ph jones looks to intermedia for renewed brand vision

PH Jones, the nationwide property maintenance and utilities service provider, has appointed Chester-based strategic marketing agency Intermedia to plan and manage a re-branding programme in the wake of significant business growth over the last 2 years.

With the acquisition of D-Tec Electrical Limited and Coolfactor Group Limited, and its strategic growth plans, PH Jones is poised to fulfill its directors' vision for a full support services contractor, turning over £150 million by 2014.

The Group's existing expertise comprises social housing maintenance and refurbishment, multi utility metering, renewable energy and private heating services. Since the acquisitions in 2007 and 2008, PH Jones has further expanded its service provision to the commercial sector, as well as adding a new Fire and Security Division to its offer earlier this year.

Commenting on the newly expanded group structure, MD Martin Jones said:

'With the shared resources and greater purchasing power our former acquisitions have given us, we are now perfectly placed to consolidate our hold on existing markets and to make significant inroads into new areas, such as fire and security services and water metering.'

'The only downside is that diversification and growth on this scale inevitably brings challenges in terms of ensuring awareness of our brand, our wide range of services, and what our company now represents.
That's why we have brought in Intermedia to help us define a clear branding strategy for the future.'

Appointed following a four way competitive pitch, Intermedia will be responsible for drawing together the Group's multiple brands and messages into a coherent and single-minded proposition.

Encompassing strategic planning, visual brand development, and targeted marketing, the activity will help position PH Jones as a turnkey engineering and property services provider.

The most pressing requirement right now, however, is for a focused internal communications programme to PH Jones staff, as Intermedia MD Nik Stapleton explains:

'In times of rapid change like this, staff, quite rightly want to know what direction the company will be adopting over the next few years and what their role in the new organisation is going to be.'

'It's imperative that questions are addressed and any uncertainties resolved. After all, it's only when your internal audience truly understands the organisation's aims that they can really start fulfilling them and deliver against customers', partners' and other stakeholders' expectations consistently.'

'For that reason, our first priority is for a focused communications package to unite everyone behind the new group PH Jones vision.'