CSS 2020 review and looking forward to 2021

I’m sure we are not alone in wanting to see the back of 2020. This year has been very difficult for everyone in both their personal and work circumstances. However, on reflection it’s not been all bad…

I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering why time flies so quick it seems like last week we heard the word “lockdown” for the first time does it not?

Fond farewells, new arrivals and a welcome back

As we approach the end of the year our business is saying farewell to three members of the team who collectively gave our family business almost 73 continuous years’ service. Billy Dolan, Anne Neilson (my sister), and Margaret Hazlett are retiring and they will be missed very much. Their dedication and service, support and commitment is greatly appreciated.

Since the beginning of the year we recruited five new apprentices taking our trainees to twenty across the businesses.

We had two engineers becoming dads for the first time. We also had one long term sick person come back to work following serious illness.

New contracts and services

Looking forward to 2021, our business is in good shape to look forward positively. We have secured many new contracts in various fields in particular the house builder market. The food and drink industry have also employed our businesses to support their needs too in meeting compliance and regulation requirements. Graham Robertson Electrical and Security has been busy expanding its offer into the wider portfolio of companies under Connelly Group Holdings. We can now offer many different services that only a few years ago we didn’t. We have grown into other service sectors on the basis of its what our customers asked of us.

New Fire Alarm Regulations

A important area of expertise we can offer is to install smoke alarms into residential properties that are linked together. This is a new law and whilst the target date for all homes to have the new fire alarm requirements by February 2021 it is being considered by the government to extend the date of compliance requirement to Feb 2022. Residential property fire insurance cover is likely to refuse claims for related incidences in homes that do not meet the new fire alarms in residential properties law.

Working towards carbon neutral

We are embarking on a progressive programme across the business to reduce our impact on the environment by investing in a new fleet of vehicles. We are also looking to invest in solar power in our Head office and Whitburn office to reduce our impact on the environment. Further, our aim is to become carbon neutral in the long term if we can. We are going to try. We have been involved in recycling within our businesses for a long time and we are ambitious to expand this further by doing our bit for the benefit of our children’s future and the wider community not only in Scotland but further afield.

Online booking for security systems test and inspection

During 2021 we will be introducing our appointed system to the Graham Robertson business customers. This lets customers book their routine inspection and test of their security systems online. It’s done by post code area. For example, FK9 post codes could be done in the month of May. Customers chose the dates in May that suit them for a visit by our local engineer. Our engineer is based in FK9 for all of May and substantially reduces his carbon footprint by being local to the area it improves his efficiency and is not polluting the air by driving for example Stirling, Edinburgh, Hamilton, Perth in one day.

This system has been very well received by our wider customers as being a responsible supplier since we introduced the appointed system a few years ago. The renewal date of the contract will still come out on its usual date. Please remember the maintenance inspection is only part of the service we offer and it is not 100% attributed for the inspection. It is based along the same lines as central heating support contracts and insurance policies, annual support for maintenance and also have access to our dedicated 24hr call centre based in Glasgow.

Season’s Greetings

Finally on behalf of everyone across the businesses thank you for your continued support. We wish you and your family a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Paul Connelly

Managing Director, Connelly Group Holdings