OneFifty has been providing specialist exterior surface cleaning for more than 10 years. Often operating at heights other companies do not dare reach, OneFifty offers reliable and cost-effective solutions that are perfectly tailored to each job. Directors Andy Morris and Max Morris explained more, in an exclusive interview with Inside Sustainability. Report by Imogen Ward.
Armed with more than 30 years’ experience within the cleaning industry, Director Andy Morris was inspired to establish OneFifty after witnessing an increasing demand for specialist external cleaning services.
“Whilst visiting the International Cleaning Show in Holland, we saw a steam jet washer,” Andy Morris explained. “I knew that there was a demand for this, because I had always struggled to find a subcontractor to complete the task during my time within the industry. So, we took the plunge and purchased the machine. From there, OneFifty was born.”
Initially established in 2013 to fill a gap within the industry, OneFifty soon expanded its capabilities, adding graffiti removal to its growing list of services.
“ Max did a lot of research on graffiti removal to gain a greater understanding of the methods needed to clean different building materials,” said Andy. “There is an art to the science of graffiti removal to ensure the job is done properly – and without any damage to the building.”
“It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all process,” Director Max Morris continued. “In some cases, we have to tackle multiple surfaces in one job. There can be a mixture of paints used as well, so we have to assess each job as it comes.”
It soon became clear to OneFifty that there was a huge demand for cleaning at height. Keen to provide the very best service for its customers, the company became renowned for its capability to cover areas that others could not.
Having successfully carved out its niche in the market, OneFifty also offers cleaning services for facades, windows and gutters, utilising a variety of different cleaning systems, including jet washing, pressurised steam and media blasting.
The company also offers out its fleet of Multitel MZ250 cherry pickers on an operated-hire basis.
Important investments
In the years since purchasing its first pressurised steam cleaning system, OneFifty has had to refit and adjust the
device several times. Following a successful redesign in 2018 that improved performance, OneFifty decided to take it further.
“We invested a lot of money into a new design for our jet washing and pressurised steam cleaning equipment ,” Andy Morris explained. “As a result, we have improved its technical specifications and made it more reliable. This bespoke design will be used for any new systems we purchase.”
At the end of 2023, confident with its position in the market, OneFifty invested in a second cherry picker. This has helped develop the company’s capabilities even further. It is now preparing to purchase an additional larger machine.
A powerful portfolio
From motorway bridges to skyscrapers, no job is too big or too small:
“We have had to close entire motorways before, and these kinds of jobs are price and labour intensive,” Andy Morris explained. “They often involve large teams and several trucks just to lay out the cones and closure signs.”
OneFifty recently completed a complex project at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol: this involved cleaning the steel structures on the roof of the new south and west stands. The impressive white steel poles of the structure had become badly stained by algae which made them look dirty and gave a negative impression. OneFifty was asked to remove the algae and restore the poles to their original white colour.
Last year, the company also broke the record for its longest ever job, with the completion of a six-week project cleaning hospital roofs. Although it takes the prize for timespan, this was one of OneFifty’s more straightforward projects.
It takes a team
To ensure the success of each project, OneFifty relies on a dedicated workforce that is equipped with a high level of knowledge and experience.
“The entire workforce is competent in graffiti removal and working at height,” said Max Morris. “Whenever we take on inexperienced workers, we pair them with experienced members for several months to give them the time to settle in and gain an understanding of the role. Someone lacking in experience can cause a lot of damage during graffiti removal, so we do everything in our power to prevent that from happening.”
OneFifty also relies heavily on its supply chain. Made up of reliable companies, OneFifty’s supply chain
is always quick to provide highquality solutions.
“It takes a long time to track down the right people to work with, and I think we have been very successful in doing so,” said Andy Morris. “We are working with the best chemical supplier there is. We also rely on G&S Penrith to supply a lot of our equipment – and on a short turnaround as well – and several of our platforms are supplied by Summit Platforms. We can rely on them to fulfil our queries as soon as possible.”
Initially overwhelmed by the amount of empty plastic chemical containers that were stacking up in its warehouses, OneFifty came to an agreement with its chemical supplier to return all its containers for cleaning and reuse.
The company also plans to make its headquarters as sustainable as possible with the installation of solar panels and a new heating system featuring more efficient heat pumps. Currently using recycled crushed glass in its media blasting, OneFifty also reuses the material across its projects, and retains all its wastewater to avoid contaminating local waterways.
“Other companies would just let the chemicals wash off into local drainage systems and waterways, but we don’t agree with that mindset,” Max Morris added.
With an eye on the horizon, OneFifty plans to continue growing. This will be achieved gradually over the next few years.
“We are always looking to grow sustainably,” said Max. “We take our cashflow and the state of the market into careful consideration before making any significant investments, because of recent inflation.”
“We would also like to acquire a new business that will allow us to expand our capabilities whilst also cross – selling our services,” Andy Morris added, in conclusion. “We are just waiting for the right opportunity to come along.
“As a family, we have dedicated a lot of time to ensuring this business thrives, and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for OneFifty.” n
