As Relcon Power Systems Limited marks 35 years since its founding, the milestone comes with an added layer of significance: the company has attained ISO 9001:2015 certification. For a firm that has grown steadily from its early beginnings into a tier one electrical contractor in Kenya, the dual celebration is both symbolic and strategic. It speaks to longevity, resilience, and a deliberate commitment to quality-driven growth.
Founded in 1991 by Mr Mahesh Shah, Relcon Power Systems Limited has evolved into a respected name in electrical engineering and contracting. The company specialises in the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of electrical systems for all types of buildings and specialised installations. Over the years, its portfolio has expanded across commercial, hospitality, educational, industrial, residential and healthcare projects, reflecting both technical depth and market trust.
Today, the atmosphere within Relcon is one of pride and renewed energy. Management and staff alike describe a company that is more structured, more confident, and more ambitious than ever before. The ISO 9001:2015 certification, achieved through Bureau Veritas, is widely viewed not as an endpoint, but as a foundation for the next phase of growth.
A deliberate step towards international standards
For Monali Shah, Relcon’s Chief Financial Officer and the internal champion of the ISO certification process, the decision to pursue ISO 9001:2015 was both timely and necessary. She explains that the certification aligns directly with the company’s long-term vision.
“We want to grow more in our field, and we want to abide by international standards,” she says. “ISO 9001:2015 is an international certification, and getting it through Bureau Veritas, one of the most prominent certification bodies, was very important for us.”
Beyond compliance, the certification was seen as a tool for strengthening operational excellence and positioning the company for sustainable growth. According to Monali, ISO certification brings clear competitive advantages. “You can attract more clients because they know you are ISO certified. It gives you better compliance, efficiency and risk management. Most importantly, it enhances the goodwill and reputation of Relcon.”
While Relcon was already well known and respected within the industry, Monali views the certification as a step that elevates the company further. “It is just another start to our achievement,” she notes. “Many of our suppliers are already ISO certified, and we also wanted to be one of those suppliers to our clients who is ISO certified.”
Leading the process from within
Appointed by Managing Director Mahesh Shah to lead the ISO journey, Monali credits leadership support as a key success factor. “We are very lucky to have him as director,” she says. “He gives staff a free hand to work independently, but at the same time, his guidance made the whole process successful.”
The certification process itself was intensive and far-reaching. With the support of an ISO consultant, Relcon began by identifying the documentation and systems required across departments. “Apart from finance, the most important departments were HR and the project management team – our engineers,” Monali explains. Site reports, progress documentation, client ledgers and historical tender records all had to be standardised and properly maintained.
Crucially, the process was not confined to management. All staff were sensitised through company-wide meetings involving the ISO consultant. “We had a full management review meeting, and after that we had an internal audit carried out in-house,” she says.
Balancing day-to-day operations with ISO requirements was not easy. “Our employees found it very involving,” Monali admits. “It was difficult managing regular work alongside ISO certification.” Even after certification, the work continues. “It’s a continuous process. The consultant comes every month to review and check if everything is in order.”
The outcome, however, has been transformative. “We are very different from before,” she says. “We discovered small glitches we were not aware of, especially in documentation. Now we have improved, and people are aware that we are ISO certified. It has come to the company’s advantage.”
Strengthening the business development engine
Few departments felt the immediate impact of ISO certification as directly as the Tenders Department within Relcon’s Business Development division. Everlyne Ayako Olewa, who joined the company in 2013, and Eric Munyithya, now in his tenth year at Relcon, have seen the organisation evolve significantly.
“Relcon has grown over the years, especially in terms of the projects we are able to undertake,” Everlyne observes. “Big projects like Amref University are ones we could not handle back then.”
Eric agrees, pointing to quality as a defining change. “We have really improved in terms of quality. When you do something well, it sells. We have grown and stuck to standards, and now we are very strict on that.”
Operating in an increasingly competitive market remains a challenge. “There are so many contractors coming in,” Everlyne notes. “Competition has really intensified, and there is a lot of fighting for jobs.”
ISO certification, however, has reshaped how the department works and competes. “It has given us a different direction,” Everlyne explains. “We now see responsibilities we never thought were ours, like following up with clients to understand why we were not selected.”
The certification process also introduced discipline and efficiency. “How we submit tenders, how we arrange documents, how efficient we are – all that has improved,” she says. “If you ask me for a tender we did in January, we can easily retrieve it. Everything is organised.” Eric adds that the shift required an adjustment in mindset. “At first it was challenging because our work used to be less formal. Now it’s an evidence system. Every task must be documented.” Despite being time-consuming, the benefits are clear. “It has made our work easier and more efficient.”
A learning experience that builds confidence
Both Everlyne and Eric describe the ISO journey as eye-opening. “When we first heard about ISO, it was completely new,” Everlyne recalls. “We started Googling to understand what it was. But once the consultant explained it, we realised it was very interesting.” She believes the process has had a lasting personal impact. “It improves you as a person. Even if you go to another company, you feel you are working at a different level.”
Eric echoes this sentiment, admitting that understanding procedures and chains of command took time. “Once we learned, we saw it was a good thing. It even made our working easier.”
Their praise for Monali Shah’s leadership during the process is emphatic. “She was like the director of the whole process,” Everlyne says. “She was very supportive, kept us updated, and did a very good job. She was the link between the ISO company and the rest of us.”
They also highlight the role of Managing Director Mahesh Shah. “He kept reminding us we were not doing this just for the company, but for ourselves,” Everlyne recalls. “Even if you leave, Relcon remains ISO certified, but what you’ve learned goes with you.”
Quality control on the ground
For Imran Hamza, a Projects Supervisor who has been with Relcon for 16 years, the ISO certification has reinforced what he already values most: quality and accountability on site. Joining the company at just 17, Imran has grown professionally alongside Relcon. “Mr Mahesh is my first boss until today,” he says simply, underscoring a relationship built on trust.
Imran oversees all electrical works on Relcon’s projects, from wiring and fittings to overall execution. His current assignments include major developments such as 1870 West, a 30-storey residential apartment in Westlands. His role requires constant coordination with consultants, contractors and site foremen, alongside rigorous quality control.
“Now there is a lot of paperwork compared to before,” Imran explains. “There are checklists, daily proof that tasks are happening. It’s all part of quality control to make sure processes are systematic.”
Rather than viewing this as a burden, Imran sees structure as a strength. “We have templates for supervisors. You go to site, tick off what has been done, check quality, and document everything. It’s easy and clear.”
Balancing site work with ISO requirements was demanding. “It’s daily, so there is no shortcut,” he says. “You have to do the work and also make sure you are following standards.”
The pride that comes with certification is evident. “You are very proud to tell someone we are ISO certified,” Imran says with a smile. “It’s even on my business card. We expect to get more and more projects.”
Leadership and culture as differentiators
Across departments, one theme recurs consistently: leadership. Staff describe a management style that combines openness with decisiveness. “If you have a problem on site, you go direct to Mr Mahesh,” Imran explains. “You explain, he gives a solution, and you move on. There are no delays.”
This accessibility has fostered a culture of accountability and trust, enabling Relcon to adapt and improve continuously. As the company celebrates 35 years in business, that culture appears to be one of its greatest assets.
Looking ahead
ISO 9001:2015 certification places Relcon Power Systems Limited among a select group of contractors that have institutionalised quality management systems to international standards. The certification provides a platform for deeper market penetration, stronger client confidence and internal consistency. More importantly, it reflects a company that understands growth is not only about winning bigger projects, but about doing things right, every time. As Relcon looks to the future, its people, processes and leadership suggest a firm well positioned to build on its legacy – with quality firmly at the core.
