The year ahead looks set to be a tough one for all businesses in the construction industry, but asbestos removal specialists Solent Environmental are confident they will adapt and rise to the challenge to survive these toxic economic conditions.
According to Business Development Manager, Ian White, Solent Environmental will be focusing more on the private sector and its existing client base this year and leaving the cutthroat Frameworks policy market temporarily behind. “There is a distinct theme at the moment amongst companies bidding for Frameworks policies to drastically reduce their rates to make themselves on the surface the most competitive prospect,” says Ian. “That’s fine if you’re a national company large enough to absorb zero returns for the length of a four-year contract – good luck to them! But we are keen to branch out into a more personalised service for our clients and branch out into new services where there is a market offering a sustainable return.”
Solent Environmental is backing the ‘green retrofit’ policy of the 2015 carbon reduction legislation. “Our asbestos removal teams are expert at stripping back existing buildings, which is the ideal time to install such materials. We’re also stepping up our recycling methods. All metal and wood that can be separated from asbestos panels, once removed are being recycled. We’re also serious about reducing our own carbon footprint. Our drivers are being offered driving training which will assist in fuel efficiency and good journey planning in order to cut down unnecessary fuel consumption. We’ve also installed trackers in all our vans which allows us to direct the nearest teams out on the road to clients should an emergency call arise.”
As leading contractors in asbestos abatement for 20 years, Solent Environmental offers fully accredited expertise; right the way through from asbestos samples, surveys and asbestos management plans through to the fully controlled removal of asbestos containing materials. All buildings built, modified or refurbished before 2000 require an asbestos survey and also a plan on how the asbestos is to be managed which needs to be regularly monitored and updated. Failure to undertake these could result in prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive.
“It’s estimated that about 90% of commercial buildings do not have asbestos surveys,” says Ian, “This is mostly because building owners are not aware of their duty to do so. They are required by law to have their building surveyed for the existence of asbestos, and if found to put in to place a management plan. We will be working on encouraging more building owners to undertake a survey and develop a management plan this year.”
Located in Southampton, Solent Environmental cover southern England from Brighton down to Exeter and up to Oxford, although they do travel further afield for certain jobs. Their purpose built Waste Transfer Station deals with 105 tonnes of asbestos each year collecting material from each project site from their fleet of vehicles.
This waste is then delivered in bulk to landfill (there is no current cost-effective method of recycling asbestos). This helps reduce transport and fuel costs, savings which are then passed on to the client. Solent’s success is down to hard work and a ‘never give up’ attitude, says Ian. “We are always going the extra mile for our clients, large or small. It’s all about giving 110% performance these days.”For more information contact
Solent Environmental on: 023 8089 9932
or visit their website: www.solentenvironmental.co.uk.
