“I can’t believe how quickly time flies,” admits our long-serving Installations and Contracts Manager, Dave Hillier.
Dave is referring back to the time in 1997 - 24 years ago and counting ! – the date he joined the firm straight from school as a trainee engineer. “It’s all gone by in a bit of a flash,” says Dave, who initially served an apprenticeship, gaining an NVQ in security systems. He then cut his teeth within the installations team, rising to the position of senior engineer, before taking on his current role three years ago.
Nowadays, Dave tends to focus on the larger commercial installations, overseeing the company’s network of clients, who are predominantly within a 50-mile radius of Birmingham.
“Although we have customers further afield, like London and Cheshire, the aim now is on developing clients slightly closer to home, the catchment area where we have traditionally built our reputation. Even so, I tend to be here, there and everywhere,” says Dave.
He believes one of the engineering team’s top priorities is always to stay current. “Technology moves on so fast – everything is app based these days, as an example - and we have to always make sure we remain ahead of the curve,” Dave points out. “That’s why I think it is very important that we send engineers on manufacturing courses, wherever possible. The manufacturers certainly encourage this as well. It creates a close working relationship with them, which we believe is very much to the customer’s advantage.
“At the end of the day, our job is to ensure people are safe at home or work,” he says.
So, what’s the reason clients stay loyal to the company? “I think people like us because they don’t get lost in the system. We are big enough to handle large scale contracts but small enough to look after the little guy, too. There is always a clear path of contact for clients to follow if they need our help,” Dave explains.
When time permits, Dave is a keen golfer, playing off a far from shabby handicap of 7. “I love the game and still try to play a round and fit in a practice session every week, if possible,” he adds.
For the time being though, Dave’s sights are set on keeping the company’s sizeable installation programme firmly on course.
