this successful, owner managed contract cleaning business was established some thirteen years ago by the present owner, who registered the business as a limited company in 2003. The vendor spotted an opportunity to develop a business with a high levels of personal service, and where satisfaction with existing suppliers was poor. Based on constant customer care and communication, the business has developedstrong relations with a range of clients, covering offices, bars and the public sector – including schools and communcal areas of housing association proerties. This portfolio offers the business a stable turnover footing, with great room for expansion in a number of directions. The business specialises in providing all cleaning and hygiene services within the bedfordshire and surrounding areas. Due to over a decade of organic growth, the business is now of a size where it can offer not only a competitive and professional service, but also has the flexibility to move staff where needed and accommodate all customer requests, sometimes at ashort notice. This flexibility in itself, and the constant focus on customer satisfaction, has won clients time and again from the competition, and once the customer is on-board they don’t leave. The company is pleased that during the tougher economic climate of late they have added around £30,000 in annual turnover as customers have come looking for a more competitvly priced service, and been recommended and referred to the business. The company enjoys minimal overheads, and has a streamlined operation that can be readily expanded. Customer service: the current owner spends all of his time in liaising with the client base to ensure the highest levels of satisfaction. He is regularly on-site, and takes ownership of any issues to offer immediate resolution. The customer service focus is the corner stone of the business offering. All staff are well presented and professional with great communication skills. This approach to communication is referenced by clients in the on-going company satisfaction surveys as a key reason to stay with the business. Any areas of suggested improvement are taken on-board and where possible implemented in a timely fashion. Customer satisfaction is the area where the reputation of the business can be made or lost. Understanding this has meant that the business has achieved a recognized and well regarded name. Key strengths: this business is professionally and expertly managed. The range of existing contracts covers most of the activities associated with the cleaning industry from office, leisure and educational customers. The business has forged a reputation for providing a high standard and wide range of services to customers; much of the new business obtained in any given year comes solely from the recommendation of other clients. Growth and expansion opportunities: having developed a sound reputation, a new owner with increased investment in sales and marketing will be able to drive accelerated growth in the company. This could take place in the many busy towns in bedfordshire and surrounding counties. No small part in the ability of this business to grow and sustain its profitability is due to the quality of its people. The business has a strong commitment to the development and welfare of its staff, which has contributed, alongside investment in client service, to the excellent profitability of the business. With an expansion of staffing, the business could easily accommodate more clients. Currently the company out sources some services such as floor stripping and deep cleaning. These could be brought in-house to add to the bottom line. Also, the business currently runs with minimal stock and utilizes cleaning products purchased directly by the customers. If the business goes down the route of their competitors and charges for supply of materials, extra margins could be made. The business has developed a niche in the public sector with schools and housing association properties. With a marketing / pr push, they could move into other areas of the public sector easily on the contracts and reputation in-place.
