Meet the installer

Security life with Carlton Littleford of Carlton Alarms in Huddersfield

Name: Carlton Littleford

Job title: Managing Director

Time in security/fire: 47 years Company: Carlton Alarms

Location: Huddersfield

Areas of expertise: Intruder, CCTV, access control and fire alarm systems Accreditations: NSI Gold and BAFE “An ideal project would be a commercial client who wants us to install intruder, fire, access and CCTV; we aspire to be a “one-stop” shop for our clients”

What would be a typical project for you? I don’t think there is exactly a typical project as we install from small domestic systems up to large commercials and everything in between. An ideal project would be a commercial client who wants us to install intruder, fire, access and CCTV; we aspire to be a “one-stop” shop for our clients wherever possible as it’s more cost effective for them and more efficient for us, so everyone wins.

Do you have any ‘go to’ technology and manufacturers? Our main suppliers are Texecom and Optex for intruder, Dahua for CCTV, Paxton for access control and Kentec and C-Tec for fire alarms.

What is the best thing about working in this industry? I suppose it’s a bit of a cliché but the best thing for me is all the people I have met, from clients, employees to suppliers - it’s the best part of the job and that has never changed.

The latest technology is amazing, both from the development of the equipment, to vehicles, tools etc…… I go back to when we were fitting key operated systems, running cables everywhere, carrying a 110-volt transformer around with a percussion drill and now everyone has cordless everything, installing wireless systems and a laptop!

Is third party accreditation beneficial to you? It definitely is. When I started Carlton Alarms 35 years ago, initially I just wanted to work for myself and be my own boss. When the business expanded and I started employing engineers I wanted to be recognised as a professional company and so I went through the process to become NSI Gold accredited. I think on the whole it is very beneficial as it gives the client confidence that they will get a well designed system fitted to a high standard and it gives the insurers confidence to recognise the quality of the work we do.

Do you think there is an engineer skills shortage? Any trouble recruiting? There is definitely a skills shortage. Over the years we have trained many apprentices but they never stay. I can understand why, as I was the same once, you want to move on and be recognised in your own right. We try to avoid agencies wherever possible, the fees are just ridiculous.

Carlton celebrates the takeover of Armco Security, the 6th business acquisition in the company’s history

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Production Director Matt Wilson recently celebrated a milestone achievement at Carlton Alarms having been with the firm for 20 years!

Are there any common requests from customers that give you problems? (ie impossible expectations) You still get domestic customers in bungalows asking for their siren box to be fitted on the chimney stack! The client who wants a survey in the morning, the specification in the afternoon and fitted the day after!

With regards to CCTV many clients want to see a vast area with one camera and then read a number plate 100 metres away!

What is the security/fire industry’s biggest myth? I think the biggest myth is that you can get a reliable quality system fitted and installed professionally for a quarter of the going price by companies advertising on social media!

“It would be great if manufacturers could pre-program their control panels to meet the various standards and grades as it would make the engineers job much easier and there would be less chance of an error when setting the system up”

What impact has smart/home automation had on your business? We don’t get involved with home automation, however everyone wants everything on their phone these days so we offer control of their systems via apps on their smart devices, but that’s as far as we go.

What would make your job easier? Clients paying their invoices on time! It’s always the same ones that you have to chase and the old favourite, engineers completing their paperwork. To be fair we have a great team here and they all make my life easier. At one time I worked seven days a week, five evenings and sometimes all night. I did this for years, so working four to five days is a much better life work balance.

What is your ultimate/fantasy electronic security/fire product? It would be great if manufacturers could preprogram their control panels to meet the various standards and grades as it would make the engineers job much easier and there would be less chance of an error when setting the system up. There are so many parameters on a modern system it’s easy to miss something - you need a degree to program a system these days.

What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself? Work hard, put the hours in and you will reap the rewards.

Install quality products, fit them properly, be neat and tidy and back it up with a good service.

You only get once chance to make a first impression, so be smart and punctual when you meet a potential client for the first time.

I still take my slippers to all my domestic clients - it’s the small things…………….

Will England ever win the World Cup again? Of course they will but I’m not sure if it will be in my lifetime. It would be fantastic to have all the family round to watch the match; beating Germany 5-0 would be the icing on the cake.

If you won £25,000 what would you do with the money?

As a motorcycle enthusiast I would have to add to my collection, a big party for the family and a donation to one of our local charities.