A company which started with only three people and now boasts a 20-strong team serving a client base ranging from sole traders to blue chip companies and NHS Trusts is entering the Large Business category of the The Press Business Awards 2013.

With headquarters in Harrogate and a new sales office at Daresbury Science Park in Cheshire, Advanced Digital Dynamics (ADD) was launched in East Yorkshire in 1997 as a niche independent business providing build-to-order PCs. It is now a global IT distributor specialising in computer hardware and data destruction.

The company supplies new products or refurbished servers, all built to customer requirements, as well as component spares, all complemented by an installation service and competitive service contracts.

Milestones in the last year include launching an Onsite Data Destruction division to help companies across the public and private sector avoid massive fines and loss of reputation and business for failing to follow guidelines on secure storage and disposal of confidential information.

The company has also created ADD Technical to provide tailored business IT solutions and support specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. The results are impressive, with turnover increasing from £300,000 in 2006 to £3.4million, despite the challenges of the recession.

Operations director Julie Pickersgill says: “The customer is of paramount importance, irrespective of size and we conduct six-monthly customer satisfaction surveys to get their views and then act on their feedback.

“Customer retention is at an all-time high and we want to keep it that way, so employee training, development and motivation is a main priority. We have also just introduced a dedicated apprentice scheme and an NVQ programme to ensure we maintain those standards.”

And ADD believes in putting something back. June saw the launch of a Dragons’ Den-style business investment competition in partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University’s business accelerator QU2. ADD is investing £15,000, coupled with expert business mentoring to turbocharge the development of three ambitious enterprises.