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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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Blog: What is Photovoltaic (PV) technology?

Photovoltaic (PV) technology has been gaining popularity as a sustainable energy source across the world. In the UK, the adoption of PV has grown significantly in recent years due to the government’s support and incentives. In this blog post, we will discuss the current state of PV in the UK, including its adoption rate, government support, and benefits.

What is the rate of PV adoption in the UK?

The adoption of PV technology has been growing rapidly in the UK in recent years. According to Solar Energy UK, there are currently more than one million PV installations in the UK. Most of these installations are on residential properties, but there are also many installations on commercial and industrial buildings.

In addition to the increasing number of installations, the capacity of PV installations in the UK has also been growing. According to the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the total installed capacity of PV in the UK was 13.3 GW in 2020. This represents a significant increase from the 1.5 GW installed capacity in 2014.

Is Government support available?

The UK government has been providing significant support and incentives to promote the adoption of PV technology. The main incentive is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme. This replaced the FIT scheme and provides financial support to property owners who generate renewable energy using PV technology. Under the scheme, property owners receive payments for the energy they generate and export back to the grid.

The scheme has been very successful in promoting the adoption of PV technology in the UK. According to the Solar Energy UK, over 850,000 properties have installed PV systems under the scheme, generating more than 6 GW of renewable energy.

In addition to the FIT scheme, the government has also provided funding for research and development of PV technology, as well as tax incentives for businesses that invest in renewable energy.

What are the environmental and economic benefits?

The adoption of PV technology has significant environmental and economic benefits. One of the most significant benefits is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. PV technology generates electricity without emitting any greenhouse gases, making it a clean and sustainable energy source.

In addition to the environmental benefits, PV technology can also provide economic benefits to property owners. PV installations can significantly reduce energy bills and generate income through the FIT scheme. Furthermore, PV installations can increase the value of a property and provide a reliable source of income for property owners.

What are the challenges and opportunities?

Despite the growing adoption of PV technology in the UK, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed. One of the main challenges is the intermittency of PV technology. PV panels only generate electricity when there is sufficient sunlight, which means that energy storage systems are required to provide a reliable source of electricity when the sun is not shining.

However, there are many opportunities to overcome these challenges. Advances in energy storage technology, such as battery storage, are making it easier to store renewable energy generated by PV systems. In addition, improvements in PV technology are making it more efficient and cost-effective, which will continue to drive adoption.

What’s next for PV technology?

PV technology is becoming an increasingly popular choice for property owners in the UK. With government support and incentives, the adoption of PV technology is likely to continue to grow. The environmental and economic benefits of PV technology make it an attractive option for property owners looking to reduce their carbon footprint and generate income from renewable energy.

Are you considering installing PV technology?

We’d be more than happy to help! Our friendly team are always on hand to answer any questions you may have. Get in touch here or call us on 01980 625449 today to chat with our experts.

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Constructionline Gold Member

Today we achieved our Contructionline Gold Member Accreditation. This is a proud achievement for us as a small business as it’s such an in depth look at our company and how we operate. The criteria is strict and the team worked hard to achieve this. Thanks in particular to our Health & Safety Manager Stuart for taking the lead and seeing the whole process through to completion. We hope that this accreditation will demonstrate to our clients that we go above and beyond statutory regulations and we care about the impact our business has upon society.

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