A newly-established IT solutions provider has secured a European market leader in transport, warehousing and logistics as one of its first customers.
Hull-based Layer8 has been appointed as the IT partner for leading haulage company, Middlegate Europe, to help the business enhance its cyber resilience and support the efficiency of its operations on either side of the North Sea.
The multi-service IT provider has over 30 years of experience as the IT backbone of engineering company, Spencer Group, and is now offering its services to external customers.
Middlegate Europe is Layer8’s first major external client, with the team providing a full suite of IT services to the haulage firm, from cybersecurity to network maintenance, proactive monitoring, and much more.
With sites in Hull as well as Zeebrugge and Liège in Belgium, Middlegate Europe employs more than 140 staff across its three divisions. The company’s IT infrastructure is critical to its operations across two countries, with smooth and efficient IT services essential to keeping the business moving forward successfully.
Layer8 began working with the Middlegate Europe team after the business moved away from its previous IT provider which was no longer meeting its needs. Layer8’s team of experienced professionals thoroughly assessed Middlegate Europe’s IT infrastructure, cyber security and systems, to identify security risks, before installing enhanced anti-virus software, updating firewalls and addressing issues with the company’s Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Managing Director Paul Biggin also travelled to Middlegate Europe’s sites in Belgium to complete a merger project linking the business’s various networks together, creating a more stable IT infrastructure which can be managed more efficiently.
Middlegate Europe General Manager Suzanne Hall said: “We knew we were taking a risk by moving to Layer8 when it was so newly established, but we have absolutely no regrets and can’t recommend Paul and his team enough.
“The team are incredibly knowledgeable, organised and thorough, explaining technical concepts in a way that is understandable.
“One of the key things that makes Layer8 different is the bespoke and tailored service they offer. They genuinely care about what we want, rather than being pushy and sales driven. They take time to listen to our needs, understand commercial elements such as budgets and timings, provide knowledgeable guidance and advice, and work with us to come up with the best solutions.
“I’ve described it as like buying a cake – other IT providers give you a basic, off-the-shelf sponge cake, whereas with Layer8 you get a luxury, homemade red velvet cake!”
Suzanne added: “As a family-run business we really care about the companies we work with and having a strong working relationship is something we really value.
“The Layer8 team has become like an extension of our own – it’s truly a partnership. They’re friendly, personable and very communicative, going the extra mile to work around our operating hours and accommodating us in any way they can.”
The Layer8 team also has a number of projects in the pipeline for Middlegate Europe over coming months, including building a new server to support the Belgian operations, installing new and improved CCTV across its warehouses, and providing ongoing support to keep business operations running smoothly.
Paul Biggin added: “We’re delighted to be working with Middlegate Europe, a fellow family-owned business which has a large presence here in Hull.
“We’ve spent a great deal of time getting to know the business and its systems, conducting monitoring, implementing backups and addressing key issues, as well as, crucially, getting to know the team and their priorities.
“We’re now excited to begin delivering a number of projects which are in the pipeline, while providing an ongoing support service, keeping the business stable and making sure they’re consistently secure across the whole network.”
