ENGINEERING
Management – ECCO Finishing Supplies founder Keith Miller ( left ) has appointed Andy Binks ( middle ) as managing director and Wayne Hall as operations director .
PICTURE : TOM BANKS WORDS : ANDY PASSANT
TEES EXPERTISE COVERS THE GLOBE
An award-winning Teesside firm has got it covered when it comes to seeking out new export markets
ON TRACK FOR AN ADRENALINE RUSH
ECCO Finishing Supplies has established a worldwide name since its humble origins in the spare room of a Billingham home . It supplies surface preparation and coating equipment and has won awards for exporting its products , which are in demand for protecting assets across the world .
Now , as the Middlesbrough firm approaches its 30th birthday , ECCO ’ s founder Keith Miller is still keen to expand both at home and abroad .
Not bad for a man who set up in business at home in 1995 with the aid of a typewriter from Argos and help from his sister answering the phone .
The firm ’ s spray guns have been used to embellish cars from Nissan to Bentley – and have helped to glaze a well-known butcher ’ s pork pies !
Fast forward to 2024 , and Keith has recently made some important appointments to take the firm into the future .
Andy Binks has been appointed managing director and Wayne Hall operations director .
Keith said : “ Both of the guys have vast knowledge and have built up great relationships with some of the largest contractors around the world .
“ Wayne was originally employed to work in the warehouse , but he was ambitious and quick to learn . He now manages some of our largest accounts . Andy has gained experience working overseas and is a well known figure in the industry .
“ My daughter Lucy manages the accounts side of the business . We have also taken on two apprentices . Together
56 | Tees Business we have a really strong team , including all of our staff .”
ECCO serves a number of different sectors , including oil and gas , offshore renewables , automotive , construction and manufacturing industries .
Its range of in-demand products include shot blasting and paint spraying equipment , industrial PPE and passive fire protection ( PFP ) machines .
On the home front , the company has been involved in projects including the Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset and shipbuilding and ship repairs in Scotland , as well as fabrication work taking place locally .
Keith sees exciting opportunities closer to home , for example the huge wind plant being built at Teesworks .
On the world stage , its products have reached all corners of the globe , including Kazakhstan , Azerbaijan , Australia , North America , Africa and the Middle East .
Keith admitted the export market had taken a hit with Brexit and Covid “ but it is definitely on the up again ”.
“ We are probably in our strongest place for years and years ,” he added .
“ You know when you are doing something right when you have companies from the United States interested in buying , and some closer to home too . It is not for sale , I have told them !”
ECCO currently employs 12 people on Middlesbrough ’ s Letitia Industrial Estate and Keith , 64 , wants to continue growing the business . “ We enjoy challenges ,” he smiled . “ We have a great reputation at home and abroad . People trust us to deliver , and we do that constantly .” Find out more at eccofinishingsupplies . com
When he ’ s not hard at work plotting the next sale , Keith likes to unwind by watching riders tearing round a track on brakeless bikes .
He ’ s been a big fan of speedway since the days of racing at Cleveland Park , now the site of Macmillan Academy .
Keith ’ s firm has previously sponsored local speedway team the Redcar Bears and now sponsors the stadium , known as the ECCO Arena , which is part of the South Tees Motorsports Park .
“ It is a great sport . I used to go to Cleveland Park when I was a kid . I loved it then and I love it now ,” he said .
Keith is a keen advocate for the sport and wants to get more people involved , including local businesses .
There is exciting talent coming through , including teenager Katie Gordon ( pictured ). Katie is hoping to break down barriers in its maledominated world and inspire more women to get into speedway .
Keith said : “ Katie is an 18-yearold British Women ’ s Speedway Champion . She has been riding since 2014 and joined the Redcar Cubs in 2021 .”
For more details about sponsoring Redcar Bears , email keith @ eccofinishingsupplies . com