We're Finalists in Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise!

Aberdeen-based property maintenance firm JKM has been short-listed as a finalist in the Business Success (over 3 years) category of the annual Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise. 

 The company, which was established in 1990 by Jim Mitchell, offers planned and re-active maintenance and general construction services in the North-east.  Mr Mitchell launched the business with a vision to provide good customer service within the construction industry. 

JKM is one of three finalists in the Business Success (over 3 years) category in the prestigious awards hosted by Enterprise North East Trust.  The category is for companies which have been trading for over 3 years at 1st June 2008 and achieved exceptional, sustainable organic growth in any market sector.

JKM Managing Director Jim Mitchell says, “Our unique selling point in the industry is that we communicate.  Communication internally allows for a rapid and ‘can-do’ attitude, which ensures that we can respond to the needs of our resources.  External communication transfers itself into a customer-led and focused organisation that truly puts the customer first.” 

Since its inception, the company has grown organically, built around the customer service ethic.   JKM’s team is a key element of the business and the entire core of staff is employed on a PAYE basis.  Employees have been selected to ensure that all the different trades of the construction industry are represented both within the workforce and within the management team.      

Jim continues, “The company’s board of directors share a common goal to grow the business and achieve an annual turnover of £10 million by the end of the financial year 2011/2012.  To achieve this goal, we want to grow the business both organically and through acquisition.  We will continue our strategy of organic growth through maintaining our customer-focussed approach.” 

JKM made its first acquisition in November 2007, following protracted negotiations with North Building Maintenance (NBM).  The pairing of NBM’s reputation and quality workmanship with JKM’s own management systems for control and communication was recognised as an opportunity to continue growing whilst consolidating JKM’s principal of quality customer service.  The acquisition resulted in employee numbers increasing to more than 70. 

Jim concludes, “We are delighted to be finalists in the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise, as it’s rewarding recognition of the company’s sustained growth over the past 16 years.  Looking to the future, there are certain achievements which will help us to reach our goals, one of which is to employ local agents in the central belt to oversee contract awards out with the AB postcode.  This would provide the opportunity to extend our area of service delivery for our existing clients and also to increase our market share.”

The awards, which commend business achievement in companies of all sizes and enterprising individuals, are organised by Enterprise North East Trust (ENET) and sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Scottish Enterprise.  

Winners will be announced at a black tie awards ceremony on Thursday 12 June 2008 at Ardoe House Hotel by Aberdeen.  Ken Olisa, founder, chairman and CEO of Interregnum plc will be the keynote speaker at the event.  All finalists will receive a certificate with category winners picking up a coveted enterprise award.