FRASERS OFFICE SUPPLIES

Released 01/07/2009

Going strong since 1919

Integra dealer, Frasers Office Supplies is celebrating its 90^th year in business this month.

After completing his service as a sergeant engineer in the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War, Arthur Fraser set up a new business, Frasers Typewriters in 1919. He started with a kit of tools that cost him £2 and his first premises were situated on Queen Victoria Street in Reading with a rent of 10 shillings a week. In order to keep the company successful it was necessary to move with the times and diversify in the 1980s. This decision was made by Peter Fraser (pictured to the left of his father Gerald) who switched the company's main focus from typewriters to office supplies.

Current MD, Alan Fraser (pictured holding his son Max) is the fourth generation of Fraser to run the business and to celebrate 90 years, the dealership is running a series of promotional offers and a ‘Through the Ages'-themed quiz for their customers. With every offer sold and every quiz completed, Frasers will donate money to The Duchess of Kent Trust and they hope to raise £1,919 by September.

From the £2 start up costs in 1919 Frasers has blossomed into a successful enterprise, with a turnover of around £2.5m per annum. Arthur's theory on life was, "to be successful you have to be optimistic". Optimism must run in the Fraser family as Alan is equally positive: "These are very difficult economic times, but as a business, if you keep doing what you are good at, strong companies will survive and prosper. Even in these hard times Frasers has increased its turnover this year by five per cent."

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