Commercial Maintenance Services UK Ltd (CMS) has marked its 20th anniversary with two significant contract wins.
As a result, the Gateshead-based company – which provides a nationwide service installing, maintaining, and repairing business service infrastructure – is confident it will emerge from the current pandemic crisis without having to cut its 136-strong workforce.
With half its contracts involving clients in the leisure and education sectors, which were required to close their doors during lockdown, CMS was forced to furlough 66 staff at the end of March.
However, with the remainder of its business focused on hospitals and care home sector, it was determined to continue to keep these critical services running and has remained busy maintaining and repairing heating, hot water, and ventilation systems.
This month – which marks the family-run firm’s 20th anniversary – it has won a significant contract with Britain’s largest care home provider HC1 and gained additional work from long-standing client Four Seasons Health Care.
Nic Smith, co-founder and managing director of CMS, said that this important new revenue had allowed it to unfurlough several staff – allowing it to relieve the pressure on those engineers going into care homes, particularly those with confirmed cases of Covid-19.
He said: “We have been going into care homes up and down the country every day to fix or maintain their heating or hot water – to ensure they continue to operate in these critical times.
“Because of our determination to maintain this 24/7 service, we have gained important new work which will allow us to further build upon our presence in the health care sector.
“CMS’s 20th anniversary year has proved its most challenging to date. However, thanks to the dedication of our staff, I believe we will emerge from this pandemic without the need to cut jobs and in a position to continue to grow the business.”
One important factor in reducing its overheads at such a critical time, was the decision by its staff – both furloughed and working – to take a 20% reduction in income to support the company.
Nic added: “It’s certainly been a birthday to remember but I remain positive about the future and feel sure that CMS can strengthen its position in the marketplace.”
The family-run business was founded in 2000 by engineer Neil Smith who was later joined by his brother Nic. At the end of the first year they achieved a turnover of more £150,000, which last year grew to £12m. More than 70 of its staff are based in the North East with the remainder forming a series of nationwide engineering hubs.
Clients include Travelodge, De Vere, Nuffield Health, Vodaphone Group and Marks & Spencer.