| 81 Ace Electrics Group CONTRACTING Ace Electrics gone from strength to strength Stephanie and Chris McPhee. Building Ace Electrics’ client base and revenues has also meant venturing into new areas. T T Lindy Andrews A week before Stephanie and Chris McPhee were due to take over Ace Electrics in April 2020, New Zealand was forced into its first COVID lockdown. “We thought we would be bankrupt before we even started,” Stephanie says. But thanks to an extended takeover date negotiated with former owners Paul and Carmen Johnson, and with Electricians being identified as an essential service, Ace Electrics not only survived but went from strength to strength. “It certainly did help that we were able to come online as an essential service provider and keep the business going,” Stephanie remembers. “Since then, clients and throughput have increased nicely.” The mum of two boys aged seven and 10, juggles family life with a diverse business role that ranges from administration and payroll to business development and “front of house.” Her networking skills have been pivotal to the company’s exceptional growth. “It meant getting the word out about Ace Electrics, personally, through networking opportunities, such as Manawatu Business Chamber after five events, BNI, NAWIC, Venus Business Women and Property Power Hub networking groups” Stephanie says. The personal touch was, and remains, an important part of her strategy. Building Ace Electrics’ client base and revenues has also meant venturing into new areas. Whereas the company once subcontracted all air-conditioning and fresh air systems work, developing a fully trained team has allowed the domestic work to be brought in-house. Solar installations are becoming increasingly popular, not only for homeowners but also for commercial and industrial applications. Stephanie’s husband Chris says solar power provides great returns on investment for business owners. “Every kilowatt they generate can produce maximum return by being used in the business rather than sold back to the grid at reduced benefit,” Chris says. The Palmerston North business is now making a name for itself internationally, after their approach to supporting scientific research into methane gas production was adopted in the United States. “It was a really interesting project,” says Chris. “We put off grid power supplies – which included solar, battery and generator systems – onto research trailers. These were installed in farm paddocks and powered equipment to allow scientists to gather methane data.” The technology provider involved was so impressed that Ace Electrics’ template was sent to America to be used for similar implementation. There are more exciting times ahead for Ace Electrics, with new technologies such as smart homes for high-end residential developments. Chris admits the technology is expensive, but the price is coming down. Digital advances are also making an impact on the quality of lighting, he says. “We put off grid power supplies – which included solar, battery and generator systems – onto research trailers. These were installed in farm paddocks and powered equipment to allow scientists to gather methane data.” “An example is antiglare lighting, which gives a more natural effect.” Interior finishes remain true to colour, giving that desired “pop”, while sunset dimmers remove blue whilst adding yellow wavelengths in the evenings, to help calm busy minds in readiness for a good nights’ sleep. It’s that eye for innovation, new technologies and good old fashioned client focused service which cements Ace Electrics as a business with a big future in commercial, industrial and residential work.
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