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Repair firm forges family connections

The family bond is at the heart of expansion plans for one local repair firm.
Repair engineer Clive Aitken has grown his business by taking on someone whose skills he knows very well – his brother-in-law.

Clive, of Conisbrough, Doncaster, took over the franchise for 0800 Repair in 2009. The firm specialises in fixing household goods such as washing machines, cookers and tumbles driers, and its vans can be recognised by the distinctive 7ft screwdriver on the top.

Clive’s brother-in-law, Steven Wilsher, is a former civil engineer with a background in the railway industry. As a result of the recession, Steven wanted to try his hand at something different, and his brother-in-law Clive realised that his skills could be put to good use at 0800 Repair.

The decision was made over Christmas dinner at the end of last year, when Clive offered to train Steven up and add him to the 0800 team covering areas including Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham, and Sheffield.

Clive said: “Steven was looking for a new direction. Over Christmas dinner I suggested that he come and work for me, and he took me up on the offer.

“He’s a quick learner, and after working with him since January, he’s now fully trained up to go out on his own. I’ve never worked with family before, so it’s been an education – but he’s a great addition to the team.”

Clive runs the local franchise for 0800 Repair. The North East-based company fixes household goods, such as fridges, cookers and washing machines, for homeowners and major high street retailers such as Argos, LG Electronics and Panasonic.

0800 provides sub-contracting work for a network of 400 engineers and is also rolling out the brand nationally via 150 franchisees, comprising trusted engineers who want to run their own businesses.

0800 Repair, which is part of the Pacifica Group, is expecting to see a turnover of £12m in 2009/2010, with plans to double that figure by 2014.

The company has a repair centre based in Spennymoor, County Durham, a 25,000 sq ft distribution and repair centre in Elland, West Yorkshire, an IT centre in Surbiton, Surrey, and call centres in Chester-le-Street and Dinnington, Rotherham.