A fire protection and security firm set up in a garden shed in the village of Waunfawr is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Some clients of Gwynedd Snowdonia Fire Protection from 1974, like St David’s College in Llandudno, remain with the company.
The firm started by David Greasley, today operates from offices in Waunfawr, near Caernarfon, Kinmel Bay, Aberystwyth, and Shrewsbury, employing nearly 100 staff.
The original shed was replaced by a converted garage in the village, which continues to serve as its headquarters.
The business’ first vehicle was a Reliant Robin three-wheeler, but it now has a fleet of more than 60 cars and vans, all decked out in the company’s bright red livery.
Customers include the fast-growing Anglesey-based Huws Gray building supplies giant.
David Greasley has passed away, but his wife, Gwladys, who used to do the books on the kitchen table, still lives in the family home in Waunfawr, and the fire alarm business is still based in the village.
It is now run by David’s son, Peter, his wife Janet, and their sons - triplets Marc, Sion, and Dafydd.
The company’s list of customers makes it one of the largest full-service fire and security businesses in Wales, with plans for a new purpose-built headquarters in Caernarfon.
Peter Greasley said: "I joined the business in 1981 when I was 21 after working as a deck cadet in the merchant navy, which took me to most of the ports in Europe as well as to the USA and Japan.
"When I started, I was servicing systems and cold-calling customers, but the business has changed so much and grown as well.
"Fire systems have become so much more sophisticated, and of course all new build homes have to have sprinkler systems, which has opened up whole new areas of work for us."
The company, which initially supplied fire extinguishers and hose reels, has evolved over the past 50 years.
Its services now encompass fire and intruder alarms, fire risk assessments, emergency lighting, CCTV, sprinklers, door access systems, and nurse call systems.
Mr Greasley said: "We are still growing and still actively recruiting, and any success is down to hard work and good customer service.
"Our core values have always been honesty, integrity, and quality of service and products, and legislation has made a big difference as well, and we have to keep up with those changes."
He added: "It’s also a 24/7 operation, and we have at least four or five engineers on call every night.
"We are fortunate to have a very good workforce, and that’s crucial in supplying a top quality service, and many of those with us have been here for a long time.
"We also have very loyal and long-standing customers, and we are grateful to them for their support, which has helped us grow."
For more information on Snowdonia Fire and Security visit the firm's website.
Share