Member Article

Firm lighting the way for businesses wins award

A lighting and electrical retailer, supplying the public, wholesale and businesses with lighting and electrical products has won a prestigious business award.

The firm won the Eaton Smith Business of the Month award for December and were presented with the award certificate during a ceremony at the solicitor’s Huddersfield office 15 January.

J. G. Harrison & Sons, founded in the 1950s by George Harrison from his Huddersfield home initially, is a local, family run business and UK supplier of lighting and electrical goods that today employs 45 people from across its Dewsbury, Halifax, Bradford and Rochdale stores.

John Harrison took over the business in the 1960s and remains managing director, now semi-retired, with son and sales director Chris Harrison taking a more proactive day to day role in the management of the business.

The firm continues to serve the retail market, but puts the continued success down to the growth in its commercial offering.

Liaising with Kirklees Council to secure up to £5,000 grant funding, business development manager, Amanda Speight has upgraded in excess of 50 organisations’ lighting to low energy LED alternatives.

This includes Huddersfield-based Metrodent, a manufacturer and distributor to the dental industry. J.G. Harrison & Sons completed a £17,000 lighting upgrade within the manufacturer’s factory and offices, securing a £5,000 grant funding from Kirklees Council towards the upgrade.

The judges involved in selecting J. G. Harrison & Sons Ltd as the business of the month winner were impressed with J. G. Harrisons & Sons longevity in business.

Kate Booth, Associate Solicitor at Eaton Smith who led the judging panel commented:

“We were very impressed with J. G. Harrison & Sons application and felt that it clearly stood out against the others. It was clear that a lot of time and effort had been spent putting it together and it was very well presented. We liked the story of the firm, and the fact that it has weathered the recession well with steady turnover and avoiding redundancies. I was further personally was impressed that they employ 45 members of staff.

“We were impressed with their environmental products and service and thought that this would stand them in good stead. All in all, they were an easy choice for this month’s winner.”

Chris Harrison, Sales Director for J. G. Harrison & Sons commented:

“We’re overjoyed to win the award. We have been so busy running the business for more than 60 years that we have never entered anything like this before. The recognition is great and we’d like to thank our hard working team for finding innovative ways to continue such success.”

J. G. Harrison & Sons will compete for the annual prize in the competition run by Eaton Smith Solicitors in conjunction with Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and UKTI at a breakfast event held at the Cedar Court, Huddersfield on 3 July 2015.

Accompanying photograph L-R features:

Steven Pollitt Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

Chris Brown Brantwood Financial Planning

Kate Booth Eaton Smith Solicitors

Chris Harrison J. G. Harrison & Sons Ltd

Amanda Speight J. G. Harrison & Sons Ltd

Nick Brook Tax Assist Accountants

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellie MacDonald .