Charlestown Data & Telecom Services

Connected - The Charlestown Newsletter

Edition 24 - Winter 2012

Welcome to the Winter 2012 edition of 'Connected', the Charlestown Newsletter. We hope there is something of interest for everyone in the Newsletter.

Latest News
It has been decided to reduce the number of newsletters e-mailed to clients and suppliers to just two each year. We all receive vast amounts of e-mails and by reducing the number of newsletters we hope that the content will be informative, interesting and you will hopefully take the time to read it.

The second half of last year was busy, as we knew it would be. With a number of tendered contracts all starting at the same time in August, September running through to the end of the year!

Historically at the beginning of the New Year Charlestown Ltd experiences a dip in workload during February and March. This is after the Festive Light season has ended and before the start of the new Financial Year in April.

In 2012 this is not the case. Charlestown Ltd has a full order book for the next three months which is the best position the company has been in for the last 6 years at this time of year!

Cooper Electrical Services
CES has been busy with multiple contracts running simultaneously. This has stretched the Charlestown Ltd business model with employees stepping up to the mark, supervising junior staff and subcontract labour to enable contracts to be completed at the same time, on time.

CES has taken the step to provide main contractors with the complete design and installation package. Charlestown Ltd use’s Amtech “ProDesign” to provide the complete electrical design with CAD and lighting design outsourced to approved contractors. As well as the electrical works, Bob’s remit includes the Fire Alarm, Emergency Lighting, CCTV, Access Control and co-ordinating the Solar, Ground Source Heating and Rainwater Capture Contractors.

Contracts have included a Community Centre and Managed Workspace Complex (14 self-contained units). School Refurbishments, Welfare Housing Refurbishments and a Childcare Nursery.

Charlestown Data and Telecom Services
CDTS has been busy completing Fibre Optical Cabling, CAT5e and CAT6 installations in Offices, Industrial Units, Schools, Community Centres and Utility Sites.

CDTS continues to provide Maintenance Services to the Utility Sector with on-going service and disaster recovery contracts for Fibre and Free Space links.

Technical Height Services
THS has been busy with the completion of the last site maintenance visits of the year.

New installations of radio links have taken place on Wind Farms, Substations, Landfills Sites and Bio-Mass Plants. Each of these installations has provided a number of challenges; however all have been completed on time and on budget.

THS has also undertaken the installation of Microwave point to point links as well

THS has continued carrying out Line of Site Surveys for replacement links and new links for new power generation applications which seem to be growing in numbers.

Festival Light Services
FLS has had the busiest year so far with contracts as far afield as Warwickshire, Midlands, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Northumberland.

The 2011-2012 season has been the most efficient season for Charlestown Ltd since we started in 2003.

This year we have reduced the number of projects undertaken. This is due to the aggressive pricing of larger contractors, who have “bought” work. While this is regrettable and expected, it has enabled Charlestown Ltd to focus on the contacts we have and has produced a more profitable season. This has been due to less overtime works required to carry-out installations in the fixed six-week installation season from the beginning of October to mid-November.

It must also be mentioned that the weather has also been “kind” this year with a mild winter if a little “breezy” at times!

General Information
We also welcome Daniel Gregory (First Year Apprentice), John Gwilliam (Rigger), Pete Walsh (Labourer) and Matthew Wilson (Fourth Year Apprentice) to the fold.

As well as the above new team members, Charlestown Ltd has been developing other team members with Ryan Greenwood carrying out estimating and quoting duties. James Marshall is continuing his studies on a day release basis to further his technical qualifications. With Robert carrying out electrical design projects, this reinforces Charlestown’s long term commitment to its team members and the companies’ long term goals.

Charlestown Ltd continues to invest in its people and equipment with three new replacement vehicles, tools, test and safety equipment during 2011.

The Charlestown Ltd’s Christmas Party was held at Napoleons Casino in Bradford on the 10th December, with a meal, drinks and gambling. It was a restrained affair with everybody managing to get home with their shirts (although some brave souls managed to stay out until 6am the following morning...)!

We must thank all staff for their commitment to Charlestown Ltd through 2011, it has been a difficult year but we can look forward to 2012 with renewed optimism.

Charlestown Ltd will continue to grow and develop thanks to the great team we have, you can all be proud of a job well done!

Our next issue of “Connected” will be out in late July; which will be packed with news, views and events.

Richard Lofthouse and Robert Chapman

Cooper Electrical Services CES has been busy with multiple contracts running simultaneously. This has stretched the Charlestown Ltd business model with employees stepping up to the mark, supervising junior staff and subcontract labour to enable contracts to be completed at the same time, on time.

Contracts have included a Community Centre and Managed Workspace Complex (14 self-contained units). School Refurbishments, Welfare Housing Refurbishments and a Childcare Nursery.

Cooper Electrical Services
CES has been busy with multiple contracts running simultaneously. This has stretched the Charlestown Ltd business model with employees stepping up to the mark, supervising junior staff and subcontract labour to enable contracts to be completed at the same time, on time.