ECCO Finishing Supplies owner Keith Miller reflects on an impressive 30 years in business
ANNIVERSARY
Milestone – ECCO Finishing Supplies owner Keith Miller is celebrating 30 years in business .
PICTURES : TOM BANKS
THREE DECADES LATER …
ECCO Finishing Supplies owner Keith Miller reflects on an impressive 30 years in business
Keith Miller is philosophical when he reflects on his Middlesbrough-based three decades in business .
“ If someone had told me back in 1995 that we would be celebrating our 30th anniversary in 2025 , I would have smiled and said , ‘ Hmm , let ’ s see !’.”
Three decades on , Keith reflects “ and what a journey these past 30 years have been .”
From the very humble beginnings of working from home , to a brief couple of years at the Belasis Business Centre in Billingham , ECCO Finishing Supplies soon moved to its current location in Middlesbrough .
Keith launched ECCO with no previous business experience , although he had worked in sales for two businesses – one in Middlesbrough that supplied similar products to the ones ECCO supplies today and the other a Sweden-based global player in the compressed air market .
“ It was at a meeting one week in Stockholm that the seed was planted in my mind that I could leave this fantastic company to set up my own business ,” recalls Keith .
“ My boss at the time was a Canadian , who I really enjoyed working for . He said to me , ‘ Keith , if it doesn ’ t work out on your own , your job here will be there for you .’”
“ Thirty years on , and I never did make that call !”.
Keith remembers thinking his first year turnover of £ 165,000 was an amazing achievement .
But as the days passed and the interest grew , along with some big names like Nissan wanting to evaluate ECCO ’ s equipment , Keith says the time was right to move into Belasis , from where the business started to work in the industrial side of blasting and painting equipment .
Keith then employed his old boss , Mike Bollands , and with the contacts and knowledge he ’ d built up , the business started to see some rapid growth .
“ We were supplying many of the industrial multi-discipline contractors across the UK , and the enquiries from overseas started to become more regular ,” says Keith .
“ Exporting has become very regular for us now , but our core business is the UK . We have supplied equipment to many prestigious projects including bridges and buildings in the run up to the London Olympics in 2012 , to the blasting and painting of iconic structures like the Forth Rail Bridge , the Tyne Bridge , along with many of our Royal Navy ’ s ships and submarines .
“ We have always worked with our customers and there are many that are still with us today . They know that we supply them with reliable , quality equipment , wherever they might be working .”
Today , ECCO is managed by two people who have been part of the firm ’ s journey for many years now – managing director Andy Binks and operations director Wayne Hall .
They are supported by a dedicated team , including Keith ’ s daughter , Lucy Chapman , sister , Jan Miller and Stacy Watson .
Team ECCO .
“ In the workshop we have two engineers aided by two apprentices and four people in the warehouse , serving customers and getting goods ready from our vast stock of parts and equipment .” So , what ’ s next ? “ I ’ m now working three days a week – but always on hand if needed ,” says Keith . “ Right now , the positive trajectory is continuing .”
Away from ECCO Finishing Supplies , Keith has been one of the main sponsors of the Redcar Bears speedway team .
He recently took on the role of copromoter and , more recently , became a shareholder in the business .
“ I ’ m trying to encourage more local businesses and supporters into the sport ,” enthuses Keith .
“ If people want to see fantastic racing around a track , which riders from all over the country say is one of the best on 500cc bikes with no brakes and no gears , then they should make the effort to come to the ECCO Arena one Friday night during this upcoming season and be part of this exciting sport .”
Visit eccofinishingsupplies . com and redcar-speedway . com
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