ANDY Besant didn't let the grass grow under his feet when he lost his job as a salesman. Within a month he had set up his own business and 36 years later it is still going strong.
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"There were very few independent electrical contractors around at the time but lots of the big boys, so having knowledge of the trade I decided go into business with a partner," Andy recalled.
He spent most of his time working in private houses although there was some work in offices and schools. When Andy's wholesaler went bust in 1986 he took over the business on Gloucester Road, Bishopston, and the name Ablectrics went up above the shop door.
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Ablectrics, which trades as electrical wholesalers and lighting specialist, now has a turnover nudging half a million pounds. It has a staff of four, one of whom has been on the payroll for 20 years.
Three years ago Andy took his son Fraser, now aged 25, into the business.
"He's really pushing it forward and has gone big on selling energy-saving lights," he said.
The firm makes free on-site visits to firms in Bristol to carry out a survey of their existing lighting.
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"We then explain the financial long-term benefits of introducing energy saving lights," said Fraser.
He has also developed a new website enabling customers to order online.
"After gaining a reputation for being a key supplier of lighting, we expanded the premises to build a lighting showroom. With rival lighting shops closing down we quickly became busy. During the past year we have opened over 20 new trade accounts. With another 12 months of growth it's our plan to open another branch," he said.
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