Telecoms specialist lays foundations for further growth

A North East telecommunications specialist is set for further growth after securing a lucrative deal with world-leading worktop and high pressure laminate producer Formica Group.

Sunderland-based Nice Network Ltd has successfully won the exclusive contract, which will see it supply Formica Group with mobile devices from global giant Vodafone.

Formica Group was impressed with the proposal from Nice Network, awarding the two-year contract after a search for a ‘more proactive supplier able to demonstrate a track record of achieving cost and efficiency savings within the manufacturing sector.’

Nice Network Ltd already has long standing relationships with manufacturers such as Nike, Husqvarna, DrägerUK and many more.

Formica Group, which employs over 1,000 people across Europe including 500 people in the North East of England, has sales and operations teams requiring hundreds of mobile handsets.

Adrienne Bishop, European Procurement Category Manager at Formica Group, said: “Historically we’ve worked with Vodafone directly, however this year we decided to move to a third party.

“We wanted a supplier hungry to impress us with new ideas and Nice Network Ltd did exactly that. They were also able to demonstrate through existing commercial relationships that they work closely with clients and understand what a business like ours needs.

“With Vodafone, we felt as though we were a small fish in a big pond when compared to some of the businesses in their portfolio. However, with Nice Network we can tap into one-to-one support.

“The firm’s track record, combined with an ongoing programme of new to the market hand set trials, access to indestructible CAT phones and detailed, bespoke monthly reporting made them the obvious choice.”

The contract win is the first time the firm has awarded a mobile telecommunications contract of this importance to an independent operator.

Mike Mead, Corporate Account Director at Nice Network, said: “We’ve been keen to work with Formica Group for many years. Two years ago, when the account was being re-tendered, we narrowly missed out with the company preferring a deal with Vodafone.

“However, since then, I understand that in dealing direct with Vodafone, Formica Group felt like its business was just a drop in the ocean, a minnow in the pond, and this is just one of the areas where our business stood out.

“For the team at Nice Network, the Formica Group account is a major coup, and I am thrilled that we have been able to demonstrate real added value to the company. We are now looking forward to establishing a long and productive working relationship with the company.”

Nice Network UK, which sold the first ever mobile handset in the North East back in 1986, recently underwent a complete brand overhaul to coincide with the company’s ambitious growth plans.

The 32-year-old firm, which has been headquartered in Sunderland since its inception, currently employs 24 members of staff and has an annual turnover of £2.8m.

However, over the next 12 months, the company has ambitious plans to double its headcount and is expecting turnover to top £4m.

As well as providing telecoms support it also specialises in the provision of IoT (Internet of Things) technology, IT systems, security and internet connectivity.

To find out more about The Nice Network, visit https://www.nicenetwork.uk/