INDUSTRYNEWS
SPONSORED BY ALDRIDGE SECURITY
FIRECO: THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY
BEHIND A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
I first came across Fireco when I was
editor of a magazine about care homes.
I was impressed at the time and it is
good to see many years later, that the
company has gone on to achieve even
greater things and is still involved in the
care sector.
As is the case with many successful
companies, Fireco started out as little
more than an idea. In this instance, it
was inspired by the 80s plastic “dancing
daisies” that moved to music from a
“ghetto blaster. “
Watching the action, the inventive – and
perhaps a tad eccentric - mind of MD Neil
Purssey quickly recognised that if a plastic
daisy can be made to dance to music, then
why can’t a door wedge respond to the
sound of the fire alarm? Neil’s background
in mechanical engineering led him from
this idea to the first product, Dorgard,
which has proved to be an unrivalled
success.
To read more, visit www.locksmithjournal.co.uk
But Neil is not your average MD.
Educated in Weybridge, Surrey, he
joined AC Cars of Thames-Ditton,
manufacturer of the famous Cobra, while
studying for his HNC in Mechanical
Engineering. His success within
motor racing developments prompted
recruitment by Bernie Ecclestone to the
Brabham Racing Team and development
of Formula One cars alongside Gordon
Murray. Heady stuff – but Neil is not a
man who lets the grass grow.
Fireco gained its initial reputation for
its manufacture of intelligent products
and systems that actually ‘listen’ for
the sound of the fire alarm, helping
providers efficiently meet their statutory
responsibilities.
But from a human perspective –thinking
back to those care home days – it offers
vital protection and reassurance in terms
both of fire safety and security.
The company then established its
Services division which now also provides
a full range of Building Consultancy and
before long the Architectural Ironmongery
division, specialising in door control,
followed.
Much of the company’s success stems
from its people – led by Neil’s dedicated, if
avant-garde approach behind which is the
ethos: “Work hard, play hard – it’s what
we do.”
It’s certainly a long way from those
dancing daisies...
THE NOV/DEC 2013 ISSUE
SPONSORED BY ADVANCED KEYS
23