Specialist cleaning business sees 50% rise in turnover  

PARTY TIME: Colleagues at Cleaning Operations UK and their families gather for the company’s annual Revival of Beliefs event at the Novotel Southampton hotel

A Hampshire-based specialist cleaning company has reported annual turnover up by 50% during the pandemic.

Expanding Cleaning Operations UK Limited achieved this through winning new clients, absorbing rising costs, investing in people and sheer hard work.

Although the Fareham-based company saw the collapse of its daily cleaning contracts due to enforced closures of shops, hospitality venues and offices, it expanded special projects in the construction and automotive industries.

Founder and managing director Luzia Holloway said: “We managed to increase annual turnover by 50% during the pandemic. It was incredible for us, but very challenging because of all the restrictions.

“We had to make many adjustments – not least absorbing the ever-rising cost of cleaning equipment and materials – as well as making it easier for staff to do their jobs by providing accommodation , living expenses and further incentives when working away.

“It was an expensive process, but we retained staff, kept our reputation intact and gained a lot of new clients.

“Special projects, such as construction and automotive cleaning were our ‘must-haves’. Construction was one of the very few industries allowed to continue and we were able to work closely with clients to ensure continued support.”

Luzia said Cleaning Operations UK had completed 179 projects since the pandemic started in March 2020 with 100% attendance at every one and each handed over on time.

Core staff numbers have remained static, with more added to take the current total to around 130.

Members of staff and their families celebrated the 12th anniversary of the company’s unique ‘Revival of Beliefs’ day at the Novotel Southampton hotel.

The regular event is held by the company to recognise the efforts put in by all the commercial cleaning company’s workers and to strengthen bonds between them.

Luzia, who founded the company 20 years ago, updated her workforce on progress as well as thanking them for their exceptional hard work during 2021.

She said that the dedicated, highly flexible and diligent team of colleagues provided exceptional service to valued clients and was looking to 2022 to be a period of further development.

The lunchtime event also featured presentations to the company’s team members who went beyond the call of duty. Among those recognised this year was popular Office Manager Kerrie Mooney who was named Unsung Hero of 2021 for her unstinting efforts during a demanding year.

Trophies of Achievement went to colleagues with more than 10 years’ service, including Pawel Kwiatkowski (16 years), Magdalena Kuboszek-Macura (14), Katarzyna Brzezinska (11) and Anita Strus (10).

Collecting Service Excellence Achievement awards were Adelio Vieira Chaves and Guillermo Heller and Last Minute Legend Awards were given to Rafal Macura and Kakub Kwasek.

Gold Medals for two to 10 years of service went to, Rolands Semezs (eight years), Elisabete Torrao (eight), Michal Kiscielny (five), Sylvia Staniszewska (five), Klaudia Blaut (three), Anita Mastalerz (three) and Mirela Dragan, Anna Placek, Natalia Gielas, Daiana Pastro, Kerrie Mooney and Roxanne Fisher (all two).

Silver Medals for one year of service went to Noemi Bispo Do Carmo, Bartesz Bibrowski, Brenner Dalapicola, Agnieska Kania, Demis Hasler, Cleiton Santo.

Hands-on boss Luzia also revealed some of the lengths to which she would go for the company. On occasions she would drive six hours to, say, Leeds, then work at a project for four to five hours – before driving six hours home again, often sleeping in the car due to hotels being closed and flights grounded.

She added: “The Revival of Beliefs day is an important occasion which gives us all a chance to step away from our work for a day to reflect on the company’s core values, our own roles within the company and how we can improve.

“To have reached our 12th anniversary is a fantastic achievement and, as ever, it was a great family occasion. Cleaning Operations is very much a family business and every single member of our team is part of the family.

Cleaning Operations UK Limited, renowned as one of the UK’s leading experts in industrial and construction cleaning, is headquartered at Sherendon House in Botley Road, Fareham but operates nationally and internationally.

With more than two decades’ experience in specialist cleaning, extensively in the UK and USA, Luzia is well known in the industry for attention to detail and innovative approaches.

Cleaning Operations UK, described as a ‘one-stop shop’ for commercial cleaning, provides a rapid-response cleaning services to a host of businesses in the region, including builders, after builders, specialist floor, specialist window, restoration, daily and events.

The company works across many sectors, including retail, hotels, leisure centres, restaurants, offices, churches, hospitals, factories/warehouses, listed buildings, the motor trade and museums.

Founder and managing director Luzia Holloway with award winners at the event.
The annual Cleaning Operations UK Revival of Beliefs event takes place at the Novotel Hotel in Southampton, Hampshire.

SIX OF THE BEST: Silver medal award winners, from left Brenner Dalapicola, Noemi Bispo Do Carmo, Managing Director Luzia Holloway, Demis Hasler, Agnieska Kania, Bartesz Bibrowski and Cleiton Santo

UNSUNG HERO: Office Manager Kerrie Moonie, left, receives her award from Cleaning Operations UK Managing Director Luzia Holloway

Founder and managing director Luzia Holloway with award winners at the event.
The annual Cleaning Operations UK Revival of Beliefs event takes place at the Novotel Hotel in Southampton, Hampshire.

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