Company's goal is growth.

Byline: Wells Integrated

WELLS Integrated Cabling Systems (WICS) is a company that has one major goal ... growth. The Stockton-based firm - an internationally recognised market leader for the installation, commissioning and maintenance of Real-Time Public Information (RTPI) systems - has opened a new office in the South of England and is bidding for a number of major new contracts.

WICS has already implemented phase one of its international campaign by strategically launching an IT base in Bracknell, Berkshire known as the Silicone Valley of the UK, thereby positioning itself closer to its ever-expanding client base in the South of the England, allowing the company to procure and tap into the vein of exciting new realms of business possibilities and future projects.

Wells targeted Steve Faulkner as a key acquisition for the company, and he has now been appointed IT director and is spearheading the IT division of Wells.

The company can now offer a vast array of IT services in an ever-growing business world that is heavily reliant on technology, more and more every day. Steve has a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of IT implementations and solutions. He has learned to deal and work with pressure from his early days serving in the Royal Signals regiment of the Wells British Army, working in some of the most extreme conditions in the Middle East and other world hot spots.

Steve started his IT career as an EPOS engineer and his leadership skills and technical aptitude were quickly acknowledged. He eventually became a technical design authority and implementations specialist within one of the most prestigious IT companies in the world.

During his career path Steve worked with some of the world's leading blue chip, most innovative companies, including, Nortel, IBM, Siemens and Fujitsu.

Steve said: "Customer focus, service delivery and innovation are our key attributes. Too many companies today feel like not enough care and attention is given to their specific needs, our aim is to ensure our customers experience excellent service, plain and simple."

"We feel it is also important that in today's tough climate that we strive to innovate more to our business clients to achieve a more efficient and dynamic IT environment, mainly focusing on reducing cost and at the same time helping companies achieve compliance and environmental goals.

"We are also going to focus our attention on expanding our services in Europe as we feel with the current market conditions and the weakness of the pound this is an ideal opportunity to target previously hard to tap markets."

Steve recently met with Sharon Bowles MEP and the chairman of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, to discuss how British companies such as Wells can take advantage of exporting services and products.

Since Steve has started he has successfully acquired partnership status with business giants such as Microsoft, Motorola and Cisco which allows Wells to be more competitive in the market place. He has also helped Wells win some very prestigious contracts and clients. The firm continues to see a fantastic growth pattern within its new IT division.

Richard Fletcher, business development manager, said: "We are riding the recession well - and you have to invest in your business if you want to take it forward". New projects would also allow WICS to further nurture new talent by taking on more apprentices within the business. Wells' apprenticeship's scheme is a hugely rewarding addition to both company and apprentice respectively.

Established in 2002, WICS works for major blue-chips including Siemens VDO, Arriva and Marconi and installed control technology on real-time public information systems for more than 25 local transport authorities. In 2005, it expanded its range of services to include fully comprehensive, NICEIC approved and ASLEC-registered electrical installation section.

As well as electrical installation work, maintenance, inspection, testing and certification, the company also provide a design and consultancy service to numerous clients including NATS (National Air Traffic Services).

Closer to home the Stockton head office is also bidding for new work.

"We are already bidding for a large scale contract which we are confidently waiting to hear about in the very near future," said Richard. "We are talking to a number of companies about contracts," he added. "If successful these would come on stream at the end of this year or the beginning of next." WICS has transformed from a small home base setup to an internationally recognised market-leader. Successes from this year includes securing a pounds 2.5m deal to develop information systems for US bus networks in Portland, Oregon and New York and a contract to upgrade IT networks at four Morrison's supermarket sites across the UK.

If the supermarket giant decides to roll out the upgrade across its 383 stores, WICS stands to win up to pounds 8m of new business.

"We want to keep expanding and growing," added Richard.

CAPTION(S):

Wells IT director, Steve Faulkner