Thanks to Gateway to London, EMS’s White Hart Triangle Move Has Given the Company the Space they Needed to Fulfil New Contracts and Put it at the Centre of the Fastest Growing Transport Infrastructure in the UK.

What a difference a day makes. EMS (UK) PLC’s Business Development Manager, Colin Bensley reflects on the day an agreement was made on its new Greenwich office, and smiles. Having recently unpacked his new office furniture, like his colleagues, Colin is champing at the bit in his new surroundings, wanting to get straight down to business by responding to enquiries and assigning experienced electricians and plumbers to projects across the country.

EMS commenced trading in August 1992 and operates as a specialist provider of temporary electrical and plumbing services, evacuation systems, CCTV and security for building sites around the UK. EMS’s client base had grown considerably, and it now has projects with most of the major building contractors in London, including: McAlpine, Carillion, Mace, Laing O’Rourke, Mowlems, Osborne, Bovis and Miller Construction.

A long-term London Thames Gateway business, EMS knew the site in Old Diver Road, Blackheath, needed updating and more critically – being boxed in by residential properties on both sides – could potentially prevent them from expanding to fulfil new contracts.

So, how do you find the right location for a business? You consult the experts. In July 2005 EMS contacted Gateway to London as they foresaw a possible need to move. The company wanted to stay close to Greenwich and following an in depth property search, Gateway to London put forward a range of options including opportunities in Stratford and the Lower Lea Valley. However, EMS knew that if they chose to move north of the river, existing staff would have to travel through the busy Blackwall Tunnel to get to work.

As the months passed EMS’s plans became more concrete. In March 2007 when Gateway to London identified a brand new space at White Hart Triangle, totalling 13,000 sq ft and costing £1.3 million things really started to happen. Through its extensive network of contacts, Gateway to London later became aware of a new development that had come on to the market. The White Hart Triangle presented a very real opportunity for EMS.

The White Hart Triangle was also a good location for current employees as they lived in adjacent areas such as Abbey Wood and Plumstead. Additionally EMS was safe in the knowledge that their nearest competitor was quite some way away, reducing concern over staff displacement issues.

EMS knew that being in a strategic location – perfect for reaching customers UK wide – would make the difference between the company just ‘getting by’ and it taking its performance to the next level.

Colin Bensley, Business Development Manager, EMS enthused: “We are really grateful to Gateway to London for introducing us to the White Hart Triangle. The extra room at our new White Hart Triangle office means that we will be able to satisfy new business growth. Our team can now work inside more, which will be particularly beneficial in the winter.”

As a result of the move, 105 jobs were safeguarded and 65 new jobs will be created over the next 18 months.

Today, the world is EMS’s Oyster. EMS is currently bidding for Olympic contracts and hopes to play a pivotal role in the future development of Woolwich Town Centre, an area undergoing a massive transformation.