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Developments in new products and washroom systems are crucial to the cleaning industry, equally so are innovations in providing new ways of delivering service. Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd, South London based distributors of washroom, cleaning, janitorial and associated products have taken the development of their website www.futures-supplies.co.uk to a new level.

Providing an online solution directly aimed at the needs of their customers in providing a user friendly on line ‘shopping basket’ facility and a host of other facilities to directly assist and support the user with purchasing their janitorial supplies on-line. 

Key areas include access to additional product information including specifications and pictures, up to date COSHH sheets that can be printed easily along with a ‘favourites’ facility to prevent the need to trawl through unnecessary data when selecting products that are regularly purchased.

Internal administration cost of processing a purchase including the cost of administration time and internal paperwork can all but be eradicated by the use of the online shopping facility, which delivers a functional user-friendly, simple and clean design providing a cost effective purchasing solution. 

The navigation system is consistent throughout the website to help the user become familiar with the layout of the site and product lines are grouped to ensure the information required is only a few clicks away.

The site also offers the facility to order against multi-site delivery addresses and provides an almost instant order acknowledgement whatever the time of day further illustrating Futures Supplies singled minded approach to delivering what the customer wants when they want it.

“We believe in adding value at every point of contact with the customer though innovation to reflect the changes that have taken place in customer needs and to ensure we deliver satisfaction and continued improvement.

The wonderful world of the web gives people access to service 24 hours and 365 days of the year and we are working hard to make sure all our customers who want to, can access our services and search through the many products on our website using the internet twenty-four seven”, says Mandie Kemp Managing Director.

Futures Supplies ethos is to deliver service, quality, value and reliability through innovations in its service. The company has a proven track record and focused approach to supplying quality products with the added value of service excellence. Currently supplying to numerous financial institutions, corporate headquarters and contract cleaning companies, the team are dedicated to providing a professional innovative ‘can do’ approach to service. Appreciating the clients’ individual needs they are always happy to go the extra mile to meet their customers’ expectations.

“It was important to react to our customers needs and our dedication to technology and innovation is motivated by the desire to provide service and products which contribute to the growth of our customers. The website enables us to cope efficiently with increasing demands for information from both existing and prospective customers. Ordering is quick and easy and we guarantee a speedy response”. Says Mandie Kemp, Managing Director.

Visit the website today and shop @ www.futures-supplies.co.uk

Cresswell Office Services Ltd and Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd not only celebrate their tenth anniversary of trading this year but the two companies formed a very strong partnership over ten years ago in the Facilities Management and cleaning industry.  The companies, which supply cleaning and facilities management and washroom, janitorial and associated products respectively began their partnership when the Managing Directors paths crossed in their previous careers in the cleaning industry.

Mandie had been working in the Janitorial supplies business for some ten years and David in Contract Cleaning. There relationship began when David approached Mandie to provide Washroom supplies to his cleaning contracts and since then their relationship has gone from strength to strength.

Cresswell Office Services, based in South London, was founded in 1995, by David McLeod.  The company currently has both an Industrial and Commercial division and its clients come from a variety of business and backgrounds ranging from Transport to Commercial Offices, including London Buses.  Cresswell are dedicated to being flexible, highly reactive and responsive to its clients’ needs.

The cleaning and facilities management company has been accredited to ISO9001 since July 1998 and was one of the first cleaning companies to upgrade to the 2000 version.

In addition, they are members of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, Safe Contractor approved and members of the British Institute of Science (BICs)

The company has recently undertaken a review of the company brand and as a result have changed their corporate identity to reflect all aspects of the services they offer, which is not just office cleaning but the full Facilities Management package.  To reflect these changes, Cresswell have produced a new range of stationery and customer communications and launched a new website.

Based on the Purley Way, in South London, Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd are independent distributors of washroom, cleaning, janitorial and associated products.  Since setting up the company, Managing Director Mandie Kemp has built a strong, vibrant and extremely professional team of staff who she regards as the ‘heart’ of the business. 

The company’s ethos is to deliver service, quality, value and reliability; it has a proven track record and focused approach to supplying quality products with the added value of service excellence.  “Appreciating the lifetime value of a client such as Cresswell is crucial and developing business relationships on a long term basis is key to our continued growth and success”, says Mandie.

Futures currently supply to numerous contract cleaning companies, financial and insurance institutions, corporate headquarters and prestigious commercial buildings.  The staff are dedicated to providing a professional service, appreciating the clients’ individual needs and are happy to go the extra mile to meet their customers’ expectations.

During the past ten years, Futures has achieved annual sales in excess of £1.7m and has grown from strength to strength.  Futures offer the benefit of ‘one-stop’ purchasing, the best ‘cost in use’ solution and provide unbiased advice on the best product for a particular job.

Futures Supplies has endorsed its reputation in the market by achieving National Distributor Service Excellence Awards consistently since 1997 and with its involvement with trade bodies including the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association and The British Institute of Cleaning Science.  They are BS EN ISO 9001:2000 certified and were also ranked 1st in the ‘Top 50 Efficiency.

To reflect the changes that have taken place in customer needs and to ensure they deliver satisfaction and continued improvement, Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd, South London based distributors of washroom, cleaning, janitorial and associated products have relaunched their website www.futures-supplies.co.uk which now offers a user friendly on line ‘shopping basket’ facility. 

“The wonderful world of the web gives people access to service 24 hours and 365 days of the year and we are working hard to make sure all our customers who want to, can access our services and search through the many products on our website using the internet twenty-four seven.” says Mandie Kemp Managing Director.

The new website combines easy access to product information, safety data sheets and a full on line shopping basket facility.  The website project, undertaken in partnership with E-Business Systems, aims to make its clients’ experience on-site as enjoyable as possible by creating a simple method of finding products, information and on line ordering.

Futures Supplies ethos is to deliver service, quality, value and reliability; it has a proven track record and focused approach to supplying quality products with the added value of service excellence. Currently supplying to numerous financial institutions, corporate headquarters and contract cleaning companies, the team are dedicated to providing a professional ‘can do’ approach to service. Appreciating the clients’ individual needs they are always happy to go the extra mile to meet their customers’ expectations.

 

“It was important to react to our customers needs and the new website enables us to cope efficiently with increasing demands for information from both existing and prospective customers. Ordering is quick and easy and we guarantee a speedy response.” says Mandie Kemp, Managing Director.

During the past ten years, Futures Supplies has achieved annual sales in excess of £1.7m and has been growing from strength to strength. Offering the benefit of ‘one-stop’ purchasing, the best ‘cost in use’ solution and providing unbiased advice on the best product for a particular job they have been recognised by achieving National Distributor Service Excellence Awards consistently since 1997.  They are BS.EN.ISO 9001:2000 certified and are currently working towards the Environmental Standard BS.EN.ISO 14001.

Andrew Hills, of washroom and janitorial supplies company,  Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd has now become a company First Aider.  He recently completed a four day training course at the St John’s Ambulance Training Centre in Croydon in accordance with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.

The course included topics such as how to treat minor injuries and cuts and wounds.  It also dealt with handling someone in shock or who has suffered a sprain or strain or having a heart attack.  It also involved putting someone into the recovery position and aiding emergency breaths with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Andrew, who is currently Office Supervisor at Futures Supplies says, ‘I have always had an interest in First Aid and was happy to gain a recognised qualification.  I feel that I can add a new dimension and give more to my current role at Futures by learning new skills.’

Futures Supplies Managing Director Mandie Kemp says, “We are happy to provide funding for this type of course as our company staff welfare is extremely important to us.”

Envibe, co-ordinated by Croydon Council and government financed has recognised washroom and janitorial supplier Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd involvement in the environment and local community by awarding it a prestigious Gold Envibe Award.

Futures Supplies are one of the first three companies in Croydon to have been awarded  the new Envibe Gold Award and have achieved this by changing and reviewing every way they look at their company recycling systems.  In addition, they have contributed to the Croydon Commitment scheme, which gives care leavers a chance to experience life in an office by giving them work placements for a twelve-week period.

UK is fast running out of landfill site and continues to create rubbish at an unsustainable rate. London alone consumes the resources of a land the size of Spain with around 90% of the City’s waste going to landfill or incinerators.

The average office worker uses about 2.5 trees a year in paper and this figure is increasing annually despite the paperless office myth.

Every ton of paper recycled can create savings of 380 gallons of oil, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 4 megawatts of energy and 7,000 gallons of water.

Futures Supplies based in South London want to help in tackling the growing problem and as well as promoting environmental awareness at home amongst the staff they are actively encouraging customers and suppliers to adopt and implement better environmental practices.

Mandie Kemp said, “We are extremely proud to have been awarded this accolade, this award would not have been possible if we had not had the support of the staff who have been totally behind everything we have put in place to assist with this project.”

By making a few simple changes such as printing and photocopying on both sides of paper, recycling ink cartridges for charity, using recycled paper and waterless printing techniques on sales literature all add up not just with energy saving and reducing the impact of business on the environment but because all these actions cut costs too it means they are good for business as well as the planet.

The ‘Glass Ceiling’ occurs because women themselves often chose relatively low paid careers as these roles often offer more flexibility when they have or chose to start a family. Women tend to stereo type themselves and this along with the long hours often expected by senior managers can make it difficult for women to combine a management role with other responsibilities associated with bringing up children and running a home.

In 2004 women accounted for 11% of Director level positions in British businesses and 21% of senior positions in the public and voluntary sector.

Only 1% more women were occupying senior positions in business than a year ago. (Source Equal Opportunities Commission annual report ‘Sex & Power: who runs Britain).

Smashing the ‘Glass Ceiling’ and rising to the top in the cleaning, Janitorial or any other industry is about a combination of re-thinking the balance between work life & home and the attitude of the employer.

With two children to bring up and a business to run the challenges were many but I feel a ‘can do attitude’ prevented the ‘Glass Ceiling’ effect impacting on my career and the success of my business.

Unlike Europe where the opposite is true, the long hour culture in the UK doesn’t help. Women who talk about ‘flexible or family friendly hours are often seen as uncommitted to the company this again can hamper their progress.

In my opinion go for it, women bring good communication skills, multi-tasking and compassion into the workplace. Get the knowledge and help you need to get to the top. With the right attitude anyone can smash through the ‘Glass ceiling’.

Comment – Mandie Kemp, Managing Director Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd

At the recent HRH The Prince of Wales’s ‘Seeing is Believing’ event held in Croydon, Danielle Sinclair from Futures Supplies spoke to a number of top business people on how her recent work experience has her helped her gain confidence in the workplace.

In support of the Croydon Commitment, an initiative formed and funded by local businesses, the delegates at the HRH The Prince of Wales’s ‘Seeing is Believing Visit’ heard how Danielle has been on a work placement at South London company, Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd. 

Danielle, who is only 17, told blue chip companies such as Microsoft, BT and EDF Energy how Futures Supplies, who are trade suppliers of Washroom, Janitorial and Cleaning products have been very supportive in her role.  Danielle explained to them how in her twelve-week placement she has been trained on the telephone, computers along with numerous other office related tasks.

Mandie Kemp, Managing Director of Futures Supplies, said, “We look to provide work placements for up to 12 weeks in the hope to provide an opportunity for the young people to experience life in the work place and give them a work history whilst overcoming their barriers. It gives young people a chance in life that they might otherwise not have”.

Danielle Sinclair said, “Although I was very nervous to speak, Futures Supplies have given me a chance to experience life in an office and I knew that if I spoke out it would benefit other care leavers and give support to The Croydon Commitment project for the future”.

A company, who have been established for ten years, provide the total supply for the perfect washroom.  Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd, based in South London have worked hard to deliver service, quality, value and reliability as its company ethos and believes this proves a refreshing approach in an industry that can sometimes lack customer care.

Trends show workplace washrooms are a serious business and can make or break and organisation. Good washroom facilities enhance the corporate image and contribute to both staff morale and productivity.

Futures Supplies are independent distributors of washroom, janitorial and associated products. Total supply for washrooms, providing a free washroom survey, free on loan dispensers and supplying a large portfolio of washroom cleaning products ranging from toilet cleaner and cleaning cloths to floor polish and mop heads along with hand towels, toilet tissue and hand soap and not forgetting those all important air fresheners.

Managing Director, Mandie Kemp comments “we have a well-trained and motivated team of staff who provide a professional service appreciating our clients’ individual needs. We recommend the best product, whatever the environment, including leading manufacturers’ brands and are always happy to go the extra mile to meet customer expectations.  Our prices are competitive and cost effective and we offer the ‘best cost in use’ solutions across our ever-expanding product range.”

The company is BS EN ISO 9001:2000 accredited in line with its ethos of providing products and service of the highest standard.  It is a member of the CHSA and British Institute of Cleaning Science whilst achieving Distributor Service Excellence awards consistently since 1997.  

South London based supplier of washroom and cleaning products, Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd have once again been recognised for its service excellence by the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association’s National Service Excellence awards.

The CHSA Service Excellence awards dinner was held on 21^st October 2004 at Eastwood Hall in Nottingham and Futures Supplies were delighted to receive an award.

The Distributor Service Excellence Survey is not a competition but an opportunity for companies to gain a valuable insight into how their business is viewed by it’s customers as well as a benchmarking the company’s service performance against the industry as a whole. Not all participating companies gain accreditation only those whose performance is above the set criteria.

“We are delighted to have achieved this accolade and we hope it will illustrate to our customers our continued commitment to our service performance as well as an opportunity to gain invaluable insight into how our service performance stacks up against the industry as a whole.” said Operations Manager Daniel Hills.

Run by the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association, and sponsored by Kimberly Clark, Johnson Diversey Proctor & Gamble and CHT the awards take place every two years.  An independent market research company surveyed around 3000 customers. Areas covered included customer service, ordering, support and delivery times and scoring ranged from 10 excellent to 1 very poor.

‘We are delighted to have once more gained recognition for our service particularly as this is awarded by our customers.  We pride ourselves on always being happy to go the extra mile to meet our customer expectations’, says Daniel Hills, Operations Manager.

Futures Supplies are independent distributors of washroom, janitorial and associated products supply offices, contract cleaning companies and leisure centres. They have worked hard to deliver service, quality, value and reliability as their ethos and this they believe has attributed to their success in receiving service excellence awards consistently sine 1997.

You can email info@futures-supplies.co.uk for more information

Business is not just about making the bottom line but caring for the community, the people we work with and for us. Putting something back into the community and investing in future generations makes common sense.

Futures Supplies & Support Services is actively involved in its local Corporate Social Responsibility project ‘The Croydon Commitment’. The group is self-funded and aims to effectively tackle community issues and are working together to improve their environment, social and economic impact in the local community.

Over the coming year Futures Supplies look to address ‘The Croydon Strategic Partnership’ key renewal themes of environment, education, crime, regeneration health and access.

Managing Director Mandie Kemp said, “We truly believe in the positive impact of business and community partnerships. Attention to the wider community brings real long-term business benefits and demonstrates our commitment to the environment as a whole.

Futures Supplies initial project is with Croydon’s Social Services ‘Employability Project’ which was set up in 2003 and looks after over 700 children and young people who cannot be cared for by there own families.

75% of care leavers have no qualifications, 50% are unemployed and 20% are homeless within two years of leaving the system

Mandie said, “We look to provide work placements for up to 12 weeks. This is especially important, as many will have often experienced significant disadvantages and disruption and will or have recently left care homes.

Futures Supplies hope to provide an opportunity for the young people to experience life in the work place, give them a work history whilst overcoming their barriers. It gives young people a chance in life that they might otherwise not have”.

Danielle Sinclair who is 17 recently left foster care and is now living in shared supported accommodation joined Futures in September. “With no qualification or experience in the workplace job opportunities are minimal. This training at Futures Supplies will give me the opportunity and confidence to gain permanent employment “.

Futures Supplies & Support Services who supply washroom, janitorial and cleaning products are currently celebrating ten years in business and are delighted to put something back into the community.