The Mucky Dirty Wonderful World Of Steel Frames & Sheds

The Mucky Dirty Wonderful World Of Steel Frames & Sheds

Partnerships, being friendly, hardworking and genuinely nosey are the secrets to Martin Walsh’s success.

47 Years of Trading

At 74 years young, and as his company enters its 47th year, Founder and Managing Director of Martin Walsh Architectural, Martin, looks back on what he says, with a smile, started as a ‘mucky business’.

Residential or Industrial

Martin cut his teeth in residential architecture, but after being made redundant his path changed, he recalls:

“I was in a caravan in Blackpool enjoying a family break when I got a call from my employer. The receivers were in, I was being made redundant. That was a Friday, by Monday I was jobless!

“I could have found work with another company back on the drawing board, but at the time I was a project manager with a good reputation and was given the opportunity to advise on an industrial job.

“The decision I had to make was ‘did I stick to what I knew and focus on home extensions and new builds’ or ‘take a risk on my own and diversify into the world of industrial and commercial architecture’?”

It’s a Dirty World

Martin continues:

“I started on my own. It was not the easy option, times were tough and my first job was mucky, filthy and horrible – but it was a job and I loved it!

“What transpired were new opportunities for factories and there’s something really honest and weirdly interesting about the mucky, dirty world of steel frames and sheds.”

Martin Walsh, Founder and Managing Director of Martin Walsh Architectural (MWA)

Partnership

Supporting Martin as he started his journey was his wife, Cindy. Not only did she help with admin and finance in the business, she also brought up his successors, which ultimately enabled Martin to establish and build the company as it is today!

Martin comments fondly:

“MWA began as a partnership between me and my wife. We said we would work it out between ourselves, and we did.”

A Home for MWA

“We started in the back bedroom, then the desk moved to the middle bedroom – it was a bit bigger! We then extended our semi and added an office. But with a growing family and bigger jobs, we had to find a new home.

“We wanted to stay local, so managed to buy an end terrace on the outskirts of Dewsbury. It was just down the road and had room for cars. Before long, we bought the house next door too and started to convert the buildings into MWA’s offices.

“In fact, our home, as we call it now, was transformed through barters and favours. Whether it was the joiner or glazier, at the time we helped each other by trading our skills as we all grafted.”

Two Became Three

“It was at this time that we recruited. I remember that first interview like it was yesterday. I was sat in a building site, aka our office. All I could think was I hope he looks beyond the rubble and sees the vision. He did, and Gerry has been with us ever since!”

Genuine Interest (aka being nosey!)

In the 80s entrepreneurs were being incentivised by the Government to build factories, in return, they received a tax break; this saw a significant increase in demand and Martin found himself sourcing land and building structures.

Martin comments:

“In the 80s factories were in huge demand,”

“We were working hard to meet briefs and the companies that were being housed were fascinating. I was genuinely interested in their processes, and what their products did. I believe that this is one of the reasons why our buildings work harder, which has since become our ethos.

“We want to find out as much as possible about what the space is used for and in turn how we can make this environment and building work harder.”

Proud Moments

“I’m often asked what my biggest or best job is and I have to say each one. But if the truth is told, it’s going back six months after a build is complete to finalise the maintenance checks. Here we see businesses fully functioning, serving a purpose and employing people that are doing their job to support their families. We helped this!

“We build the infrastructure, make it look good and function in the best possible way to support the intricacies that go on inside. Whether that’s creating washers and gaskets for submarines or filling bottles with water. Anything goes!”

Making Friends

Getting to know a business in this way means getting to know teams. For Martin, this is one of the many things that he loves about his job.

He comments:

“Being interested in what people do means that you get to know the individuals too. Our clients aren’t just customers, they are friends. We are very proud of this and never take it for granted.”

Testament to this is the fact that many MWA clients are returning customers, some of which have been with the company for decades.

The Dynamics of a Family Business

As Managing Director, Martin is involved in most projects but the day-to-day running of the business is with his team of directors: Marcus Walsh, Damian Walsh and Matt Robinson.

There was a time when Martin did not expect his children to join the business. Marcus headed to London as a Graduate Trainee for Costain Construction and Damian followed his passion for music, studying this at university while also setting up and singing in his band Gravel.

Martin recalls:

“I always remember Marcus and Damian helping me when they were children, Marcus on-site measuring up and Damian copying blueprints on weekends and during the summer. So, there was hope. But then Marcus studied construction and headed to London and Damian joked that he wanted his 40th birthday to be celebrated in the student union and turned to music.

“During these years I have some great memories, not least visiting London and having to sleep on Marcus’s floor! It was a total role reversal having him look after me and hold my hand while I was visiting.

“But, when the time was right for both Damian and Marcus, they joined the company; Marcus in architecture and Damian in building surveying before he transitioned into his finance role.”

The third dimension of MWA’s family business is director Matt, who joined the company in 1998 as part of a work experience program whilst studying for his BTEC in Construction.

Martin adds:

“Matt may not be family on paper, but he certainly is.

“Together we all bring our own dynamic to the business, and it works!”

Making a Change

In the early days, it was natural for Martin to work seven days a week, with five and a half days becoming his norm – after all, he was building a business! It was a hard graft. But it was these aspects of his working life that he knew he wanted to change as his company grew.

Martin recalls:

“Working long hours was a necessity when I launched, so it’s a good job I enjoyed it! But there were downsides. While I never missed a parents’ evening or school performance, it was rare for me to catch early morning swimming practice and football on a Saturday. If truth be told, at times, I was an absentee dad.

“But through my role today, I can help reduce the workload and pressure so that the team get to experience and enjoy those family moments. Equally, I now have the flexibility to enjoy spending precious time with my grandkids. It’s also why health and wellbeing play such an important role in our company today.”

Words of Wisdom

As Martin sits in his favourite spot, on Filey’s front where he spends most of his weekends and spare time, he reflects on what his foundations for success are…

“Make friends, be nosey and work hard – oh and be bloody good at what you do!”