Direct Cleaning Yorkshire

A COMPANY is cleaning up in business – and on the small screen.

Milnsbridge-based Direct Cleaning Yorkshire Ltd has grown from a one-man operation with a single van to an established firm employing 16 people and running a fleet of vehicles.

The company, founded in 2000 by Ryan Bedingfield, operates from a 2,000sq ft purpose-built unit at Scar Lane and provides commercial cleaning, graffiti cleaning and grounds maintenance services to a growing lift of clients.

“It’s a far cry from the days when I operated as a carpet cleaner from the basement of my home in Cowlersley,” said Ryan.

The fledgling firm’s first big break was a contract from housebuilder David Wilson to quote for general cleaning of the company’s show homes.

In 2002, the firm became VAT registered, purchased a second van and employed three people. At the start of 2003, the company had to move to bigger premises and by the end of that year had taken on two more employees and was awarded a contract for window and carpet cleaning at 10 West Yorkshire nursing homes.

As part of a strategy to expand the business, Ryan and general manager John Field became qualified assessors and trainers accredited by the British Institute of Cleaning Science. A sister company, Direct Training Ltd, was also set up to provide training for other companies.

The company has since won contracts with Redrow Homes, PEC Building Services and CALA Homes as well as running cleaning courses for organisations such as Nottingham City Homes, Peveral OM Management and Clean Estates Ltd.

Said Ryan: “We have been operating for 10 years now and although there has been a slump in the building trade out company has continued to thrive.

“Location cleaning for television production companies is a growth area for us and we are currently contracted to clean for BBC’s Hustle and The Street and ITV’s The Royal.

“Our graffiti removal business continues to expand as does out carpet cleaning service and we are updating our carpet cleaning system with a £25,000 truck mounted system.

Sanderson Associates

A COMPANY is taking the high road to success.

Sanderson Associates (Consulting Engineers) Ltd is one of the largest and best-known independent highway development specialists in the UK.

The company, founded in 1987 and based at Grange Moor, is a market leader in highway, traffic, transportation and water engineering.

Since its formation, Sanderson Associates, headed by managing director Alison France, has undertaken more than 5,300 schemes in both the private and public sectors with some top names on an ever-increasing client list.

Among recent contract wins, Sanderson Associates has been engaged by Bradford City Council to carry out a study on how best to preserve and enhance the historic setts in the main street of Haworth – one of the longest stretches of stone setts in Yorkshire.

It has also been appointed by Kirklees College on its present New North Road site and to look at highways implications for pedestrian crossings at its proposed development at the Waterfront Quarter, Chapel Hill.

Sanderson Associates has also worked on behalf of clients including Morrison’s, Netto, Asda and Tesco – as well as non-food retail developments, office schemes and residential sites.

The company has 39 staff including chartered engineering and technical specialists in highways, transportation and water.

It has also invested heavily in IT and hardware and has set up a staff intranet.

It provides a monthly business review to all staff giving details of the company’s financial position, new projects, social events and special events.

Sanderson Associates is a sponsor of Huddersfield Town.

Said Alison: “We are still looking to recruit staff even in the current recession that seems to be affecting everyone.

“Our future plans are to continue to expand in a controlled way, which has been successful for the company to date.

“That will help to ensure that we remain the largest independent highway consultants in the UK.

“We also place great emphasis on investing in staff by providing a rounded training programme for all technical employees, which puts in place a culture for producing work of an excellent standard.”

Equi-Trek Ltd

HORSE sense is helping a Huddersfield company gallop ahead of the competition.

Equi-Trek Ltd was formed to manufacture the best in horse transport – from trailers to luxury transporters.

The company, which employs 48 people in premises at Bent Ley Road, Meltham, set out to update the design of horse trailers, which had largely been unchanged for 50 years or more.

Managing director Raymond Janion said: “The traditional style of trailer lacks the sophistication, safety and accommodation required by today’s equestrian competitor.

“We designed a unique side-loading horse trailer, which benefits the horse in every way and also provides high levels of owner’s accommodation.

“The design was granted a patent and the first prototype was outsourced. After successful experimentation and extensive trials, we opened our first small manufacturing unit in 2004.”

After sales took off, the company moved to its current premises and produced its first small motorised horsebox, which is based on a Peugeot chassis.

Said Mr Janion: “Sales have been outstanding and we have taken over another factory to increase production of this model. Last year saw the introduction of our 7.5-ton Endeavour range and 2009 saw the launch of the 12-ton Envoy range – both of which have full order books.”

Equi-Trek has more or less doubled turnover since opening its first factory and is now developing the European market with dealerships in France, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and Scandinavia.

Said Mr Janion: “We are creating employment to boost the local economy and are proud to be carrying on the Huddersfield tradition of manufacturing excellence.”