ESE News

Happy holiday period

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Like most people we are taking a well earned break over the festive period and will be closed from 2pm on 22nd December until 8.30am on 3rd January 2012.

Please continue to place your orders as usual and we will action them in date order as soon as we can when we come back.

We will as usual be popping in to check emails etc over the festive period but as all our suppliers are also closed we might not be able to respond until our return.

I sincerely hope you all have a great break and look forward to doing business with you in 2012 – Simon Francis

More than 60% growth in 2 years

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT

A big thank you to all our customers, without your willingness to entrust us with your valued orders we would not have been able to achieve such amazing results, but rest assured we are not stopping there.

We have already taken on extra staff to ensure we continue to improve our customer service (99% satisfaction in 2011) and within the next few months we will be launching a number of new even easier to use websites and a new 400 page catalogue with hundreds of new products and thousands of improved prices.

Thank you again for your custom in 2011 we look forward to speaking to you again in 2012 – Simon Francis

ESE win Chamber of Commerce award

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Eastern Storage Equipment is pleased to announce that we have won the Norfolk region Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award for 2011.
The Business of the Year award is given to the company that demonstrates all-round excellence in business.
The judging focussed on financial performance and future objectives, the competitive advantage of the business, and looked at examples of specific strategies which have driven business growth.
We are very proud to have been recognised for our achievements in these areas.

New Project Estimator joins ESE

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Another warm welcome for our latest team addition – With significant experience in the construction industry Adam has joined our Projects division to help us handle our ever growing enquiry bank and provide detailed estimates quicker.

New customer service rep

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:00:00 GMT

A big warm welcome to our latest recruit. Michelle has a wealth of experience in customer services and has joined our ever expanding team to help maintain our exceptionally high customer satisfaction ratings.

When you place an order she should be sending you your order confirmation (during working hours obviously) and tracking the goods to ensure they arrive on time at your premises.

As seen on TV

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Have you seen Norwich City on TV yet? Well each time you see Paul Lambert during a game he is standing in front of the new Stainless Steel dugouts supplied and installed by ESE before the start of the season. We also supplied a number of items behind the scenes like suspended ceilings, cloakroom peg rails, kit collection items and loads more smaller products from our vast range.

We are proud to be involved with NCFC and wish all the team great success in the premiership.

Second recruit for 100 apprentices in 100 days

Tue, 3 May 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Meghan Stopper has joined ESE as our new Office Administrator. Meghan is the second of our 2 Apprentices and we are really happy to have her on board. Meghan will play a vital role in learning all aspects of our business whilst she studies towards an NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration. Welcome to the team Meghan.

IoD East of England Director of the Year 2011

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMT

ESE are pleased to announce that our MD, Simon Francis, has been awarded the Institute of Director's East of England Director of the Year Small and Medium Business award. Simon is automatically entered for the prestigious National Director of the Year award to be announced on 23rd September 2011. Good luck, Simon.

View the IoD announcement in PDF format; this requires Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded from the Adobe website.

From left to right: Paul Finch (IoD Essex), Simon Francis (Winner - Director of the Year (Small and Medium Company)) MD of Eastern Storage Equipment, Andrew Reed (Winner - Public Sector Director of the Year) Chief Executive of the Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, Chris Parkhouse (Regional Chairman IoD East of England), David Sales (IoD Cambridgeshire), Stuart Turner (IoD Norfolk), Paul Winter (IoD Suffolk) and Chris Walthew (Winner - Young Director of the Year) MD of Prospect Research.

ESE supports 100 apprentices in 100 days

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Kris Coidan joined us on 26-Apr-2011 as our new Warehouse Assistant. Kris will be one of 2 new Apprentices that ESE have recruited as part of the Norfolk campaign to recruit 100 apprentices in 100 days.

We are really pleased that Kris has joined us and look forward to training and developing him through his work placement and NVQ in Warehousing in the coming months.

ESE awarded Perfect Delivery Certificate

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMT

ESE are pleased to announce that we have been awarded the 'Perfect Delivery Certificate' by Kelvin Howe, Special Works Director from Morgan Sindall plc for our contribution to the Phase 1 Riverside Retail Park, Norwich project.

ESE win ECMOD award

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Eastern Storage Equipment is pleased to announce that it's on line and mail order business ESE Direct www.esedirect.co.uk has just won the ECMOD Direct Commerce UK Award for Best All Round B2B Business up to £5m turnover.

Simon Francis MD was presented with the award by Sky News anchor man Dermot Murnaghan at the awards ceremony in London last week.

This was the first of several awards ESE have entered this year and they are delighted to have the success of their team recognised on a National basis alongside other well known companies such as Boden, Naked Wines and Ironmongery Direct.

ESE has been supplying Storage, Handling, Workshop and Cloakroom equipment along with 10,000’s of other business products on a national basis by mail order since 1984 and online since 2000.

2010 saw ESE increase their turnover by 33% to achieve £3m sales and their customer base grew by 69%, further significant growth has also been achieved in the first quarter of 2011.

Read more from an extract of the ecmod Direct Commerce Year Book 2011 in PDF format; this requires Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded from the Adobe website.

ESE invests in Apprenticeships

Wed, 6 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMT

ESE is pleased to be in the process of recruiting 2 apprentices to assist in our warehouse and office functions.
We see apprenticeships as an excellent way of investing in young people and developing young people as excellent employees through training, coaching and mentoring. We look forward to the recruits starting in late April/early May.

New Stainless Steel Cloakroom Bench Range Launched

Sun, 3 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Due to increasing demand for Hygienic, Rustproof, Waterproof and Rotproof seating solutions in the modern cloakroom environment ESE have designed a brand new Stainless range. Aimed at the Swimming Pool, Cleanroom and Hospital markets this smart stainless steel cloakroom seating range with plastic wood seats is also suitable for almost any other application you may have.

ESE attends Norfolk Chamber of Commerce B2B Exhibition at Norwich City Football Club

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:00:00 GMT

ESE was the proud sponsor of the Property and Construction zone.
The day provided a great opportunity to network with local businesses and to raise the profile of ESE in the Norfolk area.

ESE launches new Cloakroom Seating website

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:00:00 GMT

ESE has rebranded their Cloakroom seating website as ESE Cloakrooms formerly known as Versabench.

ECMOD Direct Commerce Awards 2011

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:00:00 GMT

ESE are pleased to announce they have been shortlisted for the ECMOD Direct Commerce Awards 2011 in the category of Best All Round Business. The decision will be made on 6th April 2011 at an award ceremony in London.

ESE recruits new Customer Services Assistant

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Leann Haynes has started work as dedicated Customer Services Assistant on the 21st March 2011. Having experienced a large increase in on line sales over the last 12 months we have recognised that we need to employ an additional person to enhance our current standards of customer communication and service delivery.

ESE set �5 million turnover target

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:00:00 GMT

ESE has set its sights on turning over £5m within three years after embracing the digital revolution. Read the EDP feature article. (Opens in a separate window and requires Adobe Reader.)

Refurbishment update

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Our refurbishment is almost complete now and ready to welcome the 2 new team members joining us in January 2011 (in addition to the 4 that joined us in 2010). We will be adding more information on our team and our experience in the coming months, why not visit the site again soon to put a face to the voice on the other end of the line or the person conversing with you by email or our Active Chat system.

ESE premises refurbishment

Wed, 1 Dec 2010 12:00:00 GMT

To enable our significant growth over recent years to continue we have just embarked on a full refurbishment and 25% expansion of our office and welfare facilities in Norwich, along with the updating of computer systems / software etc. Much of this work is taking place outside office hours but some of it will be during business hours and may cause a small amount of disruption to our service, please bear with us during this time, we will endeavour to keep the business running as efficiently as we can during this period.

And yet another new recruit for ESE

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

As a result of the enormous success of our new catalogue / website we needed to strengthen our Customer Service team to enable us to maintain the high levels of service that sets us apart form the rest.
We would like to welcome Hugo Sinclair. He will initially be tasked with helping us with order processing, call handling and customer service from today and we are sure he will be a real asset to our team.

And Another new recruit for ESE

Mon, 10 May 2010 12:00:00 GMT

We would like to welcome Lee Newell to our IT team, he is a Search Engine Optimisation specialist and will be tasked with ensuring the relevant traffic to our numerous websites continues to grow and when you our valued customers click on a link from a search engine we serve you with the page content you were looking for (if you can't find what you were looking for please contact us).

Another new recruit for ESE

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:00:00 GMT

In February we launched our own 352 page business mail order catalogue and our brand new website and we would like to welcome James McAree to our Internet / Catalogue development team.
He has a wealth of relevant experience in catalogue production and website design and he will be tasked with compiling new product page and maintaining the high level of accuracy of product information of both our printed catalogue and e-catalogue along with assisting in the continued development of this website.

Another new recruit for ESE

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Thanks to all our wonderful customers the ESE order book for cloakroom benches has grown beyond all expectations.

So much so that we would like to welcome Darren Howard to our team.

He is tasked with checking, packing and despatching our changing room bench ranges to make sure they get to you on time and in A1 condition.

In house Graphic Design now a reality

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Mark Sadler has joined us from a large Newspaper Group to head up our catalogue production team.

He will be tasked with ensuring our new catalogue and website coming in 2010 provides our customers with the Most Popular products at the Best Prices on the market.

If you would like to be one of the first to receive a copy, please email us and we will add you to the priority list.

Dell Global Small Business Excellence Award

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT

We are extremely proud to be in such distinguished company (some of whom are already service providers to us). The final is in September 2009 and the successful company will then go through to the Global awards towards the end of 2009.

161,000 pounds worth of orders received in one week

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Significant orders for Lockers, Cloakroom benches, Office partitioning, Shelving and a Mezzanine floor have all been won this week. Thank you to all past and present customers for their continued business. With your help we are bucking the trend and look set to make 2009 the fourth successive year of growth.

New changing benches launched.

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:00:00 GMT

The Budget Bench range - is exactly what its name implies a very cost effective perimeter seating range designed to fit around the walls of sports dressing room and other changing rooms.

The Club Collection Bench - a unique round frame range that contains perimeter benches, aisle seating and hat / coat rails which comply with the Sport England size guidelines.

Changing Room Benches from ESE: www.cloakroomseating.co.uk (Opens in a new window)

Innovation through Technology

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Eastern of England winners again - ESE are proud to announce we have won the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) award for "Innovation Through Technology" for the second year in succession. We will now proceed to the National finals at the end of November.

All our customers, as without your enquiries / orders we would not have been able to demonstrate our abilities.
All our staff, as without your input / feedback we would not have been able to integrate such advanced technology into all our business processes.
All our suppliers, as without your commitment to providing us with the best prices and reliable service we would not have been able to provide such excellent service to our customers.

Major Essex Business entrusts expansion to ESE

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:00:00 GMT

We are proud to confirm the commencement of a significant contract to provide 350m² Mezzanine flooring, 211 linear m Office partitioning and dry lining, 635m² Suspended ceilings, Fire protection and lighting to a successful and forward thinking global business in the high pressure component manufacturing industry.

Purchasing Contract renewed

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 12:00:00 GMT

We are please to announce the renewal of the first of four purchasing contracts currently held with ESPO, a major Public Sector Purchasing Organisation. We have held the contract since June 2000.

The Impact of Technology on Your Business

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:00:00 GMT

This week we were proud to be announced as winners of our second award this year (East of England British Chamber of Commerce award for The Impact of Technology on our Business).

But it does not stop there; we are now a contender for the National award of the same name, the winner of which will be announced on 29th November.

MX Awards 2007 winners

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:00:00 GMT

ESE are proud to announce that we are the winners of the National Business-to-Business Centre Award for e-business.

"Eastern Storage Equipment, a small company handling a very large range of storage systems, amazed everyone with the sophistication of its systems that enable it to control its highly complex business and retain the personal touch customers want. It was a deserved winner."

A copy of the news release from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers can be obtained here. (Opens in a new window.)

MX Awards 2007

Mon, 14 May 2007 12:00:00 GMT

ESE are pleased to announce we have been short-listed for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers prestigious MX awards 2007. We have been selected as finalists in the National - Integrated e-Business category.

As part of the process our systems have been assessed by a judging panel to determine how we integrate our IT solutions. They paid particular attention to our websites, accounting, CRM, and integrated telephony systems.

The final round is on Thursday May 24^th 2007 in London, where we will go head-to-head with the other entrants in front of a panel of industry leading judges.

ESE completes Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital project 2 weeks ahead of schedule

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:00:00 GMT

25,500 linear metres of shelving installed in just 6 weeks!

That is more than 4,250m, or over 600 bays, of shelving per week.

The customer was over the moon, as the project ran without a hitch and we finished 2 weeks ahead of schedule, giving them more time to file their 1.5 million records. The factory was over the moon, because everything went as smooth as can be and we are over the moon to have had the opportunity to work with such nice people.

ESE Becomes Government Accredited Supplier

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:00:00 GMT

ESE has been approved as a Constructionline supplier. Constructionline is endorsed and owned by the DTI, and is the Government's national register for contractors, consultants and suppliers. In the same way CHAS (Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme) offers a tool for use in the health and safety element of pre-qualification, Constructionline provide the pre-qualification tool for use in financial standing, technical references and other areas.

ESE wins major BBC contract

Thu, 7 Dec 2006 12:00:00 GMT

We are proud to announce that ESE has been awarded a contract to supply a three-tier shelving system at the new premises of BBC Outside Broadcasts. The system is derived from standard pallet racking and uses shelf beams and chipboard decking for the shelves and walkways. It was developed in response to the BBC’s brief to develop a structure to maximise storage on the 39 metres long by 8.25 metres wide footprint and will be used to store the BBC’s vast stock of broadcast equipment. After discussion, it was decided to take the structure up to 3 tiers (nearly 7 metres high) in order to take advantage of the height available.

ESE wins contract with Major High Street Retailer

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 12:00:00 GMT

ESE has recently won a contract to supply 3010 linear metres of garment hanging space for a major high street retail chain. The contract, which is to be completed by Christmas 2006, will be providing enough storage capacity for approximately 250,000 garments in more than 750 bays of fully adjustable Just Shelving and will be installed in more than 30 stores across the U.K.

ESE awarded another major contract for German car manufacturers

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 12:00:00 GMT

ESE Projects has been awarded another major contract by a German car manufacturer.
In a little over three weeks we surveyed, designed, specified and quoted a total refurbishment project to create a parts department to hold 15,000 lines and relevant offices / facilities in a fairly run down old building. The works involve partitioning, ceilings, building work, electrics, air conditioning, decoration and flooring in addition to 2,000 linear metres of shelving and all have to be completed before the end of the year.

ESE Awarded Health Authority Contract

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 12:00:00 GMT

ESE Projects has been awarded a health authority contract for 25,500 linear metres of shelving--that's right more than 17 miles of shelf space! Under formal government tendering procedures we were extremely pleased to beat stiff competition for this contract to supply and install almost 4,000 bays of fully adjustable Stormor Solo shelving up to 2.6m high to enable the medical records of a very large hospital to be stored in one location.

ESE Awarded ESPO Shelving Contract

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 12:00:00 GMT

We are proud to announce that ESE has been awarded an approved supplier contract lasting until March 2008 for the supply of boltless shelving systems, mobile shelving, longspan shelving, pallet racking, plastic shelving & square tubing to all ESPO customers.

This is the fourth contract of this nature ESE has been awarded and we look forward to supplying the public sector with many more years of excellent service, quality products and the best prices.

If you are a government or private sector purchasing consortium and would like to consider setting up similar long term agreements please feel free to contact us.

About ESPO

ESPO, the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation, is a local authority purchasing and distribution consortium, acting as an agent for its member authorities. It is comprised of the following local authorities:

Leicestershire County Council
Lincolnshire County Council
Cambridgeshire County Council
Norfolk County Council
Warwickshire County Council
Leicester City Council
Peterborough City Council

ESE Awarded Exclusive ESPO Contract

Fri, 7 Apr 2006 12:00:00 GMT

We are proud to announce that ESE has been awarded a sole supplier contract lasting until March 2008 for the supply of plastic storage containers to all ESPO customers.

This is the third contract of this nature ESE has been awarded and we look forward to supplying the public sector with many more years of excellent service, quality products and the best prices.

If you are a government or private sector purchasing consortium and would like to consider setting up similar long term agreements please feel free to contact us.

About ESPO

Leicestershire County Council
Lincolnshire County Council
Cambridgeshire County Council
Norfolk County Council
Warwickshire County Council
Leicester City Council
Peterborough City Council

ESE Granted Best Family Business Award

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 12:00:00 GMT

ESE finished in the top four of the Best Family Business Awards run by Yell.com. ESE has been highly commended for its service and support to customers and finished in the top four businesses in East Anglia.

ESE Awarded ESPO Contract

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 12:00:00 GMT

We are proud to announce that ESE has been awarded a framework agreement lasting until 2009 for the supply of equipment to all sections of the public/education sectors from our extensive mail order and online catalogues.

This is the second contract of this nature ESE has been awarded and we look forward to supplying the public sector with many more years of excellent service, quality products and the best prices.

If you are a government or private sector purchasing consortium and would like to consider setting up similar long term agreements please feel free to contact us.

About ESPO

Leicestershire County Council
Lincolnshire County Council
Cambridgeshire County Council
Norfolk County Council
Warwickshire County Council
Leicester City Council
Peterborough City Council

ESE, a Preferred Supplier

Mon, 14 Mar 2005 12:00:00 GMT

If you would like to be notified as soon as we are live on the five marketplaces we have so far been requested to join, or if you would like us to consider joining your public sector portal, please drop us an email