It was nearly six decades ago when A.M. Electrical first came to Narrabri back in 1966.
Les Rose established the company in Sydney, firstly at Enfield and then at Rydalmere out in the western suburbs. The Sydney-based electrical contracting company at that time had Humes Concrete as a major client, so when Humes decided to construct a new concrete pipe manufacturing plant at Narrabri, Les selected a team and headed out to Narrabri to wire up the new factory.
Les soon found out that there was great potential in the area.
Cotton and other agricultural ventures were starting to expand, so he developed a branch of the business in Narrabri.
It was at this time in 1969 the company decided to engage an apprentice.
The first apprentice employed at the Narrabri branch was a young lad named Ray Condon.
Ray served his apprenticeship and worked as an electrician, finally managing the branch for a period before he and his wife Carmel purchased the Narrabri enterprise in 1982.
Since that time, they have employed many tradesmen and trained countless apprentices, one of whom Matthew Houguet is still with the business after 36 years of service.
Another who served his time with A.M. is Murray Tindal who was also employed for over 30 years.
Gerrit Van Den Elst is currently employed and has served 10 years.
The AM Electrical team in 1989: Geoff Brown, Jamie Condon, Ray Condon, Murray Tindal and Matthew Houguet.
Over the years A.M. has carried out many projects large and small, spread over much of NSW and southern Queensland from wiring cotton ginning facilities at Goondiwindi, Moree, Warren and Trangie to mining infrastructure at Singleton, Gunnedah and Narrabri along with private and government contracts at local, state and federal levels as well as servicing various local business, industrial, agricultural and residential clients.
After 54 years Ray has called time.
Ray and Carmel have sold the business to their son and daughter In-law, Jamie and Annette Condon.
Jamie also served his apprenticeship with the company before heading down to Newcastle to further his engineering training and has in recent years started a new successful company, SierraTek Global.
The Courier asked Ray for a comment to summarise his journey: “It is so hard to sum up the last 54 years owning and operating a regionally based business that relies so much on agribusiness, weather, commodity pricing, and all the variables that make up our life and opportunities here in the bush. What I would say is that I am humbled by my wife Carmel who has been there by my side throughout the journey and all the amazing employees who have played their part along the way.
“Having such a capable and dedicated team has allowed us to take on some large and challenging projects through the years.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the past and present team members, too many names to list here, but I am proud to have shared my career with such a large variety of characters over the years.”
Jamie Condon and his father Ray shake on the business transfer day.
Effective from July 1, 2023 SierraTek Global has taken over A.M. Electrical and will operate the businesses in conjunction and continue to support the valued customers of both businesses.
Managing Director of SierraTek Global Jamie Condon, who is based in Narrabri, commented “It is a proud time for Annette and I to carry on the legacy of what Ray and Carmel have built.
“To witness this first hand, owning and operating a successful business for such a long time is inspiring and motivational for us to continue to build and expand the combined businesses, and to offer a service to the region that is above and beyond.
“SierraTek has been built on the same core values of integrity, dedication and customer focus that I learnt from my father many years ago.
“That and the grey hair … he has passed on many great traits.”
“SierraTek Global, JAC Productions and A.M. Electrical are now one and the same, and we look forward to combining our teams, knowledge and experience to deliver a complete electrical, automation, engineering, ginning machinery and parts service along with programming, software development, film making, photography and UAV aerial drone works service for our valued customers.”
Anyone looking for these services please ring Jamie on 0427 991 484 or email [email protected]
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