An engineer who set up his national plumbing, heating and electrical firm at his Frodsham home five years ago has stayed true to his roots by keeping the business in the town.
Rory Woodhouse, 28, started his firm by taking on an apprentice and carrying out plumbing and electrical jobs for households across Frodsham and Helsby. Now the company’s customers come from as far and wide as Birmingham and London.
Rory said: “I started at my house then moved into a small unit in an old dairy in Helsby and then most recently into our current offices at Frodsham Business Centre. As someone who grew up in Frodsham I’m proud to have kept the business in the town.”
“We’ve also developed from it being a two man operation to employing six engineers and two office staff, who all live within four miles of Frodsham Business Centre.”
Rory’s passion for his trade came when he did his secondary school work experience with a local plumber called Kevin Ball.
Kevin later went on to offer Rory an apprenticeship and teach him the skills needed to begin his career.
Rory said: “I owe Kevin a lot, to learn from an experienced and well-respected engineer was the best possible grounding for me.”
In the early days the business was built on work in people’s homes but over time the company has taken on more commercial business contracts.
Rory said: “Half of our business is now commercial contracts which I think is a healthy balance, it means we’re not putting all our eggs in one basket.”
The business moved to Frodsham Business Centre in February this year and has already expanded to take a further office there.
Rory said: “The business centre has been so accommodating since we moved in and it has certainly made the transition to our new offices much easier. There is a real culture of supporting each other among the businesses based here and the centre has even taken us on for the contract to refurbish their toilet facilities which is great.”
