About Us

Mission Statement

Manleys Basics will timely deliver top quality office products and supplies in a friendly , knowledgeable and courteous manner

Manelys Basics is motivated people moving supplies

What Can Manleys Basics do for you?

We do this Fast, friendly, personal service. We are members of the local community and take great joy in knowing that we able to provide the best office products and furniture at a competitive price. We have been in business for over 125 years for a reason.

WE ARE AWESOME AT THIS You need it. We have it. Not sure what product works best for your application? Just ask, we are knowledgeable.

WE DO THIS AS WELL Office furniture and office products are just part of our story. We also offer many services, just view our links to see the variety.

OUR SUPPORT IS THE BEST Some of our competitors charge an extra percentage of the sale for extended warranty. We honour and service the warranties of our furniture lines and do our best to make you aware of any available warranty on supplies.

Why we do it

Reason one

We want your worklife to be as easy and productive as possible.

Reason two

We are competitive and honest. We always have your best interests in mind.

Still not convinced? Here is another one:

Reason three

We are an independently female owned local Canadian company. We sell local, national, and internationally acclaimed products giving you a great selection of awesome office furniture and products. We have a professional team of people that lives in this great community and have all chosen to raise families here as well.

Our History

Manley’s Basics is a family-run business that has proudly served Sarnia and Lambton County for over 124 years. The company was founded in 1900 by Blanche and Tom Manley, who opened a small bookstore and newsstand on Lochiel Street in downtown Sarnia. Over time, Manley’s offered a variety of unique items, including Fleischmann’s Yeast. Fred, Ted, and Sid Leaver moved with their family from Barking, England, to Sarnia as young boys and began working for the Manleys. Following Mr. Manley’s passing, Fred and Ted rose within the business, becoming trusted aides to Blanche Manley. Ted later took a job with CN Rail and was set to relocate to Toronto. Meanwhile, Fred was negotiating to purchase Manley’s from Blanche and convinced Ted to remain in town as his partner to keep the family united. Together, Fred and Ted took over Manley’s, maintaining a first-class operation.

In the 1960s, Peter, Ted’s son, joined the family business and sought ways to expand their product offerings. This was when Manley’s began carrying office furniture, with Sunar, Sunshine, and Steelcase being some of their first product lines. After Ted retired, Peter’s brother John, looking for a career change, took early retirement from teaching to join the business. Peter and John continued to run Manley’s until 2002, when Peter’s daughters, Lisa and Carolyn, took over, bringing Manley’s to where it is today.

In 1983, Manley’s became part of Basics Canada, a buying group made up of Canadian stationery and office supply stores. Being part of Basics gives Manley’s Basics substantial buying power, with the group negotiating sales discounts with vendors and producing catalogues and monthly flyers. Following the closure of the Lochiel Street store in August 2009, Manley’s began the next leg of its journey, consolidating to a single supply source to better serve customers with improved efficiency and ample free parking.

In 2022 Basics merged with two other buying groups to form CWS, Canadian Workplace Solutions, the largest Independiente stationery and furniture buying group in Canada.

Manley’s Basics celebrates its 125th anniversary of service in Sarnia and Lambton County in 2025. A recognized family-owned business, it maintains an unwavering commitment to our community and excellence. Thank you for being part of this 125-year journey. Together, we continue toward the future!