Supporting Specialist Manufacturing Recruitment for Esschem Europe Ltd
At Adkins & Cheurfi, we pride ourselves on building partnerships that deliver lasting results and one collaboration we’re proud to highlight is our ongoing relationship with Esschem Europe Ltd, a leading manufacturer and distributor of acrylic and methacrylate-based polymers based in Seaham, County Durham.
Operating across the dental, cosmetic and industrial sectors, Esschem Europe develops and supplies high-performance materials to both UK and international markets. Their work requires precision, reliability and a strong team culture – values that align closely with the way we approach recruitment.
The Recruitment Challenge
Esschem approached us to support both temporary and permanent recruitment needs. They required:
- Production Operatives to respond to fluctuating demand
- Finance Administrator, Quality Technician and Machine Setter roles on a permanent basis
The challenge lay in the technical skillset required, particularly in regulated manufacturing environments. These were not positions where just any candidate would do, the right people needed to bring experience, attention to detail and a proactive approach. With production staffing especially, time sensitivity was a major factor. Swift and accurate placement was essential to keep operations running smoothly.
Esschem had previously struggled with inconsistent candidate quality and a lack of cultural fit, which impacted their efficiency and team morale. They needed a partner who could move fast, deliver consistent results and understand the intricacies of their industry.
A Tailored Approach
Our Senior Consultant, Sarah Duckworth, led the recruitment process and began with a detailed onboarding session to understand the business’s operations, team structure and role requirements.
For temporary roles, Sarah focused on reliable local candidates with relevant manufacturing experience. For permanent roles, we took a targeted approach, combining headhunting, passive candidate outreach and rigorous cultural screening to ensure a seamless fit.
Our existing candidate network, paired with direct headhunting techniques, meant that for urgent production assignments, CVs were sent across within 24 hours, and interviews scheduled the very next day.
The Results
Since partnering with Adkins & Cheurfi, Esschem Europe has seen significant improvements across their recruitment function. We’ve helped them to:
- Maintain smooth operations during peak periods
- Strengthen internal teams with skilled and dependable staff
- Reduce time-to-hire and administrative strain
- Build a trusted partnership for future recruitment needs
A Word from Esschem
“We were aware of Adkins & Cheurfi Recruitment and Sarah Duckworth in the North East as being a multi-tasked recruiter so we presented her with the opportunity to work on a variety of roles within the business ranging from general production operators to office-based finance administration roles.
Sarah was extremely proactive whilst working on all the vacancies. After the initial job brief was submitted, CVs were sent forward generally that same day, and they were very specific and accurate to the brief.
Sarah has been successful in filling all the roles we have presented to her, with a professional manner and great communication throughout the entire process with both the candidates and ourselves.
Adkins & Cheurfi will be the first point of contact for all our company recruitment requirements.”
