The Challenge
Andwis Lifts, part of Andwis Group, required support in recruiting an Estimator to join its Minor Works department.
Andwis Lifts is an established M&E specialist business in the group employing over 300 staff and providing lift installation, maintenance and repair services across the UK.
The role sat within a busy and structured service environment and was responsible for supporting the pricing and coordination of minor repair works. Key responsibilities included:
- Estimating and processing high-volume, lower-value repair works, typically ranging from £200 to £2,000
- Liaising with engineers and managers to clarify scope, urgency and technical requirements
- Preparing and issuing detailed quotations and following up to support order conversion
- Assisting in coordinating works with directly employed engineers and subcontractors
The challenge was identifying and securing an individual who was detail-driven, process-focused and capable of quickly learning multiple internal systems and processes.
EnquireWhy Traditional Recruitment Was Not Working
The lift industry is highly monopolised, with only a handful of businesses carrying out the vast majority of installation, maintenance and repair work throughout the UK.
As a result, the available talent pool is relatively small and experienced candidates are often well-established within the sector.
Looking outside the lift industry also presented challenges. Estimators operating in other sectors can command significantly higher salaries, particularly those with several years of experience behind them.
In addition, this opportunity sat within the Minor Works division, where project values and margins are typically lower than those associated with new installations, influencing the available salary budget.
The EMT Talent Approach
EMT Talent mapped the local market, targeting individuals from current and previous roles that involved estimating, planning or other positions requiring a high degree of accuracy, communication and coordination.
Drawing upon a relationship spanning more than ten years with Andwis Lifts, and an in-depth understanding of both the business and its management team, we were able to quickly identify candidates who aligned not only with the technical requirements of the role but also with the company's culture.
Within a matter of days, a shortlist was presented and three interviews were arranged, providing the hiring manager with several strong options to consider.
The Outcome
The hiring manager immediately connected with one particular candidate, who demonstrated a genuine interest in the lift sector and proactively expressed an intention to complete an introductory course on lifts as part of his own professional development.
The candidate had previously progressed into supervisory and management responsibilities within his former employer, giving Andwis confidence that they were hiring an individual willing to go above and beyond in developing his knowledge and supporting the business.
EMT Talent has successfully recruited across a wide range of operational positions for Andwis, with a relationship spanning more than a decade and a strong understanding of both the leadership team and wider business.
Final Impact
This project demonstrates EMT Talent's ability to secure estimators within highly specialised M&E environments, where attention to detail, commercial awareness and the capacity to learn complex processes are essential to long-term success.
If you're hiring...
If you're hiring an Estimator, Costings Engineer or another technical professional where attitude, aptitude and cultural fit are as important as sector experience, we'd be happy to discuss your requirements.
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