The voice of business in the Tees region | 101
Cable firm lands prestigious Far East contract
F
ollowing on from its record-breaking
turnover in 2018, Cleveland Cable
Company has been awarded one of its
largest-ever export contracts.
The leading global cable specialist,
based at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Park,
successfully beat off stiff international
competition for the work supplying cables
to the value of $8m for a major contract in
the Far East.
The contract has led to the creation
of additional jobs in a range of positions
throughout the company. The completion
of the project will see more than 2,500
lengths of cable totalling 580,000 metres,
to be delivered to their client’s demanding
schedule.
To meet the project requirements,
Cleveland Cable has created an onsite,
in-house facility enabling it to carry out
extensive testing that had previously been
subcontracted.
The testing centre has been accredited by
the British Standards Institute (BSI) and the
firm has received the BSI Kitemark standard
for its laboratory.
“The client came to audit us recently to
ensure that all stock was available, that the
requested packaging and labelling had been
carried out, that our employees were fully
trained and that all applicable quality KPIs
were being met,” said a Cleveland Cable
Contract – Cleveland Cable’s
Riverside Park HQ.
spokesman. “We passed the audit with
flying colours against all criteria.”
Meanwhile, Cleveland Cable continues
to develop its electrical product wholesale
distribution business.
The business, formerly known throughout
Teesside as Bilcourt Electrical, was
rebranded as Superlec Electrical Distributors
in November 2017.
Bilcourt had a 35-year history as one of
the area’s leading electrical wholesalers,
noted for providing premium branded
products at better-than-trade prices.
The decision to rebrand came nearly
two years after the launch of Superlec
Direct in order to build a stronger brand
identity. Superlec Direct is an online
catalogue aimed at domestic users as well
as electrical installers providing everything
from fuses and light bulbs to consumer
units and onsite power generation.
From a standing start, the firm’s
dedicated team now processes more than
800 online orders a week, in addition to the
day-to-day business from the trade counter,
which is based in an annex to Cleveland
Cable’s head office site on Riverside Park
Road.
For more information visit
superlecdirect.com.
Sarah Thorpe, area
manager, UKSE.
UKSE INVESTS IN
THE FUTURE WITH
A NEW LOOK
A
busy 2019 saw Tata Steel’s business-
support arm hit the milestone of
£100m invested into businesses
in the UK’s steel areas. Now the team is
preparing for an equally busy 2020 – and
with new branding in place.
UKSE, previously known as UK Steel
Enterprise, has strong foundations thanks
to 44 years spent helping businesses to
grow, create valuable jobs and compete in
global markets.
UKSE’s investments are tailor-made
loan and equity packages that fit individual
businesses and their specific needs.
They can support management buyouts,
expansions, the need for new premises,
staff and equipment or a move into new
market sectors.
Teesside companies supported by UKSE
include:
• Covol Engineering, Billingham – a
£200,000 equity and loan investment
formed part of a package that helped
the business grow to meet demand for
its engineering skills on international
projects.
• Micropore Technologies – the award-
winning company based at Redcar
developed its unique membrane
emulsification process with the help of
three investments from UKSE and now
has a growing presence in the UK, USA
and India.
UKSE rarely needs personal guarantees.
With equity finance of up to £1m,
businesses retain control but have advice
at hand and exits are flexible. Loans on
affordable terms include unsecured funding
of up to £100,000 at fixed interest rates.
Sarah Thorpe, UKSE’s area manager
in the North, said: “We have long-term
relationships with many of our businesses.
UKSE not only brings a unique finance
package to each one but is also there as
a strategic partner with a non-controlling
stake in the business. We act as a sounding
board and provide independent advice.”
If you are looking for investment, call
Sarah Thorpe on 01642 777888 or visit
ukse.co.uk.