VoiteQ sweeps into hot 100

VoiteQ came 27th in The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 mainly due to the success of its voice directed warehousing products. The firm, which has its head office in Blackpool, was born from the demise of the Healds Day and Nite c-store chain, which was sold in May 2000.

The Chairman of the firm, Frank Heald (left) and chief executive David Stanhope (right, along with two other directors, decided to put their efforts into building up a new firm which provides high-profile companies with full supply chain systems including voice directed picking.

And within four years, VoiteQ has achieved a turnover of more than 5m, making it one of the fastest rising IT companies in Britain, and fourth in the North of England.

The company markets its VoiceMan voice picking solution which can interface simply and quickly to any host WMS. They utilise Vocollects Talkman T2, a hands-free computer which is voice activated and allows the warehouse picker to work with his hands and eyes free, which in turn enables him to carry out his job much more productively, with near perfect accuracy and in a manner more conducive to his health and safety.

VoiteQ have many household names on their books including WHSmith, Pets at Home, Sainsbury's at Bells, Internacionale and catering giant Brake Bros.

David Stanhope, chief executive of the company, said: "many of our initial 11 staff employed here were made redundant from Healds Day & Nite Stores so they have made a big gamble, and it has paid off for them.

"The idea of promoting the hands-free device came from Frank after Day & Nite was sold to T&S Stores. It is a life's work and it has helped a lot of high-street giants get the right products on to the shelves quicker.

"To come in the top 30 companies in The Sunday Times list is a tremendous achievement which couldn't have been done without the skilled staff in this office."

VoiteQ started off with just 11 staff when it opened in 2001 but has expanded to more than 45 in four years making it one of the most successful companies in the North West. It has also put Blackpool firmly on the hi-tech map.

Stanhope added: "We are very proud of coming so far in a short space of time. When people think of hi-tech industry the town of Blackpool is not a name that springs to mind.

"Most of the people who work at VoiteQ are under the age of 30 so we are a young, vibrant company who have a lot to offer the software industry."