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Managing director Simon Morgan believes the industry has been permanently changed by the downturn - but also thinks useful lessons can be learned from it for all construction companies.
New holding company structure
Wide spread of work
Recession restructuring
Growth areas
No going back?
50 for 50
Founded 1963
Location Shaftesbury, Dorset
Number of employees 390
Turnover £34m
Wessex Group turns 50 this year, but the Dorset-based company is still family-owned after five decades of trading.
It is currently led by managing director Simon Morgan. His father, Tony, set up as a self-employed electrician trading under the name AT Morgan in 1963.New holding company structure
It was renamed to Wessex Electricals in 1967, becoming incorporated in 1972. Expansion followed in the 1970s and 1980s due to a buoyant economy and the increasing maturity of the company.
Wessex Building Services and Wessex Fire and Security were formed during this period, with Simon joining as a trainee security surveyor in Fire and Security (then known as Wessex Alarms).
"Ali and I realised that our skillsets complemented each other so we decided to pool our resources"Simon Morgan, Wessex Group
Mr Morgan's younger brother Alistair joined Wessex Electricals soon after this in 1993, with founder Tony envisioning each of his sons taking charge of their respective companies eventually.
"This did happen, but when Tony began thinking about retirement after turning 60 we changed the plan slightly," Mr Morgan says.
"Ali and I realised that our skillsets complemented each other so we decided to pool our resources. We both effectively moved up to work for Wessex Group, a newly created holding company for the three companies underneath."
Tony Morgan...