In the last few days, the dust has just started to settle after completing our big move to new premises. I previewed the event and our purpose-built property last month, and I’d be lying if I said the last few weeks hadn’t been exhausting. But, as everyone knows, there’s no gain without a bit of pain, and we’re now all really happy to be enjoying such a great new space.

In this post, I want to recap on some highlights, what benefits the facilities bring for our customers and how everything fits with our investment in the future of service delivery. I’ve also included a few photos to give you an idea of how the offices are shaping up.

• Specification – We designed the new place with our architects so it’s been custom-built to meet all our current and mid-term business needs. Most importantly, the offices are considerably larger than our old premises. The bottom line for customers is more stockholding capability and a faster turnaround, along with more workshop space and better equipment for precision, made-to-measure orders.

• Warehousing space – Our new space can hold 100% more stock than previously and we’ve incorporated a contemporary racking system capable of storing rods, bars, sheets, plates and coils. We’ll be keeping it well-stocked too, so our customers can always rely on us for fast and easy access to those difficult-to-source, premium quality materials that are so often in short supply elsewhere.

• Workshop area – We’ve always prided ourselves on offering a top-notch workshop service. Our new facilities are now bigger and even better equipped to deliver tailor-made orders that are ready for customers to use straight out of the box. With saws, guillotines and grinding machinery suitable for working with any kind of material format, we also have new coil handling and de-coiler machinery to check for imperfections before shipping.

• Technical services area – Specialist technical services are increasingly pushing the boundaries of quality control so it’s great to be able to have more dedicated space for our sophisticated metrology lab equipment. The cutting-edge apparatus includes a new surface roughness tester and a straightness and roundness tester to help predict product performance and check tolerance levels. These services provide greater safeguards and assurances for all our customers.

• Customer support area – The operational engine room has a totally new look and feel too, but is thankfully inhabited by the same familiar faces! All the latest systems and technology are in-built to help maintain our commitment to top-level order management, technical support and customer service. We’ve also created an archive space for older analogue records so every bit of important paper can be easily accessed.

• Location – We’re still located in the heart of the stunning South Hams countryside but the offices are easier to access and super modern, so we’ve got the best of all worlds. Our new address is: Unit 8D Torr View, Torr Quarry Industrial Estate, East Allington, Totnes TQ9 7QQ. And customers are welcome to visit anytime!

It’s not only our offices that have changed. On top of the big move, we’ve also invested in further strengthening our management team with the addition of Nick Hurst as senior adviser. Nick has a long and distinguished business track record as an entrepreneur and strategist having previously held MD and CEO positions at a number of prestigious organisations including, most recently, Artemis Optical. He specialises in optimising business potential and I’m delighted to have him join us on our journey.

As you can see, it’s been a busy time here at Nicofe and it’s looking like there’s a lot of activity lined up for the autumn ahead – which is exactly the way we like it! Please contact me directly if you have questions about our office move or with any product or order enquiries. Alternatively, you can always pay us a visit at our new pad!