Through our Meet the Tenant feature we hope you’re seeing the wide variety of businesses that partner with us here at the Millfields Trust. In previous blogs, we’ve introduced you to The Hot Buns Bakery as well as Turner and Townsend but today we’d like to introduce you to Eco Environmental Services Ltd.
Who are you, what is your business name and how long have you been in business?
We are Fiona Kerslake (Operations Director) and Jonathan Abdilla (Founder). We run Eco Environmental Services Ltd. which was established in November 1998.
Tell us a little bit about your business and customers?
We are a well-respected, niche, SME who supplies and installs a variety of humane Bird Deterrent Systems on a commercial basis. We primarily supply the construction, civil and FM sectors. Our in-house team of project managers and installation teams are experienced, trained and insured in all aspects of bird control.
When and why did you get an office in the Millfields Trust?
In the Summer of 2005, it was evident that the business was growing and now was the right time to expand the team. We wanted to employ a couple of additional people who could help with the administration tasks. This would allow us to the time to concentrate on new business development. Having already viewed a couple of prospective offices in the town centre it was evident that we would need to expand our search criteria to find a more suitable office. By chance, we came across a unit being advertised within The Millfields. 18 years later this remains our head office & administration/ sales hub currently home to seven of our talented team.
What does an average day look like for your business?
The Office usually opens around 08.30am and shuts at 17.00pm, we normally take a lunch break around 13.00pm. Although we are not public facing we do interact with our clients via the telephone, Teams and emails. Each day differs and the excitability levels can be quite noisy at times. Clients wishing to place immediate business with us will require the return of a completed pre-qualification questionnaire. The business development team look after our clients by calling and ensuring that they are happy with our service. Supported by the Plymouth office team, we have six project managers who work remotely. The finance team keep a tight control on the purse strings and chase any outstanding invoices ensuring that the cash flow balances for the end of month payments.
What types of challenges has your business faced in the past, present, and possibly in the future?
85% of our services are provided to the construction sector. When Construction suffers its peaks and troughs we used to follow the trend. More recently we have been able to identify these patterns and are able to plan and resource other works outside of the sector to balance the books, our anti contraband netting concept was developed in this manner.
Covid-19 was a very scary period and we could have easily lost the business. However, thanks to furlough and the grit and determination of the team, we were able to return to site some three months later and slowly re-start our projects. The biggest challenge is the unknown. You can try and prepare for economic downturn , supply chain cost increases and increased competition but you cannot plan for an unknown future. All you can do is try to adapt when certain challenges are presented.
If you could have one thing right now for your business, what would it be?
Stability and growth, both on a business level and personal level for all involved. That way everyone benefits, and the business continues to succeed. We have invested locally and most of our office based talent live within a 5-mile radius proving that we are true, local citizens of The Millfields.
What are your plans for 2023?
We would like to further expand our workforce and grow the business. We also want to maintain the current levels of stability and happiness within the overall operation.
What’s the best business advice you have ever received? Or, what is your business mantra?
Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently, that mantra has allowed us to efficiently build and run a successful business that’s almost 25 years old.
What do you love about Stonehouse?
The old heritage coupled with the diversities of the people living here – the cooking smells on the way to HQ are simply delicious!!
What do you love about being a business in Plymouth?
Having been born in Malta, Plymouth has been our home city since 1979. The beautiful location of our office provides us with amazing opportunities to get out at lunch time. Whether it’s the beautifully manicured gardens within the Millfields, or Devils Point, only a mile down the road for a cold water swim. If you prefer coffee and ice cream then The Hoe offers a perfect viewing platform of The Sound. Is there a better way to recharge your mind and soul?
Where can we keep up to date with the latest news and information from Eco Environmental Services Ltd?
Website: www.ecoltd.net
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/eco-environmental-services-limited
If you’re a business in need of office space, light industrial units, or possibly just a meeting room, head over to Our Premises today. If you already know exactly what you need then please don’t hesitate to contact the team.