In 2004, buying paving was slow and fragmented. Ordering online was difficult, there was no price transparency, and little convenience for customers.
I saw the shift to online purchasing and believed that if people could buy books and clothes on the internet, they would eventually buy paving slabs too. Nustone was born.
We started small with one type of stone, launched a simple online store, and committed fully to service. What set us apart was doing it well. For the first time, customers had a transparent and convenient way to buy the paving they needed, delivered nationwide at an affordable price.
The lesson was clear from the beginning: you do not need size to make an impact. You need vision, timing, and the discipline to execute.
In the early days there was no social media to drive sales. Growth started online through SEO and forums, where we ranked number one for core keywords and built early trust. We added PPC to scale reach, then trade events, word of mouth, and in-person meetings with landscapers and contractors to strengthen relationships.
Operations were the toughest test. Selling heavy goods online was not for the faint hearted. We solved nationwide logistics, built a resilient supply chain, and designed systems that could scale. At the same time, we built teams and partnerships that could deliver consistently and drive the business forward.
The formula was simple: get found, earn trust, and make buying easy. That combination turned Nustone from a small startup into a recognised national brand.
Over sixteen years, Nustone grew into one of the UK’s leading online stone paving retailers. We sold tens of millions of pounds of paving nationwide and overseas, earning a reputation for quality, service, and trust. What began with me in a small warehouse, armed with a computer and a forklift, became a recognised brand serving projects around the world.
In 2020, Nustone was acquired by a global stone group. That exit proved what strong branding, intelligent marketing, loyal customers, and resilient operations can create: a brand others want to own.
Today, Nustone continues to grow and is now a sponsor of Ipswich Town Football Club. Seeing the brand on a Premier League shirt is a reminder that what you build should outlast you.
The brands we build today are held to an even higher standard of vision, value, and legacy, backed by decades of experience.