Gateway to London Helps Spark Growth for Moss Electrical
Background
Trading for over 13 years, Moss Electrical Company Ltd is an independent wholesaler specialising in the management and distribution of electrical and mechanical products. It prides itself in providing an outstanding and informed level of customer service.
Established in 1994 and located in the heart of east London, the company opened a smaller Moss office in Bridgend, Wales in 2005 to service the Wales and west of England electrical wholesale markets.
In January 2007 Moss decided the time was right to enhance its existing London operation. In the old Canning Town site, staff often had to move from floor to floor to communicate with one another. It had outgrown its 80,000 sq ft office and needed a bigger facility with a better layout.
Gateway to London's Role
Inward investment agency Gateway to London assisted Moss following its original enquiry in January 2007, introducing the company to freehold sites sourced through its comprehensive property database.
The search criterion was for 100,000 sq ft of space (suitable for office and storage use), access to market, first class transport links, a good layout and ample parking.
Following the initial search, viewings and tours of the site were arranged including meetings with property agents. Going the extra mile in more ways than one, after exhausting property options in London Thames Gateway, looking at what was best for the client, Gateway to London worked with Moss to find an alternative location in the surrounding area.
Gateway to London plays a pivotal role in delivering the vision for the wider Thames Gateway; where a requirement can't be met in London Thames Gateway, it works closely with partners in the rest of London, Essex and Kent to ensure the best outcome for the client. Aiming to retain its entire existing workforce, Moss's first choice was to remain in the heart of London Thames Gateway, but later settled on a prestigious site in neighbouring Dartford in Kent.
Meeting Moss's criteria, Gateway to London found them the right location and facilitated the project moving forward.
Robert Moss, Managing Director, Moss, commented: "I have been particularly impressed by Gateway to London's ability to access information about available property throughout the Thames Gateway and advice as to its suitability for our business. It was very refreshing to receive accurate and impartial advice about commercial property. This has saved us valuable time and resources throughout our search.
Gateway to London arranged meetings with various agencies such as the London Development Agency and liaised with Newham council on our behalf. Furthermore, the networking introductions Gateway to London brokered have also been useful, particularly in relation to our new location."
Outcome
Moss completed on its new location Maxmor House, Sandpit Road, Dartford in April 2008. Adopting a ‘business as usual' policy, Moss wanted Maxmor House to be up and running straight away so started the office refit immediately.
Adapting the new site to their specific requirements, work on Maxmor House included: interior design, a complete internal refit, rewiring, a new boiler, a new heating system, and the installation of new racking needed for the warehouse. Moss also created a staff canteen and seminar rooms, suitable for board meetings; and landscaped the garden outside to improve the aesthetics of the site.
Empowering the company to increase its presence in the local electrical distribution market, their new location now plays host to 150,000 sq ft of advanced state-of-the-art electrical products and accessories. Situated in a transport hot spot, the new site is within one minute of the M25 J1a and the Dartford River Crossing. It's also within reach of London and the Home Counties. This investment provided Moss with scope to continue to grow its customer base.
The Company's View
Stefan Kemp, Head of Marketing, Moss said: "As well as retaining most of our original workforce in the move, we've also taken on an extra 20 team members. Our staff are delighted with their smart new office and all working on the same floor has made communication between departments so much easier. Parking is no longer an issue and Moss's new position means we are well placed to take advantage of the surge of construction taking place in London Thames Gateway, especially the Olympic site. Moss will undoubtedly benefit from having a presence in London Thames Gateway's domestic, commercial and industrial electricity markets - all buoyant in this fast changing area. It is also a prime position to make a dent in Kent's electrical supply market".
Looking ahead, Stefan Kemp cited the £2 billion of construction work due to take place in the neighbouring London Thames Gateway as being a massive opportunity for the company. The injection of confidence and opportunities that the move of a successful company such as Moss will provide is extensive. It will be of benefit to both existing companies and those looking to develop sites in London Thames Gateway.
