The company was founded on 19th March 1946 by Edwin Billinton, Walter Carroll and John Skidmore, three men who were friends and decided on returning home after the war to form their own business instead of working as electricians for others.

Originally the office was located in Mill Hill in the centre of Leeds, then transferred to The Calls on a site that is now the location of the Millenium Bridge.

Within five or six years Ed Billinton had decided to emigrate to Canada, Walt Carroll had prematurely died and John Skidmore had recruited Harry Furness, a colleague from pre-war days at NG Bailey & Co Ltd, to join his management team.

As with many an enterprise founded on the craft expertise of its principles, the early years had some rocky times. In fact, through Ed Billinton's strong association with Rugby, a deal was done that BCS would floodlight Odsal Stadium and would be recompensed out of gate receipts. It is legend that Billinton and Skidmore attended all home matches to collect the gate money until they were repaid.


1951 Floodlights at Odsal Stadium - first game under
floodlight was Great Britian v New Zealand

1985 saw the retirement of John Skidmore. He sold his interests in BCS to Harry Furness, Harry Brown and Colin Marshall, Harry becoming the managing director and major shareholder.

The next significant change was in 1990 when the company sold the site in the Calls for re-development and moved to its current offices in Charlton Grove, Leeds. That same year Harry Brown retired and Charles Furness, Harry's son, became a director.

2005 saw the retirement of Harry Furness at the ripe old age of 81 and his son Charles taking over the reigns.