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Have you ever wondered what the industry's influential figures have on their desk? From an Italian glass magnifier to part of ANEW’s soon-to-be released brand brochure, you can tell a lot about a person by their desk. This is why Voltimum's roving reporter, Frankie Snobel, scoped out the desk of BEMCO Managing Director, Simon Barkes.
With experience ranging from City of London accountant to running a large and thriving independent electrical wholesaler, this dedicated businessman has taken on this family business to help grow BEMCO (started up by his grandfather) towards even more industry success.
Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Simon is no stranger the electrical wholesale business. His grandfather joined Tyneside Supply Co. in the late 1800’s as an apprentice and after many years of hard work, eventually bought out the partners upon their retirement. He then renamed the company to The British Electrical Manufacturing Company, known today under the acronym BEMCO. When Simon was born, his father came into the business, relocating the family to London to run that part of the company.
Simon didn’t initially intend to take over BEMCO from his father, but rather attended the University of Exeter, graduating with a degree in accountancy. He then worked as an accountant in the City before joining the army for 3 ½ years. Simon held the position of Reconnaissance Troop Commander and was based in Germany. Upon his return to the UK, Simon then joined the BEMCO business working for the Abingdon branch, eventually becoming the Branch Manager. From here, Simon moved to London, first running the London branch and then moving up to running the company through “managing the managers” and supplying a strategic overview for the business and its future.
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1. IMELCO Meeting Document: This email print up discusses an upcoming meeting in Hanover. This meeting has been scheduled to prepare the agenda for a big IMELCO meeting that is soon taking place in London. Simon is the President of IMELCO and has been in this role since June 2008. As President, Simon negotiates on behalf of IMELCO members with European based suppliers.
2. Branch Manager’s Meeting Document: This email print up details an upcoming Branch Manager’s meeting in Spennymoor, Durham. Here attendees will discuss their businesses, how they can help each other and their plans for the future. There will also be a Thorn Lighting factory tour scheduled for the following day, as Thorn is a big supplier for BEMCO and their newly built factory has plenty of innovative technology and products to showcase.
3. Paper Calendar: Simon prefers an “old fashioned” paper calendar to keep on top of his busy schedule.
4. Phillips Pad of Paper: BEMCO has a good relationship with Philips, as they are one of its key suppliers.
5. ANEW Brochure: This is just part of a large product catalogue that ANEW is in the midst of working on. ANEW is the largest consortium of electrical wholesalers in the UK and BEMCO is a member.
6. Branch Monthly Figure Reports: Despite the tough current economic climate, BEMCO London is experiencing a “gentle sales growth”. Simon believes that this is largely due to their investment in the future. “We’ve invested in the premises and the people over the past two years and are now seeing the benefits of this.”
7. Glass Paperweight: This lovely glass desk ornament was given to Simon as a gift from a supplier.
8. Glass magnifier: Simon received this text magnifier as a gift from the Italian Wholesalers Federation. “I don’t need to use it…yet, but there will come a day when I will,” laughed Simon.
9. Notes from EUEW Meeting: Simon represented the EDA (he is on the EDA board) at a recent European Union of Electrical Wholesalers meeting in Marburg, Germany. In 2011, the EUEW General Convention will be taking place in Edinburgh, Scotland and Simon will be largely responsible for organising the event.
10. Mobile: Simon is out and about attending meetings a couple of days a week, so his mobile is therefore an important means of staying in contact with clients and family. Simon lives in Dorset with his wife and children. His eldest daughter is temporarily away from home though, as she is admirably volunteering abroad for a charity in Calcutta, India working as an assistant psychologist at a schizophrenic hospital.
11. Eaton Mug: Eaton is another big supplier for BEMCO. This mug celebrates MEM’s centenary, which took place last year. Simon fills his mug with coffee, white, no sugar.
12. BEMCO Website: Found at www.bemco.co.uk, here you can view BEMCO locations and maps, products and news.