About SRS

Meet the SRS Team (Newer, better pictures coming soon)

Alex Docherty, Managing and Marketing Director  - Alex first worked for SRS in 1996, during the holidays from his first degree. In 1998 Alex graduated from Edge Hill with an English degree and began working at SRS full time. As the company grew, a position in marketing became availiable. Alex completed a business studies course and a Marketing Degree at Bolton University. Alex became a Director of SRS Ltd in 2005 and is now responsible for the company's Marketing and general management.



Kath Goodman-Parrott, Sales Administration Director - Kath has been with SRS from the very beginning, over 26 years ago, and has helped the company through all of its growth and development. Kath is in overall control of the company's internal sales systems - her responsibilities include placing sales orders on the system and giving customers sales advice over the phone. Kath also liases with suppliers to ensure that the materials required for manufacturing arrive on time, and organises the delivery of the completed orders. Kath became a Director of SRS Ltd in 2005.

Kath Pemrick, Sales - Kath Pemrick joined SRS in 2002 after having worked at a aircraft engineering firm in Bolton. Kath previously worked as a payroll administrator and has joined SRS as a sales administrator. Kath No. 2, as she is known to reduce confusion, is also responsible for organising orders and giving sales advice to SRS customers - so please remember which one you spoke to!




Richard Sherwood MIOA, Technical Sales Manager - Richard joined SRS in Sept 2005 from Salford University, where he achieved his degree in Audio Technology. Richard has had experience of Building Acoustics through the modules selected on his course and has a wide knowledge of SRS Ltd's products and their application. Richard became a full member of the Institute of Acoustics in 2008.  Both Richard and Toby are able to give advice on any acoustic problems. Richard enjoys Hardcore Metal, processed cheese slices and Scarborough.




Toby Makin MIOA, Technical Advisor - Toby also joined the SRS Technical Dept in Sept 2005. Toby achieved his degree in Audio Technology from Salford University. Whilst studying he also gained valuable technical experience working for BDP Acoustic Consultants in Manchester. Toby became a full member of the Institute of Acoustics in 2008. Toby enjoys walking in the Lake District, photography and the consumption of sweet, pastry based confection procured from the local supermarket. It would not be fair to end this section without also mentioning his curious inability to kick a football.



Simon Fox, Production Manager - Out of working hours Simon is active not so much as a Fell Runner but rather as a Mountain Biker. From 8:30 till 5:00 however, Simon's pleasure is to make sure that everything is delivered on time and to our customers' satisfaction.

A Brief History of SRS

The company was formed as Hartnell and Rose Ltd in 1981, to manufacture acoustic insulation for the suspended ceiling industry, and to market and distribute a metal suspended ceiling system known as Flairline, manufactured by a metal section rollers in the midlands. There were two directors, Eddie Williams and Jack Donnelly, who were joined in 1991 by a third director Julian Donnelly

The acoustic insulation was made of mineral wool encased or faced with various materials. These included pvc and polythene film, aluminium, and none woven tissue. They were made in pad or roll form, and were laid over the back of perforated metal suspended ceilings. This gave acoustic absorption to the ceiling, and therefore to the area into which it was installed. These were generally commercial buildings, offices, sports halls, Airports, etc. They were sold mainly to suspended ceiling contractors, who then installed them with the ceiling.

The Flairline metal ceiling system was marketed through architects and ceiling contractors. The first contract obtained was for a processing plant for British nuclear fuels at Workington. Sales over the next two years were so successful the parent company decided to market the system themselves.

This left the company with just the insulation business. This had grown over the two years, and the company moved from the original premises in Farnworth to larger ones in the ground floor of a mill in George Street Farnworth. Over the next four years price competition became more intense. There were a number of elements which generated this. The main manufacturer of this type of insulation had the market mainly to themselves prior to Hartnell and Rose coming on the scene. They were part of a large insulation company and were determined to keep their market share. Other companies had also started to produce the same product in what, overall, was only a small market. All of these companies manufactured insulation for other markets; the ceiling side was just a part of this.

Hartnell and Rose were solely dependant on the ceiling industry, and therefore felt the squeeze more severely. Action had to be taken. It was decided in the late 80`s to change from mineral fibre as a base material to foam. This was cleaner, did not need encasing or facing, but was untried within the ceiling industry. It was also decided to try and develop our own specialist products based on foam. These would be designed for a specific purpose, and provide a tested acoustic performance. They would be specifiable to meet specific demands, and would replace the generic products currently produced.

In 1990 the company moved from Farnworth to a more modern unit in lever street Bolton. Throughout the 90`s products where developed for improving the acoustic performance of internal building structures, including floors, ceilings, and walls. Increased business necessitated the move to larger premises, and these where purchased in 1999 in Lever Street. At the same time it was decided to change the name to SRS, which was more descriptive to the nature of the business.

Sound Reduction Systems Ltd is now increasingly known in the building industry for its innovative products fulfilling the demands of building acoustics.