Tailor or made, persona service won’t leave you out in the cold.
In these challenging economic times ensuring you have the most cost effective and efficient electrical automation systems can make all the difference.
Now clients in the north have access to specialist PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers) support right on their doorstep through Inverness-based Coldcurve.
Set up six years ago by Jonathan Reid, Coldcurve specialises in building control panels for a wide range of industries including the oil industry, maritime sector, food and drink production, agriculture and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture).
For each system, Coldcurve can design a tailor-made electrical panel and software programme to the customer’s specification and requirements. This can control a wide range of aspects of industry including product movement, speed, level, temperature and environmental control.
Coldcurve specialises in designing HMI (human machine interfaces) touch screens alongside PLCs to allow simple operation of complex machinery.
Given the wide use of such automated systems, Coldcurve’s customer base is diverse.
One of its first clients was – and still is – Glasgow-based Bridon International which is the world leading specialist in the manufacture of industrial wire and fibre cables. The rope manufacture is completely automated and Coldcurve upgraded Bridon’s existing system to use modern touch screens.
Hambleside Danelaw, a GRP sheet roofing manufacturer based at Dalcross, Inverness, have used Coldcurve’s services in order to maintain and develop their production line increasing efficiency and profitability.
As well as working with large international companies such as Wellstream, Mackies Ice Cream, Porex and Vion Food Group, Coldcurve’s clients also include more local businesses such as Harbro and Mill n Mix.
Coldcurve also has experience in the recreational sector, working alongside Don Electrical in automating the temperature control system at the indoor ice wall at Kinlochleven ensuring realistic outdoor conditions are sustained inside.
As well as designing bespoke programmes, Coldcurve provides ongoing maintenance to customers offering a full turn key service package.
The business also offers a number of specialist services including apps for iPhones and thermography (thermal surveying) where hand held devices can be used to detect heat which may indicate electrical and mechanical faults as well as heat loss and dampness in buildings, often pre-empting expensive repairs and aiding predictive maintenance.
Jonathan, who returned to his home village six years ago after working as an industrial electrician in the oil and food industry, felt there was an opportunity to set up his own business to cater for local customers who needed specialist support.
“A lot of companies were using the original manufacturers for technical support who often were based abroad in Denmark, Germany, Holland or America. It was clear to me that this was a real drain on their resources and I saw there was a huge gap in the market as I could provide this service from the Highlands.
“By replacing and modernising outdated control systems, companies can be far more cost effective, carbon efficient and less labour intensive – there is no doubt that these systems are cheaper to run and make life easier.”
Jonathan operates from his home and workshop in Moy which has proved to be a convenient base allowing the business to deal with customers throughout the north of Scotland and along the A9 down to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
PLCs is a specialist area that deals with expensive equipment and systems so Jonathan has been careful to reinvest in the business over the past six years and build up his customer base gradually.
It has proved a recipe for success.
“A lot of people can dive into business quickly but I’ve been trying to grow the business slowly and build up a good customer base.
“By providing a high quality service, Coldcurve has maintained customer loyalty. All my clients are repeat business.”
