CEF has a longstanding 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 added, ‘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.’
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he 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.
