| It was 15 years ago today that our Managing Director, Andrew Devlin and his wife Yvonne decided to ‘go it alone’ and set up their own company and so in the summer of 2000, Curtis Moore Ltd was born.
Both agree that it seems like only yesterday that they were working from the kitchen table, which then progressed on to their garden shed where the company spent it’s first 5 years. However, don’t let the thought of your standard garden shed fool you, this shed was a fully kitted out office with its own separate side entrance, a photocopier, fax machine, water machine and cladded walls (of course). Yvonne describes it as “the tardis”.Their youngest, Andrew, was just months old at the time and Yvonne recalls juggling a new business with a young baby and now and again having to answer important business calls being diverted to her phone in the middle of Sainsbury’s!
Their youngest, Andrew, was just months old at the time and Yvonne recalls juggling a new business with a young baby and now and again having to answer important business calls being diverted to her phone in the middle of Sainsbury’s!
Curtis Moore – 15th Anniversary from fatBuzz on Vimeo.
Despite their modest start, it was from the garden shed that Curtis Moore secured some key contracts for jobs that would prove to have a significant impact on building their reputation and future success. They credit the loyalty of key contractors like Mowlam (now Carillion) who trusted them with big projects such as BAE Systems, Skypark and many schools. They estimate around 75% of work came from these loyal contractors in the early years, for which they are very grateful. Other important early jobs include client direct jobs at McPherson Welding fish processing plant and Stoddard Carpets – a particularly technical job over which many sleepless nights were spent.
In 2005 it was time for Curtis Moore to move to its own premises. They were fortunate to be involved in the development of the current Hillington Park estate from the beginning and secured 2 units here. It was this year that they began working on more and more schools projects and since then they’ve worked on 37 schools throughout the country providing wall cladding and roof sheeting.
Although at first, the new premises dwarfed them with only a handful of employees in two large units, it wasn’t long before they were expanding and they are now at full capacity, with the probability of needing more space very soon.
Year on year they’ve grown, the jobs have gotten bigger, more technical and of higher value. Impressing contractors, building an excellent reputation for high quality work and winning repeat business. Now 15 years on their impressive portfolio includes all sectors; Education, Nuclear, Rail, MOD, Airports, Industrial, Commercial, Manufacturing and Aeronautical.
From as far north as Wick, right down to south London, they’ve carried out work nationwide and in coming years they look to move into Europe and Canada. In 2014 Curtis Moore opened our Yorkshire office to cater for the growing demand for their services in England.
Some key projects they are particularly proud of would have to Haymarket Railway Station and Strathclyde Fire & Rescue HQ – for which they won their NFRC awards. Also Advocates Close in Edinburgh which was awarded the ‘best building in Scotland’ last year. Most recently Wythenshawe Interchange in Greater Manchester and the Crewe Lifestyle Centre.
Now in 2015 they have 40 employees, a fleet of branded vehicles and numerous awards under their belt including NFRC Roofing Contractor of the Year in 2012 and 2014 and most recently TeamKal Award for best newcomer earlier this year.
Managing Director, Andrew Devlin comments, “We are lucky to have such a strong team of staff, every job is very much a team effort from beginning to end. We believe in rewarding hard work and dedication to the company which is why last year we introduced our Employee of the Quarter scheme, to promote teamwork and customer service.
We are also keen to encourage and nurture continued staff development which is why we set aside a significant annual training budget to ensure employees gain every benefit they can to grow with the company and add to their skillset”.
Andrew and Yvonne recognise they are fortunate, which is also why they regularly give to various charities, last year alone the donated around £20,000 to charity organisations or charitable causes both locally and nationally.
They are eternally grateful to all the loyal support they have been given over the years from contractors, suppliers, clients and staff and they would like thank you all.
Please watch the short video above where Andrew recalls those early days and thanks everyone involved for their success so far.
Here’s to the next 15 years! |