History.
Prior to forming the company, the Directors and Shareholders were involved in the construction industry. John Wylie had operated as a sole trader for some time. William Haddow worked as an engineer overseas, and Gus Davidson was involved with a large scale water authority in a senior Health & Safety role. We were then formed, as a Limited Company, in 1995. We became well known in the local community for undertaking quality roofing and roughcast works. The original founder and now Managing Director, John Wylie, had commenced trading during 1985, thereby making the formation of the business, which later became a Limited Company, around 25 years old as at 2010.
We expanded into insurance repairs very quickly following the catastrophic adverse weather which affected much of the UK at the end of December 1995, with temperatures plummeting to below -20 degrees. We received a significant volume of work from Loss Adjusters during this time, and commenced relations within the Loss Adjusting sector which have remained constant and strong to this day.
Following our success in reinstating several hundred water affected homes during the latter part of 1995 and the start of 1996, we started to receive requests from Loss Adjusters to join their emerging networks and to provide assistance in Major & Complex Loss and structural projects.
Between 1996 and 1998 we more than doubled in size, and aimed at the Major & Complex loss markets, as well as the subsidence and structural repair sectors. Having professionally qualified engineers as part-owners and Directors of the company, we made contact with and achieved sole supplier status for Target Fixings: http://www.targetfixings.com
We continued on a path of structured and managed expansion, and during 1998 received several hundred projects relating to the adverse storm conditions which affected much of the UK during what became known as the ‘Boxing Day Storms’.
We provided technical and advisory talks to an established worldwide firm of Chartered Loss Adjusters in their Glasgow offices, and created a robust, structured reinstatement system using both supervisory staff and foremen to ensure accurate and efficient work methods were being employed.
Between 1998 and 2002 we added considerably to the professional and technical staff numbers, expanded our offices and continued to receive work from many sources. In 2002, we received a significant quantity of storm damage claims arising from the storms which affected Central Scotland on 29th January 2002.
By this time we were receiving instructions to reinstate property as far afield as Thurso in the extreme north of Scotland and north of London. Our simple ethos of only making promises we could deliver had allowed us to demonstrate, within many markets, an ability to undertake reinstatement work promptly and to ensure efficient and transparent handling.
Between 2002 and 2005, we became known for providing accurate and keenly priced tender returns, and built relations with several respected Chartered Surveyors in Glasgow. Consequently, we were involved with several large fire, water and flood projects in Edinburgh, Linlithgow, Glasgow and Ayrshire.
On 8th January 2005, Carlisle in the north of England suffered from severe flooding, which affected several hundred residential homes. We were contracted to a nationwide firm of Chartered Loss Adjusters, and undertook reinstatement work over an 18-month period to around 40 residential homes and a church. Our relations with senior, technical and experienced Adjusters meant that we received high value losses throughout the floods, included historic and listed buildings.
As a direct result of successful delivery during the Carlisle floods, we started to receive additional projects from Adjusters with whom we had no previous relations. This allowed us to continue on planned expansion of our workforce and premises and resulted in the achievement of Investors In People accreditation, on the 2nd of May.
Between 2005 and 2007, we had established systems, structures and relationships which were robust, transparent and reliable. During the latter part of 2007, we set in place an additional planned expansion which would eventually result in the employment of John Toms, a well known former Loss Adjuster.
Since John started in April 2008, many changes have taken place within our organisation, predominantly aimed at modernisation of existing systems, creation of a company logo, a website, renewed industry contacts, listing in the CILA (Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters) website, involvement with the Chartered Insurance Institute of Glasgow, the annual dinner for which we attend and sponsor. We even changed our vans and corporate logo!
In addition, there have been numerous changes to internal and external systems. These changes include the creation of this website and the appointment of a well known and highly respected estimator, Jim Blessing, during the latter part of 2008. Jim Blessing has brought renewed energy into the company with a focus on quality and the ability to return accurate tender documents. Jim has an ability to communicate the process of reinstatement clearly and fully understands the complexities off the High Net Worth market and the need for transparent communication and systems.
During 2009, we implemented an ‘Update and Progressive Work’ system which allows us to provide instructing principals with regular email updates with photographs showing the progress of the repairs and the timescales for completion. We provide this service to every instructing principal.
We also introduced a system of testing for the source of Escape of Water claims using Thermal Imaging cameras. Our system has been named TITAM© (Thermal Image Trace and Access Mitigation), and has been used to identify leaks from central heating systems. In one loss alone, this saved almost £18,000.00 worth of flooring from being lifted and damaged.
Also during 2009, we achieved Constructionline status, as well as SAFEcontractor accreditation. We appeared in the local press for our efforts to achieve health & safety accreditations. We were again the main sponsors of the annual Chartered Insurance Institute annual gala dinner in Glasgow. We also obtained an entry in the Insurance Directories and retained our multiple entries in the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters suppliers directory.
During 2010, we achieved NICEIC Accreditation, as well as becoming a nominated Powerwall Approved contractor. We renewed our status as an Investor In People accredited company, and managed additional growth through the employment of key additional trades. During the second quarter of 2010, leading to the 3rd quarter of 2010, we radically altered our offices, expanding the available space to allow for projects planned for 2011. Additional modernisation of existing systems is planned, however our robust, now legendary approach to projects remains; every project booked from start to finish, thereby ensuring no delays, and maximum assistance.
Whilst not being particularly keen on ‘company statements’ we clearly believe in retention of business by not adopting a complacent or greedy approach to our clients’ requests; “We aim to retain existing clients by ensuring we perform every single time. We aim to attract new clients and new staff by being professional, straight talking and quality driven”.
Some quotes from instructing principals who have used us for many years include:
“The company set a standard of work which has continued to this day; efficiency with no compromise on quality”. “Incredible efficiency and excellent communication”
“Reinstatement of a £60,000.00 fire damaged property in four weeks to this standard surely sets the company apart from others”
References from high profile instructing principals can be provided.
We continue to expand, adapt and create new and innovative systems and processes to ensure we are operating at the highest and most productive level, and that we provide true value at every level.
