Sacrificing every Saturday to attend a two-year NVQ course, Marc Rigby dedicated his time, energy and cash to increase his knowledge of specialist engineering. Twenty years on, and now owner and managing director of Emtec Climate Solutions Ltd, he has an enviable list of clients, including many high profile data centres, Centrica and the NHS.
Rigby and his team of highly trained engineers specialise in all aspects of the installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of every type of air conditioning project, to chilled water systems and ventilation, delivering quality engineering from design to commissioning across the UK and throughout Europe.
But if Rigby had listened to his college tutor in 2010 Emtec may never have been formed.
A keen interest in engineering led Rigby to enrol in a NVQ course in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Complex Systems.
“I dedicated every weekend for two years to make the 200-mile round trip to attend the course, which I passed with distinction.
You can never have enough knowledge
His course tutor was impressed with not only Rigby’s hunger to learn but how he aspired to share his knowledge with others. He subsequently asked him to train as a college lecturer. Although Rigby seriously considered the ?wonderful opportunity” he declined in order to continue his own education and remain at the sharp end of industry.
In 2008, Rigby received a surprise nomination for National Student of the Year. He attended a formal ceremony with other nominees from across the UK. From a shortlist of hundreds, he came 2nd in the country. This further acknowledgment of his potential fired his passion to continue learning.
“This led me on an even further quest to broaden my knowledge.
Rigby spent many evenings and even holidays reading around his specialist subject, seeking out in-depth research papers and technical books in an attempt to quench his desire to expand on what he had learned in college.
Throughout this time, Rigby was working full-time for a company specialising in various aspects of engineering. His projects ranged from air conditioning and refrigeration, to electrics, controls, pipework, heating systems and ventilation. All the while he was learning, broadening his knowledge and honing his skillset.
“I learned so much along the way and will be forever grateful to those who taught me,” Rigby says, but after ten years at the same company he was ready for a change. It was time to stride out on his own.
“I nervously took a leap of faith and Emtec Climate Solutions was born. I’ve never looked back.
The cool start-up
Although Rigby was ready to launch Emtec Climate Solutions, and had all the knowledge and experience he needed, cashflow was the most testing challenge for my start-up business?.
A likeable character and having been in the industry for 15 years before going it alone, Rigby had established ‘some solid professional relationships?. It was these valuable working relationships which helped Emtec get off the ground.
?Several clients that I had worked closely with in the past knew the level of service and technical knowledge I offered. Thankfully they decided to come onboard with me from day one.
These loyal customers continue to support Emtec. I feel a huge amount of gratitude towards them. I owe a lot of my success to them for having faith and trusting me from the start.
Now with a growing customer base, Rigby’s next challenge was to build a team. Testament to his personable nature and ability to make sound judgment calls, Emtec’s first team member remains a close friend and an integral part of the business a decade later.
Since onboarding his first employee, he has built a team ?that not only excel technically but are supportive and committed to executing the needs of the clients and the business?.
Delivering cooling technology to data centres
“When I started, I wanted to become more involved within the data centre industry, specifically the cooling side and the fast-growing technologies employed by these types of companies because I knew that the service they required, I could deliver.
Data centres incorporate business critical IT infrastructure, most specifically servers, which need to be kept at the optimum temperature and humidity with minimal downtime.
With so much at stake for global online businesses, engineers are often required to be able to perform under pressure and have the critical, in depth knowledge to solve problems fast. As a technical problem solver with a constant thirst for knowledge this is where Rigby and his team thrive, and others struggle.
Data centres consume about 20% of the world’s electricity and are under increasing pressure to find ways to operate more efficiently and reduce their carbon footprint.
“This leads to many new technologies being employed within the data centre industry, such as air and water optimisation. And we are helping the planet.
Emtec are now heavily involved within the data centre industry and have formed close relationships with manufacturers, working extensively in Europe.
Emtec’s business model has always been structured around their customers. The company ?provide unrivalled support and technical knowledge with service delivered at a competitive price.
Rigby’s team of highly qualified engineers share his passion for providing solutions where the extra mile is part of the job. That passion is apparent in the quality of their work, evidenced by customer feedback.
?We have a close working relationship with all of the manufacturers which allows us to increase the level of support we offer to our clients.
On top of the outstanding level of service, Rigby and his team have also Achieved high levels of recognition and accreditation within the industry” to further support their business growth.
Year on year growth continues to come through valuable industry word of mouth and positive customer testimonials.
“I have been using Emtec Climate Solutions for over 5 years now and have found Marc Rigby and his team to be of the highest calibre. Trust, capability, expertise and reliability are all words I associate with Emtec Climate Solutions. They provide what I would describe as a World Class Service.” Darren Davies, Regional Sales Manager at Stulz, a critical cooling manufacturer.
While Emtec Climate Solutions specialise in providing service to data centres who have a fundamental need for specialist cooling systems, Rigby and his team also carry out work for the hospitality industry, office buildings and the NHS, to name a few.
Exceeding expectations
“Emtec have undertaken numerous repairs and maintenance, across multiple sites for us. The tenacity, dedication and technology knowledge of the team is paramount to the specialist area’s we work in. We wouldn?t look to use anyone else for the specialist services they provide us!” Claire Fenlon, Aftersales and Service Director, Howorth Air Technology
Rigby puts great stock in customer service. Customer satisfaction plays such an important role for our business, as it retains our current client base and crucially, new business is usually by recommendation.
Rigby and the whole Emtec team know this is their greatest strength.
?We understand our customers” needs, and we deliver to their precise requirements. No job is too big or too small.
While difficult for many businesses, 2020 has been positive for Emtec. The firm has increased its data centre clients and seen dramatic increase in work undertaken for the NHS. Two areas of personal interest which Rigby plans to maintain a keen focus on in the coming years.
Looking ahead to growth of the business in 2021, Rigby expects to hire an Operations Manager in Q1, followed by a couple of apprentices. Taking leadership as seriously as he took his studies, any apprentice he hires will be lucky to work alongside Rigby and his team. Leadership is so important within any business.
“If you take care of your employees, they will – in turn – take care of your clients. Don?t take employees or customers for granted.
Additionally, Rigby acknowledges best-selling author and motivational speaker, Simon Sinek and fully agrees that the leaders who get the most out of their people are the leaders who care most about their people .
?Without the team supporting me, Emtec wouldn?t be the business it is today.
Rigby measures success through customer satisfaction and loyalty, and he’s worked hard to create a ?good working environment where the team understand the customers needs and are willing to go the extra mile for them?.
?We have worked on some fantastic projects over the years with some prestigious clients who have each put their trust in Emtec to deliver.
Although proud of his achievements to date, Rigby isn’t quite ready to settle just yet and has an action plan in place in order to maintain steady growth during 2021 in a highly competitive market. Not bad going for the affable young apprentice who was just starting out twenty years ago.
Connect with Emtec Climate Solutions Ltd. Visit emteccs.co.uk, or follow the team on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram.
