Businesses that have grown during the recession are few. One of the success stories is ShredBank — a Belfast-based mobile confidential shredding service.

“There is a growing demand for a secure shredding company,” says Philip Bain, who started the company two years ago with co-owner James Carson.

Until ShredBank was established, the document shredding business locally had been dominated by businesses that collected paper waste and shredded it off site. But, Philip and James realised, this could leave clients anxious about the security of documents.

Some heavily publicised breaches of security relating to confidential information assisted with the growth of ShredBank. “There is no risk of it being lost in transit. We have drivers who are security cleared from the Northern Ireland Office.” Using a purpose built cross-cut shredder ensures there is no risk of confidential material being reconstructed.

Another selling point of ShredBank is that “everything” is recycled. Shredded paper is low grade waste, so it goes into tissue products such as kitchen roll. Ultimately, argues Philip, customer service is the basis of its success.

ShredBank treats its own financial figures as securely as it does its clients' information, but it does disclose that it employs 10 people and expects to grow. It has also won the award for the most promising new small business in the annual Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce competition.

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