FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
STOCKED UP SALT STORES
As well as being the largest and first company in the UK to specialise in winter gritting and snow clearance we are one of the largest buyers of winter de-icing salt in the UK and we primarily purchase our salt unbagged, and in bulk. We use white marine salt as our main de-icing agent, as it is cleaner and more sustainable than mined brown rock salt.
We follow our own advice and make sure we have sufficient salt in stock well ahead of the winter season. Our salt is stored in over 250 strategically located depots across the UK, ensuring we have de-icing capacity where it is needed the most.
Over the years, we have built robust and reliable relationships with our suppliers, and we continue to strengthen these relationships year-on-year. Purchasing our salt in bulk helps to offset fluctuations in price and supply, this is a buying strategy that has proven to be successful. However, the price of salt is not immune to inflation, and we have seen the price rise by over 15 per cent.
Your current winter services provider should already have good stores of winter salt in stock, however, it’s always worth checking with them ahead of the winter season.
CLIMATE CHANGE: MORE VOLATILE AND UNPREDICTABLE WINTER WEATHER
Preparing for winter also means staying one step ahead of mother nature. Due to climate change, the UK is experiencing more volatile weather patterns, from record-breaking summer temperatures through to more frequent floods and intense winter storms.
Anticipating what the weather will be isn’t a case of watching the television forecast – it is far more sophisticated, for example with the use of real-time weather forecasting tools to ensure high-level temperature accuracy. With each customer and for every site a road surface trigger temperature is agreed, appropriate to the location and conditions on the ground and service when this temperature is forecast. This attention to detail and level of monitors means keeping ahead of the weather and mobilising resources accordingly.
SUMMARY
The UK often seems to be lagging behind other countries in managing extreme weather, and part of the reason is that readiness does take an investment of time and resource. However, looking only at the short-term cost implications of having a winter maintenance plan in place is to neglect the bigger risks of being found wanting in the event of an accident. So even if you don’t approach winter with meticulous planning, it’s sensible to get serious about gritting and your duty of care.
A provider should be able to help you prepare all year round for winter and have built up an enviable track record of consistently keeping top UK companies and critical infrastructure safe, compliant and fully operational throughout the harshest of weather. Investing in smart technology, the best weather forecasting systems and a team of experienced operators to self-deliver their winter services means helping clients ensure they stay one step ahead of mother nature.
