Advanced Electrical Systems Inc.

Kevin and Darren McAndrew are master electricians and the two brains behind Advanced Electrical Systems Inc. (AES). They founded the firm in 1996 with Kevin at the helm as president and CEO and Darren directly overseeing much of the day-to-day business as general manager and estimator. Located just south of Killeen, in central Texas, AES regularly services the  territory found within a 100-mile radius. The firm’s geographical footprint includes Fort Hood, Waco, Temple, Killeen and occasionally the greater San Antonio  area.

The McAndrews have three decades each of experience in the electrical business. For example, Darren has been working in the industry since he was 12 years old. This level of experience extends through the entire staff, and has become the signature trait of AES. “We are a well-rounded company with many years of experience. Some of our top employees in the field are master electricians, each with 20-plus years of experience,” he says.

Performing “Pretty Much the Whole Gamut”
Drawing on the company’s over 200 combined years of experience in providing the highest quality electrical service, AES prides itself on being able to complete projects nearly completely in-house. This allows the firm to have greater control over quality, budget and the schedule in which a job is completed. “We do pretty much the whole gamut. We don’t sub out much of anything,” says Darren. Whether it’s electrical design, consulting, complete turnkey systems, fiber optics, wiring installation, controls, fiber optics or communications utility backbone – AES does it all.
Working in both the public and private sectors on residential, commercial, industrial and federal new construction, retrofit and repair, AES exhibits strength and versatility across the spectrum. However, the firm sees government contracting as a cornerstone of the company’s income. Work for the Fort Hood military base, located just outside Killeen, is a significant part of the AES business, as the base is continually growing and expanding.
AES has the ability to perform any scale endeavor, and its skills and experience cover everything from small servicing jobs to large-scale multi-million dollar industrial projects. On the servicing side of the business, AES fulfills differing types of ongoing contracts, such as for schools in the central Texas area, as well as swimming pool electrical work for residential clients, plus automation, MSHA testing and machinery installation in the commercial sector.
All of these services are possible because, though the company started small, AES has grown to 60 employees and has acquired the experience and resources to handle a multitude of jobs. Well-maintained bucket trucks, ditchers, backhoes, aerial lifts and dump trucks aid the manpower, which can handle same-day service calls to extensive site development. The company maintains a strong track record of comprehensive customer satisfaction, the company emphasizes safety through OSHA-guided manuals and reporting procedures and weekly on-site meetings, and it is services are fully licensed and insured. Additionally, AES backs its ongoing skills reinforcement, industry presence and networking opportunities through memberships in IEC (Independent Electrical Contractors), AGC (Associated General Contractors), BBB (Better Business Bureau), and the Killeen Chamber of Commerce.

Powering a Bright Future for Killeen
AES prides itself in being a versatile operation able to handle any project that comes its way. Looking at a portfolio of its work over the past few years demonstrates the firm’s experience and skill in a variety of sectors. In mid-2009 AES joined forces with general contractor MW Builders – a regular partner – in order to complete several Fort Hood Flagship Motor Pools buildings, as well as provide services along an extension of Highway 195 for the Texas Department of Transportation. A few months prior, in August 2009, AES completed work on the Lampasas Independent School District’s new high school under the guidance of general contractor Baird/Williams Construction – another trusted partner.
Though the company is currently thriving, an increasing challenge has come in the form of out-of-state companies who cross the border, looking to sink their teeth into the lively economy located in the heart of Texas. Some of these competitors bid projects below AES cost, making it harder for AES to compete even with its competitively priced services. Although it may be initially difficult for a project owner to accept a higher cost, they are rewarded 100 percent of the time when they contract the full-service capabilities and quality for which AES has become known. As a result of this emphasis on customer satisfaction, much revenue for AES comes from repeat business.
Despite an increase in competition through low bidding tactics, AES continues to go after big projects springing up across the region in a diverse cross-section of markets. One such project is a government-funded billion-dollar hospital that “will bring opportunities for many small businesses here,” explains Darren. Texas A&M is opening a campus in the Killeen area as well, and the continual Fort Hood expansion offers an array of electrical work on the horizon.
The ongoing public and private investment in the development of the central Texas area continues to provide opportunities for AES to showcase its abilities, whether on a quick fix or an extensive quality installation. Holding the resources necessary to provide all manner of electrical solution, Advanced Electrical Systems Inc. has a real bright future in making sure clients get turned on to professional services.