St Johns Innovation Centre, Cowley Rd, Cambridge, CB4 0WS

Tel: 08456 031585
Fax: 08456 031586

sales@sourceoneconsulting.co.uk
www.sourceoneconsulting.co.uk

More than just office furniture

When setting up Source One Consulting in 2002, Pat Lewis had one basic philosophy- to make life for his clients as simple as possible by being the one source they need for all their office requirements.

With over 15 years’ experience of the office interior and supplies business, Source One has a detailed knowledge of the business, and the people, and believes the whole issue of office refurbishment can be made much simpler. Not only does Pat act as project manager, ensuring every .htmect of a scheme is completed to high standards and within an agreed timescale, but in most circumstances the consultation and design service is free of charge.

“Over the past few years we have been involved in some of Ipswich’s largest office moves and have realised that quite often, many office improvements can require four or five different suppliers-perhaps one for the office furniture, another for the ceilings, someone else for the electrical work and so on. The basic idea is to be one source for all, so that it becomes our challenge to bring the project together, rather than putting the burden on an organisation’s member of staff who normally has enough of their own work to do. Ensuring that everything happens at the right time, can be quite stressful for someone who has never done it before.”

Crucially Source One can go far beyond supplying desks and chairs. Working with supply companies that he has known for may years, they can source everything from the office furniture to ceilings, partitioned walls to carpets, lighting, electrical and computer cabling. They will also ensure that any building regulations are adhered to and deal with any planning applications that may be required.

“Basically, it can save huge amounts of time and money, because we have expert contacts that we can trust and our clients in turn have one point, one source for the whole project.”

One of the most useful tools is the computer aided design service that can help people visualise how their office is transformed.

“At an initial consultation, clients usually tell us their ideas and budget, and I may be able to add a few pointers or suggestions, and then it is up to me to draw up plans and images to bring the ideas to life.

“Once a design has been agreed, I can take them to our showrooms so that they can see the furniture and make a final decision on the scheme, and then we can add the detail.”

Source One however does not just limit itself to grand refurbishment projects and applies the same standards and practices to all businesses, where there may be only one office and a couple of desks.

“We work across the board and feel that we are just as useful for smaller businesses who often have to watch their expenditure carefully. And again our time is normally free of charge. Our service extends across a whole spectrum of products and services. We can advise on printing, stationary and office accessories, as well as digital printing and can also deal with the disposal of confidential waste – we can even furnish your canteen, café, pub or club”

The decision to start his own business came through his own ambition and a gap in the market.

"I have always wanted to do something on my own and my expertise lies in an area that I believe can benefit clients and make their lives easier. I have always lived in Ipswich and know an awful lot of businesses through past associations, and believe I can use my expertise to offer that little bit more.
"I want it to be a caring company, and one that generates customers for life through offering the highest standards of service, value for money and a friendly approach.
"I often see businesses spending huge amount of time and resources on trying to improve their working environment and basically, I can do all that for them and save them time, money and build some good relationships."