Name: Ian Birchall
Job title: director
Company name: George Birchall
Sales: £37m HQ: Newcastle-under-Lyme
Number of employees: 250
What is it you do? We design, install and maintain supermarket and warehouse installations.
Are you, or is the company, working on anything exciting right now? We are involved in setting new green standards with an eco-friendly combined heat and power (CHP) unit that runs on recycled cooking oil, and the installation of biomass boilers. These, along with other green services, have cut carbon emissions by up to 70%.
Why are you a good employer? People seeking a long-term career in building services are given every encouragement and support, with almost all promotions made internally
What's the best thing about working there? A team approach to business means there is always someone you can turn to for help.
Does the company offer any unusual benefits? We sponsor the staff's children's junior football and cricket teams.
Is there a definable company culture? As a family-owned company that is 30 years old this year, there is an extended family culture where everyone is valued.
If the company were a car what would it be and why? It would probably be a Toyota Prius (but with the brakes fixed) because we are at the forefront of bringing renewable energy and energy efficiency to the nation's grocers and food producers.
What's the training like? We provide both in-house and external training for all staff, some of whom were among the first to pioneer the Train to Gain skills initiative. We provide a wide variety of qualifications relating to the design, installation and maintenance of mechanical and electrical services
Has the company won any awards or been recognised in the past few years as an employer? One of our apprentices, Philip Shaw, was named National Operative of the Year as the best of all award-winners at the 2009 National Training Awards for Building Services Engineering.
What has been your proudest achievement over the past 12 months? Fitting out Tesco's new 73,000 sq m distribution centre at Livingston.
What is the most challenging HR issue at the moment? Planning for growth after becoming a preferred choice for building engineering services for grocery retailers and manufacturers.
Are you looking for any people right now and, if so, where? We are always on the lookout for experienced and enthusiastic site foremen, designers and engineers.
What tips would you offer job seekers? Take advantage of any training or work experience opportunities. Companies prefer people who show initiative.
How do I find out more about the company? Visit www.birchall.co.uk.
Job title: director
Company name: George Birchall
Sales: £37m HQ: Newcastle-under-Lyme
Number of employees: 250
What is it you do? We design, install and maintain supermarket and warehouse installations.
Are you, or is the company, working on anything exciting right now? We are involved in setting new green standards with an eco-friendly combined heat and power (CHP) unit that runs on recycled cooking oil, and the installation of biomass boilers. These, along with other green services, have cut carbon emissions by up to 70%.
Why are you a good employer? People seeking a long-term career in building services are given every encouragement and support, with almost all promotions made internally
What's the best thing about working there? A team approach to business means there is always someone you can turn to for help.
Does the company offer any unusual benefits? We sponsor the staff's children's junior football and cricket teams.
Is there a definable company culture? As a family-owned company that is 30 years old this year, there is an extended family culture where everyone is valued.
If the company were a car what would it be and why? It would probably be a Toyota Prius (but with the brakes fixed) because we are at the forefront of bringing renewable energy and energy efficiency to the nation's grocers and food producers.
What's the training like? We provide both in-house and external training for all staff, some of whom were among the first to pioneer the Train to Gain skills initiative. We provide a wide variety of qualifications relating to the design, installation and maintenance of mechanical and electrical services
Has the company won any awards or been recognised in the past few years as an employer? One of our apprentices, Philip Shaw, was named National Operative of the Year as the best of all award-winners at the 2009 National Training Awards for Building Services Engineering.
What has been your proudest achievement over the past 12 months? Fitting out Tesco's new 73,000 sq m distribution centre at Livingston.
What is the most challenging HR issue at the moment? Planning for growth after becoming a preferred choice for building engineering services for grocery retailers and manufacturers.
Are you looking for any people right now and, if so, where? We are always on the lookout for experienced and enthusiastic site foremen, designers and engineers.
What tips would you offer job seekers? Take advantage of any training or work experience opportunities. Companies prefer people who show initiative.
How do I find out more about the company? Visit www.birchall.co.uk.
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