Family company is a sparkling success story

Specialising in the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of a wide range of systems, Diamond Systems provides a complete solution, tailored to fit the specific needs of each and every client.

The company was founded in 1987 by Lisburn-local, Tom Snoddon, when he spotted a gap in the local marketplace.

“Northern Ireland needed a local company that could deliver large scale projects as well as any big corporation, but with the ability to provide immediate on the ground support when design changes were required,” recalls Tom.

At the time, Tom was the Northern Ireland Regional Manager of a leading global security company, but felt the scale of the organisation often resulted in an impersonal level of service.

So he made the leap, and set up Diamond Alarm Systems in a small single-office unit in East Belfast.

“In the early days it was about building relationships – with contractors, consultants and direct customers, and forming a level of trust in our ability to deliver and never compromise on quality,” explains Tom.

Since then the company has grown significantly, surviving two major recessions along the way.

Their once small team has now quadrupled in size, and over the years they have gained all relevant third party certifications, becoming one of the most highly accredited companies in the industry.

“A key turning point in those early years was our involvement in Belfast’s Millennium Project - the Odyssey Complex, which really put us up there amongst the key players in the industry,” explains Angela Bennett, Tom’s daughter and Financial Director of Diamond Systems.

“I recall the night my dad came home from work having received the order, he was in a jubilant mood.

“And he took the family out for tea, a rare treat in those early years!

“As a family we were enormously proud to be involved in the project, and we remain involved with the Odyssey today, fifteen years on.”

Other notable projects include the installation of the security system at The Ulster Museum, Belfast; fire alarm commissioning at both the Sage Building, Gateshead and Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; and more recently installation and maintenance services for the Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Queen’s University, Belfast.

“For a small, family business to take on competitors operating on a global scale and be successful is testament to the hard work, dedication and capability of our team over the years,” comments Tom’s son, Steve Snoddon, who became Managing Director in 2009.

Locally, the company also deliver maintenance services to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council as well as many commercial, industrial, educational and residential customers across the city of Lisburn.