EXETER CARTRIDGE KING’S A FRANCHISE WINNER
Media Release - 8 October 2004
 Craig Collins who runs the environmentally friendly franchise in Exeter, Exmouth and Plymouth, won a highly commended certificate of merit in this year’s Franchisee of the Year Awards, sponsored by HSBC Bank and supported by the Daily Express.
The award was presented to Craig by Cathryn Hayes, HSBC’s national franchise manager, at a gala dinner at the ICC in Birmingham last Thursday night (7 October). HSBC has provided financial support and advice to franchisors and franchisees in the UK for over 20 years and has more than doubled its lending to the sector during the first half of 2004.
Speaking after the awards, Craig said: “Sticking to what is a proven franchise formula has helped bring me success, but I’ve worked hard to make it happen too. The support I’ve had from Cartridge World has been fantastic and has helped me compete successfully with some of the much larger retailers in the area.”
Cartridge World refills and remanufactures a wide range of computer printer cartridges from its network of retail premises around the UK. According to the company, recycled computer consumables can offer cost savings of up to 60 per cent. The environmental benefits and the appeal of cheaper prices means that Craig even counts the local manager of a large retail competitor as one of his regular customers and someone who regularly refers clients to him.
In presenting the awards, Cathryn Hayes, national franchise manager at HSBC, said: “Franchising gives people the opportunity to make the most of their entrepreneurial talent, but with fewer risks than starting their own business from scratch. As a leading lender to the franchise sector, HSBC recognises that the hard work, enthusiasm and business nous of people like Craig will help turn a good franchise into a great franchise. He deserves his success.”
Craig’s franchised business is one of the top three performers within Cartridge World’s thriving network of 243 outlets across the UK. He started his business two years ago and already his turnover has topped £¾ m.
Cartridge World won the Daily Express Brand Builder of the Year Award in the British Franchise Association’s Franchisor of the Year competition earlier in the year, an event also sponsored by HSBC.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The British Franchise Association Awards reward franchisees that demonstrate outstanding commercial achievement through ethical franchising and are sponsored by and the . The theme of this year’s competition is “Beating the Competition” – How Franchising Makes A Difference”.
- Other winners in this year’s awards were:
1st place, Michael Roney from , Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire;
Joint 2nd place, Simon Stack from , York;
Joint 2nd place, Jack Glen from , Hamilton;
3rd place, Adam and Ruth Brenner, , Newcastle.
The following were highly commended by the British Franchise Association, HSBC Bank and the Daily Express:
Mark Meredith from , Stoke-on-Trent; Craig Collins from , Exeter, Exmouth and Plymouth; John Murray from , Airdrie and Wishaw; Robert Bates from , Abergavenny, Brecon, Merthyr Tydfil and Exmouth; Ian Michael and Richard Ball from , Neath Abbey, and; David and Jacqui Henshaw from , Swindon.
- The HSBC Group
HSBC Bank plc is a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, and a member of the HSBC Group. Serving over 110 million customers worldwide, the HSBC Group has approximately 10,000 offices in 76 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$1,154 billion at 30 June 2004, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as ‘the world’s local bank’.
- For further press information on HSBC’s support for franchising and/or an interview with Cathryn Hayes please contact: Alex Bellinger, Media Relations Manager, HSBC on 020 7991 0654.
- To contact Michael Roney please call 01604 670199.
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