born to Shop and Withit which they are looking forward to developing.
Crazy Popular Products currently sell online in addition to supplying blue chip high street retailers, Supermarkets, Chemists, Garden Centres, Mail Order and a variety of independent gift shops and health food stores.
Dee Set has a management team with the Directors alone having over 50 years combined experience working in major retailers. They employ over 1500 colleagues including a national team of merchandisers covering the UK and Eire. Dee Set’s major customers include Asda, Morrisons, Wilkinsons and Dunnes. With distribution of over 3000 products including P&G, Coty Rimmel and Maybelline they expect turnover to top £45 million this year.
Dee Set’s Chairman, Ian Andrews said “The 50 per cent investment stake shows the confidence that Dee Set has with the innovative product design and skills that Sue Grant brings to the partnership”
“It will allow significant growth to happen without constraints on cash flow and provide Crazy Popular Products with the resources and capability to expand into any market or retailer."
In 2004 Sue won the Queens Award for Innovation and was introduced to the Queen at Buckingham Palace and enjoyed a visit by HRH Duke of York, Prince Andrew to her premises in Emley. She won a small business award which saw her attend Downing Street to meet Tony Blair and was also a finalist in the Women Mean Business awards in 2002.
