IDSS supplies energy efficient air conditioning and security systems to Laura Ashley

April 2008

ID Support Services has become an approved contract provider to Laura Ashley, using their wealth of retail experience to install energy efficient air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems into new and existing Laura Ashley stores across the UK and Ireland through GK Industrial. As well as the stores environmental services, ID Technology and ID Intact have also begun supplying Intruder Alarm and Electronic Article Surveillance plus tags to new stores.

As one of the UK’s most respected and famous retailers, Laura Ashley is renowned for its high quality and leading edge fashion that has made it become one of the most famous brands on the high street spanning over 50 years.

With an expansive new store opening and refurbishment programme being conducted by Laura Ashley, they had to ensure that its store environment, including its heating and air conditioning system is working perfectly for its customers. GK Industrial has therefore been chosen as an approved contractor to design and install the store HVAC system, and has already installed systems to a number of UK and Ireland stores.

Alan Williams, national sales manager at GK added: “We are very proud to be associated with a high profile retailer such as Laura Ashley, and believe this is testament to our personal approach that we endeavour to give to our customers.

Our experience of delivering excellent service to other major national retailers, added with specialist industry skills and a number of specialist disciplines being supplied through one turnkey supplier was proven to Laura Ashley, and was one of the main reasons I believe why they have chosen to work with GK and ID.”

Retailers can make “massive” costs and energy savings by using ‘Free Cooling’ rather than traditional Air Conditioning systems

March 2008

New research has shown that the adoption of ‘Free Cooling’ into traditional HVAC systems in the retail sector could make massive savings in energy costs as demonstrated already by GK Industrial Ltd working in partnership with Wilkinson Hardware Stores.

Wilkinson, which has a property portfolio of nearly 300 stores across the UK, is one of the leading energy efficient and ‘green’ retailers on the high street. As part of their proactive approach to the environment and energy management, Wilkinson is constantly searching for ways in which it can maximise the efficiency of its heating and cooling systems to combat increasing energy bills.

GK Industrial provides energy efficient climate control solutions to Wilkinson covering the installation and maintenance of its entire HVAC estate. This gave GK the ideal platform to develop the Free Cooling initiative in partnership with Wilkinson.

By working together the Free Cooling concept was developed and applied to the existing HVAC systems, which in essence uses outside ambient air temperature to maintain the required store temperature parameters; thus replacing the traditional method of constantly running rooftop compressors to re-circulate air to a set temperature irrespective of the temperature outside. Suitable testing validated the benefits by quantifying the associated energy savings.

The results showed that on average the Free Cooling system ran at almost 80% less than the original recirculation system - 9 hours compared to 45 hours. This equated to an average energy cost saving of over 40p per square foot per annum in a typical Wilkinson store based on current energy prices.

Wilkinson is now rolling out the Free Cooling system to 148 of its stores where ducted ventilation systems allow Free Cooling to be undertaken.

David Goldberg, Managing Director at GK Industrial comments:

“These findings are truly fantastic for both GK and Wilkinson. It proves that Free Cooling can deliver huge energy cost savings for the retail sector by maintaining or reducing the internal temperature without the need to run the expensive mechanical refrigeration system.

“There are so many direct benefits to Free Cooling. To name a few, it reduces compressor running hours, energy usage and running costs, whilst increasing the lifespan of the system. It also improves air quality by introducing greater quantities of fresh air.”

Leigh Oldfield, Property Maintenance Manager for Wilkinson said:

“In addition to the cost savings and benefits in relation to long term sustainability, the new system will help create a better ambience in our stores. Inevitably it will lead to an improved shopping experience for our customers and a better working environment for our employees.

“We are working closely with GK Industrial to review our energy efficiency across the store network. Wilkinson has set an objective to become one of the most energy efficient retailers on the high street. This is not just in response to increasing energy costs and impending legislation, but as part of our ongoing commitment to protect the environment.”

The Wilkinson trial lasted for 67.5 hours over a three day period, with outside temperatures ranging from 13 centigrade to 23 centigrade during the trial.

IDSS Continues its expansion with key acquisition

January 2008

Middleton based ID Support Services Holdings Limited (IDSS) has continued its expansion with the acquisition of Scotia Energy Saving Systems Limited for an undisclosed sum.

Scotia Energy supplies and maintains air conditioning, heat recovery, refrigeration, heating and ventilation systems throughout Scotland and the North of England.

Established in 1980, Scotia Energy employs over 60 staff with headquarters in Glenrothes, Scotland. Over the last 20 years, the company has increased in size, reputation and turnover, to become one of the most respected climate control and energy service providers in Scotland.

IDSS which employs over 150 people, operates through two trading groups offering support services to blue chip, multi-site customers in the retail, leisure and commercial sectors.

GK Industrial is based in Doncaster and offers energy efficient climate control, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. ID Technology Group specialises in CCTV, Access Control and electronic tagging systems, with a specialist Alarms division ID Intact.

Scotia Energy will trade as a subsidiary of GK Industrial and will broaden its customer base and strengthen its geographical coverage.

Chief Executive David Metcalfe commented:

“We are expanding every area of the business and the acquisition of Scotia Energy is a significant development for GK Industrial and the group. “

“Scotia Energy is a long standing business with turnover in excess of £5 million and a very impressive client base spanning local authorities, hospitals, universities, retail, leisure and commercial sectors.”

He added:

“Scotia Energy fits perfectly with our growth strategy for GK Industrial, and strengthens its position as the leading national provider of climate control and energy efficiency solutions. We plan to make further acquisitions as we build the Group’s business to our target of £100 million sales.”

Scotia Energy Managing Director Phil Vaughan commented on the acquisition:

“We welcomed the approach from IDSS and were most impressed with the ideas, the vision and the quality of the personnel concerned.

When we realised that GK Industrial, a leader in the air conditioning industry were very similar to ourselves in focusing on providing a quality service, it was easy for us to make our decision to join IDSS.

We are confident that the future of Scotia Energy Saving Systems Limited looks positive. Being part of a larger organisation secures the future of the company and the employees, and gives us greater opportunities to expand our already successful business.”

ID Support Services Holdings acquires Intact Electronics Limited

December 2007

Middleton based ID Support Services Holdings Limited (IDSS) has continued its expansion with the acquisition of Bolton based Intact Electronics Limited for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition of Intact, a specialist security and alarms company, further broadens ID’s service offering as the group continues to increase its market share as a leading supplier of support services.

IDSS which employs 140 people, operates through two trading groups offering design, installation, call out, maintenance and monitoring services delivered through its national networks of skilled engineers to blue chip, multi-site customers in the retail, leisure and commercial sectors.

Manchester based ID Technology Group specialises in CCTV, Access Control and electronic tagging systems. GK Industrial, is based in Doncaster and offers energy efficient climate control heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Intact Electronics Ltd will be re-branded as ID Intact and operate as a subsidiary of ID Technology Group.

The acquisition of Intact follows record financial performance by IDSS with the business last month announcing a 56% increase in profits to £1.7 million for the year to 30 June, on turnover up 28% to £18.8 million.


Chairman Brian Dunn, who founded the business in 1997 from a shop in Chadderton commented:

“We are expanding every area of the business and the acquisition of Intact is a significant development for the group. It gives us a new service line to offer to our customers and represents a very exciting growth opportunity.”

Brian added:

“We plan to make further appropriate acquisitions as we build the business to the £100m turnover group to which we aspire.”

The existing management team at Intact, headed by Managing Director, David Pearson will remain in place.

David Pearson commented:

“I am delighted to become part of a larger group with a great team who have exciting and progressive plans for the future. Intact Electronics was ready to move to the next stage and IDSS offers us a substantial platform from which to grow.”

2007 has been a busy period for IDSS. The firm’s record turnover and acquisition announcement follows fast on the heels of an investment made in the group by Aberdeen Asset Managers Growth Capital in March of this year who took a significant minority equity stake in the business.