IN ASSOCIATION WITH
THE TOP 50
Growth in Profit
This year, Bancroft Limited recorded the highest profit growth among the top companies, with a remarkable increase of 250 per cent, followed closely by Essex Services Group Limited at 207 per cent. Both companies demonstrated significant profit expansion amidst a challenging economic climate. Integral UK Limited and Irwin M&E Limited also reported impressive growth rates of 119 per cent and 118 per cent respectively, further highlighting their robust performance. In total, 10 companies achieved profit growth over 50 per cent, reflecting strong resilience and market adaptability. However, 50 per cent of the top 50 electrical contractors saw a decline in profit, indicating increased challenges across the sector. This year’s average profit growth for the top companies stands at approximately -30 per cent,
showing a general decrease compared to the previous period.
In terms of absolute decline, Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil Limited reported the largest profit drop, declining by 5,946 per cent, followed by H.E. Simm & Son Limited at -1,246 per cent. This trend reflects broader industry challenges faced by some of the larger contractors.
Growth in Turnover
Gratte Brothers Limited has achieved the highest growth in turnover this year, with an impressive increase of 124 per cent, surpassing the top growth company from last year. This growth reflects significant expansion within the industry. Close behind, H.E. Simm & Son Limited and AVK/SEG (UK) Limited saw notable increases of 118 per cent and 112 per cent respectively,
highlighting their strong performance and strategic growth in key markets.
In the top 10 companies, the average turnover growth reached 52 per cent, which is higher than the previous year’s average. This positive trend is also reflected across the broader list, where only 15 companies experienced a decline in turnover compared to 20 last year. Overall, the top 50 companies recorded an average turnover growth of 18 per cent year-on-year.
In terms of absolute turnover increase, Gratte Brothers Limited leads, followed by H.E. Simm & Son Limited and AVK/SEG (UK) Limited, demonstrating the robust expansion across these top-performing companies.
Profit per Employee
Walter Miles (Electrical Engineers) Ltd leads the field in profit per employee, achieving
a notable £103k per employee. This figure places them at the top of the list. Following closely, P.I.P. Electrics Ltd recorded the second-highest profit per employee at £50k, with AVK/SEG (UK) Ltd in third at £42k.
The top 10 electrical contractors averaged approximately £41k in profit per employee, which marks a decrease from last year's figures. Across the top 50 companies, the average profit per employee was approximately £12k, also reflecting a decline compared to the previous year.
Return on Sales
ASEE Ltd once again leads the "Return on Sales" rankings, maintaining its top position for the second consecutive year. Wingate Electrical PLC ranks closely behind ASEE Ltd, showcasing strong financial efficiency. The top 10 rankings feature several new entrants this year, including P.I.P. Electrics Ltd, Walter Miles, and Purdy Contracts Ltd, highlighting their impressive profitability improvements in this metric.
This year's results underscore the ongoing financial pressures within the industry, as
the average return on sales has decreased compared to last year, and several firms have reported declining returns.
Profit Rank
Emcor Group (UK) Plc tops the profit ranking once again, maintaining its position as the leader with a strong performance this year. Dalkia Group Limited follows in second place, while Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil Limited secures the 3rd spot. TClarke Plc, previously ranked higher, has dropped to 6th place this year. The average pre-tax profit for the top 35 companies was approximately £5 million, reflecting an increase compared to the previous edition.
Summary
The Top 50 Electrical Contractors is analysed each year using a previously agreed pool of 60 contractors, to allow annual comparisons. This list is updated periodically to allow for new entrants into the data set.
Providing an overview of the performance of the market in this context is challenging,
as the table includes different annual reporting periods and, in some cases, covers activities other than electrical contracting. We can now see the full impact and aftermath of the 2020 pandemic and the impact it had across construction. For the M&E Contracting sector there was a 12 per cent fall in market value in 2020 but recovery was swift, making up the fall in 2021 and going on to increase by a further 10 per cent in 2022, and 4 per cent in 2023. That level of growth is estimated to be the same for 2024 and for the foreseeable future.
Post pandemic, office construction has picked up and, along with other key sectors including infrastructure. Of particular importance for M&E the data centre sub segment of the industrial sector is showing increasing demand.
Using analysis carried out by AMA Research, the Top 50 is produced by Electrical Times magazine, edited by Lisa Peake and is sponsored by Niglon.
NIGLON – A YEAR IN REVIEW
As Niglon celebrates its 58th anniversary in 2024, Oliver Hinley reflects on a year of growth and gives his thoughts on the future
The year 2024 has been an interesting one for Niglon, which is 58 years old as of the 11th November. This year has seen our sales team grow to provide full national coverage via 8 Regional Sales Managers, quite a change from only a few years ago. This is out of step with the times, where business is increasingly centralised and faceless (as anyone trying to book an appointment with their bank manager may have found!). However, our business recognised the value of the personal service provided by this team to customers and wished to reinforce our commitment to the industry by providing this high level of support. Business within our sector is always highly competitive, but like many the company was affected by a slowdown in the construction sector at the start of the year, as higher interest rates began to bite and uncertainty about the country’s political future edged into people’s decision making. Fortunately we now have
over 4500 products and with some highly successful new and ongoing product ranges, including in the industrial sector, the company is on track for double digit sales growth. This is a fantastic ‘good news’ story and is testament to the whole team and the support we continue to attract from the industry.
Circuit Protection has been a real focus for the company in the last 12 months, and this has led to significant product development, culminating in our Protego domestic circuit protection range which launched late last year. As well as being shortlisted for an industry award, the feedback from installers has been overwhelmingly positive and demonstrates the importance of listening to electricians and incorporating user-led feedback into our products. In early 2025 Niglon shall build on the success of this range by launching a new 125A three phase distribution board, of which we have great expectations.
2024 has also seen Niglon continue to develop its range and product sales in the Control & Automation sector, which strengthens the businesses’ offering and further stabilises it against downturns in the new build domestic & RMI markets. To this end we welcomed a new technical sales advisor, Ashley Bown, to this part of the team in October.
The future for the company is bright and we look forward to growing and developing further in the coming years. Thank you to all those who have and continue to support Niglon, we look forward to working with you in 2025 and beyond
OLIVER HINLEY OPERATIONS DIRECTOR AT NIGLON
GROWTH IN TURNOVER
EMPLOYEE
COMPANY
PROFILE
Over the years, Niglon has invested in systems to improve customer service and product availability, positioning itself as a key partner to the industry. Let’s see what they have in stock...
Niglon is a family-run company with over 80 years of experience supplying components to electrical wholesalers. Originally known as S D Hinley, the company became Niglon Limited in 1966, offering a wide range of products, including circuit protection, wiring accessories, and industrial accessories.
Wiring accessories offering
Niglon’s wiring accessories range has grown significantly over the past two decades, becoming a key part of the company’s offerings. Today, there are over 1,000 products across nine different ranges, designed to cater to various applications, from residential to commercial projects. This reflects Niglon’s commitment to high-quality, cost-effective products that inspire confidence in both design and manufacturing.
White-moulded ranges
Niglon currently offers three whitemoulded wiring accessory ranges, each tailored to different needs:
Profile: A sleek, contemporary range with a low 4mm profile, ideal for new residential builds. It features screw covers and smooth edges, making it a modern choice for homes.
Median: A deeper 9.5mm profile with soft, curved edges. This range is one of Niglon’s fastest-growing ranges, featuring
interchangeable switch modules with a single screw-fixing system.
Arctic Edge: A classic, square-edged design in bright white, this range is a traditional choice for both new and existing installations.
Decorative metal ranges
Niglon’s decorative metal wiring accessories are designed for more sophisticated interiors:
Ultima: This screwless range has a slim 4.5mm profile and is available in brushed or polished chrome. It includes wider rockers, LED indicators, and an integral gasket to prevent discolouration from damp plasterwork.
Premium Edge S: A stainless steel range with a low 4.5mm profile, available in Brushed Chrome, Polished Chrome, Antique Brass, and Matt Black. This range features metal-to-metal rockers, LED indicators, and the same protective gasket as Ultima.
Other wiring accessory ranges
Niglon’s other specialised ranges include: Euro Media: Designed for flexibility, Euro Media allows for the integration of TV, data, and USB charging points into customizable configurations. Components clip easily into unfurnished faceplates.
Matrix 20: A grid system offering numerous configuration options. Switch rocker covers can be swapped on-site, making it a versatile choice for various applications. The faceplates coordinate with other Niglon ranges like Ultima, Premium Edge S, Profile, and Metallic.
Metallic: Built for demanding environments like workshops and garages, this range is made from heavy-duty steel with a satin silver finish.
Hurricane: A weather-resistant range ideal for outdoor use. The range offers protection against dust and water ingress, making it perfect for harsh environments.
New finishes in Premium Edge S In 2024, Niglon expanded its decorative plate finishes to include Antique Brass and Matt Black in the Premium Edge S range. These new finishes allow customers to refresh interiors easily. Importantly, these new finishes will also feature USB C charging and 45W ports, reflecting the growing importance of modern devices (tablets, phones, etc) in today’s homes and businesses.
Quality and safety commitment
Niglon prioritises quality and safety across all its products. The company believes that no product should compromise on these aspects, and with this in mind offers robust product guarantees: 10 years for the Hurricane range, 20 years for most other ranges, and 30 years for the Profile, Median, and Arctic ranges.
To ensure high standards, Niglon's wiring accessories products undergo thirdparty testing. The company is dedicated to maintaining these practices and is an advocate for industry-wide adoption of third-party testing to enhance safety across the board.
Niglon has also recently introduced Kitemark-approved switched sockets to its Median and Arctic ranges. This certification provides customers with extra assurance about the quality control processes in place at Niglon and will help expand the company’s presence in larger projects.
For more details about Niglon’s products or to get in touch with the team, visit: niglon.co.uk or call 0121 711 1990.
NIGLON’S SIMPLEX
MAKING THE COMPLEX SIMPLE
Both an ordered and safe installation can easily be achieved through incorporating cable management products – and selecting suitable products from the get-go will ensure the project goes ahead quickly and smoothly.
Niglon has been serving the industry for many decades and understands the importance of getting the basics correct first time round. Selecting the right type of cable management should be easy, but with the large product choice on the market, customers are finding it harder and harder to know if they’re getting value for money whilst still retaining quality.
Being able to choose from a wide range of products makes life easier and that’s why Niglon hold up to nearly 1,000 different cable management items in stock for immediate despatch. Its extensive range includes:
• Malleable conduit boxes and fittings
• Bracketry
• Cable glands
• Flexible conduit
• Adaptable boxes
• Resin cable joints
Simplex
Niglon offers an extensive range of cable accessories under its Simplex and Simplex Pro range. The range incorporates many different products including, but not limited to: malleable conduit boxes, steel and brass conduit fi ttings, fl exible conduit, armoured cable glands and much more. Conduit fi ttings might not be the fi rst product that comes to mind when people think of Niglon, but they’re still somewhat of a specialism for the company. Incredibly, Niglon has been supplying these items to the trade for more than 50 years. The company now distribute this range exclusively under the SIMPLEX brand, a highly regarded name from yesteryear that many will be familiar with, and which confi rms Niglon’s pedigree in this area. While many things have changed in the industry over the decades, tried and tested
products that do a reliable job tend to stick around, remaining loved and well-used by each new generation of installers. With these products it’s about quality, breadth of available product and stock depth - from the bog standard to the weird and wonderful.
When it comes to conduit boxes and fi ttings, Niglon has got everything you’ll need covered – and the great news is, with more than 1,500 electrical wholesalers stocking Niglon throughout the UK, you’re never too far from a stockist. This network is also backed up by extensive stock holding at its centrally located distribution centre in the West Midlands.
Oliver Hinley, operations director at Niglon said: “We’ve always maintained a diverse selection of cable management products, a hallmark recognised by many of our loyal customers today. The Simplex range has empowered us to diversify our product line, ensuring we maintain our commitment to delivering quality products at competitive prices, which enable contractors to provide a professional fi nish while improving margins.”
Why choose Niglon?
A good product speaks volumes when it comes to choosing which supplier to
opt for – but Niglon also believe that its job is much more than that. As a fourthgeneration family owned and run fi rm, the company has retained the personal customer service that stood it in good stead when the business fi rst launched. Nearly 80 years later, its product ranges may have expanded almost beyond the imagination of the founder – but the highquality service he demanded from his fi rst members of staff has remained the core of the Niglon ethos.
Niglon offers 4,500 electrical products, which are only available through electrical wholesalers. The offering spans across nine categories: circuit protection, earthing, wiring accessories, installation essentials, industrial accessories, cable management, commercial lighting, fi xing and tools, and control and automation. For more information about Niglon’s range of electrical products visit: www.niglon.co.uk
Given the length of time that Niglon have served the industry, you may well have used its products without even realising! The team are more than happy to talk you through its extensive ranges –whether you’re after cable management or products from any of the other supply categories Niglon specialise in. Call or contact via the website: niglon.co.uk.
● Steel, PVC & nylon flex conduit
● Sizes ranging from 13-54mm, in lengths 10-50m
● Fixed and swivel connectors in brass & nylon
● Contractor packs (black & white) IP40-IP64, in PVC and polypropylene
● Simplex Power branded
● BS EN 61386-1:2008
RETURN ON SALES
Designed to meet the rigorous demands of professionals in the electrical field ensuring electrical safety through precision measurements. Its 3.5” TFT colour display provides a clear and intuitive interface, making it easier for users to perform their tasks quickly and efficiently.
Features
• Loop resistance testing • USB Data Transfer
• Short circuit current • Insulation testing
• Low resistance • Earth Resistance
• Internal network resistance • RCD AUTO Test
• Continuity measurements
• RCD/FI for types A, AC, B, B+, F
• 6mA EV Test (Up to 1000mA)
• TRMS Voltage, Rotary Field, and Frequency
Features
• AC Current- Up to 300A
• DC Current- Up to 300A
• 10mA Resolution
• Counts - 6000
• 1.5% basic DCA/ACA accuracy
• Safety rating according to EN61010
• Jaw 0.9”
A compact yet powerful DC/AC clamp meter for professionals who need reliable current measurements in tight spaces. Offering automatic detection of AC or DC currents, inrush current measurement, & high-frequency rejection mode to deliver precise readings. A highly dependable tool for domestic, commercial, and industrial applications.
KPS backs its products with a 3-year warranty and lifetime technical support, giving customers the peace of mind they need when investing in these essential tools.
THE TOP 50
Dalkia Group Limited
NG Bailey Group Limited
TClarke Plc
Emcor Group (UK) Plc
Integral Uk Limited
Enerveo Limited
Atalian Servest Amk Limited
Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil Limited
SES (Engineering Services) Limited
Dodd Group Limited
Phoenix Me Limited
Dalkia Operations Limited
Lorne Stewart Plc
Crown House Technologies Limited
CBES Limited
Equans FM Limited
Systems adi Group Limited
FES Ltd
Essex Services Group Limited
The Barnes Group Limited
Gratte Brothers Limited
Halsall Electrical Limited
Mace Construct Specialist Services Limited
John Turner Construction Group Ltd
EJ Parker Technical Services Limited
Aidan Strain Electrical Engineering Limited
Quartzelec Ltd
Clarkson Evans Limited
AVK/SEG (UK) Limited
Tilbury Douglas Engineering Limited
LJJ Ltd
Derry Building Services Limited
Renelec Limited
Carter Synergy Limited
H.E. Simm & Son Limited
Contracts Limited
Limited
Limited
Clean, simple & manufactured in bright white Urea. Our first range to have single screw fixings on all its modular switches
CONTACT YOUR REGIONAL SALES MANAGER FOR FURTHER DETAILS
Certified
● Single Screw Modular Switches
● Antimicrobial Urea Switchplate
● Soft Curved Edge
● Single Screw Fixing
● Plate Depth 9.5mm
● Matrix20 Compatible
● USB’s available in A+C Type
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