A FAMILY-RUN business is celebrating 35 years of trading - with its management citing positive relationships with customers and employees as the key to its success.

Sutton-based Northern Connectors, specialist distributors of industrial connectors and components, is celebrating its 35th birthday since being founded in 1983 by husband and wife duo Keith and Linda Hewitt.

The business has gone from strength to strength since its inception, growing from just a handful of customers 35 years ago to more than 1,000 active customers in 2018.

Northern Connectors says it has has strengthened existing relationships with its wide variety of clients thanks in large part to its ever-expanding product range.

The business worked with one product supplier in 1983, and now has 20, acting as an authorised distributor for 12 of these.

With customers ranging from automation, broadcasting and energy to transportation, lighting and water technology, this traditional, family-run business has recognised the need to move with the times by adopting a modern approach to marketing and sales.

The company adds its website plays a significant role in attracting new customers, while the brand also looks to promote its services through online marketing campaigns and PR.

Website enquiries have increased by 20 per cent over the past two calendar years compared with the previous two, as the number of users visiting the Northern Connectors website on mobile devices continues to increase.

Scott Jones, general manager at Northern Connectors, said: “Although we are a traditional family-run business in many respects, we’ve looked to ensure we remain competitive over the years with a brilliant website and ongoing marketing efforts.

“We’re a close-knit team, and we look to ensure our employees are happy coming to work and feel encouraged to reach their full potential every day. Keith and Linda, who still have pivotal roles at Northern Connectors, are widely respected by all the employees.”

Northern Connectors is also a franchised stockist for many of the industry’s leading manufacturers, including Belden, Binder, Harting and Souriau.

The brand celebrated the 35th anniversary milestone with a trip to the races for the entire workforce and will continue to mark the celebratory year with a series of events planned for the rest of 2018.