Recycling, all wrapped up
Relocation and storage firm Apostolides diversify to provide solution for business waste
London Thames Gateway is the leading cleantech region in the UK and now even our traditional firms want a bite of the cherry. Gateway to London catches up with Apostolides...
Turning a problem into a lucrative business solution is familiar territory for Michaele Apostolides, Director of the self titled east London family removals firm that has been based in the area for over 100 years. Established in 1900, Apostolides provided commercial relocation and storage solutions to a wide range of companies - large, small, run-of-the-mill and out of the ordinary.
Gateway to London helped Apostolides find its site in Dagenham several years ago. Today, Apostolides is still a big player in the London relocation and storage arena but has also branched out into recycling office furniture and equipment. Apostolides recycle computers and carpet tiles, and operate a secure shredding and archive service for documents.
By providing the link between London businesses that need to dispose of old equipment and recycling firms that need raw material, Apostolides collect unwanted office material, process it on-site and dispatch the components for recycling externally. Apostolides currently recycle 400 tonnes per annum and this is increasing. Significantly, profit from the recycling part of the business already amounts to about 25 per cent of the company's turnover and plans are afoot to bring the recycling in house.
The company's location has been an essential ingredient in its recipe for success. The Dagenham Dock site has been successful because of its strategic east London situation and the opportunity for ‘design and build', enabling Apostolides to move straight into a building which was tailor-made to their requirements.
Being based in London Thames Gateway, Apostolides has also been able to join the EnviroNet Thames Gateway business network to keep abreast of cleantech supply chain opportunities in the area. With Dagenham Dock at the centre, London Thames Gateway is the number one location for environmental technologies in the UK with traditional firms seizing the opportunity to venture into this new and lucrative market.
Apostolides is now looking to expand and Gateway to London will be working with them to identify new opportunities and realise their plans.
Apostolides is also talking to the University of East London about an academic research project on what can be saved by recycling. Of course, Apostolides still store props and exhibits for the BBC and the Natural History Museum but now they also provide an end to end removal and storage service for clients such as insurance heavy weight, AXA.
Leanne Lawrence, Marketing Director, Gateway to London said: "The cleantech revolution continues in London Thames Gateway, and more and more new and established firms are taking advantage of the area's opportunities. Apostolides is one of a new breed of companies that is capitalising on the local supply chain opportunities and transport connectivity and we're delighted to be working with them again".
Apostolides has 40 full-time staff currently, with another 40 agency workers. One thing's for certain, the business may be moving along nicely but Apostolides hopes to stay right here in the Gateway.
For further information on sites and properties in London Thames Gateway, contact Gateway to London on Tel: 020 7540 5560 Email: info@gtlon.co.uk or visit the website at: www.gtlon.co.uk
