A dedicated maintenance service has been launched by the Co-op to provide essential services to over 3,500 Co-op food stores and funeral homes.
Co-op has partnered with maintenance providers City Buildings and Engineering Services (CBES), Link Contracting and Lancer Scott to develop a dedicated locally-based resource model designed to enhance quality, workmanship and consistency while building a deeper relationship between a store or branch and their dedicated local maintenance engineer(s).
The move will also create social value in communities through its: support for local jobs – with a network of local tradespeople assigned to stores in their area; the development of a training and apprenticeship scheme creating opportunities to develop a pipeline of skilled talent and, plans for skilled tradespeople to support local community projects.
Known as 'Tech in a Van', the five-year deal will see the three suppliers – in Co-op branded uniform and vehicles - handle a wide range of general maintenance and repair work such as plumbing, joinery, brickwork and electrical works.
David Roberts, Managing Director, Co-op Property, said, “Delivering what our members and customers want and need is at the very core of our organisation, and the smooth running of our stores and branches is essential to this.
'The safety and well-being of our colleagues and customers at the heart of our work, and this is aligned to our ambition to deliver the best customer experience.
'This long term partnership approach has enabled us to develop a bespoke solution, resulting in a team of highly skilled dedicated engineers delivering fantastic services to sites in their local area.
:The move will also create social value in our communities through local job creation, support for community projects and a training and Apprenticeship scheme which will equip the sector with the next generation of multi-skilled engineers.”
