This blog is part of a series of stories told by business leaders who serve the City of Doncaster and its surrounding area. Curated by me, Kurt Ewald Lindley, as part of a collaboration with Club Doncaster. Our endeavour:
“to showcase and connect businesses across the county (and beyond)”
It’s perhaps best to begin with ‘who and what’ is Park Electrical? Well, they are a leading independent electrical wholesaler with over 30 years of expertise based in the Northeast, and now they are coming to #Doncaster. With it, they are bringing what seems like vast amounts of energy and investment for both new business and the community.
NB: Photo courtesy of Park Electrical Facebook Page.
Nick runs on goals
Today I had the chance to catch up with Nick Hobson, Manager for Park Electrical Distributors, at the Doncaster branch. He appeared on screen (as this was a Teams call) with a buzz about him. I’m not sure where he had found this energy, given his 1am arrival home and his 7:30am start. But maybe, in part, this was to do with the 3-0 result in the England vs Latvia game he’d attended yesterday and his natural internal drive to make good things happen. Nick is on a mission here and it’s not just profit driven (it’s about prosperity too).
Why Doncaster?
We got straight into ‘Why Doncaster?’ Nick was quick to respond – “we’ve gone from 20million to 50million in growth and needed to move”. Now I wasn’t sure if this was turnover or profit; regardless these numbers are large.
Nick went on to say, “this is a strategic move…everything connects in Doncaster, it’s like the arteries of the North”. You can see Nick has a great affinity with the city, he’s born and bred in this place and wants to bring good things here.
The Doncaster branch will offer a wide range of services tailored to meet the needs of various sectors, including industrial, commercial, and domestic markets. These services encompass electrical engineering, process control, lighting design, and security systems. Oh, and did you know – they also sell mountain bikes!?!
When things don’t go to plan
So, I asked about the new facility on Wheatley Hall Road (it’s the old Jewson Depo for those of you who know it). What was refreshing to hear, was the truth. He didn’t list how simple and on time things were. He shared the challenges of having a “new facility and an old building”. I quite like his quote:
“Never put a timeframe on something so dynamic”.
That’s not to say, don’t have a timeframe, but it appears having tight/strict timeframes will hold you back – “when one thing slipped the rest fell like a house of cards”.
Nick and the team’s response to this though was not to sit back but to reach out to the supply chain and local trades. I asked about the slip in timeline and what this meant for the start date of employees and contractors, his response – “we’ve stuck to our commitments, I’ve been paying a van driver without a van and a warehouse manager without a warehouse”. This is not a loss or setback but an investment in relationships.
Lessons for others
What lessons can you share for others who might be setting up new facilities or relocating, to this Nick offered 2 points:
- You must have a robust supply chain. Your partnership with your suppliers is as important as your relationship with your customers.
- Have the right team, with the right attitude. If you treat people well, when you ask for more, they will give (and you will give back).
Pay it Forward
Throughout our chat, Nick came across as someone who believes in ‘paying it forward’. He’s keen to use Doncaster contractors to set up his site, he wants to employ local people to run the new location. And he wants to invest in the business community – he openly said, “if we can help, we will… just let us know, if we can offer more we will”. This extended into the desire to invest in the local community through sponsored walks, support to sports teams and community projects. So don’t be a stranger, reach out and ask.
It’s not just a shop, it’s our pride
Nick and the team have the kettle on and openly invite the business community to visit, “we are proud of what we have created and want to show it off – it’s not just a shop, it’s the jewel in the crown”.
In closing
Park Electricals’ expansion into Doncaster is a testament to the company’s commitment to growth. By extending its footprint into Yorkshire, Park Electrical not only broadens its service area but also contributes to the local economy by creating job opportunities and supporting regional development.
This move reflects the company’s adaptive and forward-thinking approach, which shines through in Nick’s desire to actively engage with local businesses and foster strong ties with the #100Club. Nick is one of the many people looking to make Doncaster a great place to do business.
If you want to learn more about Club Doncaster’s #100Club give me a nudge and I’ll connect you with the team.
