Robinson Services - Service Link - Spring 2010

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S U M M E R

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servicelink

A Safe Bet for Security Services

Inside this issue...

• Even more of a safe bet for Security • New wins this Spring • Yes you can says David Robinson

• Odyssey staff told to get on your bike • Buttercrane staff flushed with success • Dream Team stars in Belfast Marathon • Robinson Services scores with Hockey Sponsorship

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Welcome

Welcome to the Summer issue of Service Link for 2010, our customer magazine whose aim is to keep you up to date with developments within Robinson Services.

Difficult times continue but new contract wins for The Royal Victoria Hospital, Sprucefield Shopping Centre, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Services and the Cordia Hotel Group show how our product offerings are still held in high regard in this difficult trading climate.

Inside read how David Huxley, Security Services Manager feels now we achieved our new security accreditation which will help customers and prospects alike - congratulations to David and all his team for this tremendous recognition. Congratulations are also in order to our Cleaning Team at Buttercrane Shopping Centre who won the Loo of the Year Award and are flushed with success!

We try to encourage staff in Robinson Services to involve themselves with charitable activities. So read inside how The Dream Team - from which I was unfairly excluded on ageism ground by the team leader Beverlee MoagWalker I hasten to add - participated in The Belfast Marathon to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer and how our Security team at the Odyssey received a Shine A Light award for Children with Cancer by simply getting on their bike. In addition our sponsorship of Antrim Sixes Hockey tournament in its 50th year shows how we also try to support local initiatives There are always changes at Robinson Services and we welcome more new additions to our Sales and Laundry teams with the appointment of Kerry Mooney, Sales Manager Laundry and Hygiene divisions and Sam Auld our new Production Manager in the Laundry. In addition as the company continues to grow and develop across all the group divisions in Northern Ireland, England and Scotland – we added 2 more high flying appointments with Brendan Martin and Emma Williamson joining us as Customer Relationship executives.

Finally – it would be remiss of me not to mention Jimmy Fullerton, our longest serving employee with 45 years service – in case you wondered, no I was not even born when Jimmy joined the original Waveney Laundry in Ballymena - congratulations to Jimmy and thanks for all your hard work and dedication over the forty five years with the company.

Enjoy your summer holidays wherever you travel.

David J Robinson, Managing Director

Contact us...

Name Title David J Robinson Managing Director Shirley Anne Cornett Company Accountant

Email davidr@robinson-services.com shirleyannec@robinson-services.com

Contact No 028 9442 9717 028 9442 9717

Maureen Totton Director Gareth Lester Operations Manager Lorraine Smyth General Manager - Laundry Division Beverlee Moag-Walker Business Development Manager David Huxley Security Services Manager Kathleen O'Loughlin Human Resource Advisor Shauna McQuillan Health & Safety and Training Advisor Anne McKee Operations Manager Jennifer Quinn Operations Manager Leon Gilchrist Office Administrator Terry McAllister Receptionist Kerry Mooney Sales Manager Emma Williamson Customer Relationship Executive Roisin McAuley Customer Relationship Executive Libby McCartney Customer Relationship Executive Gavin Watt Hygiene Supervisor Martin Christie Distribution Supervisor

maureent@robinson-services.com garethl@robinson-services.com lorraines@robinson-services.com beverleem@robinson-services.com davidh@robinson-services.com kathleeno@robinson-services.com shaunam@robinson-services.com annem@robinson-services.com jenniferq@robinson-services.com leong@robinson-services.com terrym@robinson-services.com kerrym@robinson-services.com emmaw@robinson-services.com roisinm@robinson-services.com libbym@robinson-services.com gavinw@robinson-services.com martinc@robinson-services.com

07801 808 884 07801 856 317 07792 341 110 07872 501 494 07894 047 164 07872 645 430 07525 236 906 07894 438 045 07889 137 447 028 9442 9717 028 9442 9717 07974 417 534 07889 648 981 07590 778 287 07956 542 490 07912 087 296 07813 676 271

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Robinson Services Secure Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) Status for Security Division Looks like we are even more of a Safe bet for Security Services too as we received confirmation that Robinson Services is an approved contactor under the Security Industry Authority (SIA) scheme. We are amongst the first local companies to achieve this accreditation. Unlike many companies, we have been audited and accredited in three security disciplines – namely ‘Manned guarding, CCTV and Keyholding’. The score we received places us in the top 25% of all security companies audited in the whole of the UK. David Huxley, Security Services Manager at Robinson Services is justly proud of this achievement and commented: “We are confident that this is also a true reflection of our capabilities and desire to deliver a world class security service. We are happy to provide existing and potential clients with a copy of our audit report and score for full perusal on request.

Choosing an ACS accredited supplier for the provision of your contract security services will help you to meet your security obligations to your staff, shareholders and other stakeholders.

Approved contractors are demonstrably committed to customer service and the compulsory licensing of their staff. This means our customers can rest assured that every private security operative we deploy on their premises will be working within the law. The status of the ACS is recognised by the police and offers the potential for enhanced working relationships. The aim is to provide practical benefits through 'joined-up' police, business and community initiatives.”

David Robinson, Managing Director , Robinson Services was equally delighted with this accreditation: “By using our Security Division you can be confident that our employment practices have been extensively and independently assessed in respect of quality and best practice.

You can expect effective customer-focused procedures in place to overcome any issues that arise in service delivery. The ACS Standard encourages service customisation, rather than 'off-the-shelf' packages. This will help ensure that the services delivered more closely reflect your precise requirements.”

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New wins this Spring...

As we continue to offer excellent value for money and award-winning service the wins just keep on coming.

Getting Spruced Up for Spring Sprucefield can look forward to a makeover as Robinson Services have been awarded the Contract for the on site Cleaning Services at this major shopping centre in Lisburn.

Maureen Totton, Director Robinson Services was delighted to secure such a high profile contract. “The new contract will employ 12 team members and we will be we responsible for the cleaning and housekeeping of the shopping mall and adjacent toilet facilities. Our outdoor grounds crew have a varied and vast list of daily tasks including trolley collection and storage, waste management and seasonal gritting as well as the general upkeep and external maintenance of this highly prestigious site. We look forward to working with Tim Honeyford and his team - the day to day running of the project will be in the very capable hands of Joe Martin on site Supervisor who will be supported by Jennifer Quinn Operations Manager.” Tim Honeyford, Sprucefield Centre Manager welcomed Robinson Services on Board and congratulated Maureen Totton and the company on being awarded the Tender following a full and comprehensive tender process.

Beverlee Moag-Walker gets Hot Under The Collar with Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Contract Win for Robinson Services Why do women fall so easily for men in uniforms? Well now at Robinson Services all the girls have a chance to explain why as the Laundry Division has secured the contract to provide Laundry services to all 28 Fire Stations in Northern Ireland for the next three years.

Beverlee Moag Walker, Business Development Manager at Robinson Services was delighted that the company had secured this prestigious contract and commented: “We are pleased to have secured this contract to further support the NIFRS, as we already supply them with mat services and we are sure we will deliver a high quality product to them as they continue to deliver a fire and rescue service and work in partnership with others to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.

Much as I would like to I must however stress that I will NOT be taking a greater interest in this contract than is normal. Surely every girl loves a man in uniform don’t they?”

For further information contact David Robinson on 028 9442 9717 or by e mail to davidr@robinson-services.com

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Robinson Services – Quite Simply a More Secure Choice for Parking at Foyleside and The Royal Victoria Hospital…

Robinson Services’ success with its expanding Security Division continues with the announcement that the company has been awarded two further contracts which commenced at the beginning of March to provide additional security services to Foyleside Shopping Centre Northern Ireland’s largest shopping centre and the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Foyleside’s car park consists of over 1,500 spaces over five storeys whilst the Royal Victoria Hospital contract covers 2,200 spaces in Northern Ireland’s largest hospital complex.

David Huxley Security Services Manager, Robinson Services was delighted to add to the growing list of new Security clients since the division commenced operating towards the end of 2008. “We are delighted to have secured this additional contract with Foyleside Shopping Centre and are looking forward to working with Andy Barr and all the team – our addition of the Royal Victoria Hospital contract confirms that our systems and operational procedures are equally at home in this environment as it is in a shopping centre.”

Five Star Treatment Secures another Hotel Win for Robinson Services Hot on the heels of securing the business for The Park Avenue and Park Plaza Hotels, Robinson Services have secured further hotel wins with the contracts for both Hygiene and Laundry for 2 Ibis Hotels, part of the Cordia Hotel Group in Belfast.

The two 3 star hotels based in Belfast boast collectively 180 modern rooms with all rooms ensuite and non smoking. The Queens Quarter hotel is located 1km from Belfast City Centre and Queens University. The city Centre hotel is located downtown within Belfast City Centre and both are ideal hotels for business or leisure trips to Belfast.

Lorraine Smyth, General Manager of Robinson Services Laundry division paid tribute to the staff at the laundry division whose professionalism and enthusiasm is continuing to reap the rewards of hard work since the move to the new premises, The James Robinson Building in Antrim in April 2009. “We are looking forward to working with General Manager Mrs Gabriella Palazzini of the City Centre Hotel and General Manager Deirdre McNally of the Queens Quarter Hotel. Roisin McAuley, Customer Relationship Executive for Robinson Services will be responsible for ensuring that we live up to our promise of “It’s Our Business to Support yours” and exceeding customer expectations at each and every level.”

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Yes You Can

Says David Robinson at Ulster Bank Networking Event in Ballymena Entrepreneurs got the chance to hear from business people who have ‘been there and done it’ at an event in The Tullyglass House Hotel in Ballymena including our own David Robinson.

Sitting alongside “our” David was David Patton of Patton Group, Sam Morrison Jnr of Clockwork Orange clothing chain, Steven Montgomery of Montgomery’s, Ballymoney Street, entrepreneur and author Ron Immink and Sam McIlveen of the Belfast Telegraph.

The event, organised by smallbusinesscan.com and supported by Ulster Bank, Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and The Belfast Telegraph, involved discussion about starting and growing a business.

Ron Immink, one of the founders of the smallbusinesscan.com network, said: “The thousands of entrepreneurs and innovative small businesses out there need support and advice to make the most of their ideas and talents.”

David Robinson was delighted to participate and commented: “ It is a pleasure to get the opportunity to meet other people in the business community and share knowledge and best practices – I would encourage other small business owners to grasp the opportunities that these networking events provide – commercial or simply sharing ideas and thoughts – if you think networking is a waste of time my message is simple – think again.”

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Robinson Services Staff told to Get on their Bike at the Odyssey And get on their bike they did as they raised over £1500 for children with cancer by taking part in a sponsored cycle ride at the Odyssey.

David McAnally, one of 16 security officers who took part in this event which involved riding static keep fit exercise bicycles in the Odyssey over 2 nights was delighted that they managed to raise such a significant sum.

“The team at The Odyssey who took part gave up their own time to participate and are to be commended for their efforts and we were delighted to receive the Shine a Light Award presented to us by way of recognition.”

Mark Merritt, our Site Security Manager at the Odyssey Pavilion was delighted with this initiative of his team at the Odyssey as Robinson Services always strive to put something back into the community.

“As the business continues to grow we always look to become involved in community projects – we encourage the teams at our various locations to look at innovative ways and David McAnally and his team certainly achieved that objective - although I have to confess to being a little worried when he told me they had been asked to get on their bike!”

Robinson Services Dream Team Support Marie Curie Cancer Care In Belfast Marathon Well done to the “Dream Team” from Robinson Services – Anne McKee, Beverlee Moag Walker and Shirley Anne Cornett who joined the Marie Curie Daffodil Runners and donned their running shoes instead of the usual stilettos and braved the 26.2 miles to support this worthy cause in this year's Belfast City Marathon.

Beverlee Moag Walker, Dream Team leader commented: “Every step we took helped us provide more nursing care to those who need it most. The money raised will help Marie Curie nurses continue to provide care to terminally ill patients and their families in their own homes – free of charge.”

The Dream Team finished in a very credible 350th place in a time of 3 hours 50 minutes and 42 seconds – a full 30 minutes in front of David Robinson who also took part as a member of the Dunadry Country Club relay team. Beverlee concluded:“We were aware David was running as he had requested he join the Dream Team. However as we knew he could not stick the pace we were setting decided to leave him behind – nevertheless a credible performance for a man of his advancing years.”

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Pressing Onwards and Upwards as Robinson Services Appoint New Production Manager for Laundry Division Pressing Onwards and Upwards as Robinson Services continues to invest in key people with the appointment of Samuel Auld, the newly appointed Production Manager for the Laundry Division as it continues to secure new business.

Samuel joins the company bringing with him over 20 years production experience in the manufacturing industries of plastics and textiles within Northern Ireland.

Samuel will oversee the entire production process including KPIs from start to finish including the production staff of 30 employed in the James Robinson building in Antrim. Samuel from Mallusk will report to Lorraine Smyth, General Manager, Robinson Services Laundry Division and is looking forward to the challenges that this new position brings.

Lorraine Smyth, welcomed Samuel to Robinson Services and commented: “We are delighted to have attracted someone of Samuel’s calibre to this important position within the laundry division as we continue to grow and secure new business. We are sure his production experience and ability will enable us to further refine our processes for the customers benefit and we wish him every success in his new role. ”

Robinson Services Appoint New Sales Manager for Laundry and Hygiene Divisions As Robinson Services continues to grow further proof of their commitment to invest in key people comes in the shape of Kerry Mooney, the newly appointed Sales Manager for the Laundry and Hygiene Division.

Kerry joins the company bringing with her a wealth of sales experience in the Laundry and Washroom sectors within Northern Ireland. Kerry will head up the Sales Team of five responsible for promoting the two divisions of Hygiene and Laundry and reports to Beverlee Moag Walker, Business Development Manager, Robinson Services.

David Robinson, Managing Director welcomed Kerry to Robinson Services and commented: “We are delighted to have attracted someone of Kerry’s calibre to this important position within the company. We are sure her experience and ability will stand up to each and every challenge that our business sector brings and we wish her every success in her new role. ”

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Increased Security Required at Robinson Services No need to panic… we have not had a increase in crime in Sarah Jane Robinson House - as our security business grows we have made further appointments to our ever expanding security team with the appointment of two additional Operational Support Managers.

Ronnie McCann, who has been one of our Stalwart Control Centre team for the last year now looks forward to a more customer facing function. Ronnie has many years of experience in the NI security industry. In addition we welcome newcomer Paul Andrews to the company as Operational Support Manager.

Paul comes with a long history in the security industry and brings with him a huge amount of experience and expertise.

David Huxley, Security Services Manager was delighted to strengthen an ever increasing Security Team. “As the business continues to grow we need to invest in additional support to ensure we deliver in line with our own and our customers high expectations - the addition of Ronnie and Paul to our Operational Support Team will ensure we meet those expectations.”

To Infinity and Beyond as Robinson Services Appoint Two New High Flying Customer Relationship Executives Well it seems like it as Robinson Services continues to invest in key areas with the business with the appointment of Brendan Martin and Emma Williamson, the newly appointed Customer Relationship Executives as they continue to secure new business. But not any old customer relationship executives - Brendan is currently studying for his private pilot’s licence whilst Emma is an accomplished snowboarder.

Brendan joins the company bringing with him over 10 years sales experience in the electronic security industry within Northern Ireland. Brendan will cover the territory from Belfast to Ballymena and also Carrick to Larne. Emma Williamson brings almost 10 years fields sales based experience within the laundry, confectionery and print supplies industries and will cover a territory from Newry to Enniskillen.

David Robinson, welcomed Brendan and Emma to Robinson Services and commented: “We are delighted to extend our Sales Support team with these appointments. We understand the need to support our customers in the field and are sure that both Brendan’s and Emma’s experience will help us to continue to grow and secure new business whilst provide additional support to our current customer base.

We are sure their sales experience and ability and their personal passions in the blue skies and beyond will stand us all in good stead and we wish them every success in their new roles. ”

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Buttercrane ‘Flushed’ With Success In Loo Of Year Awards Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Newry has won a National 5 star Grade Loo of the Year Award in the latest search to find the best ‘away from home’ toilets in the UK. Buttercrane’s entry was in Retail Shopping Centre category and it was the only shopping centre in Northern Ireland to win an award. A proud Peter Murray, Centre Manager commented: “It’s certainly not just a bog standard award. The Loo of the Year Awards have been identifying the best in Britain since 1987 and are recognised as standard setters for all those who provide ‘away from home’ facilities for staff, customers and visitors. I am very proud that Buttercrane’s toilet facilities have been crowned ‘king of the thrones’ and it is all down to our superb cleaning staff, who I would like to thank for all their hard work.

The quality of public toilet facilities is a very emotive issue and Buttercrane, in conjunction with our cleaning contractor, Robinson Services, endeavour to provide the very best facility possible at all times.”

David Robinson, Managing Director at Robinson Services concluded: "We are delighted to see Buttercrane Shopping Centre win this prestigious award and I must pay tribute to the hard work and excellent service provided by the team in the Centrethis was undoubtedly one of the contributing factors in the winning of this award."

Robinson Services Score Again with Antrim Sixes Hockey Tournament Sponsorship The 50th Annual Six A Side hockey tournament took place once again at the Antrim Forum from Tuesday May 18th to Saturday 22 May 2010 with over 110 teams taking part. The Antrim Forum hosted the only surviving hockey sixes tournament in Northern Ireland which was great news for Antrim-based company Robinson Services, the tournament sponsors.

The company’s Managing Director David Robinson, explains, ’It was great to support the Antrim Sixes in this significant year. We like to live up to our Robinson Group slogan ’It’s Our Business to Support Yours’ – and what could be better than supporting a local event of this nature in such a practical way?’

Drew Francey – Antrim Sixes tournament organiser welcomed the partnership with the Robinson Services and commented: “As the Antrim Sixes started out for its 50th tournament it was particularly pleasing to enter into this partnership once again with Robinson Services – through team work and professionalism we both have enjoyed many successes over the years and we hope to share many more together at Antrim Forum in the future.”

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Jimmy Fullerton - 45 Staff Years Set of Keeping Robinson Services the The Faith at Robinson Laundry Standards with Services nomination forDivision The In these fast changing times that we live it is rare for someone to have a job for life – NIHF 2010 Hotel & Guesthouse ten years, twenty even seems the exception rather than the rule.

Well not in the case of Jimmy Fullerton from the Laundry Division who celebrated forty five Housekeeping Awards years, yes forty five years as man and boy with the laundry division.

Just think about – the Beatles were in their day as “Ticket The Northern Ireland Hotels Federation have hey commenced the to Ride” got to number One in the Pop charts and a certain 2010 Housekeeping Awards and Robinson Services are young George Best wasthat helping United claim delighted to announce withManchester our joint working the league title in only second season. partnership at the Park his Plaza Belfast International Hotel we Lorraine Smyth, Generalshort Manager have two team members listed at forthe anLaundry award.

Division who has worked with Jimmy for twenty three of Kathleen Kennedy, Accommodation Services Manager those forty five onHotel handand to pay tribute to representing theyears Parkwas Plaza Barbara Boyd Jimmy who also celebrated his sixtiethRobinson birthday Services at a Accommodation Services Supervisor, special presentation in the day James are in for a full assessment onRobinson the 23rd Building.

February “It is hard tothen put into words thethey feelings weinformed have for aat a should they be successful will be man Luncheon of Jimmy’s on stature.

Perhaps it isatthe five years Gala the 11th March theforty Wellington Park working in theceremony. laundry industry that has kept you young at Hotel Awards heart andTotton, we look forward to working withcommented: you for many more Maureen Director Robinson Services “Housekeeping years to come.”is a very important role in tourism. Housekeeping staff ensure that guests have a great stay and come away with a positive view of our accommodation products. One of the key objectives of this competition will be to highlight this role, recognising the excellent work that housekeeping staff perform every day.

It is a team competition with two people on each team and is designed to be fun and educational.

There are no written tests and no interviews!

The competition sponsored by Bunzl, Ecolab and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Assessment will include normal housekeeping duties including bed making, tea trays, final inspections, spillages and hazardous substances - we wish Kathleen and Barbara While eight key members of the Laundry division team based in the new James Robinson Building in Antrim completed an NVQ Level 2 Laundry Operations training course – the first of its kind to be held in Northern Ireland, Rose Mitchell, our Assistant Calender Supervisor attained 2nd place in all Northern Ireland in a competition on her development as a result of the training.

This training and assessment of the candidates started in August and was made up from the following units: Health & Safety, Check in & classify items, Wash process using washer extractors, Tumble drying OR Finishing flat work and Packing & presentation.

Lorraine Smyth, General Manager for Robinson Services Laundry Division commented: “This was a work based programme and was both classroom and practical based and covers all the aspects for the laundry staff to carry out their duties more effectively within the laundry.

The candidates on successfully completing the course gained the NVQ level 2 in Laundry Operations and we were not surprised at Rose’s achievement- with over 37 years Service in the Laundry division we half expected her to be taking the course due to her tremendous knowledge and expertise.

Her achievement in coming second in all of Northern Ireland is well deserved and we wish her well on her visit to Stormont to receive this recognition.”

Rose Mitchell Steams ahead to Second Place as Laundry Division Team Press on to Complete NVQ Level 2 Training Course

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Daily Office Cleaning Retail Cleaning Industrial Cleaning Car Park Cleaning Window Cleaning

Cleaning Division Security Division

Specialist Outdoor Cleaning Solutions Unit

Dust Mat Rental Feminine Hygiene Services Medical + Nappy Disposal Service Clinical Waste Disposal Service Air Freshener Systems Toilet Sanitizing Wipe Systems Toilet Tissue Systems Hand Soap Systems Paper Hand Towel Systems Consumables First Aid Kits

Hygiene Division

Security & Manned Guarding Key Holding Alarm Monitoring & Response Car Park Management Front of House Services Receptionist & Telephonist Services Document and Mailroom Management Portering CCTV Remote Monitoring Courier Service 24 Hour Control Room

Winter Services Mechanical Sweeps Manual Litter Picking Graffiti Removal High/Low Pressure Wash Chewing Gum Removal Grass Cutting Landscape Maintenance Weed & Moss Control Storm Drain & Gully Cleaning Roof Gutter Cleaning

Laundry Division Linen Hire Laundry Dust Mat Rental Workwear Rental Cabinet Towel Rental

SARAH JANE ROBINSON HOUSE RATHENRAW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE GREYSTONE ROAD, ANTRIM BT41 2SJ TEL: +44 (0)28 9442 9717 FAX: +44 (0)28 9446 3336 WWW.ROBINSON-SERVICES.COM E: INFO@ROBINSON-SERVICES.COM