Another year is coming to a close and it doesn’t seem like two minutes since we were rounding up 2018! With the month flying by already, we take a look back at some of 2019’s best bits and most impressive projects. Scroll all the way to the bottom for a word from Penketh Group MD, Mark.
Publishing our Inclusive Workplaces report with YouGov
Just last month we published our Inclusive Workplaces: The Future of Office Design & Culture report in conjunction with leading market research and data analytics company, YouGov. We surveyed more than 1,000 UK employees to review how workplaces today are catering for an increasingly diverse workforce. Some of the results were shocking and our experts predict that inclusive workplace design will be not just a trend but more of a movement in 2020 and beyond.
Download the full report to keep reading or get in touch to request your complimentary pocket guide.
Redesigning our Manchester showroom
We’ve also been busy working away behind the scenes on a brand new redesign of our Manchester showroom. Some of you may have paid us a visit already and seen what we’ve done with the space but we’re looking forward to showing more of you round in the new year and sharing more via our social media so keep your eyes peeled for that. Inspiration for the design comes from new styles of teamwork emerging and the crossover between commercial design and the hospitality sector.
In the meantime, make sure you’re following us on Instagram and Twitter.
Joining the North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium
Back in June, we announced that we had been awarded a space on the North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium (NWUPC) Furniture Framework Agreement (FFE3103 NW). The NWUPC is one of six regional higher education purchasing consortium in the UK and after a competitive tender process following contract renewal, we were successful in joining the consortia to help support its collaborative procurement service. This has been a massive win for Penketh Group and means we can look forward to more education-based projects across the region as the relationship develops.
Click here to read more
Certified ConstructionLine Gold
This year, we were also accredited with Constructionline Gold membership after being upgraded from Silver level. This means that our processes and policies are now more watertight than ever before and that we are operating within the appropriate Health & Safety standards across all sectors. As we are now subject to increased scrutiny and risk management, customers can now be even more safe in the knowledge that we are a trusted, risk-free partner.
Click here to read more
Sustainable stationery packaging
As part of our ongoing commitment to becoming more sustainable, we replaced our stationery and supplies packaging with a 100% recycled and recyclable alternative. Our new delivery bags have been made by putting recycled plastic bags into a baler and blending them together to create a more eco-friendly way of transporting goods to our customers. Expect more developments in our sustainability story throughout 2020.
Click here to read more
Ladies Day 2019 at Neo
After the success of previous years, we once again hosted the annual Penketh Group Ladies Day celebration at our Manchester showroom. Movers and shakers from the region’s A&D community came along to enjoy an afternoon of good food, great company, magic tricks, prize giving and a few drinks from the Sixteen3 Calvert Gin Bar. Spoils included a luxurious Harvey Nichols hamper, a £150 voucher to dine at The Ivy and £100 to spend at Selfridges.
Click here to read more
Helping build the Big LEGO Brick Hospital
As you may already know, getting involved with our community and supporting local charities is extremely important to us as a company. As part of our efforts this year, we were pleased to be a part of the Big LEGO Brick Hospital campaign. The Big LEGO Brick Hospital is a scaled replica of the brand new specialist cancer hospital which is currently being built in Liverpool . The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre encouraged the public to buy a brick for £1; we sponsored our very own Lego Penketh Group delivery van which we went along and placed on the model earlier this year.
Click here to read more
The 8th annual Penketh Group Staff Awards
We believe the people that belong to any business are key, which is why we like to take every opportunity we can to celebrate our fabulous staff. Every year we throw a Penketh Group staff awards ceremony to recognise our achievements throughout the year and give a special mention to those who have gone above and beyond. Here are some of our 2019 winners, including Beth and Martin who will be getting married in 2020!
Click here to read more
…and, of course, more exciting workspace transformations…
Throughout the year, we have continued to develop our relationships with leading manufacturers and fine-tune our furniture and fit out offering. As a result of this, we have won a number of exciting projects, including the handful of examples below.
Click here to check out more of our case studies and recent projects.
Willson Grange
Willson Grange came to us and told us their objectives and ambitions for the sizable space and then asked us to pitch our ideas in response, against two other design companies. After submitting our initial designs and pricing plans, we were delighted to be selected as furniture, fit out and design partner for the job with a brief to challenge the expectations of a traditional office within the finance sector.
Click here to read more
Leading asset management company
Earlier this year, we were delighted to take on a supportive role alongside OBI Property to help make their design vision a reality in transforming the workspace of a leading asset management company in Manchester city centre. Our involvement with this project extended to the competitive quoting of products via our network of partners and manufacturers, as well as offering strategic suggestions around which specific commercial furniture and integrated workplace technology we felt would achieve both the customer’s and the designer’s ambition for the space.
Click here to read more
Handelsbanken
Following a scheme designed by strategic creative consultancy, Strive, our brief was to supply furniture which aligned with their specification but also provided value-engineered solutions for Handelsbanken which is a leading local relationship bank. We were called upon to put forward products which were high-performance but also sensitive to a strict budget. The style, fabric and finishes of the furniture also needed to challenge the stereotype of uninspiring banking offices and instead, reflect a brand which is forward-thinking and modern.
Click here to read more
Pure Business Group
Towards the end of 2017, we completed a Fourth Floor transformation for Pure Business Group after they moved into brand new premises at No.8 Princes Dock in Liverpool city centre. This followed two previous furniture projects we had carried out at their Prescott Site and this year, we were excited to complete yet another successful scheme for the UK law firm. As an existing office stationery and business supplies customer of many years, our relationship with Pure Business Group is one we value incredibly highly so to be invited back as furniture and fit out partner for this project was an exciting win for our team.
Click here to read more
Once again, all of this wouldn’t be possible without the support of our fantastic customers, partners and manufacturers so a great big thank you to them!
A final word from our Managing Director, Mark Penketh:
“As 2019 comes to an end, it’s been a very successful year for Penketh Group – our best in our 43 years of trading in fact. Having said that, the challenges we have had to overcome to maintain growth have been numerous. All businesses have had to battle through political uncertainty but some how we all find a way to move forward. We have many facets to our business now with fit out, furniture and AV seeing tremendous growth during 2019. The addition of Datatech to Penketh Group has helped us find new opportunities to help our customers in their journey towards digital transformation.
“We will continue to bring to our customers products and services that we believe will help each and every one of them become more productive and efficient around the workplace. It’s extremely exciting times for the business and with the dedication and hard work from all our staff, we believe the future is very bright.”
