Interview
10 minutes with... Russ Gratton
This month’s quick-fire interview is with Russ Gratton, director of Recon Electrical Wholesale and Chairman of The IBA Buying Group.
Tea or coffee? Tea
What is your current role and how long have you been doing it?
I have been director/business owner of Recon Electrical Wholesale for 10 years, and I am IBA Chairman - currently in my third year of a five year term. I was previously deputy chairman for three years.
How did you get started in this industry? I have known Recon owner Andy Salvin since the business started trading in 1996. Discussing the future growth of Recon, we jointly decided that our individual skill sets would complement each other. This led to a buy-in 10 years ago. Since that time, the business has grown year on year, even through the turmoil of the last few years.
What does your role entail?
With Recon, I’m a small business owner, covering every aspect of running a small business in today’s challenging market. In my role at the IBA, I work with the IBA board, office team and group members to help guide and grow The IBA Buying Group to ensure the best returns for all of our members; helping shape the future development of the group to sit in line with our long term goals and aspirations. I wanted to put something back into IBA following the ROI the Group brought us as an independent wholesale member throughout the many years of
company gave me a solid background in electrical installations and a grounding into the electrical engineering discipline. My background as a management consultant, helping businesses develop and grow, has provided me with invaluable insights into all forms of business development, which can be transferred into any business.
What has been the highlight of your career? Being voted into the role of IBA Chairman by the
group members, which shows the confidence the members have in me and pushes me forward to ensure their trust is well placed. At Recon, a highlight has been winning numerous awards, including EW’s award for best independent electrical wholesale branch, Build Awards’ best electrical wholesaler award, and the EI award for best electrical wholesaler.
What do you see as the main issues for the industry at the moment?
Supply chain issues are a major concern for the entire industry at the moment. With the global lack of raw product, it is becoming more and more difficult to source a regular supply of product to suit the ever growing demands of our customer base.
“I do believe that everyone in life has the ability to teach us something, it’s simply a case of looking for that one spark, understanding it, and adopting the philosophy in your own life.”
our membership, so I joined the IBA Commercial Committee initially, to help shape the supplier deals we enjoy as members. This then led on to becoming the deputy Chairman of the group and, following the previous Chair’s retirement, finally becoming the group Chairman.
What roles were you doing before and how did they prepare you for this one?
The role of sales director for a generator engineering
ewnews.co.uk
Coupled with the harsh price increases caused by supply shortages, increased energy costs, increased transportation costs and economic uncertainty, it’s certainly an interesting time to be a small business owner.
Who has influenced you the most professionally?
I like to take a little learning from anyone I meet if possible, so there are a whole host of people
through the years that have influenced my life both professionally and personally - it would be difficult to pin any one down as the best influencer. I do believe that everyone in life has the ability to teach us something, it’s simply a case of looking for that one spark, understanding it, and adopting the philosophy in your own life.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
As corny or cliché as it sounds, I think it would have to be my family. Seeing and helping them grow and develop has to be the greatest achievement of any person doesn’t it?
If you’re at the bar - what are you drinking? I normally stick to a Blonde Beer or Amber Ale, but I do have a soft spot for a White Russian cocktail.
Football, cycling, rugby, golf, gardening… What keeps you busy at the weekend? During the winter months, skiing is a great passion for myself and my wife. And throughout the year we love escaping the humdrum of the day-to-day routine on motorcycle tours, both nationally and across Europe.
What’s your favourite favourite book? Dan Brown’s series of the DaVinci Code books. I do like a good mystery book tinged with historical secrets and mythology.
July 2022 electrical wholesaler | 33
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
