PR for a civil engineering firm

About Jones Bros

Jones Bros Civil Engineering of Ruthin had grown from a two-man business in the 1950s to a £20m turnover civil engineering contractor when, in 2000, it decided to appoint a PR agency to support an ambitious growth strategy.

The PR brief was to increase its reputation as a leader in the industry so it would be invited to tender for bigger, more valuable contracts across the UK.

Outwrite created a PR strategy with the following aims:

  • Improve awareness that the company had the UK’s largest fleet of heavy plant
  • Increase the firm’s profile beyond North Wales
  • Drive new business opportunities towards Jones Bros in line with its business plan to grow in sectors including energy, coastal and marine work, highways and waste remediation
  • In particular, promote the company’s expertise in onshore wind farm construction, as this was the company’s primary target growth area

Objectives and planning 

Outwrite:

  • Identified news stories and editorial opportunities
  • Drafted press releases in a journalistic style
  • Commissioned press-style photography
  • Issued the release to our contacts in the media
  • Secured coverage as editorial
  • Recycled the content through the rest of the JB marketing eg web content, social media, print newsletters

Numbers and figures

Turnover increase from 2000 to 2016

%

Of turnover was for on-shore wind farms

Implementation

Outwrite:

  • Maintained an ongoing, pro-active, positive profile among stakeholders including North Wales media, of a company that is a major employer in the region
  • Approached BBC network TV with the idea and secured an interview by correspondent, Hugh Pym, on BBC One’s News At 10
  • Pitched and placed double-page features in UK trade and technical media including New Civil Engineering, Renewables News and Concrete News
  • Secured a Radio 5 Live reporter to be anchored at Ruthin HQ and conduct live interviews throughout the breakfast programme at the start of National Apprenticeship Week
  • Commissioned press-style photography that is always selected by editors for publication, subject to space
  • Written the entry and gathered evidence that has won national awards eg Institute of Directors, as well as regionally such as Daily Post Business Awards
  • Set up and maintain the company’s crisis communications plan, including implementation
  • Regularly placed Jones Bros items and broadcast interviews in Welsh media including S4C, Radio Cymru, Yr Herald and Golwg.
  • Is consulted by the board on strategic reputation and communications advice

 

Outcome/Client testimonial 

Today, Jones Bros is a circa £90m turnover company. In the last financial year, approx 60 per cent of that turnover was in onshore wind farm construction. (figures from draft accounts).

Its owner and chairman, Huw Jones, says of Outwrite:

“I credit Outwrite with making a significant contribution to the growth and success of Jones Bros Civil Engineering over recent years.

“Its team is readily available, proactive and creative.  Outwrite’s work has raised our profile and reputation beyond our expectations, which has helped us when tendering for new contracts.

“Their staff are calm in a crisis, when they give excellent advice under time pressures.

“They are not afraid to tell us ‘no’ when an idea won’t work.  

“My company has also benefited from the fact that Outwrite doesn’t stand still.  We originally appointed them as a press agency, to write releases and get media coverage.  They’re now an all-round integrated communications agency which means we get strategic, joined-up SEO, social media, website development and marketing advice and services, as well as fantastic ongoing media coverage in North Wales and across the UK.  

“I recommend Outwrite.”

 

 

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Jones Bros

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