Lowe & Oliver, which has kept power flowing into our homes, offices and factories, is celebrating 100 years in business.

The Oxford electrical contractor can look back at times when it helped the Royal family and provided essential lighting for Spitfire pilots in the Second World War.

Locally, it has been responsible for maintaining supplies to thousands of Oxfordshire properties.

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The company was founded in 1923 by Reginald Lowe, who was soon joined by Herbert Oliver. It grew steadily in the 1920s and 1930s as electrification spread throughout the city.

It was also at this time that the company began its long association with Oxford colleges.

At the outbreak of war, the company was so well-established that it was able to secure a number of Air Ministry contracts.

They included providing lighting for airfields in the south of England to allow Spitfire aircraft to land during the Battle of Britain.

The company continued to thrive and in 1957, Patrick Lowe joined his father in the business. At that time, 30 electricians were on the payroll.

By the mid-1960s, the company was working with architects and for colleges, schools, hospitals and commercial firms, on new buildings and upgrading existing ones to meet modern standards.

Rupert Lowe, grandson of the founder, became the third generation of the family to join the company.

In recent years, Lowe & Oliver has expanded its geographical reach and range of services and now, as part of the Lowe Holdings Group, works throughout the UK.

Director Fred Lowe, great-grandson of founder Reginald and the fourth generation in the company, tells me: “We have been blessed to work with so many wonderful Oxonians over the past 100 years, whether members of staff or established names in and around the city.

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“Through our long history, a loyal and long-serving workforce have formed the backbone of the company.

“None of this would have been possible without their grit, hard work and good humour. I would like to put on record our thanks to every individual and company who has contributed to this successful centennial moment.”

The company, which now has 130 staff, including 30 apprentices, is still based in Oxford but also has offices in Southampton and Cheltenham.

It has a Royal Warrant as electrical contractors, working on a variety of projects in the Royal household.

Mr Lowe says: “We are more vigorous than ever 100 years on. Whatever the size or nature of the challenge, our aim is the same – to deliver consistently high technical and management services to our customers at competitive prices.”

The company has produced a book, Lowe & Oliver – A Century in Power, to mark its centenary. It can be ordered at https://blog.loweoliver.co.uk/digital-centenary-book

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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