Where are your priorities? - Practical Facilities Management

usiness news...
Canon award
contract to
MailSource
MailSource has been awarded the
contract to provide mail, switchboard
and reception services to
Canon UK’s Head Office in
Reigate.
Following a review of the services,
MailSource’s proposal involved
maximising synergies between the
service areas and introducing
bespoke technology. The suggested
improvements will achieve savings
of up to £200k for Canon UK
over the term of the three year
contract.
To deliver the services 15 staff
transferred their employment to
MailSource ready for the contract
to begin. Reader Reply No.: 84136
GSH appoints Jamie
to drive US growth
In a move designed to target the
$13 billion US FM market, GSH has
promoted National Commercial
Director, Jamie Reynolds to
Senior Vice-President of its US
operation. His role will be to further
develop its growing US market
share and promote its integrated
service proposition and
innovative IT offering.
OCS secure
contract win
OCS Technical has won a three-year contract with
The University of Manchester, to provide a safety
testing and inspection service for the eyebolts and
roof wire systems on the university’s entire property
portfolio.
OCS Safety eyebolts are designed so that external
workers, like window cleaners, have safe access to the
roof and outer building via the windows.
They are needed wherever employees are required to
work in areas where a fall of more than 2 metres is
possible.
The testing of this equipment is necessary to ensure
that the University meets the requirements of the
Health and Safety at Work Act, and that a safe working
environment is maintained for its maintenance
staff. The Act states that all employers must provide
safe methods of work to people when working on their
premises, including people who are not their employees.
Failure to meet with these regulations would
result in the University being liable if an accident happened.
Chris Cracknell, OCS Chief Executive, said, “The testing
and inspection services that we offer for eyebolts
and roof wire systems are what we consider to be the
most important part of our service. I believe that
there should not be any compromises when it comes to
people’s safety.
“The requirements for the testing of personal and protective
equipment are well documented and our aim is
to always exceed them. Our customers know they can
rely on us and our products to deliver effective safety
solutions for their premises.”
The contract, which expands OCS Technicals’ service
in this area, will entail the removal, inspection,
replacement and testing of the safety eyebolts. The
Established nine years ago, GSH’s
US operation has achieved remarkable
growth with an impressive
portfolio of blue chip clients. In
particular, Jamie will be ideally
placed to leverage the Group’s
international client brands with
leading names like Hewlett
Packard, IKEA and T-Mobile already
working with GSH in Europe and the
US.
After joining the company as an
eighteen year old YTS management
trainee, Jamie was
appointed as a Board Director at
the age of 27. The appointment
will allow him to transfer best
practice in the European FM
market to the US and gain further
management expertise in
an expanding operation.
Colin Tennent, GSH’s Chief
Executive commented: “We
have established a solid platform
for growth in the US and
believe Jamie is the right person
to spearhead the next phase in
its development. He has excellent
team leadership skills and
his proven track record in selling
the complete FM package will be
an asset stateside where to date
there has been less emphasis on
service integration.”
Reader Reply No.: 84106
Select wins RoSPA
Silver Award
Select Facilities Management Ltd
has picked up the prestigious
RoSPA Silver Award 2005, recognising
and celebrating the
achievement of a very high standard
of Health and Safety at work
over the past three years.
Each year more than 1,000 companies
from the UK and around the
world receive occupational awards
from the Royal Society for the
Prevention of Accidents
(RoSPA) demonstrating their excellence
in managing Health and
Safety at work. RoSPA believes that
the best way to promote safety and
encourage best management practice
is to reward those who head
the field and lead by example.
Graham Walker, managing director
of Select, said: “It is excellent to
hear that we have been presented
testing will take place annually, and includes a series
of inspections and tests. There are also a number of
abseiling fixings that will be tested twice annually.
Each fixing is either tagged or has an ID disc confirming
its location, the date tested and standard conformity.
Any fixings not conforming to required standards
are red tagged as ‘do not use’, and then reported to
the site contact before completion of the inspection
and a defects sheet is completed.
The bolts, which are manufactured from higher tensile
or stainless steel, are designed for use by one person
whilst the wire systems can be used by a number of
personnel at the same time. Before sending its
employees out in the field OCS provides 3 months
intensive safety training to ensure their own safety,
and to enable them to perform to OCS’ high standards.
This testing service is one of many provided by OCS
Technical, which has three key divisions -Safety,
Access and Mechanical & Electrical. OCS Technical surveys
premises and recommends, installs and maintains
safety and access systems. OCS ensures that installations
comply with legislation and offer long lasting,
cost effective solutions. Reader Reply No.: 84101
with this award, as it
demonstrates how seriously
we take Health and
Safety in the workplace,
and the FM expertise we
offer.”
“At Select, we recognise
not only the importance
of H&S in general but our
responsibility to both our
own and our customer’s
staff alike. One of the
reasons for our success is
the reassurance we can offer our
clients, particularly in ensuring
compliance with all necessary H&S
legislation to guarantee the highest
standards are maintained and
therein providing peace of mind.”
“I believe the award will ensure
that Select continues to be recognised
as a leader in the marketplace
and ahead of much of the
competition.”
Select prides itself on the service it
provides to several large customers
throughout the UK including the
National Archives in Kew, the BBC
in Wales and the Thresher Group,
all of which place high importance
on H&S. With the achievement of
this award the future looks safe
and promising for current and
potential customers.
Reader Reply No.: 84010
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