As the company celebrates a special anniversary this year, we discover how ESP has provided security to installers for the last three decades, and beyond.
As a leading fire protection and security products supplier, ESP is celebrating 30 years in business this year with 2022 looking set to end as another record year for the business with major new developments and expansion plans coming to fruition.
Founded in 1992 as Electronics Line UK, the company initially consisted of a small team distributing wireless intruder alarm systems to wholesalers before expanding into the CCTV market.
In 1996 the company was officially launched to the electrical wholesale market as ESP (Elite Security Products). Following a number of years of growth, the business was relocated in 2009 to a larger, purpose-designed head office and warehouse space in Redditch, Worcs.
Elite supplier
In 2011, ESP was acquired by Scolmore Group in what was seen as the coming together of two companies with a focus on innovative product development and excellent customer service. ESP continues to operate as an independent business within Scolmore Group, which also includes Click wiring accessories, Ovia lighting and Unicrimp cable accessories.
Over the ensuing years, ESP continued to expand the business and develop its product portfolio, which included CCTV, fire protection, security floodlighting and access control. In 2014 a brand new product category was added to the line-up with the launch of the Duceri emergency lighting range. This brought to the professional electrical contractor a range of emergency exit signs and bulkheads, with a selection of self-test fittings subsequently added.
Hot stuff
With parent company, Scolmore Group, continuing to flourish and expand, the acquisition of Sangamo, the specialist supplier of time switches and heating controls, was also completed, with the new range sitting under the ESP umbrella of products.
Established since 1921 and based in Glasgow, Sangamo has built up an excellent reputation and an extensive product range which was seen as an ideal fit within the Scolmore Group portfolio. Sangamo’s location in Glasgow gives the company the perfect manufacturing base and regional office to service customers all over Scotland and the north.
Last year ESP revamped its Sangamo Choice Plus and Powersaver Plus heating and timer controls range, with the main aim of introducing features that assist with efficiency and performance and that ultimately drive down energy usage and costs.
Smart technology
In 2021 ESP continued its focus on expanding into other categories that complemented the portfolio with the launch of Fort Smart Security – a complete range of smart security products, including intruder alarms, video doorbell, video security light, sensors and a selection of HD cameras.
All products operate under a single App – the ‘Click Smart+’ App – which is completely subscription-free, with no additional fees incurred. By bringing the operation of the Fort range under the well-established, tried and tested Click Smart+ App, users will have control of a raft of connected home and security products all from one secure, easy to access platform.
A beacon of assistance
In recent years ESP has been taking on an increasing number of larger, specification type projects and identified an opportunity to expand its product portfolio to offer a comprehensive disabled refuge range that meets the requirements of BS 9999:2017 and Building Regulations Approved Document B.
Marketed under the name Beacon, the new disabled refuge range was launched earlier this year and comprises a variety of products that are specifically designed to assist emergency evacuation situations in a wide range of buildings and venues – with the aim of helping people with limited mobility to safely exit the building.
The Beacon ‘master stations’ are the central point of the disabled refuge system, which combines fire telephone handsets, disabled refuge outstations and emergency alarms to form one fully integrated system.
Installer support
A commitment to offering an outstanding service is what helps to make ESP stand out in this market. Installers and wholesalers alike can take advantage of a raft of additional services and benefits to help them make the most of the products and solutions that the company offers.
There are currently two separate training programmes that are offered free of charge – a one-day ESP Product Overview of the company’s core product categories – and the ESP Addressable Fire System Programming, which is aimed at competent contractors that already have a good knowledge of installation and regulatory requirements for fire system installation.
Across the CCTV and fire protection ranges, ESP also offers free design services. The aim is to provide installers with expertise in choosing the right products and solutions to create a scheme that meets the requirements of the project in question and is compliant with all of the relevant regulations and standards.
The addition of a fire commissioning service last year means that customers now have the choice of a full fire alarms systems package, with access to a free design service, a vast selection of products, the commissioning service, plus technical support from a team of qualified and experienced engineers.
New brand identity
Earlier this year, as part of the ongoing evolution of the company, ESP decided to overhaul its brand identity and a new logo was unveiled. The creative design team was tasked with a brief to create a new brand identity that would help the company maintain its presence and stand out in what is an increasingly competitive sector.
The new visual identity needed to reflect the company’s current standing and its ambitious growth plans, as well as appealing to a new audience. It also needed to sit well within the overall Scolmore Group branding.
ESP continues to invest in all aspects of the business – infrastructure, people, products and services – so that it remains fully equipped to meet the demands of an evolving electrical industry.
To browse the full ESP product range, click here
