We've Acquired Wade Business Solutions in Thanet

We don't normally make a fuss about things, but this one felt worth talking about. In late 2025, we acquired Wade Business Solutions, known locally as WBS Copiers, based at 2 Rowes Yard, Manston Business Park in Ramsgate.

How It Started

The bloke who ran WBS is a mate of mine. Goes back years. When I first started Bowden, I used to pop into his office most days. Different business back then, nothing to do with copiers. He'd see me heading out on jobs, taking calls, getting busy, and he'd always ask: "How's it going? How busy are you?" Proper curious. One day I just said to him: "You could do this, you know. You'd be good at it."

About a year and a half after I started Bowden, he went and did exactly that. Set up Wade Business Solutions in Thanet and built a proper business. Good customer base, loyal clients, did things the right way. I like to think I played a small part in inspiring that, but the hard work was all him.

Why He Handed It Over

Fast forward a few years, and he got involved in a branding business. Still in Thanet, still doing well. The copier side was solid, but his heart was in the new venture. He didn't want to let his customers down by running both things half-heartedly. That's not the kind of bloke he is.

So he came to me. No lawyers, no drawn-out negotiations. A gentleman's handshake and a lot of trust. He knew we'd look after his clients the way he always had, because that's exactly how we run our own business. Service first, everything else second.

We still see each other all the time. He's doing his thing with branding, we're looking after his old customers. It worked out for everyone.

What's Changed for WBS Customers

Honestly? Not a lot, and that's the point. The WBS engineers came across to Bowden. Same people, same knowledge of your machines, same faces turning up when something needs sorting. WBS still trades under its own name too, so if you've been a WBS customer for years, you'll still recognise who you're dealing with.

What has changed is what's behind them. WBS customers now have access to the full Bowden range, including Epson's WorkForce Enterprise inkjet machines. We're pushing these because the sustainability credentials are properly impressive. We're also ISO 9001 and 14001 certified, which means there's a proper quality and environmental management system backing up every job.

We're not in the business of slapping our name over everything and pretending we invented it. WBS had a good reputation. We're just building on it.

The Thanet Office

We've kept the office at Manston Business Park, 2 Rowes Yard, Ramsgate, CT12 5FA. We own the building, which means we're not going anywhere. Thanet businesses now have a properly local copier company that's based in the area, not just visiting from the other side of Kent.

Our head office is now at Manston Business Park, with engineers based across London and the South East. Faster response, better coverage, and more flexibility for our customers.

What It Means for You

If you're a WBS customer: nothing bad, some things better. Same people, more options, and a bigger company behind them.

If you're a Thanet business who's never heard of us: we're the ones at Manston Business Park now. We supply Epson, Sharp and Develop ineo photocopiers. We lease them, service them, and manage your print so you don't have to think about it. And we're family-run, which means you'll speak to real people who actually remember your name.

Give us a ring on 0800 009 6770 or pop into the office. The kettle's always on.