COMPANY FOCUS
COMPANY HISTORY
The company was formed in late 2007 and Graham’s intention was to act as a consultant in serving the business development market and planned to work initially for a previous employer and include other companies who were likely to approach him.
This work expanded and the company grew quickly from that starting point.
Company names always intrigue and the name 3Sun is no exception. Graham explained that the thinking behind the title is much more simple than you would expect. He has 3 sons! The spelling is different but he wanted the link to energy, and of course the domain names, so necessary in business today, were easier to come by.
CV
Graham completed a military apprenticeship in the Army, serving 7 years in Germany. His father, who was running a personnel agency in Lowestoft at the time, told him that there were tremendous opportunities in the Oil and Gas industry, so he left the Army and took up a technician’s role in selected leading Hydraulic Control installation companies (including Bristow Engineering).
He then worked offshore with AMEC in the Southern North Sea on gas assets and from there into a management position running a service division.
Graham then explained “I met a couple of guys who had set up their own business within the sector and they asked me to join them to run the business development side, and worked for them for 2 years on some large projects. They sold that company on and it gave me the confidence to branch out too.”
Graham gained confidence and therefore decided to set up his own company and admitted he learned a lot in those early days! Despite a few set-backs the company grew successfully and he sold it in 2004, but stayed on in a senior role till 2007 when he set up the 3Sun Group.
“The setting up of 3Sun coincided with a view that our service offering would align quite nicely with the emerging and developing wind turbine industry. Because of my previous relationships in oil and gas energy, this allowed us introductions with companies like Siemens”. Graham further explained
And continued “An important point to make is the importance of strong business relationships to ensure long term success, and the development of 3Sun has depended on that principal. It was during these relationships that we became aware of Dawson Energy’s contribution to the industry, and because we took a decision that we would grow the company successfully by acquisition, where appropriate, it seemed a logical step to take.”
The growth of the company has been relatively comfortable because all the back end systems and management/infrastructure were put in place with a view to expand quickly and support a much larger company. so it was all thought through right from the beginning.
Graham added “We have all the appropriate certifications, including 9001, 14001, and 18001 accreditation, including being Achilles verified – we are always looking to expand by acquisition wherever and whenever appropriate.”
YOUR PART IN THE GIANT SCHEME OF THINGS?
Graham explained that he liked to get involved, so he sits on the Board of EEEGR, and held the position of Deputy Chair and also assists the Skills for Energy initiative under the EEEGR banner, because he is very supportive of, and interested in, the training requirements within the industry.
On a personal level, Graham is a School Governor at his children’s school and that connection allows him to involve the energy industry in career’s days, as well as giving the 3Sun Group the opportunity to sponsor appropriate training initiatives.
“I have always believed in playing an active role in professional organisations and not just a silent member to the benefit of that industry as a whole, which is again all about relationships.” Graham enthused.
WHY THEWIND ENERGY INDUSTRY AND YOUR VIEW?
“We were already involved in all the necessary services required in offshore oil and gas, so we saw the business potential and could fit our experience to the perceived development in that industry.
“More importantly we moved into the market ahead of many others and prepared ourselves to be able to grow quickly.” Graham explained.
And continued “Our intention when bringing in Dawson Energy was to equally service wind and oil/gas 50/50 but the reality is more like 80/20 in favour of wind because of the opportunities in wind as an emerging market far exceeds the mature UK oil and gas market.
We believe we have positioned ourselves to give us the best opportunities in this new and quickly developing market and we look forward to the challenges which present themselves. Wherever they come from... we have the capabilities and expertise”. Graham concluded.
At the time of writing the 3Sun Group had just received the EEEGR member of the year award presented to Graham at the EEEGR Innovation Awards held in Norwich (see feature elsewhere in this issue)
3Sun Group Ltd
www.3sungroup.co.uk
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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