What happened next?
Over the last five years, Gateway to London has worked with many companies across a wide range of sectors and in all parts of the London Thames Gateway region. Relocations, reinvestments and expansions are the key focus for our team, who continue to work determinedly to help our region's companies and those looking to move here.
Our website is home to a range of case studies on companies we have helped, from a major player in the telecoms industry, to a pressed metal container manufacturer, and even the firm in charge of storing the Dr Who Daleks. These few examples offer just a glimpse of the diversity of companies based in the region and those we work with.
Many of these firms have been profiled before in our updates so we thought it would be interesting to re-visit a few and see how they have been doing since we helped them with their property needs.
One of the things I love about my work at Gateway to London is getting to know people from each of the firms we work with and learning about their business, because every firm is different and each strengthens our confidence that we work in one of the most diverse and exciting business locations in the UK.
Leanne Lawrence
Marketing Director
Apostolides
Apostolides www.cama.co.uk are an independent family owned business, specialising in providing project management, commercial relocation, managed storage and furniture recycling services. Whilst most of their work is in London they also provide UK and European coverage.
Gateway to London helped Apostolides with their move to a new 30,000 sq ft head office and warehouse at Dagenham Dock in late 2005. As well as helping the business to grow and develop, the move safeguarded 25 full time jobs and between 50 and 100 part time jobs, Gateway to London also helped Apostolides to access a Selective Finance for Investment (SFI) grant of £100,000 for the relocation.
Two years on from their move, Apostolides have recruited a further 15 staff and are broadening their business base. The company are seeking to build a new furniture recycling facility and have approached the LDA about acquiring adjacent land for the new venture which will create further employment and training opportunities.
Roberts Metal Packaging
Roberts Metal Packaging www.roberts-metpack.co.uk is one of Europe's leading metal packaging providers and an excellent example of a successful manufacturing firm in London Thames Gateway. The company specialises in manufacturing aluminium and tinplate pre-threaded screw caps, small containers and godets for use in the cosmetic and hair care industry. Originally based in Peckham, Roberts approached Gateway to London in late 2003, as the lease on their existing premises was up for renewal in 2006.
With Gateway to London's assistance, Roberts relocated to a brand new building on Birchmere Business Park earlier this year, where their 50 staff are settling in well. Gateway to London also helped the company successfully apply for a SFI grant of £200k.
Roberts has continued to expand since the move and enabling the team able to refocus away from relocating and back to their core business. They have taken on two new staff in the sales and marketing team and these additional roles will help deliver further sales for the company and increase the client base.
ColourHolographic
ColourHolographic www.colourholographic.com produces unique holographic products for international brands. Their ground breaking and impressive portfolio includes ‘MoviPoster', a new advertising medium, often integrated with global marketing campaigns, and used by companies including Warner Brothers, Guinness UK, Cadbury and Diageo. As Colour Holographic's range of clients and workload grew, their original sites in Essex and Leeds were no longer able to provide an efficient business solution.
Following an extensive property search based on the company's unique requirements, Gateway to London helped the company move to Trinity Buoy Wharf, a location that was already home to a number of creative firms. Gateway to London also assisted Colour Holographic on a number of other business related issues including the facilitation of a SFI grant.
ColourHolographic is hoping to increase its work force over the next year, having settled in well to Trinity Buoy Wharf.
Madison Bell Media
Established in 1999, Madison Bell Media www.madisonbellmedia.com are pioneers of cutting edge digital services providing artwork to advertisers through new digital technology. The company works with a host of household names including the British Red Cross, EMI and American Express converting artwork and delivering it for press and magazines across the world.
Originally based in Lanterns Court in E14, Madison Bell Media relocated to brand new high quality offices in the Riverside Building, Trinity Buoy Wharf, to allow for future business expansion. This also enabled the company to be at the heart of London's Docklands and the centre of London Thames Gateway's creative hub.
Staff at Madison Bell Media are enjoying their new premises, particularly with the stunning location and views across the river to The O2. The company has consolidated its operations since moving, while continuing as an advertising industry leader and working with internationally renowned brands.
Reflex International
Reflex International www.reflexinternational.com is one of the UK's leading suppliers of promotional clothing, uniform, workwear, corporate gifts and product sourcing. The company's clients range from some of the biggest companies across the UK, including The O2, and ExCeL in addition to many smaller niche players. Reflex provides a full range of corporate, workwear and promotional clothing together with all manner of business gift ideas from the novel to the must-have items of pens and mugs.
With Gateway to London's help, the company were able to relocate their office and warehouse from Canning Town to new premises in the nearby Mint Industrial Park just off A13. This enabled Reflex to stay in the local area and retain 14 staff, while providing the company with increased office and storage space.
The new location also benefits from vital transport links and ensures that Reflex customers are ideally positioned to supply the needs of the business community throughout exciting times ahead in the east end of London. Reflex is particularly looking forward to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, development of Stratford City, and wider regeneration of the Thames Gateway.
