Contractor profiles

Sharing in our success

NICEIC has stood the test of time over the past six decades, and many of our earliest contractors have also thrived. Here, Nick Martindale meets some of the early registrants to see how their businesses have fared over the past 60 years

Steve Burley Director of Derry Building Services, Newark

NICEIC turns 60 this year. When was your business set up, and when did it register with NICEIC? It was originally set up as R G McConnell Electrical and registered with NICEIC on 1 January 1957, with enrolment number 288. It was bought by Derry Mechanical in 1989.

Who was involved with the business back then? How has that changed over time? The original focus was local work around Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, with the exception of a national Currys retail outlet contract. We undertook domestic and retail work, as well as working in local authority housing and schools. Back then we turned over around £200,000 and had around 15 staff .

Today we off er a national coverage in all sectors, including education, leisure and the commercial sector, as well domestic, retail and local authority work. We turn over around £50 million and have in the region of 220 staff .

Is there anyone around today who would have memories of those early days? Our longest-serving member of staff is Paul Nicholson, who started as an apprentice in 1971 at 15 years old and is now contracts manager and part of the senior management team.

What kind of work did the business undertake back then, and how has that changed? In the beginning it was solely electrical work, but now it includes both mechanical and electrical. What are some of the biggest changes you have seen within the industry over the past 60 years? Plenty! Computerisation both in the off ice and on site, accurate drawings, the change from imperial to metric, the rise of health and safety, and electronic payments, as well as shorter working hours and improved working conditions.

What was better back then, if anything? Beer was two shillings a pint, but even with the application of rose-tinted spectacles I can’t think of anything that was better.

How has the role of an apprentice changed in that time? The theory is much more detailed now. Apprentices study how things work and integrate with other services rather than just the practical side of installing things. Apprentices used to be seen as the site dogsbody, but now they are a respected member of the team.

What tools have made a big diff erence in that time? Access equipment, power tools, PPE, accurate drawings.

How has NICEIC accreditation helped the business? It provides credibility for our company, and helps us get onto government and local authority tender lists. It also provides support through auditing sites and assessing the competency of work standards and personnel.

What are your plans for the future of the business? We opened another off ice in Birmingham in 2014, which registered with NICEIC last year. We plan to continue our expansion, increasing our capacity to cope with more projects.

John Kavanagh Managing director, Dodd Group

NICEIC turns 60 this year. When was your business set up, and when did it register with NICEIC? The company was founded by Mr Harold Dodd in 1947, and was based out of premises in Cross Houses, near Shrewsbury. It eventually took the name T.H.W. Dodd (Electrical). We registered with NICEIC in 1962.

Who was involved with the business back then? How has that changed over time? Other than the founder, over time there were a number of long-term employees, but sadly all have since passed away. In 1962, the work was based primarily in Shropshire, but opshire, but now the company has branches nationally – from Stockton in the northeast all the way to Hayle in Cornwall.

Is there anyone around today who would have memories of those early days? Our current chairman, Mr T.R. Dodd, joined the business in the late 1960s; he was the one who has developed the company into the £100-million-plus business it is today. We have a number of employees who have been with the company in excess of 40 years.

What kind of work did the business undertake back then, and how has that changed? The business at that time was just local electrical works, either for domestic customers or local farmers. In the early 1970s the company developed a relationship with the local Shrewsbury & Wem Brewery and undertook the maintenance of all their public houses. This soon developed into the maintenance of their cellar cooling and the eventual forming of T.H.W. Dodd (air conditioning).

In the early 1970s the development of the new town at Telford gave rise to numerous projects for the New Town Development organisation and eventually moved to Telford itself. By the mid-1970s the company employed around 60 people. The business changed its name to the Dodd Group, and in the 1980s was fortunate enough to pick up numerous large contracts with the influx of foreign companies into the Development Zone. The company was also fortunate at this time to secure many contracts with the MoD.

The company continued to grow in the 1980s and ’90s through the acquisition of businesses in Chester, Hayle, Norwich, Kings Lynn and Stockton, and today maintains off ices in most of these locations, together with others in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Northampton, Stockport, Cambridge, Great Yarmouth and Bridgend.

‘Today the industry delivers betterrounded apprenticeships, enabling apprentices to adapt to the everchanging needs of the industry’

What are some of the biggest changes you have seen within the industry over the past 60 years? The electrical contracting industry, as we would perhaps refer to it when we started out, has developed into a multidiscipline industry covering every aspect of electrical and mechanical services. The Dodd Group now covers electrical, mechanical, gas and data services. Regulations and health and safety standards have improved to safeguard those working within the industry as well as the end-user.

What was better back then, if anything? It was probably easier, but we have seen two recessions and are still here, growing and getting stronger.

How has the role of an apprentice changed in that time? We believe that today the industry delivers a better-rounded apprenticeship, enabling apprentices to adapt to the everchanging needs of the industry.

What tools have made a big diff erence in that time? It’s gone from the traditional manual handheld hammer and rawl-plugging tools to 240v electrical-powered tools, followed by safer 110v equipment and finally battery-powered tools. That has enabled the industry to work safer, faster and keep pace with the technological improvements and requirements of our customers.

Design tools such as CAD have made a significant diff erence, and of course computer systems in general. Test equipment has changed dramatically and it is good to press a button rather than hand-wind the machines to get them to work.

How has NICEIC accreditation helped the business? Over the years the group has been required to obtain numerous accreditations, but the core and most important one for electrical work will always be the NICEIC. We started with one qualified supervisor in 1962 and now have more than 35 nationally. This involves a lot of certification and annual assessments, which ensure continued high standards of workmanship to meet legal requirements for trade standards.

What are your plans for the future of the business? We hope we will continue to grow and maintain the high standards we have set ourselves and keep our 700 employees in gainful employment.

Peter Connor Managing director, Electract, Coalville

NICEIC turns 60 this year. When was your business set up, and when did it register with NICEIC? Electract was formed in 1950 and enrolment with NICEIC was in 1957.

Who was involved with the business then? How has that changed over time? Electract was founded in 1950 by Jack Hardy and Ken Fox, two ex-servicemen who were working as electrical engineers in the diff icult cult and dark days after the war. The business was initially registered as Electrical Contractors (Coalville), before being renamed Electract.

The Hardys continued to be involved with the business until a management buyout in 2006, and the company has gone from strength to strength in the ensuing years, carrying out major projects up to £2 million in value for a number of blue chip organisations. Present turnover is around the £16 million mark, and around 120 on-the-books site operatives help the company meet its busy schedule.

Is there anyone around today who would have memories of those early days? Henry Wright has been with the company for 52 years (since 1964), working in our stores. He still works one day a week.

What kind of work did the business undertake back then, and how has that changed? The company was mainly involved in commercial and industrial work in its early days, with some new housing works. A lot of work was through local councils and works. A lot of work was through

utilities authorities. The majority of the work today is still in the commercial sector for schools, off ices, c warehouses, factories, hospitals w and student accommodation, but a the size of contracts undertaken and t the capabilities of the company has t increased substantially over the years. in We also have a very busy residential W department, which now accounts for d a larger proportion of the business than a in the past, working with most of the in major housebuilders in the region. m

What are some of the biggest changes you have seen within the industry over the past 60 years? The introduction of technology has changed the way we all work immensely. The use of tailored packages for estimating, engineering, accounts and wages have improved eff iciencies and service levels. Health and safety requirements are much more at the forefront than in the past, which ensures a safer working environment for our employees and others working in the sector.

What was better back then, if anything? There was more emphasis on ‘trust’. A handshake was a contract, and there was much less contractual wrangling than there is today.

How has the role of an apprentice changed in that time? There is less ‘one-to-one’ time for an apprentice. As a company grows it takes on bigger contracts that necessitate a squad of labour, where the ratio of apprentices is much less than one-to-one.

Larry Hannah La Consultant, EPI Ashdale, C Liverpool L

NICEIC turns 60 this N year. When was your business y set up, and when did it s register with NICEIC? r The company was formed T in 1919 and named EPI. The owners had bought an existing business named Byred Electrics, which was already trading installing electric lights. tradinginstallinge

One of the original shareholders was a Thomas Eades who owned a manufacturing company called AT & E (Automatic Telephone & Exchange) based in Liverpool. AT & E produced telephone systems and EPI became the installation and wiring company for these systems.

In 1972 the companies of EPI and Ashdale Engineering merged to form EPI Ashdale Engineering Services. I was the owner and director of Ashdale Engineering and became the MD of the new company. The company was involved in electrical installations and the installation of telephone systems. In the 1920s and ‘30s, it was involved in some major projects in Liverpool, including the Liverpool Clarence Dock Power Station and the Kingsway Mersey Tunnel. In the mid-1970s, because the company had the skills to install telephone systems and carry out electrical installations, it was a natural step to then move into the wiring installation of computer networks. The company was able to provide wiring systems to power voice and data cabling networks. This still forms a core of our business.

What are some of the biggest changes you have seen within the industry over the past 60 years? The main changes are the quality and availability of installation materials and equipment, along with the increase in skill levels of the operatives.

How has the role of an apprentice changed in that time? The role of the apprentice has changed dramatically – from tea boy to student craftsman – with greater attention paid to training and academic qualifications.

How has NICEIC accreditation helped the business? NICEIC accreditation has helped to identify the genuine professional companies and therefore a greater guarantee of a quality installation.

The learning process for the apprentice has changed in that more time is spent on theory and college work. It was more ‘on-the-job’ experience, with some college time in the past.

What tools have made a big diff erence in that time? Battery drills save a lot of time that used to be spent setting up transformers and leads – and they are improving all the time. Hand tools have improved greatly over the years.

John Smith Managing director, H A Newall & Co

NICEIC turns 60 this year. When was your business set up, and when did it register with NICEIC? The company was formed in 1946 and became a member of NICEIC in 1957.

Who was involved with the business back then? How has that changed over time? H A Newall & Co was founded by Herbert Alfred Newall and later passed on to his son, Ian. I’m afraid both are no longer with us. The Newalls have always had a strong hold on the Merseyside area, ever since the 1940s, working in the museums and university sectors. We still work in these sectors today, along with contracts for local councils.

What kind of work did the business undertake back then, and how has that changed? Anything electrical that Herbert Newall could get his hands on! It was just after the war, so he was trying to help Liverpool get back on its feet.

What are some of the biggest changes you have seen within the industry over the past 60 years? Mainly the regulations and testing, both of which have made a vast diff erence in a positive way.

> Founded in 1950 by ex-servicemen Jack Hardy and Ken Fox How has NICEIC H accreditation helped a the business? th People recognise the P importance of using im electrical contractors e who are assessed for w their competence t and standards. We are a considered for tenders c for which non-NICEIC f companies are not. c

What are your plans for the future of the business? We plan to grow organically. We presently have around 160 employees with a turnover of around £16 million. We are also committed to continuing the training of apprentices. We believe this is an essential part of our ti W bli thi i business model and key to the future of our industry. We have trained well over 100 apprentices since 2000, averaging around seven a year.

Having a large on-the-books labour force allows us to allocate the right individuals or mix of individuals on each project, and gives us full control of our labour resources, which is much better than relying on outsourced labour.

What was better back then, if anything? Early Friday finishes!

How has the role of an apprentice changed in that time? The regulations have changed, and so has some of the training. Health and safety is more prevalent today, and that has also come more into the frame as an apprentice.

What tools have made a big diff erence in that time? Power tools for sure, and the testing equipment has improved tenfold. All of this makes the jobs quicker, easier and safer.

How has NICEIC accreditation helped the business? Because it’s such a recognised name, our clients know they are in safe hands and that any job will be done to a great standard.

What are your plans for the future of the business? We’re in our 70th year and have our eyes firmly on the 100-year mark. We would love to see our company grow.

Ian Johnson Managing director, Eric Johnson of Northwich

NICEIC turns 60 this year. When was your business set up, and when did it register with NICEIC? The business was established in June 1946. We joined NICEIC in 1957.

Who was involved with the business back then? How has that changed over time? The company was started by my father Eric after being demobbed from the Navy after the end of the Second World War, with his sister Betty Johnson doing the paperwork and serving in the shop. It was the shopfront of the business at that time. He employed two electricians and two ladies in the shop, including Aunty Betty. The business is now managed by myself and my wife Diane, who is the finance director, and we employ over 30 employees.

Is there anyone around today who would have memories of those early days? Unfortunately, there is no one living from the early days. Aunty Betty died last December; she would have been 90 this year. they normally had their parents t countersign the agreement, so it was c a partnership between employer, a apprentice and his family. Apprentices expected to get a lower rate of pay while learning, knowing that there was a skill for life at the end and the ability to earn a good living for the rest of their lives, including running their own business. The apprenticeship was also more manually intensive, as automation had not been developed. But an electrical apprenticeship was well respected, whereas in the recent years it has been seen as a backward step when weighed against a university degree, which has created a massive skills shortage in the industry.

What tools have made a big diff erence in that time? The tools that have made a diff erence are battery tools, test equipment, mobile phones, iPads, computer estimating, automatic threading machines, hydraulic crimpers and cutting tools, and plug-and-play technology.

What kind of work did the business undertake back then, and how has that changed? The work undertaken back then was charging accumulators for farmers and putting in basic electrics into domestic properties as many did not have electricity after the war. It would also sell small appliances and cookers, and undertake electrical installations in the local dairy and off ices. Today we serve numerous customers, and most of our work is in the industrial commercial sector. How has NICEIC accreditation helped the business? It is a mark of quality and technical expertise, which makes you stand out from your competitors. It enforces the knowledge that the company is carrying out work to BS standards and specifications. In the beginning, if you were not an NICEIC contractor, in many cases you were excluded from tender lists, especially with local authorities. To my father, it was the benchmark to achieve.

What are some of the biggest changes you have seen within the industry over the past 60 years? The biggest changes are the birth of the computer, lighting control systems, automation, technical issues and new methods of working, such as the dawn of battery tools. Also masses of red tape, bureaucracy and paperwork.

What was better back then, if anything? Back then business was easier. A man’s word was his bond and many jobs were carried out by word of mouth. There was more trust and it was not as much of a race to the bottom pricewise as it is today. There was much more respect between the client, the main contractor and sub-contractors. Today, many big business just want to squeeze the sub-contractors, as they put in unrealistic prices and use the supply chain to achieve their profit.

How has the role of an apprentice changed in that time? The apprenticeship has changed a lot. In those days an apprentice was indentured and What are your plans for the future of the business? Our future plans are to remain a family-owned and familyrun company, training the electricians of the future. In the past 70 years we have trained nearly 400. This is essential to the succession and success of our business going forward, and to continuing to serve both existing and new customers with the highest level of service.

AlfBarker was electrical manager for Kier, in Stoke, until earlier this year, when he retired after more than 50 years in the industry. Before he left, he shared his thoughts on how the industry has changed

So, when and how did you start? I started a month before my 16th birthday in 1965. A friend had started his apprenticeship as an electrician and discussed the work he was doing. I was impressed and was fortunate to obtain an apprenticeship with Stoke City Council. I worked with good tradesman during my four years as an apprentice and consider this an important start. I went on to carry out installation work in public buildings, schools, hospitals and colleges, which is where I gained most of my experience.

In the late 1980s, I had an illness that prevented me carrying out labour-intensive work. This was the trigger that sent me back to college, where I eventually gained an HNC in electrical engineering. I reluctantly accepted a Student of the Year award from Stoke College, having achieved nine distinctions and a merit, which just shows you are never too old to learn. Following this I gained registration to the Institution of Incorporated Engineers in 2002.

What was your most recent role? I was an electrical manager from 2008 (when Kier became a joint venture company with Stoke City Council) until earlier this year. Prior to that I was an electrical supervisor from 1989 and an NICEIC-qualified supervisor from 1999.

What have been some of the main changes you have come across in the industry during your time? There have been many changes to the wiring regulations. The 14th edition was in place when I started. The main changes have been: • Metric cabling replacing imperial-sized cabling with all the confusion over current rating of cable; • Testing, inspection and certification, which in my early years was pretty much non-existent; • Bonding and the confusion over many years over what to bond and what not to bond; • RCDs replacing voltage-operated circuit breakers and the move to 30mA RCD additional protection for many circuits; • Introduction of special locations and zoning, which consistently changes with every amendment; • The ease to gain technical advice, either from phone calls or from the Technical Library, formerly the Technical Manual; • The drive to reduce energy costs; for example, LED lights replacing high wattage lighting, PV, solar heating, etc; and • More recently, the drive to reduce fires in domestic properties with the introduction of non-combustible consumer units.

Have you always been NICEIC? Stoke City Council was registered as a NICEIC-conforming authority in 1960. The registration number then was 900002, which I believe indicated we were the second registered company in our area.

How do you plan to spend your retirement? When I have completed my wife’s ‘to-do’ list I will endeavour to stay involved in some way with the industry, which I am still passionate about. My grandson has started an electrical apprenticeship and this will keep me on my toes, especially with his college work. I will need to take a look at my old college books. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the electrical industry and would do it all again given the opportunity.