GRITIT

GRITIT SCALES NEW HEIGHTS IN THE 15^th ANNUAL SUNDAY TIMES VIRGIN FAST TRACK 100

• UK’s leading winter gritting and maintenance business wins 37^th place in Britain’s league of top 100 fastest growing privately-owned companies in the UK

• First winter gritting company to make it onto the prestigious list

• GRITIT focuses on keeping organisations operational during adverse weather conditions, preventing accidents, and reducing the unnecessary costs of injury as well as protecting their budgets.

GRITIT is the first winter gritting and maintenance company to be ranked on the prestigious Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100.   With an 83% increase in sales, it smashed its way in as Britain’s 37^th fastest growing business.

This innovative company urges businesses and government to consider the loss of earnings and reputation linked to being ill-prepared for freezing weather.

The company has increased sales by 83% a year from £845,000 in 2007 to £5.2m in 2010.  Managing Director and co-founder, Alastair Kight, said businesses and government departments have a legal responsibility to keep their sites clear of hazards including snow and ice.  However, the severe conditions over the last few years have presented challenges around budgeting and in some cases massive overspend.  To date, some companies have considered their only option to mange their spend on gritting and snow clearance services is to take the risk of not having their sites serviced, which leaves them vulnerable to injury and subsequent legal cases being brought against them.

So, how can a company specialising entirely in gritting and snow clearance grow so rapidly in such a short space of time and in the current economic climate?  Jason Petsch, GRITIT’s commercial director explains: “By understanding the challenges our clients face, we have introduced innovative service packages and flexible pricing options that help organisations and government departments take the necessary action required to keep their properties safe and accessible, at the same time as avoiding overspend and the negative impact that can have on other essential services.”

He continues: “As the weather is unpredictable, we hedge our risk so that we can support our clients in fixing their costs.  A number of old clients have returned to us having attempted to save money elsewhere.  In each case they report that they experienced inferior service and ultimately didn’t save money either. We are seeing that taking a cheaper option or reducing safety is not a strategy that is sustainable.  Our clients take the responsibility of keeping their businesses operational and above all, safe, very seriously.  It is the commitment and support of our clients that enables us to achieve accolades such as Fast Track for which we are very grateful.”