In conversation with Daniel Englender of Benjamin West, a widely recognised world leading global procurement firm, delivering some of the most ambitious and logistically complex hospitality and private client projects worldwide.
Together with Alan Benjamin, Daniel founded Benjamin West International in London back in 2006; trading today across more than 30 countries and, since 2018, as sole owner. Together with his amazing team, Daniel’s built what is now considered the most respected and progressive FF&E purchasing firm globally, underpinned by exceptional in-house personnel and an unwavering focus on service.
1. Benjamin West is recognised as the world’s leading procurement firm, what do you believe sets you apart from the competition?
Our team, their bright dispositions, deep knowledge of many hundreds of suppliers’ capabilities and decades of experience managing complex client projects.
2. What key qualities do you look for in your supplier partnerships, and how do those influence the success of your projects?
Service, service and service. When suppliers provide our team with exceptional support, we can offer the same to our clients. Teamwork is everything and great suppliers will also find a grand welcome on any Benjamin West project.
3.What drew Benjamin West to working with George Smith, and how do we support your needs across luxury and hospitality projects?
We were desperate to find any supplier located in the North East… or perhaps it was the combination of manufacturing quality, customisation and efficient service.
4. Are there particular George Smith products or services that your clients request that are especially successful in your projects?
In our world, more than 90% of the value we purchase is fully bespoke, so it’s the ability to deliver in this environment that we value most from George Smith.
5. How has our team supported you on time-sensitive or logistically complex projects?
Of the two key projects over the past 12 months, the New York private members club, Maxime’s, was the most challenging, requiring fully-fitted banquette production prior to accurate site dimensions being available for measure. The coordination and timing was well handled and the end result is amazing.
6. In such a competitive industry, how do you maintain consistency and excellence across every project, regardless of size or location?
Our team shares knowledge on a daily basis across our projects, a benefit of being present in the studio. From the moment new team members join, we train every one of our staff, working to our already high standards. Importantly, we also recognise new learnings on every project and use these to improve our service to each client.
7. You have projects spanning the globe, how do you navigate the complexities of import/export taxes and international logistics?
Ha. This is complex indeed. We’ve delivered FF&E loaded onto barges on Venetian canals, dealt with the importation of a crocodile thrown into a New York Philippe Starck project, collected artisanal hard-carved wooden masks from Ukraine the day after Russia invaded and we’re currently navigating the joys of Trump’s tariffs. So, to be honest, we’re prepared and ready for every eventuality. Having delivered so many projects internationally, clients know that they’re in safe hands with our team and our selected logistics partners.
8. Can you walk us through how a procurement team is structured at Benjamin West – who gets involved at each stage of a project?
We have an amazing team, many of whom have worked with us for most of the company’s life. Our senior team, with an average age of 38 and at least a dozen years’ service each, lead from the front. Each projects features at least three members of the team, one senior project manager, at least one assistant and a member of our accounting team (as everything ends up in accounts). There have been busy times on large, complex projects, where seven or eight members of the team are involved – this is one of the benefits of having a large team all working together.
9. If you could give one piece of advice to a supplier looking to work with a global procurement firm, what would it be?
For a supplier looking to increase their business through working with a global procurement firm, that really depends on the purchasing company involved. What we look for is service over and above any other quality, so that we in turn are able to provide the highest level of service to our own clients. That – and openness/honesty – as this aligns with our own core principle.
