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Active Group About Us Active Group About Us

About Active Group

From foundation to today

Take a quick look at how Active began and explore some of the key milestones that have shaped our journey over the years.

From a single van to a full service business solutions provider

One van, one idea and a commitment to service that shaped everything that followed. What started as a simple way to help local businesses quickly became the foundation of a company built on trust, reliability and long term partnerships.

From a stationery van to full service business solutions provider.

View our timeline

1963

The Early Years

There was a familiar challenge facing local businesses, running out of essential office supplies at the most inconvenient moments. Seeing this need first hand, George Miller launched a new venture, fitting out a supplies van and making daily rounds to local businesses. Before long, it became a trusted service that many came to rely on. Foounded as Ayrshire Office Services, Bank Street, Kilmarnock

George Miller - The Stationery Van
1996

Jenkins Acquired by Active

In 1996, we took an important step forward by acquiring Jenkins, a respected business machines service company. This move broadened our expertise beyond supplies alone, allowing us to support customers in new ways and strengthen the trusted relationships we had built over the years.

1997

Active Office Scotland launch

By 1997, the business had grown well beyond its Ayrshire roots. The company officially became Active Office Scotland on 1st December 1997. The new name reflected an expanding service reach across the whole of Scotland, while staying true to the values and customer relationships that shaped the early years.

Active Office Scotland was launched
2003

Celebrating 40 years

In 2003, the company proudly celebrated 40 years of business. From humble beginnings in Kilmarnock to serving customers across Scotland, the milestone marked four decades of trust, hard work and long standing relationships. It was a moment to reflect on how far the business had come, and to look ahead with confidence to the future.

Active Group celebrated 40 years of business
2006

Entering the Digital Age

In 2006, the logo was subtly refreshed to reflect a changing world. Inspired by digital pixels, the updated design marked the shift into a new era where technology and online services were rapidly transforming how businesses operated. It signalled our readiness to embrace digital innovation while continuing to build on established foundations.

Active Group celebrated 40 years of business
2009

Elite Office Acquisition

In 2009, we acquired Elite Office, further strengthening our business supplies service. The acquisition welcomed many new clients into the Active family and marked another step in extending our support to businesses across a wider area.

2014

Lawprint Acquisition

In 2014, we acquired Lawprint Office Supplies in Glasgow. This strategic move extended our reach, enabling us to provide comprehensive business supply services across the city and strengthen our presence in Scotland’s largest commercial hub.

2017

Merging with DSM Office, Falkirk

In 2017, we completed the merger with DSM Office Falkirk, our largest venture to date. The merger brought an exciting period of growth, welcoming many new clients and talented team members, while allowing us to expand and enhance the range of services we offer.

DSM Office in Falkirk proudly joined Active Group
2018

Moving to a New Headquarters

In 2018, we successfully relocated our headquarters to a modern 5,000sq/ft facility. The move expanded our warehouse capacity and provided bright, environmentally efficient office space, giving our brilliant team the environment they deserve to continue supporting our customers.

Modern and environmentally efficient office space for Active Group
2020

Bringing Embroidery Inhouse

During the challenges of 2020, we kept moving forward. We brought our extensive workwear embroidery operation inhouse, investing in our first 8‑head embroidery machine and upskilling our team. This marked the beginning of a full production environment, which today can process 1,900 garments per hour, delivering unmatched speed and quality for our customers.

West scotlands busiest inhouse embroidery available service from Active Group
2023

Celebrating 60 Years in Business

In 2023, we celebrated 60 years of supporting businesses. This special milestone was a moment to reflect, celebrate our journey, and look forward with optimism, especially meaningful after the challenges the pandemic had placed on businesses.

Active Group providing business supplies, workwear, office furniture and IT solutions for 60 years in Scotland
2023

Advancing Inhouse Printing Capabilities

In 2023, we invested in state-of-the-art vinyl printing and cutting equipment, enabling full inhouse production of window graphics, signage, and heatseal printed workwear. This upgrade enhanced our customisation capabilities and allowed us to deliver faster, high-quality solutions for our clients.

Vinyl window graphics, sinage and heatseal available at Active Group
2024

New Offices in Falkirk

In 2024, we moved our Falkirk operations to new, modern office space. The relocation provided improved facilities for our team and created a more efficient environment to support our growing customer base across the region.

Active Group relocates office space for office supplies, workwear and office furniture in Falkirk, Scotland
2024

The Working Wardrobe

In 2024, we acquired The Working Wardrobe, continuing to operate it as a standalone brand. This addition expanded our workwear services, making customised clothing more accessible and affordable for smaller businesses, teamwear, and school uniforms, while strengthening our commitment to supporting organisations of every size.

Active Group acquires The Working Wardrobe, Kilmaurs, Ayrshire
2025

North Central Merger

North Central Office merged operations with Active Group, enabling us to bring our advanced range of services and IT solutions to a new customer base. This milestone strengthened our presence and expanded the ways we could support businesses across the region.

Active Group welcomes the customer base of North Central Office, Glasgow
2025

Gemini Supplies Joins Active

2025 was a landmark year for growth. Gemini Supplies, a well-established Falkirk-based power tools and workwear supplier, joined Active Office. This acquisition expanded our product range and strengthened our ability to provide comprehensive solutions to businesses across the region.

Active Group welcomes the customer base of Gemini Supplies Scotland
2025

Glasgow Office Opens

As our customer base continued to grow, we opened our Glasgow offices in the Cambuslang area. This expansion marked another important step in bringing our teams closer to customers, allowing us to serve businesses across the west of Scotland more efficiently and responsively.

Active Group opens an office in Cambuslang, Glasgow
2025

Bringing DTF Printing Inhouse

In 2025, we invested in new equipment and expertise to bring DTF clothing printing inhouse. This major step allows faster, more flexible garment customisation, delivering turnaround speeds that few other providers can match and strengthening our workwear and teamwear services.

DTF clothing customisation now offered inhouse by Active Group, Scotland
2026

Rebranding as Active Group

In 2026, with multiple brands, divisions, and an expanded service offering, we proudly rebranded as Active Group. The new identity reflects the full breadth of our operations and makes it easier for customers and prospects to see the scale, capability, and expertise we bring to every partnership.

Active Office becomes Active Group, business supplies, office furniture, workwear, It Solutions and custom merch provider in Scotland

Trusted throughout Scotland

Now Ayrshire Radio in partnership with Active Group
Kilmarnock Football Club in partnership with Active Group
Anderson Strathern in partnership with Active Group
Chemring in partnership with Active Group
Drummond Miller in partnership with Active Group
Launch It in partnership in partnership with Active Group
Afordable Drainage Solutions in partnership with Active Group
Now Ayrshire Radio in partnership with Active Group
Kilmarnock Football Club in partnership with Active Group
Anderson Strathern in partnership with Active Group
Chemring in partnership with Active Group
Drummond Miller in partnership with Active Group
Launch It in partnership with Active Group
Afordable Drainage Solutions in partnership with Active Group
Now Ayrshire Radio recommend Active Group

Our branded jackets, hoodies and tees have gone down a storm with our presenters, staff and Ayrshire listeners. We are thrilled with the quality. Thanks again for joining us for our promo video. Here’s to future collaborations.

Anna, Marketing // NOW Ayrshire Radio

Kilmarnock Football Club recommend Active Group

Active are our trusted business supply partner and we would be lost without them. After more than ten years together, their team consistently go above and beyond, delivering great value, excellent IT support and solutions we can always rely on.

Gregg McEwan // Kilmarnock Football Club

Anderson Strathern recommend Active Group

From office supplies to furniture and promotional items, Active makes life easy. Their account manager ensures sustainable, compliant products, efficient delivery, and innovative solutions like recycled contactless business cards, even to our Shetland office.

Blair Laidlaw // Anderson Strathern

Chemring Energetics UK Ltd recommend Active Group

Huge thanks for all your help with our canteen project. Anne was an absolute star and made everything so much easier. The team are delighted with the result. Thanks again — looking forward to the next one.

Craig McMichael // Chemring Energetics UK Ltd

Drummond Miller recommend Active Group

Active Group provided our new office with quality furniture that matched our bespoke design, delivered on schedule, and installed efficiently. Fiona’s guidance was invaluable, and the team were impressed by the service, price, and attention to detail.

Nicky Russell // Drummond Miller

Launch It Paisley Start Up Street recommend Active Group

What fantastic service, the team are super helpful! The turnaround for our flyers, banners and other merch was great. We have been referring our clients to their service ever since; their prices are competitive compared to other providers. Amazing all round.

Rebecca McEwan // Launch It Paisley Start Up Street

Affordable Drainage Solutions recommend Active Group

We love The Working Wardrobe at Active Group for strong, reliable workwear and PPE. Elaine helped us pick the right uniforms and branding. Excellent quality, speedy turnaround, and supporting a local Ayrshire business keeps us coming back.

Lorna // Affordable Drainage Solutions

Transform Your Workplace with Active Group

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