GRITIT

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR BRINGING MORE CERTAINTY TO WINTER MAINTENANCE COSTS

17 May, 2012

Jason Petsch, commercial director at GRITIT, speaks at Training for Transportation Professionals – Winter Maintenance Seminar

Following the severe winters of 2009/10 and 2010/11, Training for Transportation Professionals, who specialise in training courses for the transport industry, hosted a Winter Maintenance seminar.

The event was attended by representatives from the Highways Agency, county councils, local councils and contractors, as well as other individuals from the winter maintenance industry.  The aim was to enable the industry to examine the Government’s Winter Resilience Review from 2010 and the impact of the changes introduced.

Jason Petsch, commercial director at GRITIT was invited to speak at the event to highlight innovative ideas for bringing more certainty to winter maintenance costs, which are so dependent on weather uncertainties.

GRITIT provides specialist gritting and snow-clearance to the private, not for profit and public sectors in the UK – delivering its bespoke national service on a local level. The business undertakes more than 100,000 service visits across the UK every winter.

The company’s focus is on keeping businesses, retailers, hauliers, transport providers, hospitals, emergency services and government departments operational during adverse weather conditions, preventing accidents, and reducing the unnecessary costs of injury as well as protecting its client’s budgets.

Jason advised: “Our goal should be to develop and agree an industry standard that could be implemented nation-wide.  At the moment there is no common standard and winter brings varying levels of uncertainty from one county to the next.  By having control of how services are run we have the ability to make changes and start to improve public perceptions of the industry.”

However, he also warned against any reduction in service: “When we consider the economic impact of the disruption caused by winter weather and the state of the economy, service reduction is the last thing we should be looking at.  To put it into perspective, 250,000 tons of salt equates to roughly £12–15m, when you compare that to the £600m that the Federation of Small Businesses estimated we lost per day during the 2010 big freeze, it doesn’t make sense to reduce the investment in salt. Whilst stock management and correct spread rates are important, the impact to the economy far outweighs any upfront capital investment.”

Jason concluded: “We need to make winter predictable by changing the rules of how we currently operate.  By agreeing and setting industry accepted standards, we can create certainty and change perceptions, because everyone knows just what to expect.” He also advised the industry to learn from other countries like Germany and Canada, as well as other industries that are affected by the weather.

The seminar was chaired by Richard Wigginton with the intention of ensuring a participative event and open discussion enabling invitees to take away tangible ideas for improving their own organisation’s role in winter maintenance and bring real benefits to the travelling public.

Other speakers included:

• Martin Hobbs from the Highways Agency, talking about the Highways Agency’s network resilience and response to WRR
• Alan Chambers from Amey, talking about providing efficient winter maintenance services to the Highways Agency and local authorities
• Andrew Martin, Head of Highways Operations at Dorset County Council, highlighting a local authority view of WRR, winter maintenance services and budget restrictions

-Ends-

About GRITIT:

GRITIT (www.gritit.com) is the UK’s leading winter risk management specialist, providing specialist gritting and snow-clearance to the private, not for profit and public sectors in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – delivering its bespoke national service on a local level. In an average winter it is estimated that the business will undertake more than 100,000 service visits across the UK.

The company’s focus is on keeping businesses, retailers, hauliers, transport providers, hospitals, emergency services and government departments operational during adverse weather conditions, preventing accidents, and reducing the unnecessary costs of injury as well as protecting its client’s budgets.

With an 83 percent increase in sales (between 2007-2010), GRITIT smashed its way in as Britain’s 37th fastest growing business in the prestigious Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 (December 2011).

BRAND BUILDING: SERVICE EXCELLENCE IS THE KEY

-Jason Petsch, commercial director at GRITIT, speaks at BDO ‘Service2020’ event-

Companies that help keep businesses moving and save them millions of pounds in freezing temperatures need to continue delivering excellent service and working hard to explode the myth that they simply ‘spread salt’.

Jason Petsch, commercial director of GRITIT, the UK’s leading winter risk management company, said it was important to build a brand that people can trust.  He was speaking at an event in Weybridge to mark ‘Service 2020’, an Economist Intelligence Unit report commissioned and sponsored by accountancy firm BDO.

“It is essential for companies and councils to understand that they need to manage the cost of winter and that we can save them millions of pounds,” said Petsch.

“We have to work hard to dispel myths because there is a lot more to gritting than spreading salt, and we have to continue to offer excellent service in the industry.

“Good customer service is about having the right product, the right people and the perception that you can and will do a great job. Then you are building a trustworthy brand and it becomes like a personality that people identify with.”

GRITIT provides specialist gritting and snow-clearance to the private, not for profit and public sectors in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – delivering its bespoke national service on a local level. In an average winter it is estimated that the business will undertake more than 100,000 service visits across the UK.

The company’s focus is on keeping businesses, retailers, hauliers, transport providers, hospitals, emergency services and government departments operational during adverse weather conditions, preventing accidents, and reducing the unnecessary costs of injury as well as protecting its client’s budgets.

Petsch warned that brands can be quickly damaged by poor service or what people perceive to be poor service.

“It might be an old saying, but it’s true that you can take years building a brand and seconds destroying it and that’s why we have to keep our standards as high as possible,” he said.

“But I believe the future is bright; we are continuing to expand and invest in technology, our reputation is growing and companies and councils are starting to see the value of investing in winter risk management.”

-Ends-

About GRITIT:

GRITIT (www.gritit.com) is the UK’s leading winter risk management specialist, providing specialist gritting and snow-clearance to the private, not for profit and public sectors in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – delivering its bespoke national service on a local level. In an average winter it is estimated that the business will undertake more than 100,000 service visits across the UK.

The company’s focus is on keeping businesses, retailers, hauliers, transport providers, hospitals, emergency services and government departments operational during adverse weather conditions, preventing accidents, and reducing the unnecessary costs of injury as well as protecting its client’s budgets.

With an 83 percent increase in sales (between 2007-2010), GRITIT smashed its way in as Britain’s 37th fastest growing business in the prestigious Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 (December 2011).

The company currently employs 350 operational staff during the winter months with the operation being open 24/7. GRITIT has a preference for recruiting and training locally and has seen staff numbers grow by more than 70 percent over the last four years. The launch of a new in-direct sales channel in 2012 will see GRITIT recruiting some 100 business partners across the UK.

For further information, interviews or imagery, please contact:

Katrina Suppiah/Kathryn Hughes

Publicité Ltd

T: 020 8543 6582

E: k.suppiah@publicite.co.uk/k.hughes@publicite.co.uk

The GRITIT Story

30th January The Director publishes the story of GRITIT Managing Director Alastair Kight and Commercial Director Jason Petsch and how they joined forces and how they created the 37th fastest growing company in the UK.  GRITIT specialises in gritting and snow clearance services providing public and private sector companies with robust winter risk management solutions.

To read the full story  http://www.director.co.uk/MAGAZINE/2012/02_February/Partnerships_Gritit_65_06.html

FREEZING WEATHER WILL KILL

Hedging on roads: councils bet on icy weather

The soaring cost of gritting roads is forcing local authorities to gamble on weather derivatives

As Britain prepares this weekend for a Siberian blast, councils across the country will be anxiously checking their betting slips.

The increasing cost of keeping roads open during harsh winter weather has forced councils to make spread bets to offset the risk of big financial losses.

Read more http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jan/27/winter-weather-councils-derivatives-gamble?newsfeed=true

Met Office issues ice warning as weather front moves in

Top tips for preparing for a big chill and staying safe at home

When it comes to forecasting the weather, most professional forecasters will not provide a long range view, but everyone can resonate with the uncertainty of the UK’s winter climate.

As temperatures plummeted during the past two winters the UK literally froze to a halt, and the ‘Big Freeze’ of 2010-11 was responsible for 25 deaths.

Jason Petsch, commercial director of GRITIT, the UK’s leading provider of winter gritting and maintenance services, comments: “There is no reason for a repeat of these events; many of the solutions are in our own hands. As a nation, we need to toughen up and take more responsibility – common sense can make rough winters easier.

Read More http://propertytalklive.co.uk/environment/8278-top-tips-for-preparing-for-a-big-chill-and-staying-safe-at-home

Britain set for four-week freeze as Siberian cold front moves in

Dogwalkers endured heavy snow showers yesterday as a brutal Siberian storm heads for Britain.

The icy blast caught everyone off guard and brought the mild winter to an abrupt end.

But forecasters warned of much worse to come, with bitterly-cold winds sweeping their way across from Russia – by Wednesday parts of Britain are expected to hit –4C.

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2012/01/27/britain-set-for-four-week-freeze-as-siberian-cold-front-moves-in-115875-23722052/#ixzz1kf8260EW

GRITIT invests in fleet to support expansion plans with funding from Barclays Corporate

GRITIT Appoints Sales and Marketing Director

-UK’s 37^th fastest growing company underpins expansion with appointment of sales and marketing heavyweight-

GRITIT, the UK’s leading winter risk management gritting and maintenance business, has appointed Simon Richards as sales and marketing director. The news follows hot-on-the-heels of the company’s recent win in The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 League[1].

Richards joins the company – in the newly created role – with the key objectives of driving revenue growth and managing the company’s rapidly expanding sales force. He will also oversee all elements of marketing, ensuring that this function continues to work in harmony with sales and operations, maximising opportunities for the business.

Richards brings to GRITIT 28 years’ sales and marketing experience. He joins the company from Hewlett Packard where he was head of Webos Tablets Retail, UK and Ireland, responsible for the market launch strategy and execution of all aspects of product and the management team. During his tenure, he secured distribution with all major retailers and achieved £30m+ booked orders.

Prior to that, he worked as international account director for Dixons Retail EMEA. He was responsible for managing a budget in excess of $800m, and running account teams across the UK, Spain, Italy, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Greece, Turkey and The Czech Republic.

Richards has an in-depth understanding of the commercial property sector having spent eight years in Chartered Surveyors Partnerships working closely with both property and facilities management companies – core targets for GRITIT’s offering.

Alastair Kight, managing director at GRITIT, commented: “Simon brings invaluable experience to our business, and his appointment is a significant step forward in our expansion plans. We are confident he will help us win significant new business at a time when clients are increasingly looking for more sophisticated solutions to their winter risk management challenges. We have developed our entire offering to meet these varied demands and Simon will lead our fast expanding sales force so that an increasing number of clients can enjoy the benefits of partnering with us.

“This is a very exciting time in our industry and we are looking forward to driving further growth through innovation and excellence in all areas of our business.”

Simon Richards added: “GRITIT is a world-class operation, with a distinct culture and a unique service. There is real opportunity to grow the business, which I am very excited about.”

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

-Ends-

Notes to editors

GRITIT (www.gritit.com) is the UK’s leading winter risk management company, providing protection for clients against the financial and physical risks of adverse weather.

Founded in 2004, the award-winning company was the first in the UK to focus exclusively on winter gritting and related services (it remains the only company to do so on a national basis), and has developed a reputation as an innovator and market leader in this specialist field.

GRITIT currently provides specialist gritting and snow-clearance to private and public companies in the retail, commercial, industrial, logistics and health sectors. This winter, it is estimated that the business will undertake more than 160,000 service visits across the UK.

Recent winters have made it abundantly clear how adverse cold weather can have a detrimental effect on every business. GRITIT works with its clients on winter risk management strategies to ensure they are protected against: loss of business, loss of reputation and to ensure that each of them is fully protected against the cost and time of any legal claims that might be made against them.

GRITIT has developed 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.

In December 2011, the company won 37^th place in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100.

For further information, interviews and photography, please contact:

Katrina Suppiah/Kathryn Hughes

Publicité Ltd

T: 020 8543 6582

E: k.suppiah@publicite.co.uk/k.hughes@publicite.co.uk

GRITIT takes another first – Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track Listing

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.”

Cold Comfort 2011

Jason Petsch, commercial director at GRITIT, speaks at Surveyor’s 20th annual winter service conference. Read more >>

GRITIT Goes Electric

GRITIT, an award-winning company, and the first in the UK to focus exclusively on winter gritting has developed a reputation as an innovator and market leader in this specialist field. The company saves businesses money by ensuring they remain operational during adverse weather conditions and by preventing accidents and reducing the unnecessary costs of injury. .. Read more >>

GRITIT wins Best Business Award for Innovation

UK’s leading winter risk management company recognised for being at the forefront of technological advances.

The Best Business Awards are one of the UKs highest profile awards, and attract a wide range of entries from across all sectors – from large international PLCs and public sector organisations to dynamic and innovative SMEs. Commenting on GRITIT’s win, Andrew Areoff, Chairman of the Judges, said: “Nothing’s worse for business than an unexpected heavy snowfall or deep frost with the inevitable consequence of disruption. .. Read more >>

Cost of Winter

Research has revealed that almost half of road users continue to make their journey(2), despite the weather forecast. The pressure to keep roads and businesses open during periods of adverse weather will not disappear, but equally neither will the costs .. Read more >>

GRITIT Uses Technology To Keep A Grip On The Winter Road Situation

With another harsh winter predicted in the UK, the onset of the “shiver season” can only mean one thing the country grinding to a halt as icy roads, ill-prepared motorists and “the wrong sort of snow” making the commute to work an absolute nightmare. .. Read more >>

Bad weather hits UK companies

Gritit, a British gritting company, offers clients “frost day” certificates, weather derivatives arranged with Zurich specialist Celsius Pro. For a premium, customers receive an automatic payout if predefined weather criteria, in this case a certain numbe.. Read more >>

Don’t Get Left Out in the Cold this Winter

GRITIT launch the UK`s first ever winter insurance product. Leading UK commercial gritting organisation, GRITIT, is launching the UK`s first ever winter insurance product (Frost Cover Certificates), designed to protect businesses from the financial risks .. Read more >>