Celebrating 25 years of Cre8 Joinery Solutions
This year we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary. As we prepare to mark this milestone, we’re taking time to reflect on the last 25 years and all those who have played a part in our journey. In this blog one of our founding directors Phillip Gay, reflects on a quarter century of Cre8 Joinery Solutions and our commitment to doing things properly.
I honestly couldn’t be prouder of where we are today as a company with a reputation for delivering high quality commercial joinery and fit-outs. Much has changed since the early days of Cre8 back in 2001 but one thing that has stayed resolutely the same is our unwavering dedication and the exceptionally high standards we hold ourselves to.
Investing in our people and facilities
Over the last 25 years we’ve never stopped pushing forward, future-proofing our offering to support our clients. Investing in new machinery and equipment, growing our team, training colleagues and expanding the premises have all been a key part of our evolution as a company. While we’re still based in the very same location in rural Essex where it started in 2001, the site has changed a lot in the intervening years. This constant investment has enabled us take on larger and more complex projects without ever losing sight of our commitment to service and the high quality our clients expect.
Over the last few months, we’ve welcomed several new colleagues across the business. From talented craftspeople and installers to project managers, designers and support roles, each new starter strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional work at pace. Because we design, manufacture and install in‑house, having the right people in the right roles ensures we can control lead times, uphold quality and respond quickly to any challenges we encounter.
Investing in people doesn’t stop at recruitment, we’re committed to ongoing development and training to ensure every team member has the knowledge and support they need to thrive. Our apprentices and trainees continue to progress through hands‑on learning in the workshop and on site, supported by experienced mentors who pass on the craft, precision and problem‑solving that define Cre8.
We also continue to prioritise mental health and wellbeing. Our trained mental health first aiders offer year‑round support, and we work hard to maintain a culture where people feel valued, listened to and supported. Social events, team days and cross‑department collaboration help keep our family feel alive, even as we grow. With just over a third of our current workforce having been with Cre8 for 10 years or more, loyalty among staff remains high and that’s something else to be proud of.
Built on a philosophy to be different
Personally, I think our success lies in our unwavering commitment to our goal – to be the best in the business by delivering high quality, bespoke joinery projects on budget and on time, every time. It comes down to quality of the projects we work on and the service we offer our clients. Quality remains at the heart of everything we do.
This is down to the quality of our suppliers and the supply chain we’ve curated over the years. We work with leading material suppliers including veneer/laminate suppliers, glass workers, metal workers, draughtspersons and artisanal specialists, which has enabled us to consistently deliver the high quality of finish we’re renowned for. The relationships with our supply chain partners have played an instrumental role in our success over the last 25 years and we’re thankful for all your support.
We’ve always embraced challenges and strive to find solutions that deliver the highest quality. Our projects blend traditional craftmanship and materials with the latest technology and innovative new materials sourced from all over the globe. I’m incredibly proud of our in-house capability and ability to evolve and react to changes in market and trends – that’s what keeps us relevant and keeps our clients coming back.
What’s next?
We’ve always been forward-looking so as well as investing in our people and facilities, we’ve introduced new services such as our turnkey division WeIntegre8 and have fully embraced sustainability as it has increasingly become a key factor in the projects we work on. Our Constructionline Gold accreditation is testament to our ongoing commitment to the environment, our social value ethos, the quality of our products and the diversity of our workforce.
Our Northern division continues to build momentum, strengthening our presence across the region to complete interior fit-out projects in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield including works for Channel 4 and BT. While our turnkey fit-out division, WeIntegre8, which we launched a few years ago with our partner company Washroom Washroom to specialise in packaged contractor solutions continues to go from strength to strength.
On behalf of the whole team here at Cre8, I’d like to say thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey so far from colleagues to suppliers and clients. It’s been a pleasure – here’s to the next 25!
