Learn Lessons In Bad Times by Alan Maynard

It is reminiscent of buying an ice cream – single scoop double scoop – triple? The commonality between Ice Cream and The Economy is that both can have a radical effect on your waistline even though it is in totally opposite directions!

The points is that whether we are in recession be it single or quadruple is for pretty much all of us irrelevant. It is just an economic term for a set of trading conditions, which only serves to make us feel gloomy. So I ignore it.

I tend to see it as Good times and not so good times. The trick is to try and have a spatial awareness of what is going on and make sure you can adapt to change. The circumstances, which we now find ourselves in, are not new, we have had recession and not so good times before. What catches businesses and families alike out is that we are always too willing to believe that this time the good times are going to last forever and of course they never do. People believed that property could only ever rise in value and, not only that, believed that when they chose to get off the ever upward spiral that it would not only repay their mortgage but relieve them of every other form of excess, credit cards car loans that they had saddled themselves with on the way. Businesses behaved no better, the most common lament you hear is that Banks aren’t lending anymore. In some cases lack of access to funding seriously hampers growth but in so many cases what the business owner is really saying is “I can’t survive unless you lend me money” what does that say about the business? 

So how do we survive in less good times? Well here’s the good news if you have managed to survive so far, you almost certainly have a viable business – things aren’t booming but you are alive and you know that this state of affairs while long, will not last for ever. If you concentrate on your clients – give them what they want – and most of all be prepared to adapt to what is going on. Commercially and domestically alike you have to run lean as possible and wait for things to change. Complaining about how difficult things are is like moaning about the sea you are swimming in – you have two choices and on balance I prefer the swimming option.

Once we get into better times the best thing we can do is to remember what helped us survive in the bad – we don’t survive on credit – because in the difficult times we had to survive on our own cash - we continue to realise the value of our clients as opposed to believing that for everyone we lose there will be another one to replace them. And before we to decide to leap on to the property ladder and stretch ourselves beyond snapping – how about a little spatial awareness – do we really think that interest rates will stay this low for good? 

Alan Maynard

MD Ingot Services

First published EADT Business East Monthly February 2013

Ingot Services Continues Its Support for Suffolk Youth Charity

Out & About, the Suffolk based charity who provide opportunities for disabled young people across East Anglia, have held their annual awards evening, honouring their young volunteers. corporate sponsors, Ingot Services, was there to join in the celebrations.

Ingot’s Managing Director Alan Maynard was delighted to be asked to present an award on the night. “I was really pleased to be asked to attend what was an uplifting and inspiring evening” said Alan.  “Everyone who gives their time to the charity in whatever role they can gives something to the lives of those young people who otherwise might not get the chance to fulfil their wish to try an activity or learn a skill that will make a big difference to their lives.”

Ingot became the charity’s first corporate sponsor earlier this year, backing the ‘iam out there’ series of life skills programmes.

Out & About’s Kate Higgs explained how vital Ingot’s support has been: “Being able to run the programmes enables us to help more young people make the transition from childhood to adulthood with greater confidence. Many things that we take for granted like using public transport, road safety or handling money are daunting for young people with disabilities and ‘iam out there’ really does help to get them ‘out there’!”

“We are always really grateful to all our volunteer helpers, fundraisers and sponsors; they contribute so much to the charity with their spirit, energy and generosity.”

Alan Maynard concludes: “As an employer I am a great believer in providing opportunity for those who need someone to invest some trust in their ability and I have no doubt that Out & About does many great things to help unlock the potential of young people living with a disability. I hope more businesses continue to come forward to sponsor the programmes.”

Out & About: www.oaa.co.uk

Ingot Services Ltd: www.ingotservices.co.uk

Abseiling and Duct Work Cleaning

Recently, the only way two of our operatives could get to clean a particular duct work system was by abseiling. Both guys has been a proper training course in order to do this.

Take a look - rather them than me!

Ductwork cleaning – Dishing the Dirt on Ductwork Disasters

Ductwork cleaning - it’s easy to imagine that this is a simple task that could be taken on by anyone, saving the expense of calling in the experts. But with a multitude of nooks, crevices, corners, rises and falls, not to mention the parts of the ductwork which are normally inaccessible, your ductwork cleaning really does need to be done by professionals with the know-how, the experience and the tools for the job.

And without regular reminders it can be easy to forget how important your ductwork cleaning really is - especially because you can’t actually see the dirt building up inside them. But forgetting your ductwork cleaning can prove to be a disaster - one that could easily be prevented by hiring a ductwork cleaning company and tasking them with a regular ductwork cleaning schedule.

Ductwork Cleaning - What Could Go Wrong Without It?

A haven for dust and grime, all manner of nasties are attracted to your ductwork including a variety of airborne bacteria and mould. This can contribute to sick building syndrome, as well as attracting vermin and posing a serious fire risk.

Bio-aerosols, Germs and Bacteria
With millions of fungi and pollen spores floating in the air all around us, it comes as little surprise that ducts provide the perfect sanctuary to settle and grow. Out and about these would cause us little issue, but as they are sucked into ventilation systems, they join a multitude of different bacteria, some potentially harmful, settling within the layers of dust that stick to the insides of your ductwork. Carried into our air supply, these same fungi spores can cause asthma attacks, wheeziness, itchy or watery eyes, breathlessness and a blocked nose, as well as the possibility of ear and lung infections.

As well as minor viruses such as the common cold, your ducts may also play host to bacteria such as pneumonia, legionella and kiebsiella, causing fever, weakness and flu like symptoms, or even death. In more sensitive environments, such as hospitals and care homes this can be a particularly dangerous hazard, with superbugs such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C difficile) a disaster in the making.

This is backed up by studies by the Environmental Protection Agency, which have found that the air inside buildings can be as much as 70 times more polluted than the air outside. And by following a regular ductwork cleaning regime, many of these dangers can be kept in check.

Vermin
Attracted to warm, as well as the relatively peaceful and undisturbed atmosphere within ductwork, rats and mice can be a problem that can quickly get out of hand. Especially as they breed almost continuously throughout the year. And cockroaches find the same places a haven for nesting.

Rats and mice are reported to spread over 35 diseases worldwide, including salmonella, toxoplasmosis, Weil’s disease, encephalitis and worms. These diseases can be spread to us through their faeces , urine and saliva, as well as through direct bites, or via ticks, mites or fleas who have fed on a rodent. Cockroaches are a similar public health risk, spreading food poisoning, dysentery and diarrhoea.

Regular ductwork cleaning will ensure there is less potential for nesting sites, and regular interruptions make a less attractive place for vermin to stay.

Sick Building Syndrome
While the precise causes of sick building syndrome remain a mystery, it has been established that heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units are a contributing factor, circulating contaminants around buildings - especially if there is uneven or inadequate ventilation around the building environment. And if there are environmental changes affecting the air intake, for instance increased number of occupants, furniture moves, and internal structural updates, these can all play a role.

Common contaminants implicated in sick building syndrome include volatile organic compounds such as solvents, printed material, paints and the like, dust and fibres, bio-aerosols such as bacteria, fungi, moulds and the like, as well as trapped vehicle and industrial exhaust fumes, carbon dioxide, cleaning agents, pesticides and building materials.

While an inadequate HVAC system as a whole may be a contributing factor to sick building syndrome, regular ductwork cleaning will reduce many of these contaminants.

Fire
The grease and grime within your air ducts, especially in the case of those within a commercial kitchen, can cause another disaster with potentially fatal consequences. Just one small spark could cause a fire that could easily spread through your ducts and throughout your premises.

Regular ductwork cleaning will ensure that your ducts are as clear as possible, meeting your legal obligations, as well as making sure that your insurance is valid.

Ductwork Cleaning - Your Legal Obligation

It is for these reasons of health and safety that regular ductwork cleaning is, in fact, a legal requirement. Meeting these legal requirements can be made easy, however, by using a professional ductwork cleaning company, that can help you to understand exactly when your ductwork cleaning needs doing, and arranging a cleaning schedule.

As well as being a legal obligation, keeping your ductwork cleaning up to date can also help with your overall workplace productivity, helping you to maintain a healthy and happy workforce.

Ductwork Cleaning with Ingot Services

Ingot Services are your professional ductwork cleaning company with over 25 years of experience in the industry. We have clients throughout the UK and from the whole range of industries - from Michelin star restaurants to pubs and cafes, from local authorities to schools and hospitals.

We are fully qualified, HVCA registered, and we are also members of the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme and a Safe Contractor Registered firm, giving you the assurance that our ductwork cleaning work meets your legal obligations. And with our price guarantee, you can be sure that our quote won’t be beaten and we promise to hold that quoted price for three years. 

To find out more about ductwork cleaning from Ingot Services, or to book a no obligation quote call today on 0800 731 7892.

News for September 2012

We have been kept very busy over the summer months deep cleaning kitchens and grease extract systems. However it all hasn't been work, company MD Alan Maynard attended the CBI regional dinner last week at RAF Duxford as the guest of BT's East of England Director Dave Hughes. A good time was had by all!

We are also pleased to continue supporting Ipswich Rugby Club who made an excellent start to the season by beating Braintree RFC 32 - 3 at home. Alan has also taken on the role as match reporter; for full report click here.

We are still looking to take on more people as we continue to expand, if you are interested please contact the office on 0800 731 7892.

Ingot Supports Ipswich Rugby Club

For a number of years now we have supported Ipswich Rugby Club through sponsorship. Our involvement has included deep cleaning their club kitchen, sponsoring specific matches to producing their club e-newsletter In Touch. We are very excited about the First XV's prospects for 2012/2013 season which kicks of on Sunday with a pre-season friendly against the boys from HMS Protector.

www.ipswichrugby.com.

At Ingot Services we are only busy deep cleaning commercial kitchens we are also proud to sponsor Suffolk based charity Out and About. Out and About enables disabled children and young people to have fun and enjoy their leisure activity- the ordinary everyday things that all young people want to enjoy. Specifically we support their live skills courses that they run over school holidays.

To find out more about this worthwhile organistion visit http://www.oaa.co.uk/.

Exciting times at Ingot Services at the moment. We have been asked to quote to deep clean another professional football club's commercial kitchen. All on the back off being awarded the contract to clean the extract systems for Liverpool FC!

Ingot Wins Top Club Contract!

Kitchen cleaning experts, Ingot Services have netted a prestigious contract with Premier League giants Liverpool FC.

After seeing off some stiff competition the Suffolk-based company are all set to deliver a top cleaning service for all of the busy kitchens at the Anfield ground.

Managing Director Alan Maynard says: “"We are delighted to add such an iconic name to our client list and look forward to establishing a long term relationship with Liverpool FC."

“The kitchens cater for hundreds of thousands of visitors every year so our service is paramount.”

Ingot Services, who celebrate their 25th Anniversary this year, have also succeeded in renewing their contract with Coventry City Council, demonstrating their commitment to winning business nationally as well as locally.

Alan continues: “By winning new business we are also creating employment opportunities and have recently been able to take on a further six operatives, meaning we now have an even greater capacity to fulfil cleaning requests anywhere in the UK.”

Ingot supply a full kitchen cleaning service, including deep cleans, and duct cleaning – an area often overlooked and a potential cause of devastating fires. They work to suit each client at times that are most convenient and issue a certificate of proof of cleaning, requested by most insurance companies, along with before and after pictures. 

For more information on Ingot’s services visit www.ingotservices.co.uk or call 0800 731 7892

Ingot Supports Local Charity

Suffolk Charity Receives Much Needed Boost From First Corporate Sponsor

Out & About, the charity that supports disabled children across East Anglia in being able to access everyday activities, have announced that Ingot Services are to be their first corporate sponsor.

The sponsorship will specifically benefit the ‘I am out there’ series of life skills programmes, which enable disabled young people to develop key skills to make the transition from childhood to adulthood with greater confidence.

Kate Higgs from Out & About explains what the sponsorship means to the Ipswich-based charity: “Through a combination of theory based activities and practical excursions in the local community our Life Skills programmes cover many things including how to use Public Transport, handling money and road safety.” “Learning the small things that many of us take for granted can give disabled young people greater self-esteem and thanks to Ingot’s backing we can now put a lot more young people through the programmes.”

Alan Maynard, Managing Director of Ingot Services explains why he was keen to get involved with the charity: “Out & About provides disabled children and young people the chance to access activities, whether a hobby, sport or through the ‘iam out there’ scheme developing day to day skills. I am a great believer in everyone having the opportunity to achieve in some way, whatever their circumstances, and all of us at Ingot are excited to be supporting young people in this way.”

Out & About was founded in 1984 and like all charities, has had to cope with great fluctuations in government backed funding, looking instead to alternative sources to help raise money for its projects.

Kate Higgs continues: “These are tough times and we really hope that more companies will be inspired by Ingot Services and get behind us and what we do– facilitating experiences, building confidence and providing skills that enhances lives and communities.”   

Coventry City Council Endorses Ingot Services with Renewed Contract

Thriving Suffolk Company proves continued success by once again winning a prestigious contract with Coventry City Council to provide kitchen extract cleaning for all its commercial kitchens.

The contract was, as before, put out to tender and Ingot’s professionalism, competitive pricing and high standards once again won through as they did in 2009.

Ingot’s Managing Director Alan Maynard explains: “We have had a fantastic relationship with the city council since 2009 and we are all delighted to have been given the green light to continue to work together.”

Coventry’s Council is responsible for over 340 schools and other social care sites, including retirement homes and community centres.

Alan continues: “The council wanted one company to carry out the cleaning and maintenance for all their kitchens, working to a planned schedule to suit each venue and site manager.”

Ingot’s certified kitchen cleaning service complies fully with both Fire and Health and Safety legislation and on completion of each kitchen extract cleaning job for Coventry City Council, the site is left in an immaculate condition. The pre and post pictures and certificates are then sent to both to the authority’s central body and to each individual site.

“We will continue to demonstrate our rigorous high standards and I am delighted that we can carry on working together,” concludes Alan.

Contact us now on 0800 731 7892 for a free quotation.