Directors David Ogden, Richard Smith, Richard King, John Smith, Craig Collinson

Member Article

Trebled turnover prompts office move for high voltage power experts

A high voltage electrical engineering specialist has relocated to new offices having almost trebled its turnover in the last 12 months.

Smith Brothers saw revenue increase substantially to £27m last year, but as orders showed no signs of slowing, the expanding team soon outgrew its previous space on Red Doles Lane, Huddersfield. A 10,000 sqft property on Lowfields Business Park has therefore been bought outright for £700,000, to pave the way for the next chapter of business development.

Having moved in to the two-storey premises, the 64-strong team is now concentrating on a busy project schedule. Meanwhile managing director John Smith has his eyes set on the next phase of recruitment.

“When we signed for the new office, we invested a further £50,000 in décor and furniture which means we’re now kitted out for the next five years, easily,” he explains. “We’ve room for more people too, so I’m already on the lookout for project managers, skilled labourers, jointers and qualified high voltage electrical engineers, to join our multi-disciplined team. There’s no reason why we cannot double our workforce over the next 4 years.”

With a nationwide client base in sectors ranging from commercial and industrial, to offshore and renewables, Smith Brothers specialises in high power projects up to 132,000 volts. In fact it is this ability to comprehensively handle particularly complex electrical engineering assignments, that has seen the team work throughout the UK and Ireland, as well as in overseas countries ranging from Barbados to Azerbaijan.

“We’ve now connected close to one Gigawatt of power in the UK alone,” continues John. “I’m proud of the reputation we’ve built up for handling difficult high voltage projects – that’s why we’re securing repeat business with some of the country’s most renowned brands, at the same time as attracting a healthy flow of new enquiries.

“Our focus now for 2017, is to consolidate our growth and recruit more talented experts within our niche field. That way we have the skill-sets and infrastructure in place to push for £60m turnover by 2022.”

Established in 1990, Smith Brothers continues to be run by joint directors and brothers John and Richard Smith. As an accredited contractor on the Lloyds Register NERS (National Electricity Registration Scheme), the high voltage electrical engineers design, build, install, test and commission safe, energy-efficient and robust network systems up to 132kV.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Katie Mallinson .

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