A FAMILY-RUN Halesowen business is celebrating after pulling off a huge job - helping to power up a massive distribution centre at the height of food shortage fears.

When major food distribution firm Oakland International needed large scale wiring installation in a massive new multi-temperature warehouse they called in Starkey Electrical.

The firm, launched in 2009, has built up a big reputation and their work on the new food storage centre in Bardon , Leicestershire, will only increase it.

Oakland had moved into the new site at Bardon to expand their UK capacity.

Time was short and the electrical work needed to make the facility fully operational posed a major challenge.

Starkey Electrical, founded by MD Stuart Starkey, has worked with Oakland on various projects at Oakland’s premises in Redditch and Corby.

The project included a full LED lighting scheme, refrigeration wiring for the complete warehouse, four packing lines and associated controllers and around 40 electrical hook-ups for refrigerated trailers. The job also included fully kitting out 16,000 sq. ft. of offices and welfare areas.

The project had to be completed in just twelve weeks to completely refrigerate and wire the entire facility. It is the size of nearly four football pitches.

“The building had stood empty for five years,” said Stuart Starkey.

“Summer 2020 was a tense time in food logistics. With Brexit worries and fears of supply chain disruptions, maximising available storage space was an increasing priority. It made it even more important for Bardon to be operational as soon as possible.

“It was all hands on deck for the Starkey team. Staff were diverted to Bardon from normal business in Halesowen.”

Starkey will be carry out more work at the centre in future. including solar PV installation, additional welfare facilities and generator installation.”

The company has completed projects in many sectors, including: homes, leisure, education, healthcare, and industrial facilities.