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Pimlico Plumbers

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Pimlico Plumbers
Company typeDomestic service provider
IndustryPlumbing, electrical wiring, heating, roofing
Founded1979 (1979)
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
Key people
Charlie Mullins
Revenue£20.0m[1]
Number of employees
227+
Websitewww.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]

Pricing

Pimlico Plumbers are positioned at the premium end of the market and prices vary depending on trade and time.[4] There are 7 different price bands throughout the week covering peak and off peak. The cheapest hourly rate is £114, rising to £300.[5] Plumbing services range from £144 to £240.[6]

Publicity

It is known for its effective publicity, handled by Recognition PR and PHA. It was previously handled by Max Clifford.[7] 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][8] 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.[9] The firm's boss presented BBC3 show 'Britain's Best Young Plumber'[10] and has appeared on Secret Millionaire.[11]

The company promotes itself as providing a high-quality service, employing "£80,000/year plumbers",[12] charging £80–200/hour depending on time of day and service performed.[13]

In 2009, the firm was been involved with a legal dispute with Steve Cosser, an Australian TV executive accused of industrial espionage in stealing Pimlico's client list after establishing a rival firm, Service Corps, using ex-Pimlico staff.[14] Services Corps collapsed in January 2010 with debts of £100,000 before the case was settled.[15]

The company also had a dispute with rival firm Aspect over Trustpilot ratings.[16]

In February 2016, it was reported that Pimlico Plumbers avoids paying PAYE income tax and National Insurance by hiring its 200 engineers as "self-employed contractors."[17]

Community involvement and party political funding

The firm has also recently been involved in a scheme in aid of the big society with the renovation of the Streatham Youth Centre.[18] This was organised along with Wickes, A4e, and the Co-Sponsorship Agency.

In February 2016, it was reported that in the previous year Pimlico Plumbers made two donations to the Conservative Party totalling £22,735.[19]

Financials

In November 2010, Mullins reported that he was considering floating the firm, with a £50m valuation, in order to fund a nationwide expansion.[20] 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b Andrew Clark and Richard Fletcher. "Business | The Times". Business.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  4. ^ http://www.pimlicoplumbers.com/charges
  5. ^ http://www.pimlicoplumbers.com/charges
  6. ^ http://www.pimlicoplumbers.com/charges
  7. ^ http://startups.co.uk/pimlico-plumbers-founder-charlie-mullins-on-the-importance-of-pr-and-marketing/
  8. ^ "Corporate Identity: Number Plates :: Pimlico Plumbers". About-us.pimlicoplumbers.com. 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  9. ^ "Buster Martin: Book of Condolences :: Pimlico Plumbers". About-us.pimlicoplumbers.com. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  10. ^ "Britain's Best Young Plumber boss throws kitchen sink at The Apprentice | Media Monkey | Media". The Guardian. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  11. ^ [1] (archived link, July 15, 2014)
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "Charges". Pimlico Plumbers. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Moore, Matthew (2010-01-11). "Plumbing firm accused of stealing celebrity clients from rival goes out of business". Telegraph. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  16. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/11078928/Pimlico-Plumbers-plunges-into-legal-action-against-rival.html
  17. ^ [2]
  18. ^ [3] Archived April 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ [4]
  20. ^ "Charlie Mullins on Pimlico Plumbers float". Real Business. 2010-11-08. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
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