A £5,000 loan to enable an ambitious Bury businessman to launch his own company has ultimately proved to be "just capital."

Eight years on, Thomas Naughton presides over a thriving computer firm commanding a multi-million pound turnover.

And now, he wants the whole world to know about the success of Rochdale Road-based "A-One Systems."

The company has just established its own website on the Internet to highlight its ever-growing range of computers and peripherals.

From humble beginnings, "Aone Systems" now employs 18 people and has a firm foothold in lucrative retail, wholesale and business markets.

In 1991, computer salesman Thomas decided to go it alone and to put his experience and expertise within the high-tech industry to good use.

"Aone Systems" began trading from Bury Business Centre and moved to its present base 18 months ago. The company assembles and supplies components and fully-built computer systems to clients, as well as trading to the public.

Eight years ago, Thomas borrowed £5,000 from a relative to allow him to set up in business.

The investment proved to be exceedingly shrewd - today the company has a turnover of a staggering £7 million!

"We are basically assemblers and suppliers," added Thomas. "We sell components to the trade and assemble whole systems for business and home use."

The Bury company can build and supply for individual customers or provide systems for the trade or wholesale purposes.

They also offer a valuable back-up and maintenance service.

Commenting on the success achieved in less than 10 years, Thomas stressed: "Most of it is down to a lot of hard work and making sure we got a good name for ourselves.

"Reputation is all-important. And it's also vital that once you're in the computer business, you keep up with all the latest trends and changes."

The launch of the company's website (www.aone.com.uk) will act as a veritable shop window for its products and services.

Retail manager Mr Ian Strachan said: "As far as I know, we're the only business locally online selling computer peripherals, modems, monitors, video cameras and other equipment.

"We are expanding the range daily. We're now selling these products at wholesale prices over the Internet."

Examining their own website on the Internet are Thomas Naughton (left), and Ian Strachan.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.