Despite a challenging climate bought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, one Milton Keynes based business is pushing ahead with its expansion plans this month [January] – already recruiting, bringing on new clients and confident it will hit at least a £500,000 turnover by the end of the year.
Carl Yeomanson, who launched his company Plumbing and Gas Solutions nearly 11 years ago, has used the disruption of Covid to rethink and reshape his business.
Recognising there was an opportunity to grow, the businessman decided the time was right for expansion rather than concern or conservatism.
Carl said: “Although some of our clients had to shut their doors during the pandemic, we have been fortunate and busier than ever. Many of our clients used this challenging time to invest in their buildings, which is where we have been able to help.
“Because so many people were home working, we were able to get into buildings, carry out major works, but without creating too much disruption.”
Chris Brightman, Operations Director of Facilities Management Solutions, added: “We have a fantastic range of clients who naturally, over the years, have asked us to do more for them than just plumbing and heating. So, the launch of this new company feels very much like a natural expansion.”
Carl added: “Despite the challenges I believe the pandemic has created a climate for businesses to flourish if they can distinguish themselves – and that is exactly what we plan to do with this launch.”
This month Carl’s new business – Facilities Management Solutions – is officially launched. It too will be based in Milton Keynes and, as with Plumbing and Gas Solutions, the new company will initially focus on serving businesses in Milton Keynes and the wider areas of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Northamptonshire.
Rather than working solely on plumbing and heating, the new company will provide a far broader building management service – focusing on key areas such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning, security and access, electrics and even specialist services such as pump maintenance and landscaping.
New clients – largely commercial and industrial businesses – have already signed up, including Milton Keynes College and Yamaha.
Dan Cole is the newly recruited Operations Manager of Facilities Management Solutions: “I’m delighted to come on board for what promises to be an exciting ride. Through Plumbing and Gas Solutions we already work with so many local companies and big names – Center Parcs, the University of Northampton, Milton Keynes Hospital, Yamaha to name a few.
“We know we are good at what we do. We have the expertise, customer service, and understand what a building manager wants and needs. We are reliable, reactive and are there to take away all the stress and pain. Our customers don’t have to ring around for quotes or find someone out of hours to fix a problem – we sort it all.”
Facilities Management Solutions customers are not tied into a retainer. They are given an annual cost for all services and charged as and when they need them. Not only does the new company ensure contractors and engineers arrive on time, it also plans for preventative work – to avoid costly problems.
The Facilities Management Solutions headquarters now sits alongside its sister company, Plumbing and Gas Solutions, in Wymbush, Milton Keynes.