Homecoming: family returns to Scotland to launch new business

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A family from Aberdeen has relocated back to its original roots to launch a new business following a substantial career in the oil fields of Canada.

Jim and Christina McPhail, along with their son Michael, decided to invest in one of the leading disaster restoration and emergency cleaning franchises in the world, ServiceMaster Clean. Now back in Aberdeen, the hometown they left back in 2002, they are each looking forward to launching their new business. The family all underwent substantial training at the ServiceMaster Franchise Support Centre in Leicestershire prior to the company’s launch and are now raring to go.

A former cleaning company owner himself, Jim McPhail said: “I had experience of the cleaning industry throughout the 90s and in fact, ServiceMaster Clean was one of our biggest competitors for the emergency cleaning work we were involved in. The time was right for us to move back and we wanted to start something that could involve all three of us yet offer opportunities for employment as the business develops.”

ServiceMaster Clean Grampian will provide cleaning and restoration services following floods, fires, accidental damage or escapes of water, as well as providing emergency response services such as removing dropped needles or glass from public areas. The company will also provide services such as clearing up after fly tipping and will work closely with the insurance industry to provide services for policyholders.

Christina McPhail added: “We’re excited for the challenge ahead. We’re trained and ready to go and we’re looking forward to building our family business together. We plan in time to add additional vehicles to our fleet and offer younger, local people an opportunity to learn new skills in this vital industry.”

Angus Dodds, brand operations manager, ServiceMaster Restoration Services UK commented: “Jim, Christina and Michael will be a great asset to the ServiceMaster Clean franchise network. Their work ethic and desire to provide a best in class service to their customers is second to none and I’m confident they have a fantastic future ahead of them.”

ServiceMaster Clean is a franchise of ServiceMaster, which launched in the UK in 1959, and currently operates in over 300 locations across the UK.

Newbury franchise celebrates 25 years in business

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ServiceMaster Clean Newbury, a multi award-winning, commercial and residential cleaning franchise operating across Berkshire, North Hampshire and Wiltshire is celebrating 25 years in business, having launched in 1991 as a commercial contract cleaning franchise.

ServiceMaster Clean Newbury was established by local businessman, Nick Dee Shapland and today provides commercial contract cleaning, commercial and residential cleaning of soft and hard furnishings and domestic fire and flood restoration work. Nick, who previously worked in the agricultural farm machinery industry, has led the company to become one of the largest ServiceMaster Clean franchises in the UK, with a turnover of over £4.7 million, employing over 450 staff from its base  in Newbury.

Nick Dee Shapland, managing director said: “We’re very proud to have achieved this milestone anniversary and privileged to have grown and developed our business on our culture of Principles – People – Performance.  We are in a very strong position to grow the business even further, as our culture is embraced by our Human Resources department and our performance is measured through our Quality Assurance Management Programme. We continually invest in our people through training and provide them with the latest equipment and machinery in order for them to deliver an optimum performance.

ServiceMaster Clean Newbury has received numerous awards, most notably the British Franchise Association Customer Service Franchisee of the Year Award in 2013.  The company is a franchise of ServiceMaster Limited, which has been franchising in the UK since 1959, and operates from the ServiceMaster Franchise Support Centre in Leicester.

Alan Lewin, managing director of ServiceMaster Limited added: “ServiceMaster Clean Newbury’s longevity is testament to its quality of service and the investment in its people. Huge congratulations to Nick and the team on this great achievement.”

ServiceMaster Clean Newbury recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary with an evening at Newbury Racecourse for staff and ServiceMaster network colleagues.

Surrey cleaning company celebrates 45 years in business

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A family domestic and commercial carpet and furniture cleaning company is celebrating 45 years of service to its loyal customer base across Surrey.

ServiceMaster Clean, which operates in Dorking,  Epsom, Reigate and Sutton and the surrounding areas was founded in 1971 by Micheal Ashenden and calculates it has cleaned more than 250,000 floor coverings in its 45 year history. The company is now operated by Michael’s son Andrew, his wife Sue and their business partners, Darren and Alison Perry, all from Caterham.

ServiceMaster Clean Reigate is a franchise of ServiceMaster, one of the world’s longest established franchises. The company provides a family-run, local service whilst having the advantage of a global franchisor behind them, who provide ongoing technical support and continual product development to ensure all ServiceMaster Clean customers receive the highest quality cleans available.”

Andrew Ashenden, director said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating this landmark anniversary and attribute our longevity to our high quality service and loyal customers. We work hard to ensure each and every customer receives the very best clean money can buy and we thank them all for their support over the years.”

Darren Perry, director added: “It’s a privilege to be part of a company that has achieved 45 years continuous service. We’re excited about the future as we aim to expand our business and ensure the floors, upholstery and carpets of Surrey are cleaner for longer.”

ServiceMaster Clean in Reigate, Dorking, Epsom and Sutton is a franchise of ServiceMaster, which was established in the UK in 1959.

Celebrating a quarter century of service in Dorset

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ServiceMaster Clean and Furniture Medic in Dorset recently celebrated 25 years’ service for two of its employees, Wayne Goff and John Palmer.

The company celebrated in style with dinner and in true Furniture Medic style, presented both Wayne and John with gifts that had been hand-crafted by managing director, Robbie Taylor.

With a passion for steam engines, Wayne was presented with a print of a steam engine by well-known artist, James Green, in a bespoke, solid oak frame. Not to be left out, John received a crystal wine decanter, displayed in a hand-made presentation box.

Sharon Taylor, director said: “It was a great evening celebrating the service of both Wayne and John with the whole team. In this business we value our people and our longevity of service to our customers is a result of the great team we have.”

ServiceMaster Clean and Furniture Medic Dorset operates across Dorchester and provides domestic and commercial furniture and floor cleaning and all types of furniture repairs and restorations. The company was first established in 1987.

New owners for contract cleaning franchise in Strathclyde

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A contract cleaning franchise operating across Glasgow, Paisley, East Kilbride and Ayshire is under new ownership and planning to bring in new staff as it expands, all in the same year as it celebrates 20 years’ providing of commercial and office cleaning to its established customer base.

ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Strathclyde and Glasgow has been taken over by local solicitor turned business investor Alex Muir and Joe McGrath. With a legal background spanning 25 years, Mr Muir chose to leave the profession before investing in the already established, contract cleaning franchise and Mr McGrath, an experienced account and new business development manager, has swapped the beer industry for contract cleaning.

The company currently employs over 50 staff and the new owners are looking to invest in the franchise to achieve growth and take the business to new heights.

Alex Muir said: “I was looking for an investment opportunity that would provide a good return and a healthy business challenge. Working alongside Joe, we plan to grow this business and have set ourselves big targets to achieve over the next three to five years, which will mean we hope to bring on a number of new staff to help us manage our existing andnew contracts.”

Joe McGrath added: “I’m excited by the challenge to move this business forward. By growing our customer base, we can invest further in our staff with training and development programmes to help them progress in their careers.”

Guy Strang, brand operations manager for ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services commented: “The Strathclyde business is in good hands with Alex and Joe and I’m confident of great things to come from this business.”

ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Strathclyde is a franchise of ServiceMaster Limited, which has been franchising in the UK since 1959.