Epsilon Test
News
Services merges
with PHS Group
Interest grows in
the facilities market and now has divisions
Epsilon Test Services has been sold to that offer a range of services that include
workplace service providers, the PHS washroom services, drinking water
cleaning reviews
Group. The deal completed on 4th April for dispensers, confidential waste destruction,
an undisclosed sum. waste management and interior and
Award winning Epsilon specialises in exterior landscaping.
i-Clean® Systems is looking to recruit portable appliance testing (PAT), periodic Epsilon’s managing director Mark
people with contract cleaning fixed installation testing and thermal Blanchfield commented, “We are delighted
management experience, to carry out the imaging. The company was formed in that Epsilon will be joining the PHS Group
comprehensive reviews of cleaning 1993 and has experienced year-on-year and see this as the right foundation for
operations which point the way to specific growth, recording a profit increase last year future growth. Our approach of focusing
performance improvements. of over 300 per cent. on the customer and exceeding their
The company, whose cleaning The PHS Group acquired Epsilon as part expectations is very much in line with the
management system was the first to be of its strategy to broaden its range of PHS ethos.” Epsilon will continue to be run
approved by the British Institute of services. The group has a strong track by the existing management team.
Cleaning Science, has been taking stock of record of acquiring successful specialists in www.epsilontest.com www.phs.co.uk
the way its services are received, after
two years of working with organisations
which use employees or contractors for
their cleaning. Strand ‘best manager’
“The highest quality of work in our
initial review of an organisation’s cleaning
is crucial to the full identification of receives award
operational improvements,” comments
Mike Boxall, managing director of i-Clean Strand’s of managers and supervisors against role
Systems Ltd. “To ensure this, we are site manager specific criteria for individual awards.
allocating more time to the conduct of the for Wellcome “Janice showed her ability to use
initial review – and we need more people Trust in principles of best practice and time
to help us to carry it out. Hinxton, management, setting out her strategy for
“We know that suitable skills and Janice achieving the goal,” said David
knowledge exist amongst managers or Anderson, recently received her Sambrook, Strand’s operations director.
former managers in the contract cleaning prestigious award for Best Manager in “She created an environment of effective
sector,” Mike continues, “and we want to the Team Clean Challenge at a communication so that all the team were
talk to them about joining us. On-target presentation ceremony in London given fully aware of their role and could
earnings can exceed £40,000 per annum, by Asset Skills and UK Skills, the contribute fully. Most importantly, she
and we have vacancies in several regions competition organisers. applied her knowledge of and
in the UK.” Janice’s expertise gained over 20 understanding of legal and health and
Those interested should send a CV to years with Strand was clearly safety legislation to establish the
Mike Boxall, Managing Director at demonstrated in the rigorous two hour parameters under which her team should
mike@i-clean.info, Further information Team Clean Challenge assessment of the operate. The event was a great
is obtainable through the website participant teams’ practical responses to opportunity and superb accolade to
www.i-clean.info, or by telephoning the a variety of cleaning scenarios. The Janice and her team for their hard work
company on 01684 580680. Asset Skills judges considered the skills and dedication.” www.ocs.co.uk
Secom integrates Castle
In the second major boost to its alarms Alarms Receiving Centre over the next few
portfolio in a month, Secom plc has taken months. All will be serviced from Secom’s
over more than 1,000 maintenance and Glasgow regional office. Based at
monitoring agreements in a partnership Kirkliston, Edinburgh, Castle has developed
with Scottish security and cabling installer its portfolio over more than 25 years, and
Castle Integrated Systems. The move now covers a wide range of high profile
From left: Ken and Keith Brocklehurst, Castle
allows Castle to concentrate on the other commercial and residential properties. Integrated Systems; Minoru Takezawa, Secom plc.
aspects of its business, while its Castle Director Keith Brocklehurst says:
customers come under the care of Secom “We have entered into a unique the past.”
- a specialist provider of electronic security partnership, working closely with Secom, Originally formed in 1982 by brothers
solutions and customer service. who will provide an excellent service to Ken and Keith Brocklehurst and a number
In terms of the partnership deal, Secom maintain and monitor our customers’ of relatives, Castle Integrated Systems
will handle new security contracts for security systems. I am sure that Secom remains a family run business.
Castle, and Castle’s existing alarms will meet and even surpass the standard of www.secom.plc.uk
customers will be transferred to Secom’s customer care that Castle has provided in
10 news Building & Facilities Management – April 2008
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