City Electrical Factors (CEF) has signalled its ongoing commitment to innovation with the announcement of a new, state of the art, IT, data and marketing centre just outside Durham
CEF has a long-standing commitment to technology which has seen the company develop an impressive internal IT team that develops their own software and web services. The team has now reached capacity at their Meadowfield offices near Durham and has therefore announced investment in a new, multi-million pound, hi-tech, environmentally friendly office which will be built on newly acquired land opposite their existing offices.
Pauline Kirk, Head of IT for CEF said: “Over the years, the innovation we have brought to the industry has all been driven by our own team of highly skilled IT professionals and software developers. Our systems and services are unique in the industry and this has all been developed from within our business. We try to do as much as possible in house with our own team. We manage our own data centres and don’t buy off the shelf software or websites, preferring to develop it ourselves to ensure it meets the exact requirements of our business and our customers.”
She went on to add: “Most people would not think of electrical wholesaling as an industry to work in if you are a software developer or IT specialist, but in fact we have a growing team of 70, all bringing innovation to the way we run our business.”
The 10-acre site was acquired earlier this year and planning permission has now been granted for the impressive £10m+ build. The design brief, met by Newcastle based FaulknerBrowns Architects, was to develop a technologically cutting edge building, which would not only outstanding work space but also reflect the company’s industry and heritage.
Main contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd, won the tender to bring the design to life and will break ground on site later in September. The project team is completed with the expertise of Property Consult for project management, Gleeds as cost consultants, Desco for M&E services and Curtins for structural engineering.
Steve McIntyre, Partner at FaulknerBrowns said of the design: “It has been great to work with Pauline and the whole CEF team. From the beginning of the project they have encouraged us to develop a contemporary workplace solution which embodies and reflects their drive and commitment for innovation. The building we’ve designed reinforces this culture and will provide the ideal workplace to allow them to support their growing business.”
Ashley Dale from Sir Robert McAlpine commented: “Sir Robert McAlpine is proud to be part of the team working to deliver this superb new IT Headquarters that will help CEF build for the future.”
Pauline concludes: “It’s been an exciting time for CEF as this year our e-commerce site (cef.co.uk) was recognised as industry leading at the Electrical Wholesaler Awards. We have a number of exciting projects on the infrastructure and networking side and we are also now embarking on a huge project to re-develop our own bespoke integrated ERP system. All of these projects, along with the new build makes CEF an exciting place to work!”
For further details, visit: cef.co.uk
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