Company History

Gresswell Direct was founded in 1938 by Don Gresswell. Trading from a shop in Enfield, North London, the company sold stationary and school supplies locally. During the 50’s Gresswell saw the business strengthen, and during the second half of the decade the company became incorporated and started its mail order business.

At the time Don Gresswell was known as much for bookselling as it was for supplies. The company was one of the first to introduce American books to UK schools, filling a gap in the literature of the time and building on the successful relationship with United States created during WWII.

Understanding the importance of trust and relationship-building has been one of Gresswell’s strengths since the beginning. In the early sixties the company published its first Library Furniture direct mail catalogue. Some of the most popular products still being sold today saw their earliest designs in the 1961 Don Gresswell Ltd. Library Furniture catalogue.

 In 1965 the company moved to new premises in Grange Park, Southgate. The substantial growth and success in the library supplies business both in the UK and internationally over the following 15 years brought about the decision to drop the bookselling business and concentrate fully on libraries as the core market.  

Don Gresswell Ltd., introducer of book returns, kinderboxes, modular shelving and paperback spinners, became synonymous with library supplies in the UK by the 1980’s. To strengthen its market leadership and support the core business the company also launched a new library space planning and refurbishment venture.

In 1998 the company moved to its present location at Grange House, Hoddesdon, with over 48,000 ft² of combined warehouse and office space. This new facility was purposely built to sustain the growing number of customers.

The new millennia brought new opportunities as Don Gresswell Ltd was acquired by American owned Demco Worldwide Ltd, bringing wealth and support, as well as opening access to hundreds of unique products.

The Gresswell catalogue continues to flourish with the addition of new and exclusive products each year, expanding the diversity of the available range. Today we offer our customers over 6,000 items with hundreds of hard-to-find products, top quality brand names and proven performers you know and trust.