Sportsafe philosophy is always one of prevention is better than cure and this applies to Sports installations especially in Schools and the related servicing - do not cut back even in these difficult times on safety.
A view echoed by this recent article in the www.dailyexpress.co.uk - MILLIONS IN PAYOUTS FOR ACCIDENTS AT SCHOOL
Scanned Copy of Article -MILLIONS IN PAYOUTS FOR ACCIDENTS AT SCHOOL
Sportsafe was very proud to be one of the sponsors of the Colchester Sports Personality Awards 2010. The awards were handed out in front of 300 people at a special ceremony at the Weston Homes Community Stadium on 7th February.
We haven’t got space to tell you about all the 15 awards and winners here, but the evening really showed how diverse the sporting world is, and just how many ways there are for us all to be active. The Premier Award went to Sam Pilgrim from Prettygate – a star of a type of mountain biking known as ‘freeride’.
The male personality of 2010 was Allen Smalls, an ‘ultra runner’ – which means he runs distances longer than marathons! The female personality award went to women’s world number one real tennis player Claire Vigrass.
So, all in all, it was a lesson to us all that sport doesn’t just mean kicking or running with a ball – and that any of us can get active. If you’re not built for rugby, you can still find a way to get moving and get those endorphins going!
‘Costs for annual inspections to Leisure Centre Activity Areas and equipment cut by 40%
thanks to Sportsafes’ unique ‘Greener and leaner’ service strategy.’
National sports equipment service provider SPORTSAFE UK have recently reduced maintenance costs by 40% for leading leisure contractor group SLM (Sport and Leisure Management).
The sports management company (SLM), who now manage in excess of 60 sites, approached Sportsafe in April 2009 to request assistance with the maintenance of indoor and outdoor sports equipment. The sites historically organised the inspection and repairs of their sports apparatus individually.
Operations Director Ben Beevers said “While the sites generally booked service inspections on an annual basis there were many variations in the level of delivery and administration as we were using a number of different providers. As our company was expanding it was becoming even more important that we were confident that annual inspections were being carried out on all our sites in line with best practice guidance. Litigation is not uncommon following accidents in the leisure Industry and so we want to be confident that all our inspection records are up to date.”
We approached Sportsafe UK and were immediately directed to Managing Director Jon Neill, who with the assistance of Sales Director Chris Vacher enabled us to implement service visits for all our Sports Hall Equipment, Trampolines, Swimming Pool Equipment, Dance Studios and Outdoor Sports Areas within the next 6 months of operation. “We have been very pleased with the service provision which was delivered at a substantially reduced rate.”
Managing Director Jon Neill responded; “We service around 10000 schools and the majority of the education work is carried out on a ‘contract basis’ so we are extremely proficient at managing the building stocks and equipment of large estates.”
Leisure is very much a growth area which is being developed for the company by our Sales Director, Chris Vacher, who has many years of experience in that industry and was a leisure manager before moving in to the commercial service provision sector. “We were determined to make the contract operate as efficiently as possible for both SLM and Sportsafe and as many of their sites are in geographical ‘clusters’ it makes sense to visit any group over a period of a few days once we have travelled to the area. Initially we had to obtain orders individually from each leisure centre and also invoice to site. This created an administrative ‘mountain’ for both companies so we undertook a review of the contract with Ben Beevers to understand how we could improve efficiencies from both companies perspectives.
The end result was that SLM decided to place one order for all services to all sites based on the previous year’s costs for ’service visits’ only.” Sportsafe UK were pleased to implement a further 5% discount to reflect the decrease in administration for both parties.
“Service costs now average around £120.00 per site for all equipment in the estate and Sportsafe can book visits with one ‘call’ SLM only receive one invoice for the service once all sites are completed.” “The improved agreement should increase efficiencies for both companies and we will now have all our services carried out over a 2 month period in October, November each year which means we will have reports with recommendations and costs for repairs and renewals at all sites to enable us to budget for the year ahead.” said Ben Beevers.
Managing Director Jon Neill summarised by saying “It’s a major step forward for our company and the Industry, its only recently that we would have been driving to Cornwall or Aberdeen numerous times a year as each centre in the area would call us for services on an ‘ad hoc basis’ The new corporate strategy will not only save time and fuel and as well as making a contribution to maintaining our environment!”
Sportsafe UK are currently tailoring their services to assist other contractors and leisure trusts to reduce costs and improve efficiencies and Sales Director Chris Vacher can be contacted on 01206 795265 or email cvacher@sportsafeuk.com
Rosco Racing
This was a great achievement for Graeme Rothwell who has been racing F1 sidecars for 2½ seasons with his Yamaha LCR sidecar.
Sportsafe has followed Graeme and his team through this season, and have enjoyed being able to be a part of the BMCRC race meetings nationwide. Instead of Jon’s usual sports equipment supplying, he was having a go at sidecar sliding!!! Sportsafe look forward to being involved again next season.
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.
First Time Fix Cable Kit
Here it is! Instant Repair solution for Fitness Equipment Cables
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
