Trades : Property & Facilities Management News

Landsec Hands Out Facilities Management Contract

Landsec Hands Out Facilities Management Contract

Leading UK commercial retail and property company Landsec has dished out a total facilities management (TFM) contract worth £18.5 million per annum. The company has selected Interserve to deliver the contract at seven of its major retail centres across the UK. Both companies have worked together since 2015, with this

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Hardest Areas to Clean in a Home

There is no doubt that keeping one’s home clean and tidy is a pretty strenuous and challenging endeavour. There are parts of each property that are being inhabited for a prolonged period of time and are generally harder to clean and keep organised than others. So, you are going to

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Siemens appoints Apleona for FM services

Apleona HSG Facility Management UK has secured a multi-million pound FM services contract with Siemens Mobility Limited. The three-year deal with one of the UK’s largest transport technology organisations will see Apleona deliver services including mechanical & electrical, fabric maintenance, reactive works, grounds keeping, winterisation, and projects at 35 locations

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GRAHAM seals Worcester City Council maintenance contract

GRAHAM has secured a “Building Repairs and Maintenance and Minor Works” contract with Worcester City Council. The leading contractor will deliver reactive maintenance, planned maintenance, minor works projects and out of hours emergency works over an initial five year term, with the potential for a further two-year extension. Worcester City

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ENGIE Awarded 10-Year Maintenance and Repairs Contract

ENGIE Awarded 10-Year Maintenance and Repairs Contract

Leading energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE has been appointed to provide a £67 million repairs and maintenance service on behalf of Tamworth Borough Council. As part of the council’s ongoing commitment to provide high standards of affordable housing for local residents, the contract – which begins on 1st April 2020 –

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Wates FM awarded contract extension with Discovery Communications

Wates FM has secured a contract extension with mass media company, Discovery Communications, to provide 24/7 critical engineering cover and fabric maintenance for two locations in Chiswick, including the organisation’s live broadcast premises. Having run for three years, the contract will be extended for a further year due to team

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ENGIE Chosen for £60M Contract

ENGIE Chosen for £60M Contract

Energy and services specialist ENGIE has been appointed to provide a £60 million repairs and maintenance service on behalf of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. The contract, which begins on 1st April 2020, will see ENGIE provide responsive repairs, adaptations, void works and estate management services to 9,800 homes across the south

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Latest Issue

BDC 322 : Nov 2024

Trades : Property & Facilities Management News

VINCI Facilities diverts teams to support the NHS and its key workers

VINCI Facilities, a major provider of FM to the NHS, has announced it is diverting volunteers from its mobile repair teams (MRTs) to support existing facilities management services across several hospitals in the North West, Midlands and South East. As well as supporting with the ongoing repair and maintenance of hospital wards and essential services to keep wards going and back up clinical staff, VINCI Facilities engineers and teams are going to be working to help with reconfiguration of other wards in the hospitals to re-purpose them to support the effort against COVID-19. Its teams will be bolstered by the engineers that usually work in the retail sector supporting charity and large chain store contracts bringing with them much needed extra help in maintaining electrical services and systems, air conditioning, heating and ventilation as well as building repairs and joinery work. The MRTs will be providing cover for staff who are unable to attend work through illness or self-isolation as well as add depth to the existing numbers of engineering staff giving further, much needed support.

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Landsec Hands Out Facilities Management Contract

Landsec Hands Out Facilities Management Contract

Leading UK commercial retail and property company Landsec has dished out a total facilities management (TFM) contract worth £18.5 million per annum. The company has selected Interserve to deliver the contract at seven of its major retail centres across the UK. Both companies have worked together since 2015, with this new contract reflecting Interserve’s ability to deliver successful FM services for the firm. This new four-year contract embraces project management, engineering and fit out services as well as existing service lines such as: cleaning, security and customer services. Lynn Mawdsley, Interserve’s Managing Director Support Services, said: “We are delighted to win this contract for the delivery of complex national total facilities management services for Landsec. “We provide commercial property companies such as Landsec with leading capabilities in hard and soft FM services such as cleaning, security and engineering which help our customer achieve their strategic objectives. “With a dedicated management team that is committed to the Landsec contract we look forward to being able to continue to offer them an unparalleled level of service across their estate.” The contract begins in March and will include the provision of services at Landsec’s sites in Oxford, Leeds, London and Cardiff.

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Hardest Areas to Clean in a Home

There is no doubt that keeping one’s home clean and tidy is a pretty strenuous and challenging endeavour. There are parts of each property that are being inhabited for a prolonged period of time and are generally harder to clean and keep organised than others. So, you are going to out in a little more persistence and effort in order to make them look as good as you want and need them to be. Fortunately, if you come prepared with the right tools and supplies, and you know what you are going to have to do, you should not have as much trouble achieving your goals as you may think. Let us take a look at some of the parts of your home that require the most diligence and energy to maintain in their best possible shape and condition. The place where you prepare your food Arguably the most important part of almost any household is the kitchen. It is the place where you are most likely to spend the majority of your time when at home – cooking, eating, or simply sharing time with your family. As the spot in which you prepare the food that sustains you and your family, it is of utmost importance that you keep it immaculately sanitised at all times. The kitchen is one of the few places that you might have to clean daily if you want to maintain it in a condition that is acceptable. The area around the oven and the oven itself are the two toughest places to keep shiny, especially if you do not wipe and wash them after the preparation of every meal. Many items can compromise the sanitary standards there, including but not limited to: Grease Food splatter Spills Dust Insects attracted by the organic matter Wiping every surface as soon as it gets even a little bit dirty is your best course of action in order to maintain a beautiful, clean kitchen that is safe to operate in. Pay attention to the fridge at least once a week too, and wipe the inside of all cupboards monthly for optimal results. Carpets – everywhere Carpets and area rugs are beautiful, for sure, but they are also a nightmare to keep clean and healthy. Dust and other types of dirt tend to build up deep into the fabrics of carpets and rugs that are not cleaned properly. Dog hair and pet stains of various nature can also cause problems such as allergies, asthma attacks, etc. So, do not wait too long to vacuum your carpets – do it at least a couple of times a week if you cannot spare the time to vacuum daily. Stains are also to be removed right away – baking soda, white vinegar and water concoction is a good homemade solution for nearly all stains that you can think of. Have the number of a reliable carpet cleaning service in London for really tough cases in which conventional methods do not work. Mattresses There is no need to tell you that the place where you lay your head at night is crucial not only for the quality of your sleep but for your health in general as well. Mattresses are a hotbed for bacteria and allergens and the only way to prevent damage to your overall health condition caused by dirty mattresses is to clean them. Unfortunately, many people overlook this until it is too late, which makes mattresses pretty hard to keep clean. Vacuuming and dusting them is a must, as well as the removal of any stains that may occur while you are using them. Flipping the mattress once every couple of months is also a pretty good idea. You might need some specialised tools or better yet, professional cleaning service to achieve the best results that you hope for. The area around the shower There is a popular misconception that the toilet bowl is the dirtiest place in one’s home. Surprisingly for some, this is far from being the case. Due to the frequency with which most people clean their toilets, and the heavy-duty products that are being used, they are actually relatively clean. This is rarely the case with the shower and the area surrounding it. Scum and other unpleasant entities tend to build up there, mildew is formed on the shower curtain and they silently but rather truthfully endanger your health. Make sure to roll up your sleeves and carefully and thoroughly clean every corner in your shower at least once a week. The process is strenuous and might take you up to an hour for even a relatively small area because you will have to scrub every inch in there to make sure the scum is gone. Don’t forget to open a window or to at least keep the ventilation system on because the fumes of commercially-made detergents might pose considerable risks to your health. Table: Important chores and when to do them* Daily Vacuum carpets, wash the dishes, clean table tops in kitchen Weekly Wash floors, laundry, dusting, change bed sheets, scrub toilets Bi-monthly Deep clean appliances, arrange wardrobe, clean inside of furniture Monthly Dust ceiling fans, clean light fixtures, clean air vents, wash windows *May vary depending on your household’s size and specific requirements Windows The windows in one’s home are often overlooked, simply because window cleaning is not among the chores people are used to doing often. In order to properly clean your windows – thus improving the quality of light and air entering your household, you need proper access to them, and a safe one too, which can be a problem if you live on a high floor. Using tools such as ladders and long-handled brushes and clothes is what makes cleaning windows so tough. Also, it usually goes with curtain cleaning which can be a drag especially since a few households have access to tools such as those used by professional cleaners – that allow curtain cleaning without taking down the curtains themselves. Of course if you consider your time of higher importance and you reside in London you can always book with trustworthy London cleaners such as Johnson’s in London In any case, even the toughest spots to clean should

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Siemens appoints Apleona for FM services

Apleona HSG Facility Management UK has secured a multi-million pound FM services contract with Siemens Mobility Limited. The three-year deal with one of the UK’s largest transport technology organisations will see Apleona deliver services including mechanical & electrical, fabric maintenance, reactive works, grounds keeping, winterisation, and projects at 35 locations ranging from Dundee in Scotland to Poole on the south coast of England. Siemens Mobility Limited supplies smart solutions for rail and road transport, including trains, traffic management systems and rail signalling and electrification, focussing on supporting passenger and freight services.

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GRAHAM seals Worcester City Council maintenance contract

GRAHAM has secured a “Building Repairs and Maintenance and Minor Works” contract with Worcester City Council. The leading contractor will deliver reactive maintenance, planned maintenance, minor works projects and out of hours emergency works over an initial five year term, with the potential for a further two-year extension. Worcester City is the county town of Worcestershire and covers an area of circa 33 square kilometres. It is situated in the West Midlands, approximately 17 miles southwest of Birmingham. Commencing on April 1st, 2020, GRAHAM will be responsible for over 70 properties and sites within the Council’s local government boundaries, ranging from public buildings and associated structures, to depots, offices, community centres, historic parks, allotments and communal areas. The buildings include the Grade I listed Guildhall, dating back to 1721, and the Museum and Art Gallery, which was established in 1833. The measured term partnership with Worcester City Council will be managed from the newly opened GRAHAM office in Wythall, bordering Solihull and Birmingham. Commenting on the contract award, GRAHAM Operations Director, Gareth Smyth, said: “This latest success is another important milestone for GRAHAM in the Midlands and reflects our quality delivery, professionalism and expertise in the area. Worcester is a beautiful cathedral and university city with a suite of historic buildings.” “We look forward to bringing our collaborative approach to facilities management to Worcester City Council in support of the local community and over 100,000 residents.”

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ENGIE Awarded 10-Year Maintenance and Repairs Contract

ENGIE Awarded 10-Year Maintenance and Repairs Contract

Leading energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE has been appointed to provide a £67 million repairs and maintenance service on behalf of Tamworth Borough Council. As part of the council’s ongoing commitment to provide high standards of affordable housing for local residents, the contract – which begins on 1st April 2020 – will see ENGIE provide responsive repairs, adaptations and estate management services to more than 4,200 homes across the borough over a ten-year period. In addition, ENGIE will also provide gas maintenance work, day-to-day and out of hours emergency repairs and the servicing of void properties. Martin Smithurst, Divisional Chief Operating Officer at ENGIE, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working once again with Tamworth Council – a partner that so closely shares our core values. “ENGIE has a proven track record of providing an excellent repairs and maintenance service, as well as helping our partners across the UK address their housing, social value and climate emergency-related priorities, and we’re looking forward to demonstrating that in Tamworth.“ Cllr Michelle Cook, Tamworth Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing Services and Communities, said: “ENGIE was selected after a robust, two-stage procurement process which included external legal and consultative support, interviews involving tenants and detailed assessments of all elements of the bids submitted. “All submissions were of a high standard and the winning contractors demonstrated an understanding of our needs and instilled confidence in their ability to deliver the service.”  As part of the contract, ENGIE has commited to a number of social value measures which will benefit the wider community. These include training opportunities and the creation of apprenticeships for local people, as well as improvements to council-owned facilities such as play areas and community buildings.

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Parr Facilities Management Limited to Support Co-op via Maintenance Framework Agreement

Parr Facilities Management Limited has announced an exciting contract win to kick off 2020 after being named a trusted maintenance provider by Co-op across their Food and Funeralcare estate. The Maintenance Framework Agreement which will apply to Co-op sites across the UK and Northern Ireland will cover sites spanning across the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A significant new client for this company on the rise, the partnership between Parr FM Limited and Co-op will encompass facilities management works across a diverse range of disciplines including fabric, mechanical and electrical management services as well as specialist services where required. Speaking on behalf of Parr Facilities Management Limited, Ivan Morley, Facilities Management Director, said, “Parr Facilities Management boasts a wealth of experience providing electrical and mechanical management services to retail, healthcare and hospitality sectors throughout the UK and Ireland. Winning another contract with one of the UK’s most trusted brands was certainly a highlight of 2019 and reinforces our continued growth across mainland UK. We look forward to supporting the team at Co-op sites across the UK and Northern Ireland beginning this month to enable them to maintain their excellent standard of customer satisfaction and experience.” Parr Facilities management launched in Belfast in 2007 and chose Greater Manchester as its base for their UK-wide operation. Systematic of Parr Facilities Managements recent growth, the organisation has invested heavily in new offices located in Bolton, staff and infrastructure across the UK, with an estimated 60% increase in its workforce over the past year to support a number of big business wins within its FM division including contracts with Co-op, BUPA & Whitbread. These contracts have contributed to a quadrupled turnover within this period of growth. Parr Facilities Management Limited currently employs over 100 members of staff across its Belfast and Manchester operational bases.

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Wates FM awarded contract extension with Discovery Communications

Wates FM has secured a contract extension with mass media company, Discovery Communications, to provide 24/7 critical engineering cover and fabric maintenance for two locations in Chiswick, including the organisation’s live broadcast premises. Having run for three years, the contract will be extended for a further year due to team resilience, the application of innovation and continued excellence in fabric service. James Gregg, Managing Director of Wates FM, commented: “Our contract extension with Discovery Communications, is a huge testament to the expertise of our team and our position as a trusted and reliable FM partner to our clients. “Wates FM is heading into 2020 with a very healthy work pipeline but of course our growth must be steady and sustainable to ensure that we continue to deliver exceptional services to our clients, both existing and new.” Formerly operating as Wates Smartspace, Wates FM forms part of Wates Property Services alongside the Group’s Living Space business and currently manages over 350 commercial properties.

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A Basic Cleaning Guide for your Business: How to Keep your Restroom Facilities Clean

A well-kept restroom highlights the cleanliness of a business. It also publicises a hygienic establishment that demonstrates how seriously health and safety are considered in their workplace. It goes beyond just keeping a good appearance, by successfully cleaning and managing public restrooms you also aim to reduce the risk of infection or disease. It is important that cleaning staff and management have consistent restroom cleaning procedures in place and adhere to them on a regular basis. An organised cleaning rota will not only limit cross-contamination but it can also improve labour time making staff more efficient when it comes to completing cleaning tasks. We have put together some important tips on how you can keep your restroom facilities clean and free of germs. Preparation Preparation is key when it comes to keeping your public facilities clean. Firstly, review the cleaning supplies checklist and set up your cleaning cart with the products and equipment needed to carry out the tasks, any cleaning chemicals for restrooms, mops and other cleaning tools, as well as toilet paper and hand towel dispenser refills can be used to fill the trolley. When the correct items and cleaning products have been selected load them onto the cart and be sure that all chemicals are diluted accordingly. It is good practice to follow a chemical management system to ensure that products are diluted properly making your job more efficient. Be sure to load the trolley with the correct caution and wet floor signs to clearly display when performing cleaning tasks. Some restrooms will need to be closed to the public before any cleaning is carried out. Safety precautions Knowing how to use cleaning chemicals for restrooms is essential to staying safe when tidying and operating any equipment that you might need for the job. It is the employer’s duty to make sure their employees know about any chemical hazards within their place of work. Be careful not to use cleaning chemicals on any surface for which they are not intended, and never mix chemical products as some may result in serious injuries. It is imperative that the appropriate personal protective equipment or PPE is worn at all times when exposed to cleaning chemicals. This may include protective gloves, face masks and goggles to prevent any splashes and contact with the skin and eyes. Some situations might require extra precautions especially when it comes to cleaning any bodily fluids or soiled materials that could contain toxic substances. Cleaning the floor Floor cleaning chemicals for restrooms are designed to deal with the most complex issues. There is a range of professional floor cleaning products from reputable manufacturers such as Jangro to provide you with the best results when cleaning commercial floors and restroom areas. It is important to read all instructions carefully and seek any advice on products should you need to, either online or by contacting the manufacturer directly. Commercial Cleaning is a profession that should be done right. It is always best to make sure you have the right contractors involved for this process. Cleaning toilets and urinals This is usually the most unpleasant area to clean, but by applying appropriate disinfectant to the bowls and leaving them for a period of time can make your job less troublesome and often give much cleaner results. Encourage hand washing By implementing a variety of straightforward and efficient cleaning practices such as handwashing, you can aid your public restrooms to stay clean and tidy and reflect a positive image for your business. It is important to make the public using your restrooms aware of the risk of spreading infections due to not washing their hands and how to prevent this from happening. Cleaning surfaces, mirrors and glass Lastly, be sure to take extra care when cleaning any mirrors or glass surfaces. Use glass cleaner to remove any stains and germs from sinks and mirrors and wipe away obvious rubbish and mess like paper towels from surfaces before spraying or using any robust disinfectants or chemicals. Hopefully, this basic cleaning guide has helped with keeping your businesses’ restroom facilities clean and in good working order for the public to use.

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ENGIE Chosen for £60M Contract

ENGIE Chosen for £60M Contract

Energy and services specialist ENGIE has been appointed to provide a £60 million repairs and maintenance service on behalf of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. The contract, which begins on 1st April 2020, will see ENGIE provide responsive repairs, adaptations, void works and estate management services to 9,800 homes across the south of the borough. In addition, ENGIE will also provide gas, mechanical and electrical maintenance work and a number of capital improvement schemes across the wider Rotherham area. The contract will begin with an initial duration of five years, which would be extended to a further five years dependent on high performance. It is expected that the work programme will create more than 100 apprenticeships for local people, over the ten-year period, as well as 40 new jobs and more than 90 work experience placements for young people. ENGIE has also committed to a number of engagement opportunities with local schools, colleges and universities. Martin Smithurst, Divisional Chief Operating Officer at ENGIE UK, said: “We are very pleased to have been chosen to form this exciting partnership with Rotherham Council. We have a proven track record of providing an excellent repairs and maintenance service, as well as helping our partners address their housing, social value and climate emergency-related priorities, and I’m sure that this programme will be no different. “ENGIE has a long history of working within the borough, so it’s great that we can continue to do that through this partnership. We look forward to working with our partners for many more years to come to create, improve and maintain homes and places across Rotherham.” Councillor Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, said: “The repairs and maintenance delivery providers we appoint are extremely important and I am confident we have recruited an excellent partner in ENGIE with a strong track record. “We are delighted to award one of the Council’s housing repairs and maintenance contracts to a company that has shown they have the highest standards of service delivery which in turn will mean our tenants enjoy high-quality accommodation. Another key factor in the tender process was that the successful companies must demonstrate how they will add social value to the community. “We want to work with companies that give back to the communities that they work in, who promote a borough where people can grow, flourish and prosper, and strengthen the skills of the local workforce and support people into jobs.”

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