Dyno-Rod
| Limited company (subsidiary of British Gas) | |
| Industry | Drains, Plumbing, Home Security |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Headquarters | Various, Head Office at British Gas Orbis office complex in Staines |
Key people |
David Alexander (Director of Dyno) Andrew Burling (Head of Dyno Franchise Development) |
| Parent | Centrica |
| Website |
www |
Dyno is an emergency drainage and plumbing company operating in the United Kingdom. Formed in 1963, Dyno initially specialised in the use of electromechanical machines for drain clearance. Since then, the company has grown considerably, consolidating its drainage business and diversifying into comprehensive plumbing services for both domestic and industrial sites.
Dyno describes itself as ‘the market leader’, and as ‘the only drain cleaning service with full national coverage.’[1] It specialises in ‘clearing blockages, CCTV drain inspection surveys, drain repairs and pipework installations’, along with plumbing services.[1] The company offers a 24-hour emergency response service, and maintains plumbers across the UK and Eire.
Dyno Services is a franchise-granting limited company. It was acquired by British Gas in 2004.[2]
History
The Dyno-Rod service was launched in 1963 by Jim Zockoll, in South London and then the business was based in Surbiton for many years.
Jim Zockoll was an American Pan-AM pilot who spotted an opportunity whilst on a stop over in London. The hotel where Jim Zockoll was staying at was suffering drainage problems and the time to fix this and the equipment used were outdated. Jim Zockoll knew of other methods and equipment currently in use in the USA and so arranged with colleagues to get this equipment flown over and Jim fixed the problem and Dyno-Rod was effectively born.
Dyno-Rod focused itself as a specialised drain cleaning service using pioneering electromechanical techniques.[1] This service remains a core element of Dyno’s business. After initial success, Dyno began granting franchise licences, with the first franchisee established in 1965. There are currently 75 Dyno franchisees in the United Kingdom.
As the first non-fast food and the 2nd franchised business in the UK, Dyno-Rod played a prominent role in the formation of the British Franchise Association (the franchise industry’s self-regulating body).[3] Dyno remains a full member of the BFA, a distinction reserved for substantial franchisors who demonstrate a robust, supported operating system and whose franchisees provide strong positive references about their franchisor.[4]
Over time the Dyno brand developed other associated businesses with Dyno-Secure launching in 1987 to offer a range of locks and security services and Dyno-Plumbing following in 2001 to offer a comprehensive plumbing service.
Dyno Group was acquired by British Gas – itself a subsidiary of Centrica – in October 2004.[2] A period of development followed this acquisition. Since 2004, a number of Dyno franchisees have developed larger territories and now operate multiple brands within the Dyno group of businesses.
Operating Information
Dyno Services grants franchise licenses across three limited companies. There are currently 75 franchisees operating Dyno services under the Dyno-Rod and Dyno-Plumbing. Dyno Locks & Alarms is no longer in operation as it was acquired by G4S as of 2013. In 2015 the company also launched several heating franchises across the UK.
Along with as the 75 franchise offices, Dyno is headquartered at the British Gas Orbis Office complex in Staines, while the Head Office for customer operations is at the Scottish Gas offices in Edinburgh, supported by Oldbury.The office will shut down in 2015 and operation will be moved to City Park in Glasgow, Scotland.