SBS celebrates 50 years in business

By SBS Electrical Heating & Plumbing Services Ltd

14 Jul 2022

sbs-50-group.jpg

A Burnley-based electrical and mechanical firm celebrated 50 years in business by holding a huge party.

Around 200 current staff, former colleagues, clients, suppliers, and friends of SBS Electrical Heating & Plumbing Services basked in the summer sun to mark the half century milestone.

Business founders and life-long friends Stephen Wilkinson, Barrie Bamford, and Stephen Crane were among the guests.

Part of SBS’s 50th celebrations involved 13 staff successfully completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for charity. The team raised £1,732.50 for Pendleside Hospice and £3,233.28 of the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Hughie Higginson, 12, who is receiving treatment at the hospital after being diagnosed with leukaemia, and his friend Freddie Xavi, 11, were presented with the cheque.

The friends have already raised £220,000 for the children’s hospital, when Freddie ran 2km a day for 50 days – earning them a Pride of Britain award.

Hughie and Freddie are now busy running 1km at 100 stadiums – including the 92 Premier League and English Football League grounds – to raise more funds.

Bosses at Finsley Gate Wharfe, Burnley – where the party was held and SBS helped renovate – donated an extra £300.

SBS’s managing director Alastair Brown, 48, said: “The two charities are close to our hearts and to raise so much money is fantastic.

“Walking the three peaks was challenging but worth it because of the money we raised.”

Alastair, who began work at SBS as an apprentice electrical engineer in 1990, added: “It’s been a wonderful day and we are so pleased that so many people made the effort to join us and be part of our celebrations.

“To be in business 50 years is an incredible achievement. We are proud of our history and are building upon the outstanding reputation Stephen, Barrie and Stephen built while they were in charge.

“I have seen how hard work and professionalism brings success and am excited about being part of SBS’s future and look forward to helping the business thrive for the next 50 years.”

SBS, based in Healey Wood Road, now employs more than 40 staff, and is growing year-on-year.

Following a buy-out in 2015, SBS is now recognised as a specialist in the North West for the provision of electrical and mechanical engineering services to clients across all sectors and industries, including for hospitals, schools, manufacturing and production facilities, and local authorities.

One of the founding directors, Stephen Wilkinson, 75, said: “Who would have thought that when we walked into that little terrace house to carry out our first job, we would be here celebrating SBS’s 50th birthday!

“It has been lovely to see so many people here, many of whom have played a part in the company’s success. We have met a lot of fabulous people along the way.”

He added: “It is good to know that the company is thriving and in safe hands.”

Latest news

1

Bellway to build 183 high quality new homes Royal Bowland Park street scene NEW.jpg.jpg

Bellway to build 183 high quality new homes

29 Oct 2025

2

University of Lancashire recognised for entrepreneurship and supporting business growth - Representatives from the University's Business School, local SMEs and the IOEE

University of Lancashire recognised for entrepreneurship and supporting business growth

29 Oct 2025

3

£8bn Typhoon order is great news for Lancashire BAE Typhoon ECRS Mk2 Radar

£8bn Typhoon order is great news for Lancashire

28 Oct 2025

4

Award-winning Lancashire wedding venue and hotel is sold The Mill at Conder Green

Award-winning Lancashire wedding venue and hotel is sold

28 Oct 2025

5

PM+M announces another 19 promotions across the firm PM+M promotions

PM+M announces another 19 promotions across the firm

27 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
November / December 2025 Magazine Launch Event
Holiday Inn Hotel
Networking
28 Oct 2025 - 18 Nov 2025

November / December 2025 Magazine Launch Event

Holiday Inn, Blackpool

16:46 - 16:45

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Nov 2025 - 13 Nov 2025

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

The AI Lab: E-commerce
Ai Lab ecommerce (1).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Nov 2025 - 14 Nov 2025

The AI Lab: E-commerce

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin