SELECT grows memberships despite economic crisis

SELECT, the authoritative body for the electrotechnical industry, is defying the gloom of a post-recessionary environment in Scotland by continuing to add new member companies to the association.

Even though the harsh economic climate has hit companies in the construction sector particularly hard, the go-ahead trade body is still seeing appreciable net growth among companies who want to benefit from its stamp of authenticity and quality.

Newell McGuiness, managing director, SELECT said: "Over the past five years, membership has more than doubled, from 500 member companies in 2005 to in excess of 1,200 now".

"Our rate of expansion was very rapid until the recession hit, but even in the last two years, we have been adding in the region of 100 member companies a year.

There is no doubt that we are also losing the occasional member as companies fail, but even now we are still adding one or two a week and net growth is still going in the right direction".

Mr McGuiness said that growth had been driven in recent times by increased brand awareness due to a successful media strategy.

He also pointed out that SELECT membership could be a crucial differentiator between companies and in difficult trading conditions, owners and managers were actively pursuing every advantage available to them.

Growth and retention of members is ultimately driven by the SELECT's range of services, including expert technical advice, health and safety, training, employment affairs advice, networking and third party recognition.

Specifiers are increasingly aware of the value of the SELECT brand and pointed out that the Scottish Government earlier this year awarded a seal of approval to all firms who are Approved Certifiers of Construction.

The development has the potential to transform the perception of the skilled tradesmen and technicians within the SELECT family and will exponentially increase the opportunities available to qualifying businesses, especially those who have driven forward the vital green agenda of micro-renewable technologies.

Mr McGuiness concluded: "We have been proactive in our dealings with specifiers, including the appointment of a new Head of Specifier Relations, and they are increasingly aware of the benefits of using SELECT members in terms of a guaranteed solution.

"I have great confidence in the future of the construction industry and its ability to overcome short-term difficulties and I see our continuing membership growth as a very positive sign that the sector is still heading in the right direction".

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