35 YEARS OF TWO WAY RADIO EXPERTISE
A Brentwood company has bucked the trend for new technology by going ‘back to the future’ and is now celebrating its 35th birthday.
Brentwood Communications, based on Warley Hill, is a business radio communications company which still specialises in the provision of two way radios – or ‘walkie-talkies’ as they are commonly called.
Founded by Norman Miller in 1975 from a single room in their current premises, the company was one of the first two way radio suppliers in the UK and is now a market leader.
Says Managing Director James Miller, Norman’s son: “Some people might think it strange that in this day and age of ‘smartphones’, micro-technology and mobile communications that there would be a place for the humble two way radio.
“But, people are now increasingly fed-up with the patchy reception and costs involved with mobile phones so are looking again at two way radios.”
He adds: “Of course the technology in this sector has moved on considerably with the most modern pieces of equipment incorporating GPS and digital sequencing.”
Winning the contract to provide radios for the building of the Thames Barrier in the late 1970s was a big turning point for the company.
Since then, Brentwood Communications has gone on to have a hire fleet of a staggering 25,000 radios – probably one of the largest fleets in the world and has offices all over the country.
Brentwood Communications is now a specialist in providing two way radios to a host of sectors – education, leisure, festivals, security and defence. It is one of the leading providers of Motorola two-way radios – the pioneers in this sector.
Still very much a family business, the day-to-day running of the company is under the control of James Miller. With the same ethos as his father – who once hand delivered eight radios to the Shetland Islands - he still believes that going that extra mile for the customer is where they have the edge.
“We strive to make sure that every customer still receives a service which is second-to-none each time they contact us. Technology may have changed but good old fashioned customer service is still our number one priority.”
And Brentwood Communications’ heart is still very much in Essex, with almost all staff coming from Brentwood, Romford or Chelmsford.
And the company is also keen on the environment. It has been a radio equipment recycling centre for many years as well as being a long-standing supporter of the Essex Wildlife Trust.
