Our History
1996: Having worked as an operative for other reinstatement companies, Maurice O’Connor branched out on his own in 1995, renting a one vehicle space at Scratchwood in a lane behind the M1 London Gateway Services, at a rent of £50 per week.
Coupled with Katrina O’Connor’s banking and customer service experience, Stanmore Quality Surfacing Ltd was formed as a limited company in 1996. From the beginning SQS had a clear focus on quality with a driving ambition to change the perception of reinstatement works.
1998: To prove the SQS commitment to quality the SQS team carried out unpaid high profile work in Whitehall for McNicholas. Growth followed through cable TV and telecoms work.
In 2000 the cable ‘bubble’ burst and SQS branched out into highways maintenance, winning work for Ealing Council and Herts Highways amongst others. In line with their ethos of investing for the future business, Maurice and Katrina introduced their first machine gang in 2002.
2004: Major contracts with Three Valleys Water and Clancy Docwra were secured in 2004, as part of the water mains repair and maintenance programme. In 2005 SQS launched their innovative ‘Ontrack’ mobile based works management system, sending real-time images using MMS.
Further expansion followed and SQS secured work with Thames Water and Clancy Docwra using Ontrack. The Scratchwood depot continued to expand and further depots were opened in Brent Terrace and Essendon.
2007: 2007 saw the formation of Quality Recycling Solutions Ltd. Fully compliant with the WRAP quality protocol QRS was established to provide the means by which the vision of all waste from site being recycled could be achieved. Production of EcoBase started the next year.
EcoBase is a replacement material for MOT Type 1 that is formed from 95% recycled materials and was soon adopted across many highways areas as an environmentally and cost effective reinstatement solution.
2010: By now SQS had grown to be a leading multi-utility contractor commencing work in the power sector working with Laing O’Rourke on the UKPN London contract. SQS won their first Considerate Contractor Gold Award in 2009 and maintained that standard in subsequent years.
The company commitment to the environment was recognised at both the Business in the Community (BiTC) Environmental Leadership Awards 2010 and the Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) Awards 2010.
2013: The SQS business continued to grow winning major contracts in the water and energy sectors. The company opened its new head office in Harp View in 2011 and further expansion of the Scratchwood depot followed on including the opening of the SQS Training Academy and the launch of the SQS apprenticeship programme.
QRS introduced their EcoSurround apparatus surround material in 2013 and further development of the Ontrack system maintained the innovation edge that separates SQS Group from its peers.
2016: In 2016 Maurice and Katrina led the celebrations marking 20 years of the SQS journey. Major contracts have extended the company operating right across London and the South East with eight depots and several satellite sites serving clients and communities in 11 counties.
The commitment to quality that has underpinned the growth of SQS from the beginning continues at the heart of the business. From a single gang in 1996 to over 240 gangs today SQS is the road to success.
