The simplest of business philosophies has helped Empire Scaffolding become the Midlands' largest independent scaffolding company. ‘Do it right and turn up when you say you will'. That's the motto which has helped the company grow from two founding directors to a workforce of almost 50 specialists with 14 lorries.

Over nine years it has boosted its turnover from some £300,000 to more than £2m - with a figure on the top side of £3m in sight for the coming year.

And now Empire Scaffolding (GB) is also a nominee for the Evening Post's KPMG and Nottinghamshire County Council-sponsored Nottinghamshire Company of the Year Award.

Way back in the beginning it was just scaffolders Ralph Davies and Craig Smith operating from the back room of a pub... which was no surprise as Ralph's wife Deb managed the pub.

Now she, and Craig's wife Claire, are both part of Empire's admin team.

Davies said: "We both worked as scaffolders and were sick of turning up on jobs only to be told that we should have been there the day before or the day after.

"Because of our employers' poor organisation we were taking a lot of stick for things beyond our control, and had got fed up with it.

"So Craig and I decided to go it alone and to do the job properly: turning up on time and getting the job done on schedule at a fair price.

"Really it is just basic customer service and reliability, but it was almost unheard of among scaffold companies until we came along."

The concept works and empire now scaffolds anything from single homes to landmark buildings.

Recent contracts include providing scaffolding for refurbishment of the Birmingham Law Courts and the make-over of Nottingham Trent University's Newton and Arkwright buildings.

Basic marketing has also helped the business grow.

"We were one of the first to put advertising banners on our sites.

"And when England were in the European Championships we displayed some Union Jack banners saying we supported the lads, and showing our phone number. Our patriotism went down well with a lot of people.

"They were only twenty quid banners but it was amazing how much attention they attracted and the business that came from those contacts."

Source: Nottingham Evening Post

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