Press Release
24th NOVEMBER 2005
DREWLEC LIGHT UP THE AVENUE
Bournemouth based electricians, Drewlec Ltd, part of the Drewitt Group of Companies, brought Christmas to The Avenue Shopping Centre in the early hours of Sunday morning.

With the use of a hydraulic platform, three of Drewlec’s electricians transformed the shopping centre in Bournemouth into a mass of sparkling lights in time for Sunday’s opening hours at 10am.

Drewlec have undertaken electrical maintenance work at The Avenue for the past 20 years. Anthony Duck, the Centre Manager commented, “Drewlec constantly provide the best local service when we go out to tender. They are a good, reliable local company.”

Richard Drewitt, the MD of Drewlec Ltd said, “Sunday morning is not the easiest time to get employees out of bed, but as we put up the Christmas decorations each year, a bit of Christmas cheer was all they needed!”

Press Release
7th NOVEMBER 2005
BRIGHTENING UP POOLE HOSPITAL
Bournemouth based building maintenance company, Drewsons Building Maintenance, part of the Drewitt Group of Companies have secured a contract to brighten up the external facade of Poole Hospital.

Using 50 tins of exterior masonary paint, this 10-week project, being undertaken by 4 Drewsons employees, is for external redecoration and repairs to the Dorset Cancer Centre, part of the Philip Arnold unit, the main entrance and the top floor penthouse. Drewsons have previously undertaken a number of contracts at Poole Hospital, including the refurbishment of two laboratories, some wards and the medical records centre. They have carried out exterior decorations at the hospital since 1989.

Derek Morgan, the Director of Facilities Management at Poole Hospital commented “Drewsons were chosen because they provided a competitive price. They carry out quality workmanship within the hospital.” He went on to add, “Drewsons is well supervised and organised to undertake such responsible work for a public organisation.”

Drewsons Building Maintenance is part of the Drewitt Group of Companies, which also includes Drewlec Ltd, electrical contractors. They have been operating in and around Dorset for the past 125 years.

Press Release
3rd NOVEMBER 2005
QUEEN ELIZABETH THANKS DREWLEC ELECTRICIANS!
Bournemouth based electricians, Drewlec Ltd came to the urgent assistance of the Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre in Wimborne recently when their central battery system needed emergency repairs.

Drewlec, who run the electrical maintenance contract for the Centre, were undertaking a routine service when it was revealed that the emergency lighting system at the Leisure Centre was not operating at 100% efficiency. To remain open would have contravened the centre’s Public Entertainments Licence, therefore in order to comply, the Leisure Centre had to close early when natural daylight faded.

Drewlec’s emergency response unit sprang into action, offering support and advice. By the following day the Centre had key facilities open, after Drewlec installed 37 self-contained emergency lights. A dedicated task force of Drewlec electricians working at very short notice successfully achieved this on demand. As David Brodie, Operations Manager for the Centre commented, “The fact that the centre was 90% operational by 4pm the next day is testimony to Drewlec’s resourcefulness and commitment to providing a professional service at the Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre. Drewlec are a very competent company.”

With the clocks recently going back an hour marking the end of British Summertime, natural daylight is now fading much earlier. Drewlec Ltd provided an excellent response and high levels of service to the Leisure Centre, demonstrating the commitment to their clients and the efficiency with which they undertake their work.

Press Release
18th OCTOBER 2005
NEW THREE-YEAR DORSET FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE CONTRACT FOR DREWLEC
Bournemouth based electricians, Drewlec Ltd have just signed a three year contract with Dorset Fire and Rescue Service to maintain the fire alarm and emergency lighting at all fire stations across Dorset.

Drewlec beat off stiff competition from three other contractors to win the maintenance contract due, in part, to whole life costs, as well as past performance. As Chris Godfrey, Property Surveyor for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service commented “Drewlec have always provided a speedy electrical breakdown repair service and have a very positive ‘can do’ approach to the work. They offered a very cost effective solution.”

The contract sees Drewlec maintaining the existing equipment and undertaking any repairs and call outs as necessary, as well as providing a 24 hour call out service for the eight full time and 18 retained (part-time) fire stations, as well as eight administrative sites for the whole of Dorset.

Richard Drewitt, Managing Director of Drewlec Ltd commented, “We are very pleased to be working for such an essential organisation, providing the necessary repairs to ensure their safe working environment.”

Press Release
23rd September 2005
ARE YOU READY FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP?
Getting paid while learning. Getting the skilled workforce that you need. It seems that both students and employers are starting to recognise the benefits of apprenticeships. According to the Learning and Skills Council, there are currently more than 255,000 young people training in over 150 different apprenticeships across the country. So what are the actual benefits?

For students, undertaking an apprenticeship can be the perfect way to get paid while you learn the valuable skills that you can take with you throughout your working life. It enables you to learn while you work, so your knowledge is always the most recent and up to date.

For employers, the practical skills that apprentices gain are ones that are right for your business. By teaching the apprentices your methods, they help you stay competitive in your business. You produce a motivated, skilled workforce, all working towards the same goals.

One of the many businesses throughout Dorset who have benefited from the apprenticeship scheme can be seen in the Bournemouth based Drewitt Group of Companies (www.drewittgroup.co.uk), who specialise in building maintenance and electrical contracting.

They have employed many apprentices over the years in a variety of trades. Their understanding and appreciation of the apprenticeship scheme can be seen in their employees. David Longman started his apprenticeship as a painter and decorator for Drewitts in September 1989. Now 16 years on, David is still a loyal employee at Drewitts, and is a great advocacy for apprenticeships.

Drewitts currently have 3 apprentices throughout their group of companies. Austin Howard, 19, (pictured) started his 3 year apprenticeship in September 2003 as a Carpenter while attending day / block release courses at Poole College. The other apprentices include Brian Murphy, 19, who is currently training as a painter and is also attending Poole College, while Oliver Bradburn, 19, is training as an electrician with day release at Eastleigh College.

There are specific industry training bodies for the apprenticeships that Drewitts take. For Electrical and Heating / Ventilation Trades, JTL is the official body and can be found at www.jtlimited.co.uk. All other construction trades go via the CITB at www.citb.co.uk.

For full information on the benefits of apprenticeships for both students and employees, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk and find out how YOU can benefit from such a scheme.

Press Release
15th AUGUST 2005
DREWITTS GO BACK TO SCHOOL…..AGAIN
Now that ‘school’s out for the summer’, the Drewitt Group of Bournemouth has moved in to undertake building maintenance and electrical repairs for schools around Dorset.

Working for Dorset County Council, Drewsons Building Maintenance and Drewlec Electricians are joining forces to tackle various works in Ferndown First School, Mudeford Infants and Junior School and the Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre amongst others.

The work includes alterations to the classroom layout at Ferndown First School, 2 toilet refurbishments at Mudeford Infants and Mudeford Junior School, and at the Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre in Wimborne, Drewsons are installing an assisted changing facility, including a roll in shower, a toilet and a changing area.

The majority of the work, costing over £100,000 combined, is to be completed in time for the new school year in September. It was awarded to the Drewitt Group following the completion of several other successful contracts for Dorset County Council.

Last summer, the Drewitt Group undertook work for 12 schools throughout Dorset, fulfilling building maintenance and refurbishment and electrical installations. With a full three weeks of summer holiday work left in front of them, it seems that the Drewitt Group can’t wait to get back to school!

Press Release
28th JUNE 2005
BOWLED OVER BY DREWITTS
The Bournemouth based Drewitt Group of Companies recently treated their clients to a spectacular day out, watching England beat Australia at the historic Twenty20 clash in Southampton.

The corporate box was awash with cheers as England achieved their highest Twenty20 total at the Rose Bowl, while dismissing Australia with the lowest Twenty20 score at the venue! As Richard Drewitt commented, “We all had a thoroughly enjoyable day out, watching the fantastic match – we couldn’t have asked for a better day, or a better score!”

The Drewitt Group of Companies comprises of Drewlec Electricians, Drewsons Building Maintenance and James Drewitt & Sons Industrial Estate. The day out was an opportunity for Drewitts to thank their clients for their continued support, and with the day being such a success for both Drewitts and England, Drewitts will have to carry on their new tradition of international sporting corporate days out!

Press Release
14th JUNE 2005
LIGHTING UP SHERBORNE HOUSE
Sherborne House, an 18th Century house that was recently the subject of a BBC2 restoration documentary has had new emergency lighting fitted, by Bournemouth based electricians, Drewlec Ltd.

Owned by Dorset County Council, Sherborne House hosts a range of visual art exhibitions as well as educational and other events. Drewlec Ltd were contracted to design and install the new emergency lighting system in order to comply with fire safety regulations. This £13,000 project took 2 men 5 weeks to complete, due to the sensitive nature of the building and the artwork it houses, which includes an 18th Century mural, by Sir James Thornhill, a Dorset man and doyen of English decorative history painters in his day. The impressive mural, which covers all the walls and the ceiling by the main staircase, could not be touched, therefore, Drewlec had a complicated job on their hands!

Working with the guidance of John Low, Historic Environment Manage Dorset County Council, the emergency lighting system was installed in the areas of the house where the public and staff have access, such as the offices, gallery and the classrooms. The lights consist of self-contained fittings wired to local lighting circuits, which illuminate the escape route if there is a power failure on site.

The main staircase had to be treated separately, and was a painstaking operation, due to the building’s Grade A Listed status. As Richard Drewitt, Managing Director of Drewlec Ltd says “We had to take into account the original lighting for this project and bear in mind the age and the character of the building.” Due to this, a remote central battery system was installed to run the existing lights, as the original fittings could not be changed or altered.

Drewlec were chosen to undertake this complicated project due to the fact that they provided the best services. As Roland Shergold, the Property Surveyor for Dorset County Council explains “We had to find a contractor who undertook both the design and installation within budget, working to our time frame. Drewlec provided all that we needed and did a very good job.” Drewlec Ltd are part of the Drewitt Group of Companies and can be contacted on 01202 575757 or by visiting www.drewittgroup.co.uk

Press Release
9th JUNE 2005
CHECK OUT YOUR ASBESTOS RISK – THERE’S A LOT AT STAKE.
Even where asbestos is presumed to exist the law is very clear – manage that risk, or else! A local property company is offering a ‘life-line’ for companies worried that they might be breaching the regulations.

Across the UK there are some 700,000 businesses at risk from hidden asbestos and Dorset Industry and Commerce equally shares the responsibility for undertaking regular assessments under Legislation to determine whether asbestos is present. More than half of companies surveyed had not carried out a thorough survey.

All companies, particularly those accommodating older property, are at risk and under new legislation that came into force last year, need to comprehensively address this issue.

Drewsons Building Maintenance, part of The Drewitt Group, offer a free assessment on propensity to asbestos risk in commercial properties.

Eric Lever, Managing Director of Drewsons Building Maintenance whose company is currently undertaking work on commercial buildings in the district said, ‘Since the legislation came into force last May, company owners and landlords have a duty of care to assess and manage any asbestos risk within their own buildings. They are responsible for ensuring their buildings are safe from certain types of asbestos, and if necessary, replacing with contemporary, safe materials. There are instances where sites with asbestos can be rendered secure without a comprehensive clearance programme – but the onus is on the company to undertake that assessment and Drewsons offers to assist with the assessment.’

Interestingly commercial tenants need to be aware that they may be liable for any asbestos risk. If, in the terms of the lease, they are liable for the maintenance and repair of their building then they also have a duty to undertake the assessment with the landlord’s approval.

The regulations are quite precise:

Companies should take all reasonable steps to identify asbestos within their premises – the amount present, its condition and risk potential

In areas where access is difficult but there is a strong presumption of risk then it must be assumed that the risk exists and as such should be managed

Companies should maintain an up-to-date record of the location and condition of the asbestos present or presumed

A risk assessment should be carried out and a programme of full management agreed and implemented immediately with regular reviews

Any maintenance contractor, including building operatives should be left in no doubt concerning the whereabouts of the high-risk materials to avoid possible inhalation

A prison sentence awaits those companies or landlords who deliberately flout the law.

Any company owner or tenant worried about the Asbestos laws, can contact Drewsons Building Maintenance on 01202 575757.