He then ran Tribune Security Alarms until again selling in 2000. During those years he says he "fought long and hard to gain recognition for the small, competent installers who were in danger of being pushed out of business by the new police policy, and fought an on-going battle with the insurers who were pushing NACOSS."
He was instrumental in forming the Integrity 2000 inspectorate (now merged with SSAIB). Last year he worked as a system designer for Gem Security designing everything from domestics to large commercials. He has personally installed around 2,500 alarm and access systems in South Wales.
SI: So why and how did you enter the security industry?
AJ: In 1978 I realised how vulnerable my own house was so I bought a DIY kit from Exchange & Mart and installed it. Two or three other jobs followed so I packed in my job, formed a business, learned more from a lad who was working for a NSCIA firm and soon had fifty six jobs in. I then bought some installations from a guy who was finishing due to ill health and I was away! That was two thousand jobs ago!
SI: Have things got better or worse?
AJ: Very much better. Installers are better, equipment is better and cheaper in real terms and the industry generally now has credibility. Over regulation is going to spoil things though.
SI: What is the best and worse thing about being an installer?
AJ: Managing your time just as you want to, doing a worthwhile job which you love and getting a cheque off a satisfied customer. The worst things are getting your money in for commercial jobs, and faults reported at 5pm which they have known about all day (or reported just as someone is leaving for the airport having not used the alarm for months).
SI: If you could change one thing what would it be?
AJ: That many insurers have a policy insistence on NACOSS-only. It's unfair, a restriction of trading, always has been and always will be until we get one inspectorate that concentrates more on installation standards and aesthetic appearance of the finished job on site and less on mountains of paperwork and other empire building nonsense which is strangling the alarms industry.
SI: What is the biggest threat facing the industry?
AJ: Without a doubt it is installers undercutting each other to get the work which is resulting in silly prices, particularly in the domestic sector. The cheapest gear is often used and literally thrown in to make the contract viable. Standards are being forced downwards and I'm certain that the specification, in many cases, is not adequate for the risk involved. If you reduce the value of your product, people will value you less. Fact!
SI: Would you agree that the job is changing so rapidly that some installers can't keep up?
AJ: I think that is true of some self-employed installers or two-man bands who are working flat out to make a living, but unfortunately, everything in this world is changing rapidly and if you don't keep up you get left behind.
Pet immune detectors ... at the risk of upsetting the manufacturers, I’ll say there is no such thing!
SI: Is there too much red tape now?
AJ: Regulation is needed but I think nowadays it's going over the top. Some people are building empires and mountains of paper. Have you heard of "Jobs for the boys"?
SI: What is your most memorable installation?
AJ: It has to be a 16-zone domestic I did a few months ago. Beautiful house, newly decorated, new fitted carpets, weyroc floors. Lady of the house says"No cables, no carpets up, no floors up". Oh dear, with heart in mouth I drilled 20mm holes in the top corner of every room into the cavity. A string with fishing lead weight was dropped down from up top to every point and I got it every time (first attempt) with a coathanger. I cut a hole in the cellar wall and, yes, all the cables to the end station literally fell down the cavity into my hands. God was with me ... or a huge fluke. Memorable alright!
SI: What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at work?
AJ: When installing a 'posh' domestic on a Sunday, the house filled with the mouth watering smell of roast dinner cooking. Lady of the house walks past us two or three times with steaming plates of roast beef, Yorkshire pud etc. Lady of the house then says "Yours is in the kitchen lads". We fell over ourselves to get to the kitchen. Would you believe it? ... two cheese sandwiches!
SI: What achievement has given you the most pleasure?
AJ: Without a doubt it is 'taking on' ACPO and winning on behalf of the small installers in South Wales and, indeed, the UK in general. It was in 1994 when the first New Police Policy threatened to shut us out from getting URNs, sending many of us, all over the UK, to the wall. I was instrumental in the original idea which gave birth to Integrity 2000 forming an alternative inspectorate (now merged with SSAIB). I was rewarded with Approved Installer Certificate 0001 ... presented to me at IFSEC at the NEC.
SI: How do you see your business developing?
AJ: Give me a break! ... I'm 63 now! I'll be happy to do small installations as they come in from recommendations because soon I'll be swapping my ladders for a Zimmer frame, my car for a battery scooter and getting meals on wheels! I'll be happy to do wire free domestics. That's the way to go ... no wires, no grief, one-day job, nice cheque.
SI: What type of equipment have you had most trouble with and why?
AJ: Without a doubt, it's pet immune detectors. At a risk of upsetting the manufacturers, I'll say there is no such thing. One might design a clever detector but one can't tell puss "Don't climb on the back of the sofa or the window sill while mummy's out and stay off the kitchen units or you'll have the cops around.
SI: Do manufacturers take enough notice of your opinions?
AJ: Generally no. But if you nag them on a valid point and they have enough representations they will change things ... but they'll never admit it.
They'll say "It's our policy of continued improvement".
The ‘sparks’ seem to be invading the fire and domestic alarm sector ... we need to invade their territory
SI: Do installers need to be more 'multi-purpose' in outlook?
AJ: Yes, I think they will have to be from now on. The 'sparks' seem to be invading the fire and domestic alarm sector so CCTV and access control has to be part of your overall product. We need to invade their territory and start putting in garage door openers and remote gate openers. Good money here but product and fitting training is poor at the moment.
SI: Do you see IP technology as an opportunity or a threat?
AJ: Is 'IP' something to do with a weak bladder ... or enlarged prostrate? Or is that IP too frequently?
SI: Do installers have enough 'say' in the industry?
AJ: No we don't, but it's our own fault. We don't have a concerted voice in the way of a properly run trade association like the electricians and the plumbers. Top decisions are made by some people who have never seen the inside of a PIR or a control panel, let alone installed a system. BSIA British Insurance Association, Retail Consortium and so on ... a disgrace in my opinion.
SI: How has being an installer affected your private life?
AJ: Not at all. I've always enjoyed a low out-of-hours call rate through careful original survey, sound installation and using good gear. Getting home late from installations can cause grief but it goes with the territory.
SI: If you had your life again would you become an installer?
AJ: Probably not. No, I'd rather become a barrister and earn £1,000 per day ... or a self employed plumber and earn almost as much.
Source
Security Installer
Postscript
Alun Jenkins of Cromwell-Dene
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