Two mates have brought their businesses under one roof. Pictured left to right, Philip Miller and Chris Pattinson met at school, play football for the same team and each took over their respective businesses from their dads. Phil’s firm ABCA Systems, of Killingworth, Newcastle upon Tyne, has bought out Chris’s firm Tyneside Security, installing old buddy Chris as Managing Director.
It follows a bumper year for fire and security installer ABCA which employs 180 people. The firm, which specialises in access control, fire alarms, networking infrastructure and CCTV, saw turnover rise more than 50 per cent to £23m last year. The company has grown every year since Phil took over the firm from his father in 2005.
Phil, who lives in Jesmond, said: “ABCA is a north east success story and already one of the UK’s market leaders in fire and security systems. The time was ripe for expansion and Chris’s firm is the perfect fit. It’s the first business we’ve bought and we’ve bought it because it’s a success with the potential to grow and grow. ABCA has grown organically through the years, and we can bring them enhanced accreditations as well as pass on the efficiencies of a large national team to Tyneside Security’s small, local family business to the benefit of our employees and our customers. The fact that I know Chris so well is just the icing on the cake.”
Phil and Chris went to Newcastle Royal Grammar School and they both still play for the Old Novocastrians football team which has links with the school. Like Phil, Chris took over his business from his father. He was turning a loss to a profit in his first year, and it’s grown ever since. Tyneside Security offers the installation, service and maintenance of intruder alarms, CCTV and fire alarms across the north east region.
Chris said: “We‘ve known each other for years and became good friends. Talking shop and discussing our business plans was very natural and I was delighted when Phil suggested he takes the company under his wings and keeps me on as MD.”
The Tyneside Security brand and business will continue as usual. Phil and Chris point to ABCA’s training facilities, technical support and buying power. Phil said: “I suppose it’s quite unique that our lives have followed quite similar paths since we met and I’m looking forward to working together. But friendship has not affected a hard-headed business decision for both of us.
“Tyneside Security already has a good reputation in our industry sector and great brand awareness. Chris took the company over at a time when his family had serious health issues and, despite that, he turned it around and made it a success. That is one of the reasons he is the right person to steer the business onwards.”
Visit www.abcasystems.co.uk.
