As facilities become increasingly complex, sophisticated clients realise that although they are experts in their own field, successful engineering and construction projects are extremely complicated and require expertise across several specialist disciplines. For this reason they seek out Michael Lonsdale Group for creativity, financial stability, safety, and uncommon expertise, knowing that one good idea from this industry leader can save them both time and money.

Vision Turned Reality
The company was founded by its current group chairman, Michael J Hoodless, back in October 1986 and, working out of offices in Ascot, Berkshire, its first contract was worth the princely sum of £165.

Growth came quickly though, with Michael Lonsdale Group moving into bigger offices - this time in Slough - in 1988. At this time, the company was working for clients that operated primarily in the health and retail sectors, but by the start of the 1990s, and now undertaking mechanical installations throughout the UK, it had expanded further into pharmaceutical, banking, education, local authorities and commercial markets.

Michael Lonsdale Group's first major project was for Mercedes Benz (Hersham Motors), with a value of £220,000, whilst its first £1 million project was at the National History Museum's Earth Galleries.

In the same year that Michael Lonsdale Group celebrated its 10th anniversary, the industry voted the company the HVAC Contractor of the Year; an award that was supported by 10 years of financial growth and profit, and a turnover in 1996 of £14.5 million.

Entrepreneurial Leader
Offering a committed and enthusiastic approach to the installation of multi discipline building and engineering services throughout the length and breadth of the country, Michael Lonsdale Group had been led from the front by its entrepreneurial founder Michael J Hoodless; an industry professional with an unrivalled reputation for his passion, dedication and client delivery.

"Having a ‘hands-on' approach, I believe my passion is passed onto our staff. This harmony is reflected in the volume of repeat and referral work we obtain. We don't have the luxury of a business development manager - each and every one of us sell our success story," Michael explains.

This enlightened philosophy has seen Michael Lonsdale Group enjoy tremendous success over the years. In 2005, for instance, it was voted as one of the ‘Top 20 Key Players in the Industry', whilst in 2008 it was named ‘Company of the Year' for achieving the biggest year on year increase in top and bottom line growth in the HVAC industry. Also, in 2008, Michael J Hoodless was presented with the ‘Director of the Year' award by Deloitte, which was especially pleasing since he was completely unaware of the nomination. And to cap the highly successful ‘noughties', Michael Lonsdale Group was financially rated in the ‘Top 100 Contractors' by pre-tax profits, as published by Building magazine.

Of course, as with every other business, Michael Lonsdale Group has felt the effect of the global financial crisis, with Michael J Hoodless commenting: "This last year has proved difficult for the whole industry, and it has certainly tried and tested the company's abilities. However, with a positive attitude to marketing and the support and backing of an outstanding organisation, I am able to drive the business forward."

This ongoing evolution was underlined in 2009 when the business was restructured, with Michael Lonsdale Group now prepared and eagerly awaiting the green shoots of recovery. "We will continue to offer our clients a service of the highest quality, and are confident of big celebrations for our 25th anniversary in 2011," Michael J Hoodless said.

Securing a Competitive Advantage for Clients
Everyone within the company realises that every client it serves in today's marketplace is confronted with many new and unique challenges, often never before faced in commerce history. That's why Michael Lonsdale Group's entire team is committed to providing a portfolio of services and expertise that is designed to help secure a competitive advantage for its clients. It plans and executes its projects thoroughly and quickly, so that clients can judge the project as a success and achieve an end product that yields a high return on investment.

The Long View
Michael J Hoodless's vision, and that of many of its clients, is focused on the long view. The relationships it develops along the way are no less important to it than what they create together. It is this human element that the company wants its clients to seriously consider when they are envisioning their future, with its business revolving around its mission and the following core principles of service.

• Creating the right environment: by creating a development programme of industry skills and knowledge, Michael Lonsdale Group offers its clients a workspace environment of the highest possible standard.

• Understanding and responding to client needs: Michael Lonsdale Group employs highly skilled and motivated people who are capable of dealing directly with the client to achieve a total understanding of project objectives. Early involvement on the company's part will enable it to successfully drive the process from inception through to completion. An appreciation of its clients' needs ensures a rapid response to changes with minimal effect on programme and costs.
• Commitment to cost, quality and delivery: Michael Lonsdale Group sets itself clear, measurable targets to facilitate continuous improvement in services offered. Careful selection of material suitability, technical review of plant compatibility and employment of a highly skilled workforce will offer the client surety of cost and an installation of the highest standard with 'on time' deliverance.

• Employ an enthusiastic and flexible approach: a unique commitment to excellence ensures that all employers sustain a comprehensible and inspiring vision of success. By provoking debate, stimulating creativity and generating energy, the company can offer its clients an enthusiastic and flexible approach which is second to none.

• Taking ownership of responsibilities: Michael Lonsdale Group, faced with an increasingly, competitive market, cope by a continual cycle of responsive changes to company procedures. By taking ownership of responsibilities, these active processes optimise project management productivity and efficiency and thus provides the client with an enhanced customer service.

• Sharing a common goal of success: It is fact that those employers with good staff retention are more successful than those with a revolving door policy towards their staff. Michael Lonsdale Group retain, reward and motivate from within the organisation by sharing the company success - it is this success that is passed onto clients.

Solving Complex Problems
Michael Lonsdale Group routinely proposes suggestions to improve quality, expedite project completion, save money and provide the best value for the client. The company's managers study new jobs thoroughly; analysing the project, anticipating complications, devising strategies, making plans. They draw on the advice of experts within the company and beyond when there are complex technical problems to solve.

The company has recently, for example, been awarded the mechanical services package for the new prestigious head office of Nomura Bank.

Located at Watermark Place, Upper Thames Street, London, the project consists of an extensive refit to the existing 11-storey 56,000 m2 building, with the services package incorporating the fitting out of three trading floors on levels one, two and three, complete with low level cooling to trading desks via local desk chilled water manifolds and high level chilled water beams. Each trading floor covers 6000 m2 and will be occupied by 900 traders per floor upon completion.

The upper floors consist of high density fan coil layouts and will involve the relocation / reinstatement of over 1000 units, plus supply of new units to suit the client's meeting and executive areas.

New packaged ventilation plant will be installed on plant room floor levels four and five to satisfy requirements for the lower trading floors. Other floors in the 11 storey building will consist of a full catering kitchen and restaurant located at level six, complete with new kitchen ventilation plant and services. Hospitality and executive dining on the 11th floor will be served by further chilled beams and fan coil units. The ground floor will be fitted out with a Wellness gym and fitness centre, as well as reception areas.

The roof will be refitted utilising existing solar panels; the company will also add four new chiller units, which will be lifted via Upper Thames Street and connected to new chilled water pipework risers through the building.

Secondary equipment and main equipment rooms housing electrical switchgear are to be cooled via down flow and up flow air-conditioning unit via new 24-hour chilled water pipework circuits, allowing full cover around the clock.

Occupation of the trading floors in the building is one target for August 2010, with completion of the entire project by December 2010.

The Best People
Hiring only the best people and training them for continual professional improvement, the company's top management team is committed to personal involvement in all major projects, with their expertise delivering value that makes a real difference. So no matter what size or how complex the project, Michael Lonsdale Group helps its clients reach their goals, professionally and cost-effectively. Indeed, by setting the budget, diligently monitoring the actual costs, and identifying budget variances early in the construction process, Michael Lonsdale Group's management team finds solutions to potential cost overruns before they become reality and affect the entire budget. Doing so enables the company to manage its projects efficiently so that owners can be assured they will never be charged for unnecessary work or materials.

Attention to Detail
What makes Michael Lonsdale Group better than many of its competitors? The simple answer is that it offers better value, while providing higher levels of customer service and quality control. How does this affect a job? First, it means more attention to the small details many others overlook. Second, the company provide personalised customer service that does not end when the contract is signed. Finally, the company's customers have a greater level of confidence knowing that the company has the experience to recognise obstacles before they become problems. These all help to make Michael Lonsdale Group projects better by design.

The traditional values of integrity, quality and excellence are well established throughout Michael Lonsdale Group and every employee of the company understands how important these values are in satisfying the needs and expectations of their clients. Careful planning, monitoring, and managing of each phase of a project consistently assures that the highest standards of quality, scheduling, and cost effectiveness are achieved. Client satisfaction is Michael Lonsdale Group's primary objective.

Choosing the Right Partners
This approach to business is clearly evident in the company's supply chain management, with the right selection of sub-trades and suppliers being vital to the success of a project.

Michael Lonsdale Group, via its Supply Procurement Team (SPT) continuously search for and seek out appropriate companies that will help to enhance its own reputation. It is fundamental to the company's success that it selects partners capable of working alongside it in order to be able to offer innovation, expertise, capacity in volume, technical capability, and above all commitment to both the project and Michael Lonsdale Group as an organisation. The company values, respects and trusts it supply chain, and in return expects loyalty in service, honesty and integrity.

Providing a Virtual Walk Through
Michael Lonsdale Group utilises all of the latest technology, and the way in which it operates its 3D CAD modelling reduces on-site installation time and material wastage, which consequently enhances the built environment.

Having invested heavily in both hardware and software, the company can offer CAD production in both 2D and 3D; both of which are of the highest quality, using the latest cutting-edge technology. Its in-house operators are highly skilled technicians capable of producing accurate models from basic engineering designs.

Using design software, Michael Lonsdale Group works closely with a project's professional team(s) by interfacing its production, with the aim of zero on-site clashes. The 3D models produced can offer a virtual ‘walk through' for the client to fully envisage the packaged installation.

In addition, the company's supply chain trade contractors are able to download drawings for immediate shop fabrication. Should they need a greater understanding, they can refer to the 3D model for clarification, rather than wasting time and money on site visits.

Promoting an Injury-Free Environment
Michael Lonsdale Group is committed to the health and safety of employees, sub-contractors, clients and others who may visit its sites, and with this in mind has developed a culture that promotes an injury-free environment where every worker goes home fit and healthy at the end of every working day.

The company believes that every accident, and therefore every injury, is preventable, and the company has embedded this philosophy into every project through a combination of technical field procedures and ongoing training programmes. Indeed, the company is dedicated to elevating the standard for safety in the construction industry through a wide variety

of methods, whilst also providing its employees and sub contractors with the tools, knowledge and resources they need to increase safety, reduce risk and improve loss control on every project.

Michael J Hoodless explains: "To ensure the highest standards are achieved and maintained, we operate a strict regime of health and safety training. All site personnel are provided with the appropriate information to fulfil their duties and clear instructions on the operational aspects of any associated plant and equipment.

"All procedures are continually reviewed and where necessary amended to minimise the risk of injury and ill health, and to ensure a level of excellence is maintained at all times."

A Diverse & Loyal Client-Base
Michael Lonsdale Group provide bespoke solutions to a wide range of challenges, which has enabled it to establish a strong, diverse and loyal client base. The company takes an active part in the services profession, having representation on various trade associations and institute committees. A nationwide service, admired by its competitors, is executed from the company's head office in Langley and regional offices in Loughton and London. Michael Lonsdale Group delivers the right working environment within budget and to a standard that consistently exceeds client expectations.

Diversity, quality, and reliability are the hallmarks of Michael Lonsdale Group. Separately, they effectively characterise the company. The first defines its capabilities, the second, its workmanship, and the third, its commitment to those for whom it works. Together they enable the company to provide clients with quality-conscious, cost-effective project planning, management and execution.

From the very beginning, Michael Lonsdale Group was determined to provide the industry's best service and job performance for the client, while providing the best in equipment, benefits, and continual education and training for its employees. As can be clearly seen, it is a business model that has worked well!

Michael Lonsdale Group is recognised as a leader in construction industry. Its position and strength enables the company to provide additional value to its clients and opportunities for its employees. Together they are building the dream.

To contact: michael.hoodless@michaellonsdale.com
For further information visit: www.michaellonsdale.com