Fast growing internet business 118trades (dot) com has rolled out the new format directories across London in quest to become UK's third largest player in the UK Directories market place
[UKPRwire, Tue Mar 06 2007] Daniel Corby, CEO 118 Group Holdings plc announces the roll out of new format directories across London
Speaking about the announcement, Daniel Corby, Group CEO said “The full colour directories for London are amongst the best quality directories that the UK has ever seen and the first of the new format that we’ll be rolling out across the UK on a regional basis. They are a high quality, information led directory product which includes a magazine called @home, which will become a valuable reference tool for the home owner. The directories have an 18 month shelf life and list thousands of reference checked businesses listed on line at 118trades (dot) com”
Daniel Corby continued “118 Group now takes in interests in Advertising, Directories, Media, Mobile, Publishing and Telecoms and by May of 2007 will be a major employer across Essex. Additional centres are planned to open in both 2007 and 2008 which could bring headcount across the group to over 1,000 employees. The business continues to develop revenues from the core directory markets and plans to launch 118669 under the brand of 118NOW – following the successful Ofcom award of the number. In addition, the mobile phone side of the business now connects for all 6 UK networks under the brand of tastyphones.com and is sold through website and call centres using inbound and outbound calling. We feel that it is important for local businesses to contribute to local communities and charity and hope that other businesses with follow our example. Directory production is now outsourced to China, which has rapidly become a global force in directory print and production. Distribution will commence in April 2007 and will be handled through a variety of dedicated distribution teams. Distribution quantities will vary from region to region based on the number of affluent home owners in the region.
Notes to editors
The group is now starting to think and act like a plc ahead of the planned float and has recently made some high profile appointments including business veteran Richard Allan, the former CEO of Perry Group plc as Chairman, Hugh Craen, the founder and mastermind of Potential Finance Group plc which floated on AIM in 2002. Hugh joins the business as a non executive director, Peter Hill as Group FD, who joins from Dorma Door Controls Limited, Scott Barker as Head of Risk, previously from World Pay and Meta Charge. In addition, Ian McLachlan, the recently retired head of Trading Standards of Hertfordshire, who has become Head of Ethics for the business and will oversee the way the business manages relationships with shareholders, staff, customers and suppliers. The business is now in talks with a former Director of Yellow Pages with regards to taking a board position with 118 Group Holdings plc. Further statements will follow in due course
118 Group Holdings plc successfully completed pre IPO fund raising exercises in October 2006 ahead of the planned AIM float and is growing ahead of forecasts. Last month the business announced the creation of 300 new jobs in Chelmsford and is recruiting rapidly. You can read more about the business at www.the118group.com
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