Wates SES, Portsoken House.

Case Study:Circular Procurement Office Furniture

Reclaimed furniture for Wates SES's first dedicated London office, at 58% less than buying new.

58%
saved against the price of new: 4,716 kg
CO2e saved against specifying new: 41
units procured

Wates SES, the mechanical and electrical engineering arm of the Wates Group, opened its first dedicated London office at Portsoken House in May 2026. Material Index supplied reclaimed furniture, including bar stools, mobile meeting chairs, stacking chairs and coffee tables, reflecting Wates' wider focus on the circular economy. The 41 units saved 58% against the price of new and 4,716 kg CO2e against specifying new.

Client
Service: Fit-out

Start a Project

Wates SES, Portsoken House, Fit-out for Wates

More Case Studies.

View all

Fit-out

Lisson ArchesArbeit Studios

Material Index was appointed to deliver procurement for Arbeit Studios' mixed-use workspace and coworking hub at Lisson Grove, North West London, with a focus on low-cost, low-carbon materials.

“We needed a range of cost-effective materials for a new workspace hub development in Westminster. The order included over 260 track lights, 16 plywood storage boxes, multiple speakers, RAF floor boxes and office chairs. The process and communication throughout was excellent, and I will definitely continue to use Material Index for future projects.”

Nimrod Vardi, Arbeit Studios

Fit-out

Office Furniture for Mailen DesignMailen Design

Material Index supplied reclaimed designer meeting room chairs to Mailen Design through the marketplace, elevating their meeting space with low-carbon, cost-effective furniture.

“We reached out to Material Index to source designer meeting room chairs for our office and were really impressed with the service. They provided a great range of options and made the ordering process through their marketplace smooth and straightforward. Everything was well organised, with clear updates on delivery dates and times throughout. We're very happy with our reclaimed chairs and how they've elevated our meeting space. We will look to order via MI again.”

Alex Clough, Associate, MailenDesign

Fit-out

Driving Circularity Across Major London Fit-OutsOverbury Plc

Carpet tiles, lockers, desks and 91 salvaged chairs supplied across 1 Broadgate, 10 Coleman Street and 76 Southbank — with full end-to-end logistics managed by Material Index.

“We ordered 90 desks and chairs and over 2,500 carpet tiles, who arranged logistics and interim storage. We are extremely pleased with this low cost, low carbon solution for our site setup.”

Conor McBreen, Construction Manager, Overbury Major Projects