When we were initially contacted by Marbco Fire it was to assist them in recovering a hacked website provided by another web design company in Northumberland.

 

Our investigative process revealed that they had been the unfortunate victims of a particularly nasty attack by a well known hacker who has caused issues across the globe. Marbco Fire were completely blameless in this incident and as a long standing and extremely reputable company in their sector were keen to rectify the position as soon as possible. Our work managed to recover the website within days, disinfecting the hacked files and reinstating their web presence.

 

Shortly after the site was back online we were asked to quote for a completely new design and within a few weeks we had been commissioned to provide a new corporate web presence.

 

The overall design of the website was left to our creative resources with a brief that it must convey the professional services offered by Marbco in a clean and consistent manner, maintain their corporate colour scheme and be of a clean and uncluttered style.

 

Site content was to be static with no requirement for a content management system or eCommerce functionality. The use of an online contact form and map was required.

 

The company colour scheme of two shades of blue with white were ideal for such a design. The company logo had recently undergone a minor redesign and fitted in well with the need to present the professional image and long standing trading history of the company.

A single tier menu system was designed for the head of the site, with individually created imagery for each of the sections. Hover-over techniques were used on the menu and the lower content of each page was to comprise a sub-menu system with clear links to more indepth sections of interest.

 

The products and services section included custom graphics to lead to core service sectors. However, we also added a home page section that allowed immediate access to a number of case studies in which the company had proven its high standing in the industry. When you've been trusted to safeguard the future of a natural treasure such as Durham Cathedral, it gives clients the peace of mind that they are dealing with the very best in their field and inspiring confidence was key to the visitor experience.

 

 

The About Us page was designed to include a simple pop-up graphic to highlight the UK coverage the company can provide. It also communicates the company accreditations, a vital message to convey to potential customers.

 

The need to keep content well organised meant that pages couldn't be too long or complex in layout. So, the fire alarms page demonstrates our use of a very effective method of delivery a neat yet remarkably swift way of doing so. The lower section includes items highlighted in blue with an underline - and hovering over them activates a semi transparent window bubble that contains information on the highlighted item.

 

The contact page allows customers to select a subject they wish to enquire on and quickly submit their query. Enquiry types can fall into the categories of fire risk assessment, fire alarms, fire supression systems, fire safety, fire extinquishers, emergency lighting, fire containment and nurse call systems.

 

The new website design is an example of how a company identity, ethics, services and history can be communicated in a simple yet corporately professional manner with minimum fuss. It gives Marbco Fire a website to drive their services online and continue to attract high profile clients.

It's also a somewhat ironic demonstration of how the acts of those intent on damage can lead to a new dawn for a company.

 

Throughout our dealings with the client it was apparent that this is a company at the very top of its sector. Marbco is a brand and name that business in the Northeast will be very familiar with. Their fleet of vans and expert engineers can often be seen on the roads or outside some of the highest profile organisations in the region and well beyond.

 

We're delighted to have been given the opportunity to design their new website and thoroughly enjoyed the project and liaising with Gordon, Ailsa and Derrick. Their history of over 30 years will undoubtedly be continued long into the future and we consider it a compliment to have been allowed to work on such an established and well thought of brand name.