A family-run fire and security systems specialist celebrating 35 years in business has reported a growth in turnover of 20 percent in the past year.
MES Systems in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, has seen turnover reach £1.9 million, with over 96% of its work repeat business or referral-based.
To support further growth, the company recently secured two grants worth more than £11,000 from the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme which is part funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The first grant of £9,274 has helped to part-fund an overall investment of £46,370 in purchasing and branding two new vans to support them with landing new business. The firm has also recently promoted an apprentice and created two new roles – a service co-ordinator and a service engineer – to meet increasing demand.
Up for Security Installation Company of the Year and Security Project of the Year at the national Fire and Security Matters Awards on June 15th, the company is a far cry from the firm Andy Morgan started in 1988 as a young electrical contractor.
Today, the SSAIB-approved company counts schools and colleges, councils, retailers such as Aldi, housebuilders, and leisure venues, including Twycross Zoo, among its customers.
It also looks after many SMEs and global companies, including supply chain specialist GEFCO, which recently had MES Systems install a complex biometric access control system at its 220,000 sqft logistics centre in Coventry.
Specialising in everything from bespoke access control systems, industrial CCTV and gate automation systems to integrated fire alarms and intruder alarm monitoring, the company has come a long way since its inception.
Despite its growth, however, the company remains true to the values of a family-run firm, according to Andy’s son Richard Morgan, now managing director.
“We are very proud of our traditional values and the trust customers have in us,” said Richard, who joined the business after completing his A-levels, using his business studies knowledge to help grow the firm.
“It’s the added care they appreciate, like working flexibly outside retailers’ operational hours to reduce downtime and allocating engineers to specific jobs so there is always continuity.
“We also support the next generation through our apprenticeship scheme and in the past year, have taken on both a fire and security apprentice who started with us from sixth form college and an apprentice for our sales team to help support our sustainable growth plan. We are now looking for an additional engineer and another apprentice.”
Accredited by the Good Business Charter, MES Systems also heavily supports the community. The team stepped in when Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary was the target of thieves and vandals, installing the charity’s CCTV system free of charge.
And when the Beryl Kerby Schoolroom – a community building for public enjoyment and education – had its windows smashed in an aggressive attack, the firm installed a system free of charge and donated an alarm system and installed it in a local house, which appeared on the programme ‘Better Homes’ with Carol Vorderman.
The company, which has a showroom and trade counter in Watling Court, Ptarmigan Place, also supports organisations including Mary Ann Evans Hospice, 11th Nuneaton Scout Group, Myton Hospice and Nuneaton Town Football Club.
Employees can also take one day a year, fully paid, to carry out volunteering or take part in a community benefiting activity as part of our Thrive at Work accreditation.
“As we celebrate our 35th anniversary, we want to thank our customers and our team for making our company what it is today,” said Richard.
