Forty years ago Colin Jarvis took a gamble and started his own electrical company from his bungalow in Gillingham.

It paid off - and today Medway Electrical and Mechanical Services (MEMS) is a leading supplier of generators in the UK power rental market.

Occupying an eight acre purpose-built plant in Twydall, MEMS now employs one hundred staff and hires out temporary power solutions nationwide 24/7, 365 days of the year.

Mr Jarvis ,71 is one of Medway’s most successful businessmen and, while still at the helm, he has appointed his son Glen as managing director.

A keen tennis player, he is also celebrating the first anniversary of a completely different venture, Avenue Tennis in Gillingham.

For Gills fans who may not be familiar with world of generator hire, MEMS is what they see on players’s shirts.

An avid lifelong supporter, he is proud to be the club’s sponsor.

Indeed it may have been while on the terraces at Priestfield Stadium as a lad that his entrepreneurial spirit first emerged.

A regular attendee at home matches, he decided at the age of 13 to make a few bob by selling peanuts to supporters.

Mr Jarvis, who is married to Chris and also has a daughter Claire, started work at the Co-op in Napier Road, Gillingham when he was 15.

After six years he contacted a local bus company to see if there were any jobs for electricians. There were none going, so he took a job as a driver.

Mr Jarvis set up shop on his own at his home in Beresford Road in 1978 and within five years he had 15 staff.

MEMS, in Beechings Way, has seen many changes over the years. From the transition from selling and installing generators in 1980s to being appointed the largest Cummins UK Generator dealer in 1997.

In 2004 , the business switched its focus to generator hire.

Mr Jarvis, said: “MEMS would not have been able to reach this huge milestone without significant effort of all staff, both past and present.

“MEMS still has a family vibe and we have many long-standing members of staff.

Over the past 40 years, as we have grown, the staff ethos of quality and commitment remain, which has enabled us to continue to exceed customer expectations.”