GROWTH
Founder – Fran Cormican launched Intelect in 1997 and the engineering firm has since gone from strength-tostrength , employing more than 100 people on Teesside .
Intelect reaps the rewards
Thriving Tees firm ’ s long-term growth strategy pays dividends
WORDS : PHILIP TALLENTIRE PICTURE : TOM BANKS
There ’ s no secret to the continuing success thriving Teesside firm Intelect is enjoying .
It ’ s a tried-and-tested combination of investing in young talent and providing an ultra-reliable service inside an agreed timeframe and budget .
Sounds simple . But that would be to underestimate the commitment to quality and attention to detail managing director Fran Cormican , the firm ’ s leadership team , and a hugely dedicated workforce shows day-in , day-out , year-in , year-out .
Based at Riverside Park , and with satellite offices in Leicester and Grimsby , the company provides electrical and mechanical engineering solutions to a wide range of clients nationwide , including the food and beverage sector and the utilities industry .
Intelect has a very strong order book and major plans in the pipeline , so the future ’ s definitely bright .
Founded in 1997 by Fran and three equally ambitious partners , the business has gone from strength-to-strength .
But things might have turned out differently had Fran and his wife Angela made an alternative investment decision at the beginning of the story .
That ’ s because they decided to invest a £ 10,000 loan intended for use on a new kitchen into launching a new business instead .
That brave decision paid off because Intelect now has more than 100 staff working in Teesside , including 32 apprentices across a variety of disciplines .
“ We took a risk and it ’ s now grown into a multi-million-pound business with three locations in the UK ,” says Fran , who also confirmed that the kitchen project was eventually completed !
“ It was Intelect ’ s 25th anniversary last year and we are still going strong ,” he continues .
“ In fact , despite some major challenges including recessions and Covid , we ’ re still growing the business and investing in the next generation .”
Fran started his career as an apprentice electrician , so he understands what a crucial pathway apprenticeships can be towards a successful career .
And well-trained , highly-motivated apprentices can , and do , provide a skilled workforce for a progressive firm like Intelect .
“ We ’ re looking to take on 10 more apprentices this year ,” Fran confirms . “ We believe we need to continue to grow the workforce and have a solid foundation for the future .
“ The skills that we invest in today mean four years down the line we are going to reap the rewards .
“ And that ’ s key to our growth strategy and that ’ s probably why our apprenticeship programme has been successful . Even during Covid we were still investing in apprentices , as we were operating as key workers for various process industries .”
Intelect has been trading for more
For more information , visit intelectuk . com
than a quarter of a century and clients include several market-leading blue-chip organisations like Taylor ’ s of Harrogate , Tetley Tea , Nestlé , United Biscuits and KP Snacks .
MD Fran is just as passionate in 2023 about delivering a high level of service while also ensuring the best for the people who work for him as he was back in 1997 .
He puts his employees at the heart of the business and that philosophy pays dividends in the impressively high levels of retention the company has achieved over the years . It also shows in the loyalty Intelect has seen from its customers .
Fran operates a philosophy of “ grow your own workforce ” and “ train to retain ”. But it ’ s not just apprentices who build lengthy relationships with Intelect – satisfied customers do too .
“ Because it ’ s a business that ’ s grown over the years , our client base has grown with us ,” explains Fran . “ A lot of our current project management team started with our apprenticeship programme , so they ’ ve worked with many of our clients for years and that ’ s enabled us to build a long-standing relationship with them .
“ We become a seamless extension of their business , so while we are a contractor , we act as though we are part of their business . They know that we can deliver on time and within budget , and they know we provide a high level of service each and every time .”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 149