A local entrepreneur has invested in and taken ownership of a Guildford-based commercial cleaning franchise and aims to create new employment opportunities as the business expands.

Siva Kugathas (43), of Sutton, spent 20 years working in senior franchise roles, for both Pizza Hut and KFC in both the UK and Europe before choosing to invest in the Guildford-based, commercial cleaning franchise, ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services (CS Guildford). Siva was responsible for creating KFC’s UK Operations Service Manual and achieved the Restaurant Manager of the Year award in 1997.

CS Guildford currently turns over £138,000 and employs 30 staff but Siva aims to double this size of the company and his over the next 18 months. The company provides daily office and commercial cleaning services to businesses across the region and is part of the ServiceMaster franchise network, which has been trading in the UK since 1959.

Siva said: “There’s huge potential for this company and we’re looking forward to seeing rapid growth by adding new clients and by bringing in and developing new staff. The support from ServiceMaster has been excellent and I’m excited to get up and running and working with our new and existing clients.”

Guy Strang, brand operations manager, ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services UK added: “Siva’s experience and passion for providing an excellent customer service is second to none and we’re confident CS Guildford will grow rapidly, bringing wealth and jobs to the Guildford area.”

CS Guildford was founded in 1992 and is part of a national network of 68 licensed office cleaning businesses.

It’s no surprise that air quality in an office can often be poor. With so many people in such a small space, dirt, dust and other debris can really build up quickly – not to mention the added influence of any office renovations or new building construction nearby.

Poor office air quality can lead to Sick Building Syndrome, which affects employees anytime they’re inside. If workers complain about headaches, respiratory problems, coughing or fevers while on the job, it could very well be due to an indoor air quality issue – especially if these symptoms only occur at work and clear up by the time people get home.

How You Can Improve Office Air Quality

Luckily, there are ways to improve air quality and keep employees happy and healthy in any office environment. At the very least, try the following ideas from ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services to lower the chances of your staff getting sick and to improve office air quality overall:

  • Keep your air vents open and unblocked. If furniture, boxes or other items block the path of your air vents, the air inside your office won’t circulate properly and could cause health issues.
  • Replace air filters frequently. If your air filters are clogged, air flow becomes nonexistent. Over time, dust and debris will build up behind the filters and settle inside your air ducts, putting your employees’ health at even more risk. As a general rule, air filters should be replaced every 6-12 months.
  • Maintain a healthy level of humidity. Humidity between 30 and 50 percent helps keep dust mites, mould and other allergens under control. Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to control the humidity level in your office.
  • Clean spills immediately. Excess moisture or residual dampness supports the growth of mildew and mould, which can cause severe health risks. It’s more expensive to remediate mould damage than it is to prevent it, so it’s in your best interest to reduce the risk of mould growth by cleaning up spills or leaks as soon as you see them.
  • Add some office plants. Not only do plants add a pleasing, peaceful aesthetic to any office, they also absorb toxins and produce more oxygen, which means employees will be able to breathe more easily.
  • Use fresh air whenever possible. If your office has windows, open them up and let that fresh air in. When weather permits, keeping your windows and doors open helps circulate fresh air in and stale air out.
  • Keep your office clean. Regularly vacuum, dust, sanitise, clear away clutter and promptly dispose of all rubbish as it accumulates. Often, it’s easiest to schedule regular professional cleanings to ensure this crucial component of indoor air quality doesn’t get overlooked. Keeping clean ensures less pollutants have a chance to mix with the air and make your employees sick.
  • Inspect and clean your air ducts. If there are any signs that your air ducts are impacting air quality or circulation and need to be cleaned, call in experts to assess and correct the issue before anyone’s health is compromised.
  • Have your air quality tested. Experts in air quality have the right tools and know how to measure air quality in offices, from air flow to humidity levels, ventilation, odours, leaks, standing water, water damage, mould growth and more. After a thorough inspection, you’ll know exactly what needs to be fixed to improve office air quality moving forward.

If you need help correcting an indoor air quality issue in your office, call the experts at ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services. We’ll be there right away to inspect your office, clean your air ducts and set up a regular cleaning schedule to ensure your staff members stay happy and healthy. With our proven expertise and commitment to holding ourselves to the highest cleaning standards, we’ll always be there to deliver exceptional results for you. Find you nearest ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services to discuss your requirements.

An award-winning cleaning company based in Sale, Manchester is celebrating 25 years of bringing a shine to its customers across the city and surrounding areas.

ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services (CS) Manchester was launched from the conservatory of business owners, Martin and Sarah Steinman on 1st January 1992 and now employs over 300 staff with a turnover of more than £2.8m. To celebrate the milestone, the company held an event at which CS Manchester’s managing director, Guy Johnson announced the company saw an 8% increase in revenue last year on 2015 and set out the company’s growth plans to double its turnover and headcount by 2022.

Martin Steinman, business owner said: “It is a privilege to work with such a fantastic team and to have achieved this milestone anniversary together. We are very much looking to the future and our extensive growth plans.”

Guy Johnson, managing director added: “I feel immensely proud of how far this business has come. We have continued to grow year-on-year and we’ve consistently invested in new technology and systems to allow us to work smarter, quicker and ultimately, provide our customers with the best experience they can expect.”

CS Manchester is a franchise of ServiceMaster Limited, one of the UK’s largest and longest-established, multi-brand franchisors.

Guy Strang, brand operations manager for the ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services franchise network commented: “There aren’t many businesses that launched back in 1992 that continue to grow year-on-year at the rate of CS Manchester. The team is focused and determined to achieve great things, whilst putting their customers at the centre of everything they do. Congratulations to Martin and Sarah and all the team.”

Over its 25 year history, CS Manchester has been awarded four franchising awards, including the British Franchise Association Franchisee of the Year Excellence Award in 1995.

We would like to thank everyone who have helped and supported this cause with us, we have managed to raise £260.83 in total.

Every week in the UK at least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people aged 35 and under die suddenly from undiagnosed heart conditions. Your donations will help to continue the campaign to reduce the number of young sudden cardiac deaths and the heartbreak that follows such a tragic loss. The funds will be used to support medical research, subsidising CRY cardiac screening clinics and producing and distributing relevant literature and information. CRY also provide bereavement support services and a fast track pathology service for affected families.