LISBURN-based Okto Technologies is rolling out an ambitious growth strategy with the aim of generating £70 million in annual turnover and trebling its workforce by 2025.
Okto, established in Lisburn in 1992 by Philip Dowds to instal and repair television aerials in housing estates, now specialises in the development and delivery of smart building technology and control systems in some of the UKs highest value residential and hospitality properties.
The company is unique in providing one fully integrated platform covering all electronic building technology requirements, which include heating, ventilation and air conditioning control, combined heat and power systems, vehicle and passenger lift control, lighting control, window treatment control, audio - visual, IT, security, access control and automation.
Mr Dowds has redefined the company’s core offering and invested significantly in R&D, resulting in ‘smart’ or invisible technology systems which transform the performance of buildings and homes.
Much of the company’s future growth will be spearheaded through its artificial intelligence-based butler system 'Baxter', which uses AI to anticipate the needs of the customer and intuitively reacts.
With sales of £7.2million last year, Okto has benefited from unprecedented business growth over the last three years. Its main market is London, which remains central to its 2025 development strategy, and where its client base includes Clivedale London, Candy & Candy, The Dorchester Collection, The Peninsula Residences and 5 Hertford Street.
Closer to home Okto have provided luxury installations for private homes and Northern Ireland's largest IT company Allstate.
Okto’s turnover has grown by 155,000 per cent over its 27-year history and Philip believes much of this success is due to a focus on service delivery and a bedrock of loyal customers.
He said: “We believe in taking customer service to the highest level. Our ‘no stone left unturned’ approach is built into our guiding principles and is a critical factor which differentiates us from the competition, delivering customer loyalty and business growth in equal measures.
“Our immediate priority is to invest further in our team of designers, engineers and project managers. We already have some of the best people on board and we want to attract more top creative talent - people who really want to excel by being part of an exceptional export business.”
