Sportsafe UK has won new servicing contracts for schools across Bedfordshire. From this until the end of 2012, the Colchester-based company will inspect, maintain and repair indoor and outdoor play equipment for over 150 schools run by Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council.
Managing Director Jon Neill says, “This is a real boost for these schools. When we’re all more conscious than ever of the need to take exercise – and especially of how important it is for children – we’ll be there, making sure they have the equipment they need to stay active.”
Ian Roberts, Specialist Advisor for PE & Sports at Bedford Borough Council said: “We know that active children learn better and have healthier, happier lives – even long after they leave school. Anything we can do to keep them moving has to be a good thing.”
Cllr David Sawyer, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services at Bedford Borough Council said: “It’s important that young people have the necessary equipment to be able to take part in sports activities. Maintaining the equipment and keeping it to the required standard will make sure it is safe to use and will encourage individuals to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.”
Jon says one of Sportsafe’s strengths is that “we employ all our engineers directly – we don’t subcontract. So, schools know that when they pick up the phone, they’re talking to the people who will be doing the work.”
Sportsafe works with more than 55 county councils and fire authorities, and won a Colchester Business Award in 2007 for its excellent standard of service. It sells, installs and services sports equipment for 11,000 customers from Shetland to Bournemouth. The company manufactures most of its equipment, and tailors everything to suit each different sports hall, as well as manufacturing and installing equipment for most of the largest companies in the industry. Sportsafe has worked at the Isle of Man’s National Sports Centre, Guildford Grammar School and Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club.
Watch the video to find out more about Technogym, an integrated system which can help schools increase fitness levels, improve exam results and tackle child obesity.
It makes planning and preparation easier, freeing teachers up to spend more time with individual pupils. It helps them tailor fitness plans for specific pupils – be they team players, individual athletes or kids with no interest in exercise at all!
Sportsafe UK has created up to10 new jobs by opening a new office in Fort William. The company sells, installs and services sports equipment for 11,000 customers from Shetlands to Bournemouth. It’s taken the step to help it serve customers across Scotland more easily, and because orders are up in the country.
The team at the new office in Fort William and Reomye engineers in Glasgow and Fife will travel across the country meeting clients and making new contacts, helping to provide schools and sports centres with the equipment they need. The move comes just as the government announces £5m of investment in sport in Tayside and Fife in the run-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Sportsafe works with more than 55 county councils and fire authorities, and won a Colchester Business Award in 2007 for its excellent standard of service. It manufactures most of its equipment, and tailors everything to suit each different sports hall, as well as manufacturing and installing equipment for most of the largest companies in the industry. Sportsafe has installed equipment at the National Sports Centre on the Isle of Man, Guildford Grammar School and Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club.
Managing Director Jon Neill says, “We’re pretty fired up about this. Everybody’s been hit by the recession, but we’re seeing some really promising signs across the UK - and especially in Scotland. It’s too easy to paint it as the country of deep-fried Mars bars. St Andrews in Fife is the home of golf, and the region is also home to two division one football teams, five rugby union clubs and the UK’s oldest ice hockey team. Don’t tell me these people aren’t interested in sports and fitness!
“We do everything from basketball goals to cricket nets, climbing frames to soft play areas. We repair and refurbish, too. We’ve grown by being good at what we do. Our engineers are highly trained, and they’re all ours - we don’t subcontract. When customers call us, they’re calling the people who do the work!”
Sportsafe UK is developing new products and will launch the first of these in the New Year.
Sportsafe appoints new Service Manager We would like to welcome Matthew Lee to the company.
Matt has joined us as the Head of Service Department.
Matt has worked in operational roles for companies such as Ecolab Inc. and SGB Group. He has contributed positively to the operating cultures of those businesses through active involvement in project & contract management, managing health and safety, logistics and Investors in People. Matt’s working values are simple and clear: Safety First, Deliver what we say to our customers, Be Honest, Act with Integrity & Always be professional.
The first time fix cable kit system allows instant cable repairs that save time and money. The patented system is comprised of PVC coated stainless steel cable which are cut to the required length, easy fix ‘Sta-Lok First Fix Eye’ are simply attached using a spanner providing a load capacity up to 500KG 1000kg.
Whats Included:
• 1 x6m PVC coated stainless steel cable
• 1 x Sta-Lok First Fix Eye
• 1 x M10 Stud End
Benefits of First time fix cable system:
• Stainless steel cable, lasts longer and stronger than galvanized
• First time fix, no extra call out or fitting charges, saving costs
• No long delays for cable
• Will replace 90% of manufacturers’ cables,
• Ideal for an engineers van
• No crimper needed, only spanners, anyone can follow instructions to fit
• Guaranteed to withstand 500kg 1000kg load
• Patented product
• Sole supplier Sportsafe UK
• Benefits to customer of first time fix, perception of service when cables are changed without delay
A SPORTS equipment firm boss has said thank you to his old school by donating equipment worth thousands of pounds.
Jon Neill admits he had an “unspectacular” career as a pupil at Colchester’s Sir Charles Lucas Arts College - but he more than made up for it later by building a business with 11,000 schools and sports centres as clients.
The 39-year-old, who started Sportsafe UK in 1996 from the garage of his home in Great Horkesley, now employs 38 staff at a 13,000sq ft warehouse at Eastgates, Colchester.
He manufactures, supplies, installs, repairs and maintains sports fitness equipment and currently has contracts with 46 councils.
Mr Neill recently visited the sports centre at Sir Charles Lucas in Greenstead, to present manager Nick Foxley with a Precor USA EFX 546 cross trainer and a Precor USA C956 treadmill, worth a combined total of about £5,000.
He said: “It’s nice to give a little something back to the school and I would like to do more for them in the future.
“I personally had a good time and enjoyed my days at Sir Charles Lucas.”
You will need to have the ability and experience to manage a sales office in a fast moving and demanding environment, for the UK’s leading provider of Service and Maintenance for sports equipment.
You will need to demonstrate improvements of our already high levels of customer service. To be able to work to targets with regards to sales, lead generation, conversions and to continually show improvements throughout the sales department in all areas.
The ideal candidate will ideally have a proven track record in managing existing customers by increasing sales with these customers and by also generating new business in existing markets whilst also exploring new markets. To manage the contracts we hold throughout the UK and maintain the sales performance of these contracts. To provide reports weekly directly to the company directors.
You will need to be well presented, organised and articulate as you may have to undertake meetings with County Councils at officer level as well as dealing directly with our customers. You will need to be able to work on your own initiative and have the ability to make decisions with confidence and be competent with IT systems. You would ideally have previous experience of working with public sector companies such as councils and have excellent people skills. In return you would receive job security in these uncertain times, a salary of above average remuneration, a generous bonus scheme, as well as other benefits. You will have the opportunity to achieve outstanding results in a fast moving industry and will receive rewards that reflect your performance.
