A Great British Entrepreneur of the Year finalist has moved his innovative business to a new base on South Tyneside.
Gary Giles, Founder of OGEL, has taken up space at One Trinity Green to grow his revolutionary building system business, just days after winning recognition at two national and international awards.
A finalist in the prestigious Great British Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 award, Disruptor of the Year category (7th Dec), the former accountant is taking the construction world by storm.
OGEL also reached the final of the Building and Construction Product of the Year category at the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe 2020 (10th December).
Gary, 53, from South Shields, and E3 Design, based in Newcastle, have developed a brand new system that uses recycled polystyrene to construction walls, floors and roofs – the first ever to be globally patented.
Simple, fast, light and reusable, with no glues to stick them together – and they can be used to build anything from flood defences, exhibition stands, flat pack houses, home offices, garden rooms, staycation pods, humanitarian shelters, as well as internal walls in existing buildings.
These bespoke walls or buildings, which are currently manufactured in Worcester, are fitted out with standard windows, doors and electrics and can also be insulated, though this often isn’t required as the system is warmer than a standard house.
Gary plans to launch the OGEL TaskPod designed for those working from home next March, with the garden rooms to follow in May.
Gary said: “I came up with the idea a few years ago, and it’s been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done, but to bring it to market in 2021 makes the hard work all worthwhile .
“It’s been brilliant to get to the finals of these two national and international awards and the move into One Trinity Green is the next stage of our ‘products of mass construction’ journey. All the sales and office functions of the business will be based here.
“We make the most throwaway items from the most permanent materials so it’s great to be reusing and recycling plastics waste as a force for good.
“It’s brilliant to get recognition as finalist at these awards but this is only the start of a very exciting time for the business. I’m looking forward to a bright future and I’m grateful to Invest South Tyneside for its ongoing support and advice.”
Cllr John Anglin, South Tyneside Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration and Economy, said: “Gary is a shining example of innovation and entrepreneurship, and his company OGEL is the epitome of innovation.
“The company’s environmental ethos is shared by One Trinity Green, which has won awards for its green credentials.
“It’s the perfect modern, contemporary workspace for new and growing companies like Ogel.
“We’re delighted to offer Gary and his business our ongoing support and advice.”
One Trinity Green has benefitted from £2,466,500 of European Regional Development Fund monies, managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
To find out more about OGEL, visit https://ogel.world/
