SBE - Global Electronic Service and Logistics Management

SBE was created in France 20 years ago and started life as a hardware support and repair company for switchboard manufacturers and installers. In the early 1990’s SBE shifted its focus towards the consumer market and subsequently became the leading provider of support services for the mobile phone industry.

Today, the company is a leading provider of repair, logistics and after sales services, repairing more than 3 million devices each year, ranging from mobile phones to digital cameras and flat-screen televisions.

In 1996, with the help of Locate in Kent, SBE set up its first overseas subsidiary in the UK to cater for the needs of its UK client base. It chose Ashford due to its geographical proximity to London and the continent and its Eurostar and Eurotunnel rail links. In 2001, the company confirmed its confidence in the area by moving to larger premises on Beaver Business Park. Since then, the business has redesigned its workshop layout to streamline production and started working 24 hours, and as a consequence increased staff by 50%.

Gregory Dumont, a founder member of SBE UK and currently Head of IT and Communication, said: “SBE began operating in Ashford with just five members of staff. Since 2002, the company has multiplied its UK turnover five times over. SBE’s success and future growth prospects stem in part from the ability to retain our skilled workforce, all of whom live and work in the area.”

Following the success of the Ashford operation, SBE has increased its expansion into Europe by opening a factory in Warsaw, a new centre in UK and most recently one in Belgium. Today SBE employs more than 1,000 staff in UK (750 in Ashford and 250 in Milton Keynes) and 1400 in the rest of Europe, making it one of the largest players in its field.

For more information visit the SBE website or telephone 01233 619320.