CEF invests in £10m centre for IT, data and marketing team

City Electrical Factors (CEF) has signalled its ongoing commitment to innovation with the announcement of a new, state of the art, IT, data and marketing centre just outside Durham.

CEF has an impressive internal IT team that develops its own software and web services. But having reached capacity at its Meadowfield offices near Durham the company is investing in a new, £multi-million environmentally friendly office on land opposite the existing premises.

Pauline Kirk, Head of IT for CEF said: “Our systems and services are unique in the industry and this has all been developed from within our business. We try to do as much as possible in house with our own team. We manage our own data centres and don’t buy off the shelf software or websites, preferring to develop it ourselves to ensure it meets the exact requirements of our business and our customers.”

She adds: “Most people would not think of electrical wholesaling as an industry to work in if you are a software developer or IT specialist, but in fact we have a growing team of 70, all bringing innovation to the way we run our business.”

The 10-acre site was acquired earlier this year and planning permission has now been granted for the impressive £10m+ build. The design brief, met by Newcastle based FaulknerBrowns architects, was to develop a technologically cutting edge building, which would not only outstanding work space but also reflect the company’s industry and heritage.

Pauline concludes: “It’s been an exciting time for CEF as this year our e-commerce site (cef.co.uk) was recognised as industry leading at the Electrical Wholesaler Awards. We have a number of exciting projects on the infrastructure and networking side and we are also now embarking on a huge project to re-develop our own bespoke integrated ERP system. All of these projects, along with the new build makes CEF an exciting place to work!”