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Our vision is to journey alongside you providing a trusted community where we can all share knowledge and experience, helping us to learn from each other. We will provide you with the support to successfully develop and uniquely shape your business, enabling you to thrive.
Our mission is to actively seek and develop strong partnerships and provide support to enable you to confidently meet the needs of an ever-changing marketplace, improve your profitability and realise your long term business goals.
Our values include:
  • Connecting and understanding you
  • Supporting and investing in you
  • Providing a trusted community for you
  • Opening up new conversations with, and for, you
  • Meeting your needs and hearing your voice

A History Of

ADVANTIA


1989

1989

Fabree Holdings & COSTS Consortium

Frank Barson set up Fabree Holdings & COSTS Consortium with the idea that if his buying power was combined with other deals' buying power, then they would be able to negotiate better prices with the manufacturers and wholesalers.

1996

COSTS Consortium Ltd was formed

Frank decided it was time to move to pastures new, and so the dealers were given the opportunity to purchase the business. A new company was formed, COSTS Consortium Limited, and a board of directors elected from the members.

1996
1999

1999

Joined Europa

A review of operations resulted in the business moving away from importing and stocking and instead becoming a shareholder in Europa Office, a company formed by 3 other dealer groups. Europa sourced, stocked and distributed the 'Advantia' own-brand range of products, along with a white-label range.

2002

Name changed to Advantia

COSTS wanted to convey exactly what the organisation does for its dealer members; it reflects the innovative broad-based portfolio of services available, a far cry from the original buying group concept. It was therefore agreed to change the name from COSTS to Advantia.

2002
2009

2009

Merged with United Group

Changes were taking place in the industry and one of the largest dealer groups folded. Advantia entered into discussions with a group of dealers, United, and a merger took place.

2011

Truline/Banner appointed as our trading partner

Never a group to standstill and after a full review and tender process, an agreement was reached with Truline to provide a sourcing stocking and logistics solution, meaning that dealers could follow a stockless model with Truline delivering directly to the dealer's end-customer.

2011
2014

2014

Advantia win Dealer Group of the Year Award

Advantia's courageous decision to adopt the Truline model was recognised by the industry when we won the Dealer Group of the Year award at the 2014 European Office Products Awards.

2016

Purchase 50% of Comgem Ltd

Comgem and Advantia worked together to develop a new centrally managed e-commerce marketplace platform exclusively for Advantia members which will save the Advantia members time and ensure that their sites are always kept up to date.

2016
2018

2018

Spicers appointed as our trading partner

Following a lengthy review of the needs of the Advantia members and the solutions offered by logistics providers inside and outside of the office supplies sector, Advantia moved its business to Spicers.

2020

Exertis appointed as major trading partner

Unfortunately exacerbated by the pandemic Spicers went into administration. With Steve Carter as the new Managing Director, Advantia rebounded back and has entered into a new trading partnership with Exertis Supplies.

2020

Want to know about the full history of Advantia?

THE ADVANTIA STORY