Proven management skills and health & safety expertise help leading UK contract cleaning specialist secure new Tesco business. Improved efficiencies, service delivery and levels of hygiene and cleanliness, together with proven management skills and health & safety expertise, are the key reasons why TC Contractors has recently won and implemented cleaning contracts for four Tesco Stores Distribution Centres, ranging in size from 250,000 to 800,000 sq ft. In addition, the company has further demonstrated its versatility by taking responsibility for site-specific activities, including recycling and repackaging duties.
All four facilities have been benefiting from the leading independent contract cleaning company’s services. The first is a Tesco non-food depot located in Chesterfield, where TC Contractors is responsible for 24/7 cleaning of all internal and external areas, including car parks, bays, dock levellers, fuel islands, some trailers, washrooms, changing rooms, racking and flooring. The company also handles the facility’s recycling and repackaging activities.
As part of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE), pre-existing cleaning operatives are transferred to the new cleaning contract. Personnel teams from TC Contractors and Tesco collaborate with union representatives and the individuals involved to ensure they quickly became part of the new, revitalised team.
At the Chesterfield depot, there are in excess of 30 cleaning staff working on a full time basis, including a Cleaning Manager responsible for day-to-day service delivery, and a Shift Manager overseeing each eight-hour shift.
Prior to the start of each distribution centre contract and in conjunction with the relevant Health & Safety Manager, TC Contractors implements rigorous health & safety and full risk assessments for all cleaning tasks, as well as the equipment it plans to use on site. Each facility is individually assessed to accommodate site-specific requirements over and above basic cleaning responsibilities.
As part of TC Contractors’ agreement with Tesco, recycling activities now fall under the cleaning umbrella. As a result, all cleaning operatives are trained to operate LLOPs for swift collection of cardboard, binding and shrink wrap from both the aisles and bins at rack ends. This is then baled ready for collection. General waste, which can’t be recycled, is compacted.
Recoup is primarily completed in the aisles, with the aim being to salvage as many saleable units as possible. Where this is not appropriate, TC Contractors implements the correct write-off procedures.
Two operatives are responsible for each aisle: one collecting cardboard, binding and shrink wrap, and the other completing in-aisle recoup. The aisle is then cleaned using sweeper scrubber driers. Dock levellers are scrubbed using cylindrical scrubber driers on a planned maintenance system.
“We are delighted with the results being achieved by TC Contractors,” comments Martin Wannell, General Manager of Chesterfield Tesco Distribution Centre. “The company’s personnel have successfully taken over all cleaning duties at Chesterfield. It has started really well, with some great guidance and active participation from the experienced management team. In fact, I believe all parties are now experts on the baling machine!
“The team also targeted the ad hoc hygiene, and some areas of the distribution centre are now gleaming for the first time in two years. The audit process is being used fully on each shift and the site is a healthy mix of green and amber, with TC assuring us it will be fully green in the near future.”
Martin continues: “The partnership between the two businesses is progressing so well that TC is already a vital part of the Chesterfield team. We look forward to a long and mutually rewarding relationship.”
As well as Chesterfield, TC is currently cleaning Tesco distribution centres at Chepstow South Wales, Weybridge and Thurrock, the latter being the largest site at more than 800,000 sq ft.
Peter Ellis, TC Contractors’ Chief Executive Officer, comments: “Implementing cleaning contracts for the Tesco distribution centres has been one of our biggest challenges to date. Today’s modern warehouse and distribution facilities are packed with highly advanced and potentially dangerous materials handling equipment so health & safety is of paramount importance. However, our regional management teams quickly assessed what was required in terms of staff, machinery, skill and organisation to deliver what is now a first class service.”
This new business reflects a partnership between TC Contractors and Tesco that spans over 45 years. In addition to distribution centres, TC Contractors currently cleans more than 300 Tesco retail outlets, including Express, Extra and Super stores.
TC Contractors
Kevin Meighan, Commercial Director
Tel: 01737 814016
Email: kevin.meighan@tc-contractors.co.uk
www.tc-contractors.co.uk
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