Army service in the Gulf, Bosnia, Canada, Germany and the Falklands provided the perfect launch pad to a successful business for Michael Stancliffe.
Michael, who joined the Royal Engineers aged 16 after attending Shelley High School, was involved in field fortifications, demolition and bridging.
He also qualified as a building and civil engineering draughtsman. which enabled him to draw and detail steel, timber and reinforced structures and traditional and prefabricated buildings – and to assist in the layout and design of camps, roads and airfields.
So when he left the army, it was a natural move to join his father John who had just launched Eurolink Construction Services to provide temporary and portable buildings. John already had a huge amount of experience across the UK supplying accommodation for businesses and schools.
Michael, 43, a director of Eurolink, says: “I began to learn the portable building trade from the bottom up, carrying out groundworks, foundations, delivering and installing buildings.
“After five years I started helping out in the office, transferring everything onto computers, taking enquiries and pricing tenders and dealing with health and safety, bookkeeping, marketing and promotion.”
Eurolink has built up a great deal of experience in working in schools to refurbish and install portable classrooms – and has recently worked with Jitterbugs and Tiddlywinks nurseries in Huddersfield and Holmfirth High School.
Michael says: “I was made a director of the company in 2001 and John and I are now equal shareholders – although he is obviously the oldest and still in charge!
“My role now as a director is the wider management of the company, still working closely with John who is trying very hard to do just three days a week.
“What I enjoy most is quoting and winning new contracts and surprising people with what we are able to achieve for them through temporary accommodation. When we get a compliment from the client that we can pass onto the workforce it makes it all worthwhile.
“During our busy summer schedule we can have up to 50 staff and contractors working at any one time.
“I also find it very rewarding to see the work we do refurbishing re-cycled portable buildings which gives them years more worthwhile life.
“People still do not realise how cost effective and eco-friendly a pre-used fully refurbished portable building can be.
“You get the extra space you need, do your bit for the environment and it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.”
Among Eurolink’s success stories, hundreds of youngsters are enjoying snug new classrooms thanks to record-breaking building work in the summer holidays.
Seven schools in Stockport badly needed more classroom space – but it was important that the children’s education wasn’t interrupted while the work was carried out.
So last summer, Meltham-based Eurolink, was invited to help.
Michael says: “We were asked by Carillion Stockport in May if we could provide 17 temporary classrooms in just over four weeks in July and August during the summer break.
“Because we have a great deal of experience in this work and because we understand the needs of schools, we agreed to come on board and work with the council.
“We had up to 40 people working around the clock to ensure this scheme was delivered on time to specification.
“Because we have built up very strong relationships with contractors and suppliers over our 21years in business, we were able to provide the children with snug, safe classrooms for their first day back in September.
“We provided space for 500 children, using fully refurbished recycled buildings. Our previous contracts for Stockport over the last 10 years have been testament to our ability to perform to strict specification and contract deadlines and we pride ourselves on offering good value for money by refurbishing high-quality re-cycled buildings.
“At £1.5m this is the largest contract we have ever been awarded – and to be completed over the shortest summer break time of four and half weeks!”
All the buildings were fitted with new carpet and vinyl, suspended ceilings, interactive whiteboards and sound systems, energy efficient lighting, fire and security alarms, cloakrooms, work stations, stores and shelving, aluminium framed doors and upvc windows.
Main contractor BE Boys was responsible for groundworks, mains services, heating and school building works.
Where required, classrooms were linked to the main school buildings with timber-framed walkways and steps, ramps and landings were built.
John and Michael are also directors of Eurolink Properties.
Says Michael: “We are lucky enough to get the chance to build new and renovate old properties around the local area and have a small portfolio of commercial and residential property that we rent out.
“This includes a Grade 2 listed building, the local landmark known as the ‘safety building’ – the Safety Equipment Centre in Lockwood – which sold safety equipment for many years.
“Nowadays, commercial premises on the ground floor still sell health and safety equipment and there are five apartments on the two floors above.”
To relax, Michael plays rugby union competitively for Huddersfield Rugby Union FC A Team, social five-a-side football, golf, and generally enjoys keeping fit.
He says: “Other interests – when I am not enjoying spending time with the family and keeping up with their busy social and sporting calendars – include quad biking with friends and tending our shared allotment growing fruit and vegetables.”
Michael took a first prize at Penistone Show last year with his beetroot and also cultivates potatoes, onions, courgettes, leeks, cabbage, strawberries, and raspberries.
He says: “I am an active social member and sponsor at HRUFC, coaching assistant in the junior age under-10 rugby at HRUFC, and give a helping hand with the Junior under-11 Denby Cricket Team.
“I’m also part of the volunteer group maintaining the grounds of Denby Church and vice-chair of governors of Upper Denby CE First School which my three children attend.”
Role: Co-director and owner
Age: 43
Family: Married to Jill with children Archie, 10, Amos, eight and Blythe, four
Holidays: Family holidays ski-ing in France and Italy, trips to Cornwall and Dorset, regular long weekends in Northumberland – and weekend city breaks with Jill when grandma can fit the children in!
Car: Ford Ranger Wildtrak
First job: Bottling up in the Clothiers Arms at Stocksmoor, aged seven. My mum and dad took over the pub from my grandma and granddad. I had a milk round at 13.
Best thing about the job? Receiving positive feedback from clients
Worst thing about the job? Not getting the opportunity to tender for local contracts
Business tip: Work hard and ensure that you go that extra yard for your customer
Work: Construction services and restoration
Site: Link Business Park, Knowle Lane, Meltham
Phone: 01484 850982
Email: info@eurolink-construction.co.uk
