Member Article

Ogilvie speeds up comms pipeline for Techflow Flexibles

A new telecoms system is set to help an oil and gas hose specialist slash costs, and support its plans to double turnover and staff numbers as it moves into a new £3m factory.

Cramlington-based Techflow Flexibles brought in Ogilvie Communications to install a top of the range Samsung phone system and new IT network backbone at the 183,000 sq ft former Dunlop factory on Bassington Drive.

Techflow managing director Ken Beattie said: “We expect to double turnover to reach £40m by 2014, and will be recruiting an extra 25 people to add to our present team of 50, with a view to staff numbers topping the 100 mark within 12 months.

“Our new factory marks a step change in the business, giving us a strong platform to extend our customer base and our offerings. We had very specific telecoms requirements that no other supplier could accommodate.”

Integrated IT and telecoms specialists Ogilvie Communications employs 21 people at its Gateshead offices. The £45,000 contract involved its engineers laying more than 6,000 metres of cabling to support the new IT and telecoms network, as well as installing the new phone system, 138 data points and a guest wireless network.

More than 85% of the order book of Techflow Flexibles and sister company Techflow Marine, comes from overseas. The companies specialise in bespoke flexible hose and couplings for the oil and gas sector, and the new phone system uses internet technology to allow staff to communicate with its worldwide client base, for free.

By using intelligent switching and voicemail integration to route calls between cordless handsets and mobiles, UK staff are accessible whenever they are on the move, which will improve call handling and speed up communications.

Techflow commercial manager Terry McDonnell said: “Ogilvie has given us a flexible, easy to use phone system with better cost visibility and one in which we can change settings as frequently as we need to, and with no fuss. Programmability and scalability are particularly important because when Techflow Flexibles and Techflow Marine both move into the new building we will have around 65 people on site, with plenty of room to accommodate more.

“A more efficient communications system means a more efficient, and therefore profitable, operation.

“As a family- owned North East business we prefer to use local suppliers wherever possible. Ogilvie was the best partner for the job, and the fact that they are local to us is an extra bonus.”

Steve Hood, business development manager at Ogilvie Communications added: “We are very pleased that Techflow chose to work with us. Because their market is mainly overseas, the company was spending way too much money on IT and communications.

“We used our expertise and partnerships with leading communications vendors to design a more cost effective and future-proof system that will cut running costs and support ambitious growth plans that will bring more jobs to the region.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Techflow for years to come.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chrissie Gardiner .