Derek Barclay enters 10th year at Quinns M&E

We are delighted to announce that our Mechanical Director, Derek, is entering his 10th year at Quinns M&E. 

Back in 2015, the company provided electrical services only and Derek was brought in to start the mechanical arm so we could become a full M&E business. At the time, Derek was the sole mechanical engineer and was tasked with bringing in plumbing and heating work and, as the workload grew, finding and training new engineers. 

Wind the clock forward ten years and Derek’s division now accounts for 40% of the company’s revenue, as well as supporting the electrical and construction arms. His team has now grown to eight employees and over the years he has mentored apprentices from their first day at college through to full qualification. 

Above all, the secret to Derek’s success has been the quality of work produced by himself and his team. This quality is combined with a dedication to site safety and cleanliness. All this has resulted in a strong reputation for Derek and the company in the plumbing and heating sector. We wish Derek every success in his 10th year and are proud of all he has achieved.

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Choosing a Commercial Contractor for Your Business

Choosing the right commercial contractor for your business can mean the difference between a successful project and one that fails to get off the ground. Where do you start? In this blog, we’ll look at some important factors to consider when choosing a commercial contractor for your business.

Get recommendations

Ask others in your industry if they can recommend a contractor. If they’ve hired contractors for similar projects, they’ll likely have some good contacts to share. They might also be able to warn of any contractors who were unreliable or didn’t provide a good service, so you’re aware of who to avoid.

Ask for references, reviews and testimonials

One of the most important things to do when choosing a commercial contractor for your business is to check reviews and testimonials. As well as checking their Google Business Profile and website, don’t hesitate to ask for client contact details so you can follow up. Think of relevant questions to ask past clients, for example, did the contractor work to budget, were their skills and experience suitable for the project, and did they show up on time, communicate clearly and complete the project on time and to a high standard?

Check licensing, insurance and accreditation

It’s equally important to check that any contractor you’re considering hiring is properly accredited, licensed and insured. Anyone who doesn’t hold a valid licence may not be qualified to carry out the work they’re promising. A contractor without the proper insurance might end up costing your business money in the event of an accident or unforeseen issues.

Assess communication skills

When hiring a commercial contractor you want somebody who communicates clearly. If a project runs over budget or behind schedule, you need to know promptly. Likewise, if a personal emergency prevents contractors from working, you need to be kept informed. Excellent communication starts with the very first contact with any commercial contractor — are they easy to reach via phone and/or email during business hours? If you can’t get hold of them now, things are unlikely to be any different should you hire them.

Discuss the financial details

Always make sure that you clearly outline your budget and provide it to potential commercial contractors. Anyone you’re planning to work with should provide a detailed estimate, with a breakdown of any associated costs for materials, labour, and other expenses. A contractor who is uncomfortable with financial details or gives a rough estimate without a breakdown isn’t somebody you want to work with.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a number of important things to think about when choosing a commercial contractor for your business. Though it might be tempting to rush this stage, it’s important to spend time selecting the right contractor to prevent problems down the line.

Looking for a reliable contractor for your commercial project?

We’re always on hand to help! Our friendly team is happy to answer any questions you may have about choosing a contractor for your business. Get in touch here or call us on 01980 625449 today to chat with our experts.

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2023: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

2023 has been another fantastically busy year here at Quinns M+E, and as the business enters its 20th year, we reflect on our key highlights over the last 12 months.

In a nutshell:

  • We entered the renewables market following full industry accreditation for solar panel installation, and are completing formalities for final certifications in Battery Storage and Air Source Heat Pumps
  • We announced the creation of our new Construction Team, which has enabled Quinns to offer a full Fire Stopping service as well as office refurbishment
  • The team has grown by a huge 35% as we welcomed 5 new team members with 2 more due to start in January
  • We held our first team event, introduced an annual staff appraisal scheme and enhanced HR support
  • We have continued investing in upskilling our staff through training and accreditations and high-quality technology, standing us in good stead for 2024 and beyond

To delve into the details:

Products/Services:

2023 has been a year of service expansion here at Quinns.

We ventured into the Renewables market, achieving full industry accreditation for Solar Panel Installation in April, and have since successfully completed a number of projects. We are also currently completing formalities for final certifications in Battery Storage and Air Source Heat Pumps. The business has plans to grow its Renewables offering in 2024, including launching our new website which will assist our customers on their journey towards a sustainable future.  

The Directors were also proud to announce the set-up of Quinns’ new Construction Team in September. The recruitment of specialist plasterers and floor-layers has enabled the business to offer a full Fire Stopping service as well as office refurbishment.

Despite these new ventures, we never take for granted our core business of commercial M&E projects, which continues unabated. The company continues to ensure the provision of the highest quality of service across the board.

Employees:       

Of course, the business could not perform as it is without our excellent team of engineers and office staff.

In 2023, we welcomed 5 new team members with 2 more due to start in January. This is a 35% increase in staff numbers versus December 2022.

In July, the Directors hosted the first Team Event where we outlined the company vision and asked the staff for their ideas and feedback. The event was well received, and we look forward to staging further events next year.

The company enhanced the staff packages this year with the introduction of additional benefits and support services. Each staff member now has a Life Insurance Policy equating to 3 x salary to add to the Private Healthcare scheme already in place.

An annual Staff Appraisal system has also been introduced where we have encouraged staff involvement in discussions about pay, training and career progression. We implemented across the board pay increases, a new Grading system and a more generous holiday package commences in 2024.

The company is working with an HR partner to ensure we are supporting our staff inside and outside of work as well as bringing in more automation to manage absence, performance and staff documentation.

Investment:

To remain competitive, the business needs to continue investing in updated equipment, vehicles, technology, as well as training and accreditations.

This has involved new and slicker laptops for office staff, updates to the vehicles, and all-weather uniforms issued to all our engineers.

One look at our Training and Qualifications matrix will show our commitment to ensuring that our engineers have the full range of updated skills. In particular, the Construction Team have spent time upskilling in the last quarter, which holds us in good stead for next year.   

Summary:    

Looking back over the year, it’s clear just how much has been achieved. We sincerely hope that all the work put into our continuous improvement will bear fruit in 2024 and beyond.

In the meantime, our Managing Director, Kris Quinn, would like to thank our clients, suppliers and partners for their unwavering support. From all at Quinns we hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

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Quinns M&E successfully renews BAFE accreditation

Quinns M&E is delighted to report the successful renewal of the company’s BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) accreditation this month. BAFE is the independent registration body for Third Party Certificated fire safety organisations across the UK.

Quinns M&E has been installing fire alarm and emergency lighting systems for many years and has a team with a vast knowledge of these systems working to BS5839 and BS5266.

The company believes that the best way to demonstrate competence to its clients within this area is to maintain the highest recognised standard which is BAFE. The business first achieved this accreditation in 2013 and is delighted to have its certifications renewed following the successful audit.

These vital accolades do not happen by accident. Quinns’ MD, Kris Quinn, would like to extend a special thanks to Darren Conn and Adam Quinn for all the preparatory work involved plus dealing with the Auditor over the two days.

The company is also grateful to Scott Rumson from NSI for his guidance and support throughout the process.    

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Blog: A week in the life of an SME

Author: Patrick Harrington, Operations Manager

Well, the shift from working at a large corporate to an SME continues to prove a huge eye-opener.  

When things went wrong at the Bank there was always a department to sort things out- a Lloyds equivalent of Mr Benn appeared “as if by magic” and the problem was solved! This occurred with minimal impact on my time, and I was able to crack on with the day job.

Yet, as I write this, we are only at mid-morning on Wednesday and already the following has happened this week:

  • Two more of our vans have had faults reported and are in the garage- that is now a total of five currently off the road for various reasons.
  • Our phone/internet provider has decided to remove the named contact from their files – they are now refusing to speak with us about our intermittent online reception.
  • An engineer we were due to meet on site decided to turn up an hour early and then left before we arrived at the allotted time.
  • An outbreak of chickenpox has caused havoc with childcare arrangements which in turn affects where our engineers can be.       

On the face of it none of the above are disastrous (unlike when we ran out of tea bags this morning and I had to hotfoot it to Tesco!), but all take time and resources to resolve. We are too few for any of us to walk past these problems and we all need to muck in accordingly.

I am not complaining- I love the job and what it entails. I simply thought this entry would likely resonate with our fellow SMEs and open the eyes of others to the challenges faced when running businesses of this size. Let’s see what the rest of the week brings!    

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Remembrance Day 2023

This weekend, the Quinns team joins the nation as we pay tribute to those who have given their lives in conflicts from World War I until the present day. This time of year is particularly poignant here in Wiltshire which of course is home to so many people serving their country.

At Quinns M&E, we are privileged to carry out mechanical and electrical works for a number of military and RAF sites. This has been a core part of our business for so many years, and we continuously strive to provide the optimum level of service to ensure these vital locations function as they should. Kris Quinn, Managing Director at Quinns, never takes this work for granted and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure health and safety and adherence to MOD security is never compromised.

The company has proudly employed ex-military personnel in the past and a few of our colleagues have strong family army connections. Therefore, we are delighted to announce that Quinns has committed to supporting a Military Resettlement Scheme. As a registered employer, we will assist ex-servicemen and women as they transition from active service to civilian employment within our sector.

As we pay our respects to those who have paid the ultimate price for us, we at Quinns are fully aware of the debt we owe to the Armed Forces Community.

Lest we forget.

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Quinns M&E expands mechanical services team

Quinns M&E is delighted to announce the company is expanding to meet the needs of our customers and the changing industry requirements.

As the renewables sector continues to rapidly evolve, the increased demands of MCS accreditation, low carbon technology retrofits and the upturn in design and build projects, the need for cost-effective heat loss, technical drawing, 3D visualisations and MCS Standards approval has never been greater.

As a result, we at Quinns are proud to be expanding our mechanical services team with the addition of two new qualified building services engineers.

The expansion of our mechanical services team demonstrates our commitment to our customers’ requirements, enabling greater service availability, new service offerings and application of new technologies.

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WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2023

Author: Patrick Harrington, Operations Manager

This week we celebrated World Mental Health Day and I felt that as a firm we could not let it pass without posting some thoughts. 

As a male in my late fifties, I am of the generation where the advice given if you were feeling down was to “snap out of it”! Mental health was never on the workplace agenda, and you would only ever ask for time off work for a “tangible, physical” illness or a bereavement. Even when employers began accepting the concept, I suspect I was not alone amongst my peers in initially dismissing the notion of an alternative approach.

My belief is that as an employee, you owe a duty of care to your company, manager, and colleagues, meaning you should only miss work for “genuine reasons”. This has always been the case, but what needed to change, and rightfully continues to evolve even to this day, is what constitutes those “genuine reasons”.

So where do we go from here? It’s clear that a balanced approach is needed when handling employee mental health. Although larger corporations have the resources to provide ongoing support throughout the year, as an SME we also remain committed to continually improving the mental health support we offer our team here at Quinns.

So far, we have instigated a range of benefits designed to support not only our employees, but also their families. We ensure that tools and confidential helplines are available to support mental wellbeing and our team are regularly reminded of these resources.

But more importantly, our Managing Director, Kris, is unwavering in his genuine support of his employees both in and outside of the workplace, for example if they face any issues with their children, sick family members or emergencies at home. He is also incredibly supportive of those who require extended time off – aiming to remove as much from the shoulders of employees and their families as possible.

Finally, taking the lead from Kris, we all look out for each other. People proactively ask after each other’s welfare and lend a listening ear whenever needed. In some ways, building a culture like this adds more value than any external resource and ensures that every Quinns team member knows they never have to struggle in silence.

Since joining the company, my attitude to mental health has certainly changed and I am proud of how we look after our people here at Quinns.                  

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Winter Is Coming: The Importance of Boiler Servicing and Maintenance

Author: Paddy Rynne, Procurement & Project Manager

With winter approaching, the chilly winds and dropping temperatures serve as a reminder of the essential role played by boilers in keeping our homes warm and comfortable. In the rush to prepare for this, many homeowners tend to overlook the importance of regular boiler servicing and maintenance, myself included. But many aren’t aware of exactly why taking care of your boiler before the cold sets in is crucial for a cosy and stress-free winter.

Reliable Heat Source

Your boiler is the heart of your home’s heating system. When winter arrives, it’s not the time to discover that your boiler isn’t functioning correctly. Regular servicing and maintenance ensures that your boiler is in optimal working condition. This reliability guarantees that you and your family stay warm throughout the winter without unexpected interruptions.

Efficiency and Cost Savings

A well-maintained boiler operates efficiently. It consumes less fuel while providing the same or even better heating performance. This efficiency translates to lower energy bills, which is always a welcome relief during the expensive winter months. Additionally, efficient boilers have a longer lifespan, reducing the need for costly replacements.

Safety First

Safety should never be compromised, especially during the winter when we rely heavily on heating systems. Neglected boilers can develop issues like leaks or even emit dangerous gases like carbon monoxide. Regular servicing includes safety checks to identify and rectify potential hazards, ensuring the well-being of your household.

Avoiding Emergency Repairs

Winter is a peak season for boiler breakdowns, and emergency repairs can be both costly and inconvenient. Regular maintenance helps identify and address issues early on, reducing the risk of sudden breakdowns. By proactively taking care of your boiler, you can avoid the hassle and expense of last-minute repairs.

Peace of Mind

Knowing that your boiler is in good shape provides peace of mind. It eliminates the worry of facing unexpected heating problems in the middle of a cold night. With a well-maintained boiler, you can relax and enjoy the winter season with confidence, knowing that your home will remain warm and cosy.

Winter is a season that demands a reliable and efficient heating system, and your boiler is at the forefront of that requirement. Don’t wait until the frosty weather is upon us to think about your boiler’s well-being. To help ensure a warm and trouble-free winter ahead, give Quinns a call on 01980 625449 to schedule in your professional boiler service at better rates than you might think.

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Quinns M&E Expands Construction Team

Quinns M&E is delighted to announce the expansion of the company’s Construction Team, with the addition of two new employees, and the progression of the construction team’s first Apprentice who is moving onto his second year at college.

Luke Denton continues to act as the player-manager, so to speak. His role is primarily to project manage and organise the team, but also to continue to undertake his carpentry works.

New to the team are Garry Beardsley, who is a plasterer by trade but possesses a full range of building skills, and Richard Neate, who is primarily a flooring contractor but again provides a wealth of experience in general building work.

Lewis Russell will continue his work towards his full carpentry qualifications.

In March this year, Quinns achieved the FIRAS certification for the company’s electrical and mechanical teams. The voluntary, third-party certification scheme promotes good practice for the installation and maintenance of passive fire protection products and provides reassurance to customers that fire protection installed by Quinns is correct to specification and will provide the required level of fire protection.

With the Construction Team now also accredited by FIRAS, any preparatory or remedial works that may be required for these jobs can now be carried out in-house by Quinns.

Kris Quinn, Managing Director commented, “This new string to our bow means Quinns can offer complete building refurbishment packages, which is something we have been working towards for almost 18 months. The team has made a flying start, having already undertaken projects in educational buildings and veterinary practices.

We are delighted to have two such experienced people join the business and look forward to sharing future successes from the Construction Team.”                   

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