AN ELECTRICAL company which has been in Whitchurch since the 1970s is marking its 50th anniversary next week.

On Tuesday, February 15, RS Birch & Partners, based on Ardglen Road, will have been running for half a century.

It was started by electrician Ron Birch in 1972, and he was joined two months in by Barry Lee.

Mr Birch retired in 1998 and sadly passed away in 2011, while Barry Lee retired in 2010.

However, the company is still very much a family affair, run by managing director Mark Crame, who was trained by the founders of the firm back in the mid-seventies, as well as Barry Lee’s two sons, Marc and Matthew, now both directors, who joined in 2002 and 2003 respectively.

They are joined in the office team by many family and friends, including Robert Bavister, who was also trained by the founders. Mark Crame’s son Zack also finished his apprenticeship with R S Birch several years ago and is learning the ropes in the office, while Marc Lee’s daughter Dawn Flanigan joins Jan Matland looking after the accounts.

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The company has grown over the years from the original duo to a staff of 19.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Jan Matland said: “It’s special these days, not many businesses last so long!”

Expanding on what’s kept the business successful so long, she added: “We work a lot with people in the local area, and we have quite a few long standing customers.

“We take on local apprentices. They go through the four-year apprenticeship and they often stay on. We try and help young people in the surrounding area and many have come through our books.”

Managing director Mark Crame added: "We want to thank all of our customers for the support of the 50 years and we hope to continue helping them in the years to come."

The firm plans to do something to bring together both employees and customers and celebrate the milestone later in the year.

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