Challenge

Steptoe’s Yard is a leading stone merchant specialising in reclaimed stone products, including cobbles, paving, and walling stone. The company also operates a dedicated stone masonry department, producing high-quality architectural stone features such as door surrounds, window sills, heads, jambs, mullions, and bespoke ornamental pieces. In addition, Steptoe’s Yard crafts garden features such as bird baths, planters, and sculptural follies.

As Steptoe’s Yard continued to expand – adding demolition and site clearance services, heavy plant and wagon hire, and a new fully licensed asbestos removal division – the business required a modern telecommunications solution to support its growth. A new office facility was being built alongside existing premises, and the company needed a system that could seamlessly connect multiple departments. A dedicated receptionist team needed to manage and route calls efficiently across the organisation. Previous experiences with other telecoms providers had been disappointing, with solutions that didn’t fit their needs. As their team put it, “We’re humble stone dealers and demolition specialists – we needed someone who could listen, understand, and deliver exactly what we required.”

That’s where Firstcom Europe came in.
 

Solution

Firstcom provided a comprehensive telecoms upgrade, supplying both broadband and routers alongside a fully integrated phone system. This system connects desk phones with mobile devices, ensuring staff remain contactable whether on-site or in the office. From the initial enquiry, Firstcom responded quickly – providing a detailed quotation, a site survey, and a clear plan for installation. The engineering team completed the system extension efficiently and with minimal disruption.

The installation involved:
• Adding four new phones and extending the existing telecom system
• Replacing outdated switches with a new multi-port switch
• Installing all cabling neatly within a new wall-mounted cabinet
• Maintaining uninterrupted phone and PC service during installation

The work was completed seamlessly by the Firstcom team, who coordinated effectively across all stages of the project.

Outcome

The result was a more reliable, modern, and cost-effective telecoms system – delivering better performance while costing less overall (on an extended term). The new setup eliminated frequent disconnections caused by worn cables and switches, and all components were replaced or reorganised for easier management.

Beyond expectations, Firstcom engineers even relocated and safely installed the company’s Synology Server within the new cabinet, ensuring all systems were secure and streamlined.

The Results at a Glance
• Improved reliability and reduced downtime
• Cost savings compared to the previous setup
• Clean, future-proofed installation with tidy cabling and upgraded hardware
• Seamless call management across multiple departments
• Outstanding customer support from a trusted partner

“We’ve come to trust and rely on Firstcom. Whenever we have an issue or need a bespoke solution, they always deliver exactly what we need at a sensible cost. The whole team – from Sales to Engineering and Support – are first class.”
“With Firstcom, it’s a true team effort. Everything runs smoothly, we get what we asked for, on time and at the right price. We trust them – and that’s rare these days.” 
John Taylor, Steptoe’s Yard Ltd