Oliver began his career at the tender age of 16, as an apprentice joiner. Following their marriage Oliver and Mandy started their first business in 1987 manufacturing kitchens & bedrooms in a 2,500sq ft unit based in Magherafelt. Fast forward to 1998 when they expanded the business to a 7,000sq ft unit and introduced bespoke joinery solutions. With business continuing to grow and expand in 2001 they had to move again to a 16,000sq ft unit based in Portglenone. It was here Essential Designs was born, manufacturing bespoke joinery solutions and fire doorsets to the commercial sector. Once again the business went from strength to strength and in 2013 the company moved to our current premises, a 33,000sq ft unit based outside Castledawson.