A family-run Stockport market research company, that started out with a garden shed as its HQ, has just recorded an annual turnover of £5.2 million.
DJS, owned by husband and wife team, Danny and Ali Sims, has had a record-breaking 12 months, achieving double-digit growth for the 12th consecutive year. It has also opened a second office in Leeds to support its multi-story head office in Strines, Stockport.
The company’s 2017/18 annual review shows ambitious targets have been topped, achieving 11% growth on last year’s turnover.
Figures show DJS has seen turnover grow from £4.7million to £5.2million over the past year, exceeding the £5million milestone that just ten years ago after the Stockport market research company’s Managing Director, Danny Sims, casually joked with colleagues about achieving.
“I remember it so clearly,” said Sims, recalling the 2008 conversation with his wife, Ali Sims and other Research Directors, Sharon Nichols, James Hinde and Alasdair Gleed.
“We were growing so quickly; Alasdair had just come on board and we had big plans for the business – but even we couldn’t have predicted growth at the pace we’ve achieved it. Our vision for DJS was to be one of the most successful research agencies in the North West with a £5 million plus turnover, and in just ten years, I think we can say we’ve gone beyond what we could ever have imagined.”
Offering its clients, ‘More for Less’, DJS Research has experienced year-on-year organic growth since its humble beginnings back in 2001; expanding its workforce and becoming a trusted name in market research in the North West.
Just last year the Market Research Society named DJS as ‘One to Watch’ in its annual Research Live Industry report, and the company is continuing to attract some of the best research talent in the UK at both its Stockport and Leeds offices.
The business was also recently shortlisted for two awards at the Sports Business Awards, alongside Premier League Football Club, Leicester City, for research that paved the way for a number of improvements to the match-day experiences of disabled fans. At the star-studded ceremony in London on June 1 2018, DJS and Leicester City took home the Bronze award in the Best CSR or Community Scheme category – another high for 2018.
Speaking of the company’s extraordinary success story since its back-garden genesis, Ali Sims said:
“It really is a tale of hard work, dedication and genuine love of what we do. We’ve been committed to moving with the times, improving our services and always seeking to go that extra step for our clients.”
“One thing is for certain though,” she added, “we couldn’t have done it without our incredible, loyal and talented staff. This achievement really is a credit to all of them.”
With recent clients including The National Archives, Leicester City FC and the Consumer Credit Association, DJS looks set to continue its upward trajectory, conducting and delivering high-quality market research to national and international organisations, across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
In early 2018, DJS Research welcomed another Research Director, Jenna Allen, who specialises in Employee Engagement Research. The full consultative service can help improve an organisation’s business performance through detailed employee insight.
As a result of its strong financial performance, growing client base and new Yorkshire office, the company now has over 60 permanent staff members as well as a dedicated team of field workers and telephone interviewers, with scope for further growth in 2018.
So, what next for DJS research? Time to set another dream target?
“Let’s just say, there are interesting times ahead,” said Sims.