About Us

Our Story

Wholesale stationers was founded in the early 1950s, becoming incorporated in December 1953.  The company started out supplying local retail businesses from their base in Torquay, Devon. Our initial premises were small and better suited to a retail operation and so the decision was taken to find a more suitable base.

In 1968 my father Colin Penwell purchased a disused premises in much need of refurbishment. It was called The Old Cider Works based in the village of Abbotskerswell and had been used for pressing apples to make Cider for many years.

In 1987 due to the success and continued expansion of the business, we moved once more to our current warehouse in Newton Abbot, South Devon. 

Finally, we were in a building on one level that suited our distribution needs perfectly.

From the very start our ethos has always been to provide the highest level of service possible to both new and existing customers.
I started working here in the early 1980s, as did three of my colleagues who are still working here today. Over that period, we have seen many changes. Competitors have come and gone and there have been huge changes within the retail sector that we serve. 

2023 is our 70th year of trading and so to celebrate we have treated ourselves to a bit of a facelift!  A fresh new modern brand and an improved website to enhance the customer shopping experience.  

Thanks for taking the time to read this and we very much hope you find what you're looking for within our extensive product range.

David Penwell
Managing Director.