Committed to
Engineering Excellence

Who we are

We are one of the UK’s leading medium sized multi-discipline engineering companies, with a strong focus on ensuring repeat business through engineering excellence and customer satisfaction.

We are based in Runcorn, Cheshire in a large purpose built engineering, office and workshop premises. From here we manage and operate all of our engineering divisions and satellite offices.

We are a team of over 140 directly employed, skilled and dedicated individuals, offering a nationwide service on project values from a few thousand up to five million pounds.

We have the capability to deliver singular service or fully integrated project management solutions where we will design and manage your project taking specific goals into consideration from the outset and through the full project life cycle.

Working within a variety of highly regulated sectors such as Water & Utilities, Rail, Chemical, Health, Food & Beverage, Education and many other industrial and commercial areas; we have developed an enviable reputation for an excellent service, based around hard work, customer care and a meticulous attention to detail.

We strongly believe in investing in our people, with many tens of thousands spent every year ensuring that our engineers and operatives have the necessary up to date skills to complete their work to the highest possible standard, and in a safe environment.

Our board of directors strive to inspire the core values of commitment, passion and excellence throughout the company

Our History

Picow Engineering was founded by Barry Heath in 1977 employing only 5 people and offering small scale electrical, control and instrumentation services primarily in chemical and other heavy industrial sectors, based out of a single story office on Cormorant Drive in Runcorn. In 1979 Picow Engineering was incorporated as a limited company, with Dave Allen becoming a partner in the business in 1983.

As part of a commitment to providing a high quality and safe electrical installation, in 1984 Picow Engineering Ltd obtained by audit, their first accreditation with the NIC EIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting).

In order to implement a strategic growth plan, in 1998 Picow relocated from Cormorant Drive to a new purpose built office and workshop premises called Station House, situated in Lowlands Road in Runcorn. During this time the company increased their service capabilities to include design and construction moving towards a turnkey approach with blue chip clients.

During 1999 Picow branched out into the rail industry, working directly for Railtrack (operations today by Network Rail), Serco and other top tier main contractors. During this time the company obtained by audit their second major accreditation with Achilles Link-up to ensure that the company management system provided employees with the correct procedures and management tools to work safely on the rail infrastructure.

In a step to further enhance growth and capabilities within the business, during 2004 the board of directors welcomed Dave Cartwright (Managing Director) and Trevor Allen (Operations Director) on to the board as shareholder / directors.

Over the next seven years the company moved from strength to strength increasing client base, service capability, turnover and efficiency, leading to the appointment of Mark James to the board of directors in 2011 and Barry Heath becoming Company Chairman. That same year saw Picow obtain ISO 9001 certification through audit by the BSI (British Standards Institute). This certification further confirmed the business commitment to providing a quality service.

Further accreditation’s where obtained during he next couple of years with Safe Contractor, CHAS, Constructionline and IS0 14001 certification.

2017 saw the planned retirement of Dave Cartwright and Trevor Allen from the board of directors and the business. After 18 years of working for Picow, Mark James assumed the role of Managing director and shareholder. This time also saw the emergence of talented individuals through the company ranks into various senior management roles providing the board of directors with enhanced operational capabilities.

In 2019 Picow welcomed long time servers Paul Allen and Stephen Brennan to the board, both assuming Operations Director roles and providing renewed invigoration and ideas to take the company forward. This year also saw Picow obtain the new occupational health and safety standard ISO 45001.

Health & Safety

Picow are committed to ensuring all operations undertaken by the company are in a safe manner. We are dedicated to providing a working environment for our employees in which their health, safety and welfare is paramount, whilst ensuring our activities do not endanger others.

Our pragmatic approach to all aspects of health and safety instills confidence in our customers and clients as our Health and Safety Management System is implemented throughout our projects.

Our excellent performance in this area is not only demonstrated by our impressive safety record, but is also recognised by our many certifications such as Safe Contractor, Achilles Link Up & CHAS in addition to our management systems being certified to the ISO 45001 standard.

You can download our Safety Policy Statement here

Quality

Picow pride ourselves on the quality of our workmanship to provide our customers with the best possible solution to the highest possible standard. Our commitment to quality ensures we continuously evolve, ensuring we provide our clients with an innovative and cost effective solution to the utmost quality.

To ensure this evolutionary process is developed in the correct manner Picow’s management systems and procedures are audited to satisfy the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001:2015 for which we are certified. This standard guarantees our commitment to promoting;

• High levels of customer satisfaction
• The delivery the business commitment
• Safe operation and protection of the reputation, value and assets of the company
• Quality of product and service for all activities of the Company
• A highly motivated and competent workforce who believe in our culture and values
• Understanding and support of the environment within, which we work
• Continual development of our business and internal processes

You can download our Quality Policy Statement Here

Environmental

PICOW continuously strive to manage and minimise the environmental impacts associated with our construction activities. Our philosophy towards the minimisation of our actions is encompassed by the company’s commitment to our Environmental Management System. These procedures ensure all areas are assessed throughout the project life cycle from inception, through construction to completion.

To ensure we maintain the highest standards and continuously improve our Environmental Management System is certified to ISO 14001. To meet these requirements the company is committed to pursuing the following objectives :

• Ensure compliance with all applicable environmental legislation
• Reduce emissions and pollution
• Improve waste management practices
• To reduce consumption of non-renewable resources
• Minimise noise and other nuisances
• Continually assess environmental performance

You can download our Environmental Policy Statement here