Pimlico Plumbers

Pimlico Plumbers
Domestic service provider
Industry Plumbing, electrical wiring, heating, roofing
Founded 1979 (1979)
Headquarters London, United Kingdom
Key people
 Charlie Mullins
Revenue £20.0m[1]
Number of employees
 227+
Slogan The First Name In Plumbing
Website www.pimlicoplumbers.com
A Pimlico Plumbers van

Pimlico Plumbers is a plumbing firm based in London. It is London's largest independent plumbing company.[2]

Establishment

It was established in 1979 by its current Managing Director Charlie Mullins (born 1954), who left school at 15 with no qualifications and began work as a plumber.[3] He is a friend of Tory Prime Minister David Cameron and a multi-millionaire.

Pricing

Pimlico Plumbers have a policy of charging people £85 - £105 + VAT (depending on the trade) for the first hour (7am-6pm) and then in 15 minute incriments thereafter. The company also provides a 24-hour service with plumbers and other trades people on call at all times. It also runs a 24-hour staffed call centre to handle all calls without any automated system. For after hours work Pimlico Plumbers operates a differentiated pricing system,[4] depending on the day, and time of day.

Publicity

It is known for its effective publicity, handled by Recognition PR and PHA. The company owns more than 100 plumbing-related number plates, fitted to its fleet of vehicles, such as LO 02 OLD (Loo too old), BOG1, DRA1N, W4TER and others.[3][5] It gained considerable publicity through its employment of Buster Martin, who claimed to be Britain's oldest worker, cleaning vans part-time up until his death in 2011.[6] The firm's boss presented BBC3 show 'Britain's Best Young Plumber'[7] and has appeared on Secret Millionaire.[8]

The company promotes itself as providing a high-quality service, employing '£100,000/year plumbers',[9] charging £80-£200/hour depending on time of day and service performed.[10]

Legal dispute

The firm has been involved with a legal dispute with Steve Cosser, an Australian TV executive accused of industrial espionage in stealing Pimlico's celebrity client list after establishing a rival firm, Service Corps, using ex-Pimlico staff.[11] Services Corps collapsed in January 2010 following the legal action.[12]

Community involvement

The firm has also recently been involved in a scheme in aid of the big society with the renovation of the Streatham Youth Centre.[13] This was organised along with Wickes, A4e and the Co-Sponsorship Agency.

Financials

In November 2010, Mullins reported that he was considering floating the firm, with a £50m valuation, in order to fund a nationwide expansion.[14] The firm turned over £18.2 million in 2013, with profits of more than £1,000,000. Mullins received £1.3 million in compensation in 2009.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Login". Business.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-17. (subscription required)
  2. ↑ Stuart, Derrick. "Christmas is back in business." Conference and Incentive Travel. June 2011. 26. ABI/Inform Complete. Web. 11 Jul. 2011
  3. 1 2 Andrew Clark and Richard Fletcher. "Business | The Times". Business.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  4. ↑ "Charges". Pimlico Plumbers. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  5. ↑ "Corporate Identity: Number Plates :: Pimlico Plumbers". About-us.pimlicoplumbers.com. 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  6. ↑ "Buster Martin: Book of Condolences :: Pimlico Plumbers". About-us.pimlicoplumbers.com. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  7. ↑ "Britain's Best Young Plumber boss throws kitchen sink at The Apprentice | Media Monkey | Media". The Guardian. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  8. ↑ (archived link, July 15, 2014)
  9. ↑ Appleyard, Diana (2010-10-21). "How much do these women earn? From lawyer to DJ, salary guessing is harder than you think | Daily Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  10. ↑ "Charges". Pimlico Plumbers. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  11. ↑ Fernandez, Colin (2009-11-04). "Plumbing firm takes rival to court 'for stealing celebrity clients' | Daily Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  12. ↑ Moore, Matthew (2010-01-11). "Plumbing firm accused of stealing celebrity clients from rival goes out of business". Telegraph. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  13. ↑ Archived April 23, 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ↑ "Charlie Mullins on Pimlico Plumbers float". Real Business. 2010-11-08. Retrieved 2015-07-16.

External links

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