Latest News

Words and images Annie Studholme

For 54 years, ElectraServe has provided comprehensive electrical service to the people of Mid Canterbury. Initially trading as Smith & Church Electrical, the business was founded in 1969. Due to growth, the electrical side of the company was eventually split off, moving to its much more extensive, purpose-built premises on Moore Street, and was renamed ElectraServe in 1997.

Having started out in the sales department when he was 18 and later completed his electrical apprenticeship, current managing director Blair Watson has worked his way up through the company. He became general manager in 2009 before he and his wife, Allanah, bought into the company in 2015 when he moved into the managing director’s role. Senior industrial/irrigation electrician Mitch Moore recently joined the company as a shareholder. 

Blair is proud to employ 46 staff and have a fleet of 32 vehicles on the road, offering a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service. Crucially for its rural customers, it has vehicles out servicing every corner of the county at least once a week. Regular staff industry training means they are all at the top of their game and often leaders in their fields; they are also very proactive in training the next generation of electricians. 

ElectraServe is very much a team atmosphere, from the tradies down to the awesome admin staff, who keep the wheels turning, providing personal backup for clients and booking jobs, says Blair.

But what sets ElectraServe apart is that it offers a “one-stop” shop for all your electrical needs, from residential, industrial, and commercial buildings to solar and irrigation, heating and ventilation, right down to appliance and tool repairs, testing, and tagging. It prides itself on offering customers a local option and high-quality products, saving both time and money. No job is too big or too small, he says. 

“We can come and service everything on-farm. If we don’t have the right person for the job, then and there, we have specialists within the business who can deal with everything in-house. Customers can rest assured that we can find a solution; it’s not often we can’t. Sometimes, it might just take us a little longer. We have someone on call 24/7, even on Christmas Day.”

Through the Smith & Church connection, ElectraServe has also retained a close working relationship with 100% Smith & Church, able to offer locally based repairs and maintenance on most whiteware and appliances through the life of the appliance. They also work closely with other Ruralco suppliers. 

ElectraServe has been with Ruralco since almost the beginning. Blair enjoys the relationship but says it’s very much a two-way partnership. “You only get out what you put in. Communication helps. You have to actually engage, get involved with events like Instore Days and make use of what they have to offer. We’ve found the data they’ve been able to give us invaluable in showing us in what areas we are making sales and not making sales. Together, we are working out ways to offer better services for members.”
Being able to accept the Ruralco card not only makes it simpler for the clients with all their electrical work in one place but also for billing, says Blair.