Paul Mc Farlane

Was responsible for promoting initially Crompton Lighting products, later to evolve into Cooper Lighting. I managed and run area to achieve targetted sales growth and margins. This involved securing specifications from Consulting Engineers,major end users, local authorities and educational establishments. Electrical Contractors were also a major outlet and source of specification through their design and build divisions. Electrical Wholesale business was maximised via promotions targetting specific market segments. As an example we targetted small bed & breakfast business to promote and highlight the need for Emergency exit signs, the end result was respectable business at exceptional margins. Initially my area covered East and Central Scotland, due to various ongoing restructuring programmes, was for long periods of time on and off covering and managing Glasgow and West Coast also. During these periods managed to solely maintain the Cooper brand and increase business throughout Scotland.

During my time at Senate Electrical I was responsible for promoting all Electrical Wholesale items. Main route was Electrical Contractors,major end users such as Local Authorities, Educational establishments, Health boards,hotel and lesuire chains. Was responsible for managing accounts to achieve, and exceed sales targets. This involved direct project negociation and tendering to secure longterm fixed price contracts. Key element of our business was the Stratus own brand Lighting systems and products, these were marketed and and supported by additional inhouse personnell. This was when I developed a passion for providing solutions and selling Lighting. During this period I gained extensive and invaluable exposure to all business opportunities within the Edinburgh area for Electrical products, this allowed me to develop many longterm business relations.

Blakley Electrics designed, manufactured and distributed high performance power and lighting products,such as heavy duty IP rated switchgear, transformers and Lighting products ranging from 24v - 1100v, along with a range of Earth Leakage monitoring equipment and custom built products. Main route to market were typically large scale industrial end users, such as Babcock Thorn ( Rosyth Naval Dockyard), and major gas plants and refinerys such as Grangemouth, Mossmoran and St Fergus. Also dealt extensively with local authorities, main building and electrical contractors. I was first point of contact and responsible for actively seeking out new business opportunties, then developing and servicing this customer base.This involved technical and sales support at all levels. Greatest business achivement during this period was developing the Babcock Thorn account at Rosyth Naval Dockyard, (and the resulting stratospheric sales growth) which was at the time the largest industrail warship and submarine refitting facility in Western Europe.

After serving an indentured four year apprenticeship, was responsible for the instalation,maintenace and repair of a wide variety of industrial Electrical equipment. This included medium and low voltage switchgear, power distribution and controls,these were primarily three phase systems. Also posses extensive experience working on a vast range of flame proof and intrinsically safe electrical and electronic controls, communication and lighting systems. Also became an active member of the Mines Rescue Team during this period.