Premier Electrics boosts sales and ups turnover 50% despite downturn

DERRY-based Premier Electrics has seen its sales grow from £18 million (€21.75m) in 2010 to £27m (€32.6m) in 2011.

A family-owned business which installs commercial electrical products for retailers in Ireland, Britain and across Europe, Premier Electrics boosted its turnover by 50%, despite having to radically review its business in response to the downturn in the Republic.

Premier’s managing director Mark Scullion said: “We had to radically change our business strategy with the onset of the economic downturn in the Republic of Ireland which, traditionally, had accounted for almost a quarter of our turnover.

“This meant looking to new markets and expanding through the establishment of a dedicated maintenance division,” Mr Scullion said.

Based in Bellaghy, Co Derry, Premier this year opened an office in Munich, Germany, and plans to open an additional office in London as part of its planning for 2012.

Premier Electrics handles commercial electrical installations for a range of large retailers throughout Europe. It has been in business since 1993.

Mr Scullion said: “Our teams have worked tirelessly throughout the year the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland, as well as increasingly in countries including Germany, Spain and Belgium.

“We are delighted to have developed strong relationships with our clients over the years and, in 2010-11 partnered several of them into new territories.”

Premier currently provides direct and indirect employment for around 150 people and is an Irish market leader in commercial electrical installation and maintenance.

Its clients include Primark, Penneys, ASDA, John Lewis, Debenhams and M&S. Its turnover had a peak of £30m (€36m) at the height of the economic boom in 2007.