Our History
The Commercial Services Group, serving Kent for over a century
The following dates trace our journey from a stores department with four staff supplying educational establishments with books, stationery and equipment, to an operation with four divisions, purpose-built warehouses, a turnover in excess of £600 million and a team of over 550 people.
Balfour Act
Creation of Kent Education Committee and in-store sub committee.
Kent County Supplies
KCC creates Kent County Supplies, a new council department.
KCC Buying Committee
KCC recognised as one of only 3 councils which purchased 'certain good for themselves through a buying committee'.
Local Authority Goods and Services Act
Local Authorities established buying groups in reaction to the global energy crisis.
LASER Energy
LASER Energy Buying Group established to help other public sector organisations manage their energy spend.
Kent County Supplies business grows
Abacus Catering and Kent Contract Cleaning Services join Kent County Supplies.
Kent County Supplies becomes Commercial Services Group
Kent County Supplies changes it's name to Commercial Services and Landscapes Services transferred from KCC.
Local Government Act
Provides local authorities with the opportunity to trade with the private sector.
Commercial Services Group opens recruitment and travel services.
Kent Top Temps and Kent Top Travel are established.
Kent Top Temps becomes a fully managed service for KCC.
Managing all temporary and interim staffing requirements on behalf of its shareholder.
Commercial Services Group under goes further evolution.
Commercial Services Kent Limited and Commercial Services Trading Limited are established.
Commercial Services Group opens procurement business.
Procurement Services Group is launched.
Kent Top Temps becomes Connect2Kent.
The re-brand to Connect2Kent is undertaken as additional interpreting and translation services to KCC commences.
Connect2Staff is launched.
To provide temporary, permanent and interim staffing solutions to the wider public and private sectors.
Lumina Energy is formed.
An innovative service to provide energy solutions to the private sector.
KCS moves to new state-of-the-art warehouse facilities.
The new facilities enable the launch of next day deliveries.
LASER Energy launches LED business.
To meet public sector Energy saving requirements.
Landscape Services creates Yeomans project
Yeomans provides meaningful opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.
Connect2Kent delivers Best Interest Assessors
The team mobilises to fulfil volume requirements under the Deprivation of Liberties Safeguarding Act.
KCS launches new online market tool.
The new website enables customers a further enhancement for web ordering facilities and customer loyalty programme.
LASER Energy launch Water framework.
By expanding its portfolio, LASER continues to provide public sector organisations with a market leading approach.
Recognition for our Recruitment Teams.
Connect2Kent and Connect2Staff receive several recruitment industry and public sector accolades, including Best Public Sector Agency (Recruiter Awards) and Local Government Chronicles Best Service Delivery (shortlisted).
Operational Services expand into Urban Grass management.
A new contract for Kent County Council commences.
KCS launches Pallet Storage operation.
To facilitate storage services on behalf of 3rd party organisations.
CTS Vehicle Services and Landscape Services re-locate.
New facilities in Parkwood are secured to support continued growth.
LASER Energy re-awarded London Energy Partnership deal.
LASER Energy are selected again to provide Energy solutions to the whole of London.
Commercial Services Group launches Interim & Executive Search business.
An additional service within the growing Recruitment sector offering to provide the public sector with an end to end resourcing and selection process.
Commercial Services Group and Hampshire County Council join forces.
A new joint venture is established to manage all of Hampshire County Councils temporary and interim staffing requirements. Connect2Hampshire is born.
Commercial Services Group Waste Management growth.
The service is expanded to incorporate the management of 5 household waste re-cycling centres.
KCS launches 'Little Inspirations'.
A new brand is launched as KCS move into the Early Years market.
Commercial Services Group acquires CES Holdings
CES Holdings, market leading educational resources into international schools worldwide are acquired by the Group.