
Ayrshire electrical firm targets growth amid ongoing success
An Ayrshire firm is keen to spread its wings as part of a nationwide expansion.
Irvine-based EssJay Electrical Services are plugging into success from their base in the town's South Newmoor Industrial Estate.
The team of eight, headed by Steve Roberts, are a major contractor for the Ministry of Defence and carry out work on more than 5,000 of their homes across Scotland.
It's a major task for the family-run firm, who work on properties from Dumfries to Wick on a weekly basis.
But Roberts, 48, has his eye firmly set on the company's continued growth - with local work just as important to their strategy.
He said: "It all started with me doing soffit lighting during Covid and from there we began subcontracting for a local housing agency which gave us an avenue into the MoD work.
"We'll do all of the planned maintenance work, bathroom refurbs and EICRs (Electrical Installation Condition Reports)...it's a lot of work but it's a challenge we love."
Steve insists the feet of the company, which is NAPIT, Trust Mark and Safe Contractor accredited, are firmly on the ground as he looks to widen their reach.
Son Connor and wife, Annie, are part of the small but dedicated team who are helping to grow the brand from their corner of North Ayrshire.
He said: "I don't view us as some kind of success story - it's never a success until you reach the end and that's how I always approach things.
"You can always keep improving and growing.
"Our success, to call it that, has been down to the hard work of the staff here and the effort they put in.
"They'll probably say that I'm a hard taskmaster, but if I get something wrong I want to be falling on my own sword and take the responsibility for it."
Steve added: "At present a lot of our work is through the MoD and it's been great for us.
"The challenge now is to increase our reach in the local area and beyond and we're really up for it."
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