This Is Tees Valley This Is Tees Valley - Issue 1 2020 | Page 57

FINISHING ON A HIGH
Surface preparation
specialists are the
export champions
Fine finishing - Keith Miller of
Ecco Finishing Supplies.
E
xploring new places is what
Teessiders have been doing best
for hundreds of years – and it’s a
tradition Keith Miller is proud to
continue.
Keith is managing director of export
specialist Ecco Finishing Supplies, which
has established a global reputation as a
leading supplier and manufacturer of
surface preparation and coating equipment
over the past 25 years.
Ecco is constantly moving into new
markets around the world and every
shipment that leaves the company’s
headquarters on Letitia Industrial Estate is
wrapped in tape that announces proudly:
“Made in Middlesbrough.”
Established in 1995, Ecco has twice been
crowned North East Export Team of the
Year thanks to impressive sales in Russia,
Taiwan, Abu Dhabi, Canada, Azerbaijan,
Kazakhstan, Angola, the United States and,
most recently, Mexico.
And while he admits not every customer
knows much about Teesside at first, when
he tells them it’s where the explorer Captain
James Cook and diplomat and archaeologist
Gertrude Bell came from, their eyes light up.
“Children in many Middle Eastern
countries are taught about Gertrude Bell
at school, but back here her contribution is
often overlooked,” says Keith.
“We’ve always been good at making
things, but we need to get better at
celebrating our achievements and telling
everyone else about it.”
Keith says it’s time to start banging that
drum about the area’s history and the things
its businesses still do as well if not better
than anyone else.
Ecco serves the oil and gas, offshore
renewables, automotive, construction and
manufacturing industries. Its products
include grit blasting and recovery systems,
spray systems, plural component and
passive fire protection equipment.
“Our reputation is based on our product
performance, quality and
service delivery which is
key to our success,” says
Keith. “We are committed to
working in partnership with
our customers to develop
and maintain long-term
relationships. We work with
world-leading manufacturers
Export experts - Middlesbrough-based Ecco
as distributors for their
have customers across several continents.
products, which is another
big plus for our customers.
such as the Ecco 2K HV PFP, market-
“We’re constantly transforming and
leading passive fire protection equipment
expanding our product range to meet
market demand and we now offer a modern, used by customers worldwide.
Overseas clients include industry giants
reliable fleet of equipment which is available
Cape, Actavo, Wood Group, Lamprell,
to hire and a range of industrial supplies.”
With distribution bases in the UK, United Altrad, Hertel, McDermott and A&C
Group.
Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan, Ecco can
Keith has also set up Ecco Finishing
offer a fast turnaround from initial enquiry
Supplies, based in UAE, which supplies
to delivery, with many items available from
products throughout the Middle East.
stock.
Customers closer to home include
“We offer exceptional customer service
Universal Coatings, Hertel, Cape, Altrad,
and have our highly qualified technical
Kaefer, Wood Group, AV Dawson,
engineers available to travel and work
Cleveland Containers and many others.
offshore and overseas servicing equipment,”
And while he’s the frontman for Ecco’s
said Keith.
spectacular success, Keith says it’s very
Ecco prides itself on adapting to
much a team effort.
customers’ needs, helping achieve a record
He says: “Our reputation is based on
£5m annual turnover, with overseas trade
customers readily telling others our story –
now accounting for almost 40% of sales.
Many overseas successes have been driven that we’re reliable, honest and upfront. They
know that if we say we’ll do it, we will.”
by the development of specialist equipment
To contact Ecco Finishing Supplies, call 01642219760, email [e-mail]
or visit their website at eccofinishingsupplies.co.uk
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