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BIFM announces new benchmarking service
BIFM is partnering with FM Benchmarking to provide a benchmarking service for the UK facilities management sector and to offer the service to BIFM members at a discount of up to 40% off the list price.
The FM Benchmarking application allows users to compare the performance of their buildings against similar buildings, analyse the differences, and improve the performance over time.
FM Benchmarking has a number of key features of interest to facilities management professionals:
• It integrates best practices by highlighting areas where buildings are performing better or worse than comparable buildings.
• It enables comparison of buildings as similar as possible to yours through the use of nearly 60 different filters.
• The system is web-based - there is no software to download and any authorised user can gain access anytime from anywhere.
Peter Kimmel of FM Benchmarking said: “FM Benchmarking is especially excited about working with BIFM as this will solidify our efforts to reach an international market, particularly the UK. Companies using the FM Benchmarking methodology have reduced their energy consumption by 8% after one year, and 40% after 10 years. Similarly impressive reductions have been achieved in overall operating expenditures.”
Ian Fielder, CEO of BIFM, said: “Measuring facilities’ performance to make improvements is becoming increasingly important for facilities managers. We are excited to be able to offer our members discounted access to FM Benchmarking.”
www.bifm.org.uk
Internet buying offers no protection
Facilities managers buying away from home paper products and plastic refuse sacks over the internet may find they are not getting what they are paying for, warns The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA).
“There is no legal requirement to state the product’s dimensions on the packaging or in the product description when sold over the Internet, which means there is no protection for buyers from unscrupulous sellers,” explained Graham Fletcher, secretary of the CHSA. “It may be cheaper to buy in this way, but there is no guarantee you are getting what you are paying for and so it could easily be a false economy.”
2011 has seen a marked increase in plastic refuse sacks and away from home paper products being imported and sold via the Internet. The quality of these products may be acceptable and the dimensions may be as expected, but there is no way to be certain and buyers may find the thickness, length or width has been reduced and the product itself breaks down more quickly than it should.
Graham Fletcher continued: “A number of adaptations can save the manufacturer a great deal of money - for example, shaving a little of the width off the product, reducing the number of sheets and then rolling the product a little more loosely so this is not apparent, altering the blend of constituents used in the manufacture of the refuse sacks or changing the manufacturing process. The buyer, however, may be left with an inadequate product that may well be not fit fur purpose.”
The only way buyers can be certain they are getting what they pay for is to buy from members of the CHSA’s Manufacturing Standard Accreditation Scheme covering soft tissue products, plastic refuse sacks and industrial cotton mops.
www.chsa.co.uk
Date for your diary: BTA Conference 2011
The BTA will be returning to The Stratford Hotel at Stratford upon Avon for it’s annual conference and AGM on Wednesday 21st September. The agenda will include topics to stimulate discussion and find solutions to the real issues that the impact of the current economic situation is producing for public toilet providers:
• 10 things local authorities need to know to protect public toilets from closures.
• Public toilets in London - the London Assembly update report which precedes the 2012 London Olympics.
• How toilet closures impact the ageing population.
• Safety in the washroom.
• The commercially funded and operated South Bank toilet project.
• New benefits for BTA members, and more.
This is an ideal opportunity for members and non-members to meet the BTA team, other members, speakers and sponsors, network with others who experience similar challenges, and importantly, be part of the public toilet closure debate.
Please support the BTA at this critical time and book your tickets now
- £75 plus vat including lunch and refreshments. Please email enquiries@britloos.co.u k or phone 01403 258779 to reserve your place.
Gems celebrates silver jubilee
Gems Hygiene celebrated 25 years of business with a carnival style summer garden party recently at its Attercliffe offices. With something to do for everyone, young and old were equally entertained by a range of stilt walkers, a bucking bronco, jazz band, singer, circus entertainers and a variety of giant outdoor games.
The garden party was attended by over 200 people including staff, associates, local business people, customers and former employees. Amongst the guests, former WBO cruiserweight world champion, Johnny Nelson, was invited to draw Gems’ charity raffle.
The raffle, organised in aid of the company’s annual charity, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, included prizes donated by several local companies including Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield Theatres and the Tropical Butterfly House. Raffle tickets, also donated by Classic Business Forms, were sold by employees to family and friends and to guests on the day of the event, raising a total of £800.
Company boss, Dave Campbell, said: “I would like to thank all company employees, past and present, for their hard work and support over the years. Without the dedication and commitment of employees and continued support of family and friends, the success of Gems Hygiene would not have been possible.”
Sarah Wade, Gems’ marketing manager, added: “The celebration provided a unique opportunity for staff new and old to get together along with family and friends, suppliers and customers. While everyone who attended had a great day, we also managed to raise a good sum of money for our annual charity.”
www.gemshygiene.co.uk
Charity Ball marks 25th anniversary
The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners celebrated its 25th anniversary of the company achieving full livery status with a summer charity ball recently. Friends and colleagues from the cleaning industry attended the fundraising event, which took place at the Grange St Paul’s hotel, London. It opened with a champagne reception, followed by a four course meal, entertainment, and an auction hosted by a celebrity auctioneer.
During the 25th anniversary year, the Worshipful Company hopes to raise at least an extra £25,000 for its charity fund which makes grants to support the advancement of education and training within the industry.
The summer ball was attended by the Master, Peter Holt, and many members of the livery and their guests.
Mitie acquires 100% control of SMI
Mitie Group plc has acquired the remaining 50% share of Service Management International (SMI) to take full control. Mitie, which already owned 50% of SMI, acquired the remaining share from Klüh Service Management, based in Germany. Klüh, and its international subsidiaries, will continue to be part of SMI’s supply chain solution.
SMI was established in 2000 and has matured into an EMEA supply chain manager with the ability to coordinate global FM solutions. Currently SMI manages and delivers some 15 EMEA portfolio contracts for blue chip clients.
Ruby McGregor-Smith, chief executive of Mitie Group, said: “We are delighted to have acquired SMI in full, as part of our strategy to develop Mitie’s ability to support our clients overseas. SMI will remain part of Mitie’s international strategy, targeted where its operational model has the greatest attraction for clients.”
www.mitie.com
