Switched-on company is powering towards future

NOW celebrating 20 successful years in business, the Electrix Ltd slogan 'connect to the future' is a fitting power point to plug the company's progress.

In two decades the Torquay-based company has expanded from a turnover of £50,000 to £1.7million working in all aspects of electrical and data installations.

A further expansion in recent years has been the launch of sister company, Energy X renewables — created to meet the growing renewable energy market.

Proprietor Simon Lewis began the business with a partner in 1992 — both working from home.

By 1998, the company had moved into office and yard premises in Broomhill Way.

Simon became the sole proprietor in 2006, and continued to take the company onwards and upwards, expanding its domestic, commercial and industrial portfolio.

The range of services Electrix Ltd provides has grown in leaps and bounds from the really early days when work centred around general office and domestic maintenance.

"Our first big break came with the electrical installation for 65 houses at Edginswell for the Westcountry Housing Association," says Simon.

The company gradually moved into general electrical and data contracting and maintenance work across the field, and have also a small works department to deal with its smaller clients for a more personal service.

Its client base now features an impressive array of customers both commercial and private.

Major contractors, local authorities, housing associations, NHS and other agencies are on the books, along with private customers both large and small.

Technological advances have taken the company into multi-media installations for home and office — embracing everything from computers, TV and sound systems.

The company became a NICEIC approved contractor in 1995 and has remained so ever since.

It has received accreditation with the SMAS safe contractor scheme, and is now an official installer for Rointe low consumption heating.

Electrix Ltd undertakes a wide range of electrical work including fire alarms, emergency lighting, data network installations, portable appliance testing (PAT testing) and landlords' periodic safety inspections.

"We cover the South West — from Cornwall to Devon with a growing team of fully qualified engineers who work to all current regulations," says Simon.

Continuous apprentice training is a core value to the business, with 40 per cent of the current workforce having been apprentice trained within the company — one having risen to become the qualifying manager of the company.

In the commercial and industrial side of the business, Simon says the company strength lies in "a consultancy-style approach to contracting, where our design and installation is tailored to our clients requirements".

As well as electrical installations, Electrix also offers electric heating and MVHR ventilation design and installation.

With Energy X the company has even more to offer.

"We can design, install and commission solar PV panel systems, solar thermal and offer advice on energy efficiencies within the home and commercial properties," says Simon.

"We pride ourselves in offering advice and information and having a quality product with the right care and consideration taken during its design and construction."

Installation is carried out to customers' complete satisfaction and requirements.

But the service doesn't stop here.

"After the installation has been set up and working, we will continue our support by checking-in with you periodically, to make sure all is working correctly, and that you are receiving a good output," says Simon.

And even through the Government tariff has been cut it still works out as a good investment particularly with the ever increasing fuel prices.

True to its slogan Electrix certainly connects its clients to the future.