Spotlight: Aleesha Haywood – Business Manager

Welcome to our Spotlight series, where we delve into the stories of our Alsco Uniforms employees; exploring their experiences, career trajectories, and the unique insights they’ve gained along the way. This interview features Aleesha Haywood, one of our Business Managers at Alsco Uniforms – Napier!

My Start at alsco uniforms

I’m incredibly proud of the progress I’ve made at Alsco since I started in June 2023. I joined as a Service Supervisor and had the honour of leading a dedicated team through some remarkable achievements.

Achievements as a Supervisor

One of the highlights of my time as Service Supervisor was leading my team to win Alsco’s first-ever Mega Campaign for 2024—a milestone that I’ll always remember as a testament to our hard work and commitment.

Leadership and Sales Success

In addition, I introduced my L3 Leadership Project, which played a significant role in our success in sales. By introducing a pricing list for our SDP’s whilst out on the road, we not only elevated our team’s performance but also clinched the Q4 Top Sales spot for 2024, a proud moment for us all!

New Role as Business Manager

I was then recently promoted to Business Manager, a role that I’m excited to take on as I continue to grow with this great company. This promotion represents a new chapter in my career, and I look forward to bringing even more value to Alsco Uniforms as I take on greater responsibilities and contribute to our ongoing success.

I’m grateful to work alongside such a talented and supportive team, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds at Alsco!

Alsco Uniforms Supports Flooded Wairoa Community

Early last month Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora reached out to Alsco Uniforms to see if we were able to support whānau in Waiora that were severely impacted by recent flooding.

Over 400 households have been affected, with 127 marked with yellow stickers. Many of these homes include tamariki and kaumatua, all of whom have been left with very limited bedding and linen. Residents have been instructed to discard all their soft furnishings. A colleague in Wairoa reported that whānau have been retrieving bedding from rubbish piles due to the lack of available supplies locally.

Our Palmerston North and Richmond branches quickly stepped in, providing much-needed sheets, pillowcases, and towels, which were in high demand and greatly appreciated. We also organised transportation through our Napier depot, with local leader Robbie Semu facilitating deliveries and assessing further needs. Recognising the urgent demand for bedding, Richard Mahood and his Richmond team gathered boxes of duvets, quilts, blankets, mattress protectors, and bathrobes, and sent them off to those in need.

As Richard aptly put it, “We want to provide more than just sheets! We have some old stock of bathrobes that we will send out. They’re warm and comforting—everyone deserves to feel cozy at night in a nice, fluffy bathrobe.”

Several pallets of Alsco goods were delivered to our Napier branch, where team members Robbie and Martin Rangi transported them to the Wairoa Rain Event Distribution Centre. When the organisation requested our help to pick up a bed for an elderly man whose home was yellow-stickered and who was found sleeping on a damp mattress, our team gladly stepped up. We arranged transportation and delivered a new bed directly to his home.

Great work, Alsco! And our support continues. The Wairoa community still urgently needs towels and flannels and Robbie is coordinating additional donations.

Spotlight: Shehara WedaMesthrige – Client Manager

Welcome to our Spotlight series, where we delve into the stories of our Alsco Uniforms employees; exploring their experiences, career trajectories, and the unique insights they’ve gained along the way. This interview features Shehara WedaMesthrige, one of our Client Managers at Alsco Uniforms – Auckland. We sat down with her recently to unpack her time within the company and gain valuable insights into her professional journey.

How long have you been at the company and when did you start?

I joined Alsco on 1^st February 2023, as a Customer Service Team Leader within the contact centre. Prior to joining Alsco Uniforms, I spent over five years in the telecommunications industry, serving as a team leader. After approximately eight months in my role as team leader, I was offered the opportunity to transition into the Client Manager role for the Auckland Fresh and Clean branch. I thoroughly enjoy assisting our customers in meeting their business needs in both sales and service aspects.

Have you received any training or qualifications through Alsco?

Yes, Alsco has provided me with the necessary training to excel in my role and effectively perform my duties. This comprehensive training has equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to handle various tasks and responsibilities within the company. Additionally, I’m excited to further enhance my leadership abilities by participating in the upcoming Level 3 Leadership course, which Alsco Uniforms offers to support professional development. This commitment to ongoing training and education demonstrates Alsco’s dedication to empowering its employees to grow and succeed in their careers. I am grateful for the opportunities Alsco Uniforms provides for continuous learning and development, as it enables me to continually improve and contribute to the company’s success.

What would you say your biggest achievement has been in your career with alsco?

During my tenure at Alsco, one of my most significant achievements has been my role as a Call Centre Team Leader. In this position, I had the opportunity to lead and support the customer service team, guiding them towards achieving their key performance indicators (KPIs). This accomplishment was particularly rewarding as it involved addressing challenges that the team had been facing for some time. Through effective leadership, mentorship, and collaboration, we were able to overcome obstacles and consistently meet and exceed our performance goals. This experience not only showcased my leadership abilities but also fostered a sense of teamwork and accomplishment among the entire customer service team. It was a defining moment in my career at Alsco, highlighting my commitment to excellence and my dedication to driving positive outcomes for both the team and the company as a whole.

What’s your favourite part about working for the company?

One of the most enjoyable aspects of being part of Alsco is the incredibly positive work environment it offers. At Alsco, there’s a palpable sense of positivity that permeates every aspect of the workplace, making it a truly uplifting place to be. What makes it even better is Alsco’s commitment to valuing cultural diversity. This inclusivity not only fosters a sense of belonging for employees from all backgrounds but also enriches the overall work experience by bringing together diverse perspectives and ideas. It’s inspiring to see how Alsco celebrates and embraces cultural diversity, creating a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere where everyone feels respected and appreciated. Working in such an environment not only enhances productivity but also fosters a strong sense of camaraderie and unity among colleagues.

What advice would you give someone considering a career at Alsco?

If you’re contemplating a career at Alsco, I would highly encourage you to take the leap. Alsco stands out as an excellent employer that genuinely values its employees. One of the most appealing aspects of working at Alsco is the ample opportunities for career growth and advancement within the company. Whether you’re starting out in an entry-level position or already have experience in the industry, Alsco provides a supportive environment where you can thrive and progress in your career. Additionally, Alsco prioritises employee well-being and fosters a positive work culture, making it a rewarding and fulfilling place to work. Joining Alsco Uniforms means becoming part of a team that is dedicated to excellence and committed to helping employees reach their full potential.

Ready to kickstart your career?

Head over to our careers page to find an opportunity which best suits you!

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Spotlight: Angela Webber – Client Manager

Welcome to our Spotlight series, where we delve into the stories of our Alsco Uniforms employees; exploring their experiences, career trajectories, and the unique insights they’ve gained along the way. This interview features Angela Webber – Client Manager at Alsco Uniforms. We sat down with her recently to unpack her time within the company and gain valuable insights into her professional journey.

How long have you been at the company and when did you start?

Before starting with Alsco Uniforms, I was in retail for 20 plus years, at that time I had just finished my first half Ironman in Rotorua, which led me to wanting a more varied job working outdoors. I started with Alsco in January 2017 as a Service Delivery Person delivering textiles in Palmerston North. After a year on this route, I was given the chance to take an out-of-town route servicing the Whanganui/Taihape region. I then took on the Masterton/Wairarapa region, and really enjoyed this route as it was always sunny and the drive out to Castlepoint was beautiful.

Unfortunately, while I was on this route I needed an operation which meant that heavy lifting was going to be a thing of the past for me. Alsco was a very supportive employer and offered me a position on the Fresh & Clean hygiene route, which meant I could travel back to my old services areas including the Kapiti/Horowhenua areas and visit my old customers.

In July 2022, an opportunity came up for me to apply for the position of the Client Manager in all of these areas/regions, which I jumped at! I love helping our customers achieve what is needed for their business and I had developed relationships with a lot of our customers after having serviced them in the past. 

What’s your favourite thing about working for alsco?

I love coming to work everyday knowing that each day is different. As a Service Delivery Person, I loved the exercise, driving around the country and getting to see all of my customers. As a Client Manager, I enjoy helping our existing customers, winning new customers, and talking about services they didn’t know Alsco Uniforms provided. 

Have you recieved any training or qualifications through alsco?

When I started with Alsco, I went to Auckland to complete my Level 2 Retail Training course. As a Client Manager, I have had training on computer skills from Alsco’s management support and have enjoyed Regional Training Events with the Sales Team. 

what would you say your biggest achievement has been in your career with alsco?

Alsco Uniforms puts up campaigns where management asks you to see how many mats, First Aid Kits, etc… you are able to sell within a certain period. I’ve always loved these types of challenges! So, not only do I get to do what I love (selling), but I get rewarded for it also.

As a result of one of these campaigns, I was proud to win Q2 Top Service Salesperson as a Service Delivery Person in 2022. That trophy now sits on my desk as a reminder to keep challenging myself. 

what advice would you give someone considering a career at alsco?

Alsco provides a family culture and values hard work. The company likes to see its staff achieve success and rewards that success with opportunities for professional growth. So, work hard with good performance and things will happen for you! 

Ready to kickstart your career?

Head over to our careers page to find an opportunity which best suits you!

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Spotlight: Megan Holloway – Health & Safety Coordinator

Welcome to our Spotlight series, where we delve into the stories of our Alsco Uniforms employees; exploring their experiences, career trajectories, and the unique insights they’ve gained along the way. This interview features Megan Holloway, our Health & Safety Coordinator at Alsco Uniforms – Palmerston North. We sat down with her recently to unpack her time within the company and gain valuable insights into her professional journey.

how long have you been at the company and when did you start?

I have been part of the Alsco family since I left high school at 18. I started in February 2009 on the production floor in Alsco Palmerston North in little old Donnington Street. I was part of the merge from Donnington Street to the new Palmy Hub building in Mihaere Drive, which was an emotional yet exciting move to be a part of. I continued working in the Garment Team completing the daily customer pack outs. I travelled to Wellington, Napier, and New Plymouth branches to learn the ropes and take all the tips back to the girls in the team. In 2014/2015, I felt ready for a new challenge and moved to the Store Team. This was very different to Production, I really loved and enjoyed my time there and learning a side of the company from a different perspective.

In 2019, I took a career break for a few years which was great, but I felt I was missing being part of the Alsco team and I needed to work, I was too bored! I managed to get my foot back in the door with the Store Team, however this was a short stint as the opportunity arose to apply for a Health & Safety Coordinator position. Something about this felt right and I was being pulled to give it a go, and in August 2022 I started my new role in Health & Safety! I have loved and enjoyed every minute of it, it’s been a great challenge and I have learned so much and had many opportunities through this role.

have you received any training or qualifications through alsco?

I was willing to move forward in the company and wanted to show my interest to grow so I started helping out my supervisor when she was off on leave. Eventually, a position arose for Garment Team Supervisor, and although I missed out on it, my manager put me through my Level 3 Certificate in Business First Line Management. During my time in Health & Safety, I have also completed my National Certificate in Manufacturing Level 2 and will be looking at completing Level 3 over 2024. I loved having the opportunity to do this through Alsco!

what would you say your biggest achievement has been in your career with alsco?

My biggest achievement with my career at Alsco Uniforms has been my professional and personal growth. I couldn’t have achieved this much without the encouragement and support of the company. I aim to continue to improve my knowledge of Health & Safety and further develop my skill sin the industry alongside a great team of people.

what is your favourite part about working for the company?

My favourite part about working for Alsco has been meeting and working alongside all the wonderful faces each and every day along with being supported by my manager and others to continue to grow. I am so proud of what I have achieved so far, and I want to continue to grow and make a difference in the company where I can show my two little ‘mini me’s’ at home that you can be a strong, independent, and successful woman if you persevere.

The work culture is also one of my favourite parts about working for the company. When you become part of Alsco Uniforms you not only become part of a team, but part of a family. The support of peers, my manager and other teachers/mentors/colleagues I’ve had along with the way has been incredible and they’ve all been very patient. I strive to keep moving forward and growing in the company as it’s a great place to work.

what advice would you give someone considering a career at ALsco?

My advice to anyone considering a career with Alsco Uniforms is to go for it! But to strive to make a difference and persevere. If you have to start small, so be it, invest time and effort in a company who are willing to invest back into you and you too can create a career with Alsco.

READY TO KICKSTART YOU CAREER?

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Spotlight: Leslie Cross – Management Support

Welcome to our Spotlight series, where we delve into the stories of our Alsco Uniforms employees; exploring their experiences, career trajectories, and the unique insights they’ve gained along the way. This interview features Leslie Cross, our Management Support at Alsco Uniforms. We sat down with him recently to unpack his time within the company and gain valuable insights into his professional journey.

How long have you been at the company and when did you start?

I initially started in the Service Department as a Service Delivery Person in 1979. When I left Alsco in 1981, I had become a Service Delivery Manager. My partner had to attend a course of training that was only available at RMIT in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. I worked for Princes Fabricare Services in Melbourne, a private laundry business, on a personal recommendation of the Auckland Branch Sales Manager, as he knew the Princes family. That company was eventually acquired by Alsco, has become Alsco Mulgrave.

I was contacted in the last month I was staying in Melbourne by both the Auckland Service Manager and the Auckland Production Manager to see if I was interested in coming back to Alsco. On returning from Melbourne in 1981, I decided to try the Production Team environment as I’d only ever seen this aspect of our business as an outsider when working in the Service Department. I then proceeded to garner experience by working through the soil checking in area, the washroom section, where my trainer had been there 10 years already and is still with Alsco today. I then progressed to the finishing area and became a production supervisor. I stayed in the Production Team for approximately three years before moving back into the Service Team for another six years, then moved to the Textile Manager role for another six years. I finally moved to our Head Office as a Support Person for the IT Projects Manager in 1996 and have been at our Support Centre for the last 28 years.

There have been many exciting changes in our business operations, in our team structure and in technology during that time. We basically are the same service company, but business aspirations and methods have evolved so much in 40 years, and that’s what makes Alsco Uniforms such an interesting company to stay at long term. The chances to be involved in changes and making an aspirational choice for success of those changes and growth in yourself.

What advice would you give someone considering a career at Alsco?

There is the opportunity to learn from so many experienced and passionate people. Those who start at Alsco tend to stay for a long time. We’ve had people start as an entry level employee and progress to many different managerial roles such as Branch General Manager and even as far as becoming the CEO. We’ve had people move to Alsco operations in other countries because the opportunity exists when we are a company that spans 5 continents.

What’s your favourite part about working for Alsco?

It is a cliché, but people are my favourite aspect of working for Alsco. Your day goes so easily when the colleagues you work with excel at what they do and extend their knowledge and use that to become gold bricks where they are, or to gather experience to grow in the company as leaders and examples to everyone that’s here and everyone who wants to know what Alsco is about.

Have you received any training or qualifications through Alsco?

Yes, I have received training. In the simplest example of training received for something we take for granted today. When I started at Alsco, we did not have desktop computers. We had dumb terminals, and when I got my first desktop computer, I was sent on courses on how to start one! And simple things in Excel and Word. Amazing today looking back on such simplistic things.

What would you say your biggest achievement has been in your career with Alsco?

Actually, I have two achievements I will mention:

1. I never expected to be here this long! But the work life has been so interested that the work itself has been so much fun that it doesn’t feel like work at all.
2. Working on projects and processes that will leave a legacy for success of Alsco and its people, now and into the future.

Ready to kickstart your career?

Head over to our careers page to find an opportunity which best suits you!

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Spotlight: Shihan Alam – Business Support Analyst

Welcome to our Spotlight series, where we delve into the stories of our Alsco Uniforms employees; exploring their experiences, career trajectories, and the unique insights they’ve gained along the way. This interview features Shihan Alam, our Business Support Analyst at Alsco Uniforms. We sat down with him recently to unpack his time within the company and gain valuable insights into his professional journey

How long have you been in the company and when did you start?

I officially started with Alsco in November 2018. The reason I say officially is because I actually started as a casual – then Alsco eventually made me permanent. At the beginning of my career, I was working in production and did that for around 8-9 months. I then moved onto a Service Delivery Driver role, which I did for a little over a year. After that, I saw that there was an opportunity/opening within the admin team as an EDP operator (Electronic Data Processor). I managed to get that role, which I also did for around 8 months.

After doing the EDP role for a bit, I saw an opportunity to work out of our Support Centre as a Business Support Admin in the Sales and Marketing department. At the time, I was working mainly with our internal systems as well as customer care, and product/price admin. Finally, I moved into the Finance department, in which the role morphed into more analysing/data analysis and reporting and that eventually became a full-time role, and is what I’m still doing now! So this role will be my fifth role within Alsco so far.

What is your favourite part about working for Alsco?

Well I’ve worked in many different departments, and pretty much everywhere I’ve found that people are really friendly, really helpful, and if you don’t know anything or if you need any help, there are a lot of people here who are happy to give their time in order to get you on track. The  company culture also provides opportunities for career advancement as I said, so this coupled with the friendly environment are some of the highlights of working for Alsco Uniforms. 

Have you received any training or qualifications through Alsco?

Yes I have. So far, I have completed the Level 2 Retail Sales training back when I was a Service Delivery Driver. I felt that it helped me so much, because one of our KPI’s was to generate sales, not just simply delivering tea towels, you’ve gotta do some sales as well! That training covered in detail how we could go about doing this and how to approach, which gave me a lot more confidence in the role. 

What would you say has been your biggest achievement in your career with Alsco?

The biggest project that I’m currently working on now is around automation using a new software platform.  This software has helped a lot in consolidating and streamlining our information processes, particularly in handling invoices. So for example, if we had 70 or 80 customer invoices, that process used to take about a month to do and now it only takes less than a week, which is really good!

This has been really beneficial for my personal growth, as I’ve had the opportunity to work with this new tool, but also for the organisation as well. We’ve saved a lot of time and man-hours by implementing this. 

I also did a project for the Auckland Branch’s store team. So previously, we had been putting all of the stock/products on different shelves within the store without having a tracking system in place. Meaning no-one was able to track a product’s whereabouts. So when I was working in the IT department,  I actually added all of the product and stock codes into one of our internal systems, and configured it to store all sorts of information such as the bin location number, so each shelf and isle would have their own unique code/barcode.

That way, we had an identifier for each individual shelf, and we were able to assign and locate every single product to that particular shelf. Whether it be a stock take, or simply wanting to find an item, the process became a lot more streamlined and improved efficiency a lot. This project was something that I fully conceptualised and implemented. 

What advice would you give someone considering a career with Alsco?

I would say if you get a chance to work with Alsco, definitely start doing whatever role you can get your hands on! The reason being is because Alsco can give you the opportunity to move up and progress in your career. This allows you to transition from a job to the job that you want. Which is something that I have personally experienced during my time at Alsco. 

Ready to kickstart your career?

Head over to our careers page to find an opportunity which best suits you!

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Spotlight: John Gibbs – National Business Development Manager

Spotlight Series: A Journey with Alsco Uniforms – Interview with John Gibbs, National Business Development Manager. 

Welcome to our Spotlight series, where we delve into the stories of our Alsco Uniforms employees; exploring their experiences, career trajectories, and the unique insights they’ve gained along the way. Our inaugural interview features John Gibbs, the National Business Development Manager at Alsco Uniforms. We sat down with him recently to unpack his time within the company and gain valuable insights into his professional journey. 

John, could you share your career progression at Alsco Uniforms, including your roles and duration?

So, I started at Alsco in 2003 as a Sales Executive, and I held that position up until June 2020. I was then headhunted back in May of 2021 to an awesome role just like the Sales Exec role based at Support Centre as a National Business Development Manager, which was a newly created role at the time. I’m really enjoying it, it’s been awesome.

What was your role like back when you started, and how does it differ now? 

As a Sales Executive in the early 2000’s, our focus was all about hunting new business with very little farming of existing accounts. This generally involved cold calling, and yes, in some cases we did start at one end of the street and virtually went door to door. It was selling in its purest form and quite a lot of fun. 

We didn’t get many phone leads and our internet presence was virtually non-existent. I can recall how another rep and I would write our proposals in longhand at home and drop them on the desk of Lyn Southern in the morning, our sales support, who would type them up and print them for us. 

Now as Business Development Manager, my key role is focused on new business and growing existing accounts with a focus on garment accounts, in particular food garment accounts. I work closely with Alan Gardner, the National Accounts Manager as a number of the new businesses I deal with also fall across multiple branches.

What training or qualifications have you achieved with Alsco’s help?

I received some awesome David Forman sales training back in the day a couple of weeks after I started and then again in 2020. You can imagine a sales course back in 2003 might sound a little bit ‘ah wow, has that got any relevance now?’ but I feel that the training really opened my mind up to a whole raft of things about the science of selling, and about general interaction with people – I really enjoyed it. I thoroughly recommend those sorts of courses. 

I’m a bit of a course junkie, I always sit up the front, suck everything in like a sponge, and dominate the question-and-answer time with the facilitator. I also did the Leadership Development training at level 3, which helped to develop my skills and knowledge to become an effective team leader. The inaugural leadership course is one that many of our team across the business are involved with today.

What is your favourite memory during your time with Alsco?

One of them would definitely be winning a mat campaign. I think it might’ve been back in 2015/2016. So that prize was a 10-day trip to the U.S. visiting the Milliken research and development facility. We got to see the infamous Milliken guest house, as well as tour the Milliken museum. 

I had such a great time over there along with three other guys. It was great to also visit the Alsco Uniforms Atlanta branch which was my first look at seeing the First Aid Kits which we developed. Another highlight  which I should probably mention, was meeting my partner Donna through work!

Finally, what advice do you have for those looking to embark on a career with Alsco Uniforms?

For anyone considering a career at Alsco New Zealand, I’d say embrace opportunities for learning and growth. Alsco Uniforms has been a cornerstone of my professional journey, and has provided so many avenues for development and recognition. 

Ready to kickstart your career?

Head over to our career’s page today to find an opportunity that best suits you!

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Don’t Ignore the Signs: A Message From Craig

The May edition of the NZ Trucking magazine highlights learnings about the Alsco Heavy Electric Freighter, which was unveiled in November 2019, and it still the biggest HEV in New Zealand.

It features the amazing Craig Christensen, our driver who has been there with us every step of the way.

Last year Craig was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer. He is a battler though, and in a typical unselfish way he has used magazine space as an opportunity to spread an important message about men’s health.

In Craig’s words…

 “I’ll put my hand up and say I made a mistake, that I didn’t speak up earlier when I was having symptoms. I hid it very well. I didn’t want to talk to anyone about it and thought I could just wait for it to clear up, but in the long run, it didn’t clear up. My path now is just chemo; there’s nothing else we can do.”

“Especially in the transport industry, we’re bloke’s blokes, and don’t take the time to relax and have a meaningful break. The hours put stress on you. Find time to work in some fitness and good, nutritious food. From me to guys out there, speak up. If you’re feeling any symptoms, like back pain, heart pain, get checked it out no matter what it is. I made the mistake of ignoring them.”

“Men have got to look at themselves and get themselves checked for any minor problem. Get it diagnosed early!”

The Alsco family has a message for you too Craig. You are our hero. Stay strong buddy, we love you and want you back!

Bowel Cancer NZ

What Alsco Brings To Your Business

In the Greenroom, we take a look at the newest and the best developments. We want to keep workplaces cleaner, greener and safer. And it is the Facilities Manager who actually makes a difference in business terms.

This figure in modern management is increasingly more important and Alsco helps them keep up with the newest trends in the industry.

The Facilities Manager has proven to be one of the most significant add ons to a good management structure. It is simple to see why.

This person covers a large number of office-related issues. Without a Facilities Manager there would be no single person to overview and handle anything from health and safety to floor plans and design.

We don’t need to tell you about the importance of adhering to the lengthy list of Health and Safety Regulations, nor the significance of having a healthy, clean and happy workplace environment for your staff to work in. The needs of a Facilities Manager play a great role in Alsco solutions. They are a major influence achieving all of those things.

What Does Facilities Manager Work Entail?

It’s all about keeping the facilities in a business premises in proper working order. Definitions of the role state that the Facilities Manager is responsible for the coordination of space, infrastructure, people and organization, but added to that is a range of “non-core responsibilities” that brings the number of areas of responsibility up to 11 sectors.

Global Job Task Analysis carried out in 2009 by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), lists sectors as follows:

• Communication
• Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity
• Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
• Finance and Business
• Human Factors
• Leadership and Strategy
• Operations and Maintenance
• Project Management
• Quality
• Real Estate and Property Management
• Technology

Workplace safety, regulatory compliance and proper management and maintenance of business premises and systems is primary. However, there is a need for innovation and constant development. This means that the Facilities Manager must also find cost-effective ways to satisfy the job obligations. That is the exact area where Alsco can offer some of its best solutions.

Shouldering The Responsibility

No business, big or small, can afford not to care about hygiene, health and safety, as well as maintenance obligations. This means that the Facilities Manager has a range of responsibilities. Some of them might involve data security, building operations, office layout or contract tendering.

There are 5 main areas, however, that Facilities Managers are responsible for:

Fire Safety

Another area of responsibility that requires careful attention and continuous monitoring, fire safety issues influence workplace safety and business insurance. Statistics show that fire provides the highest risk to life in the workplace. Not only that, but the workplace is in danger of destruction, which can seriously cripple a business. It can cause anything from the job losses to operating capabilities.

Regular inspections, record keeping, update of important documents and certificates, fire safety equipment checks – these all fall under the duties of a Facilities Manager. Fire safety standards maintenance and management are first and foremost for him or her.

Cleaning And Hygiene

Levels of hygiene in the workplace can pose serious problems if not taken seriously. It’s not just a matter of keeping carpets vacuum or floor surfaces mopped, or even keeping boardroom tables polished. It is also about keeping washrooms, kitchens and canteens bacteria free and the risk of illness to personnel as low as possible.

Cleaning is mostly done outside office hours. There are, however, some areas that require constant attention, such as the washrooms. Restocking supplies is in some cases a daily task. This includes hand soap, towels, toilet paper, and cleaning products. Again, this requires scheduling. Sometimes it is hourly, sometimes daily, weekly, or monthly.

Safety and Health

This is a hugely important aspect of modern business management. The range of government and industry regulations which a workplace needs to satisfy is quite extensive and detailed, from first aid codes of practice to the management of hazardous chemicals in the workplace. This makes it difficult for Health and Safety officer to properly ensure compliance and adequate preparation. Especially if it is someone who is employed only part-time.

Dedicated Facilities Manager is there to make sure regulations are adhered to and to monitor and maintain. This is crucial in avoiding serious consequences. Other costly consequences you are exposing your business may include:

• Injury compensation
• Insurance claims
• Loss of business and investment
• Criminal prosecution

Inspections and Maintenance

Regular maintenance and inspection creates the need for schedules, depending on the size of the workplace. Fire safety standards, as well as those for health and safety or hygiene at the workplace might mean detailed inspections. They might occur as often as once a month.

Adequate stocks, working equipment and efficient systems – these are the purposes of inspections. Facilities Manager needs to draw up schedules, list inadequacies, ask for replacement or repair. Eventually, all this needs to be documented and placed in the archive.

Space Allocation And Changes

Ever heard of Churn Rate? It is a common practice of changing the office layout regularly. Why? In order to refresh the workspace. This is best handled by having a dedicated full-time employee. Yes, you’ve guessed it, a Facilities Manager takes this under her/his wing as well. Locations of workstations, filing cabinets, water coolers, even plants in their pots. Perhaps not an interior designer by calling, the Facilities Manager still has to plan all of it.

The Facilities Manager can insure the layout, adhere to workplace regulations, which include:

• Ventilation and temperature control standards
• Sufficient access and traffic allowance
• Space per staff member rates
• Adequate signs (exits, toilets, general segmentation, room names etc.)
• Office lighting levels
• Refreshment stations (snacks, coffee, water, etc.)

What Alsco Brings To Your Business

Alsco has a scope of services to help with health and safety compliance, workplace hygiene improvements and a healthier work environment in general. Alsco’s areas of expertise include various fields that can be tailored for the needs of a particular industry.

From first aid kits to hygiene services, from floor mats to medical emergency equipment,. Alsco is the leading name in the industry.

What Facilities Managers have to deal with are quality and cost efficiency. Working together with the Finance Department, they are trying to get best value for money. This is something that differentiates Alsco from other companies. The product is rented and not purchased, and maintenance is regular. This system brings with it several advantages:

Full Compliance Without Complications

Health and safety regulations have some pretty strict rules. The thing is that the area is an evolving one, and staying on top of every little regulation change can be a headache.

It is part of Alsco’s business to be aware of any changes to health and safety regulations. This, in turn, allows for immediate reaction to these changes, which makes the full compliance achieved with less complications.

Lower Costs By Using Rental Services

A monthly fee means that there is no large initial investment in supplies and equipment, which can in many cases cause significant costs to companies. The list of equipment includes electric hand dryers, soap dispensers and sanitary bins in the restrooms. Or, even more complicated machines such as Automated External Defibrillator (AED), eyewash stations and first aid kit, or even eco-safe washers for cleaning machine parts.

The costs can start soaring, especially if your business requires this type of equipment in several locations. On the other hand, rental services are tax deductible, so you save money too.

Maintain Health And Safety And Hygiene Levels With Maintenance Services

You have finally gathered all the necessary items and equipment, but what if some of it develops a fault? Who do you go to? How do you get a replacement and how fast?

This is where Alsco’s fully managed rental service kicks in. All the equipment is inspected, checked, cleaned and (if necessary) are replaced to ensure the business complies with the relevant regulations.

Restocking Services Keeps You Prepared

Running out of disinfectant or gauze at exactly the worst possible moment is a real risk. If your First Aid Kit is lacking items, it can make a difference in genuine danger situations.

To deal with this type of emergency, Alsco is there to make sure everything is fully stocked. Enough of each item to be sure that any crisis can be overcome, even when it involves several injuries at once.

Alsco Managed Rental Services

Health and safety regulations consider the quality of work environment and the wellbeing of staff very important. This poses the challenge for Facilities Managers to satisfy these key areas as well as any additional areas that the particular business may provide.

When Alsco was founded in the early 1960s, the regulations were fewer and the pressure was less. At the time, our rental services were designed primarily to lower our clients’ costs. As the regulations have grown, and the need for a Facilities Manager developed, our services have evolved to ease the pressure and maximize convenience while also increasing cost-efficiency.

Alsco has an extensive range of fully managed rental services on offer. They are attended to by dedicated teams who look after everything from supply restocking to equipment maintenance. This allows you to concentrate on running your business. The range includes:

First Aid Kits – fully managed rental services make sure you don’t have to worry about stocking your first aid kit and ensuring it is in proper working order. We even colour code items to ensure what you need is easily found.

First Aid Training – fully managed training services that educate your staff on the techniques that can save lives in an emergency. First Aid and Fire & Evacuation courses are offered, while a secure online system helps you keep track of all training records, and alerts you when training renewals are required.

Alsco Mats – a variety of floor mats that can help counter the negative impact of wet wintry weather. The range of mats available includes non-slip mats that also offer a degree of moisture absorbance.

Defibrillators – this is a vital area if you want to be ready to deal with cardiovascular problems in an emergency. The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can keep a work colleague alive until the paramedics arrive.

Workwear – sourcing high quality, long-wearing, best-fit workwear for industrial, workshop, laboratories or kitchen staff can be a challenge. Alsco offers expertly designed work clothing for a variety of sectors and will then wash, replace and deliver them to you.

Industrial Services – an effective parts cleaner is a must have for any workshop or garage. The EcoSafe Washer is there for you, satisfying both your work needs and a desire for the cleaner environment.

If you would like to know more, feel free to click on the links detailing the services listed above or contact Alsco directly by filling out an online enquiry form. Alternatively, give us a call anytime