Terry McCarthy is Head of Key Accounts at Amax Group Holdings based in Harrow. Areas of expertise for the NSI Gold business include consultancy, installation, commissioning and maintenance.
What would be a typical project for you?
Usually a full design and build solution. We would start from being appointed as a design consultant, which would continue through the installation and commissioning process, which would then result with a maintenance and support contract.
Do you have any ‘go to’ technology and manufacturers?
Yes we do, although we make sure with the manufactures we install and maintain, that our team know thoroughly from back office and engineering team. The technology we tend to focus on is proactive security like AI video analytics. For CCTV we would install Avigilon or Hanwha, access control would be Avigilon, Inner Range, Honeywell or Paxton, for intruder alarms we install Texecom, our fire alarm offering is from the C-TEC, Kentec, Advance and Apollo ranges. Lastly, for door entry, we use BPT, 2N and Comelit.
What is the best thing about working in this industry?
Having the opportunity to see how different industries operate, being able to offer your services overseas and travel – seeing a bit more of the world. Moreover, meeting so many interesting and great people.
Is third party certification beneficial?
We have found that it helps in many ways, gaining trust with a customer and tendering for certain projects.
Do you think there is an engineer skills shortage? Any trouble recruiting?
We are always eager to find highly skilled engineers, which can be challenging. Hopefully in the near future we will start to see more courses ranging from higher education college courses to undergraduate schemes to assist in promoting and spreading awareness about careers in fire and security to the younger generation. Though we also believe the apprenticeships are great platform to start with.
Read the full interview in the April 2023 edition of PSI magazine
