FOCUS WINTER PREPARATION
36 SEPTEMBER 2019
Vicky Lopez, Co-Founder and Director of De-ice, explains the
concept of reverse winter timeline planning
When you run a winter maintenance
business, you have to look at
the seasons backwards. There’s very
little ‘looking forward to summer’, as
we primarily focus all year round on
one season, no matter the time of year.
We operate ‘reverse winter timeline
planning’ to make sure the team is
focused throughout the summer, and
that we are fully prepared for every
eventuality, at every customer site, in the
winter months.
This year has already seen record-breaking
high temperatures and flood-inducing
rainfall. If this winter turns out to be another
record breaker, then businesses need to
consider now if they are ready for the snow
and ice that could potentially hit. With the
weather turning increasingly erratic over
the last few years, we cannot rule out the
possibility of extreme cold weather
striking early.
It’s never too early to put a plan in place
for winter strategy. We’re no di erent to any
other winter maintenance specialist, and
this is the drum we all beat. We recommend
businesses start putting these winter plans
together in the spring, but as we head into
autumn it’s definitely time to consider what
this winter might bring.
Nothing holds back winter, and while it
might be hard to consider spending tight
budgets on snow clearance or gritting when
the thermometer recently hit a recordbreaking
38 degrees, it is financially better
to get the provision in place early. Being
organised enables a quality provider to plan
and prepare according to specific needs,
saving money from potential damage in the
long run.
WORKING BACKWARDS
Our experience indicates that we achieve
the best results when we work to a ‘reverse
timeline’ to mobilise and execute a
professional winter service. In Scotland and
northern England, winter weather can o en
hit earlier than expected, so we need to be
particularly organised and adaptable to
move the schedule by a month if needs be.
The De-ice timeline:
November – season starts
Start of October – mobilisation –
inductions, issue keys and fobs, allocate
operatives
Mid-September – sign contracts
Start September – contracts issued
Mid-August – proposals issued
Start August – sites mapped and
approved
Start July – verbal discussion
April-June – review of season
May-June – renewals
This timeline means every site and
customer have been fully surveyed and all
needs have been discussed in good time.
Good communication is key, and we always
advise that if a winter maintenance provider
isn’t in touch early and enthusiastic about a
particular contract, then think twice.
Gritting is more of a bespoke service
than you might imagine. It’s not just about
putting salt on the ground when it’s cold.
Protection from snow and ice requires real
knowledge of a number of elements about a
client’s site, from the topography and access
points to the number of entrances and car
parks that need to be cleared. We cannot
run the risk of not properly covering the
surfaces, or using the wrong materials. And
that’s before we assess the stocks we have
in place, ensuring they never fall short.
PILLARS OF PARTNERSHIP
Our dedicated account teams focus on
education and helping organisations to
understand the importance of not just being
prepared for winter, but also the work that
goes into winter maintenance build-up
and preparation. We also want our clients
to appreciate the reasons behind the costs
for high-quality services that truly protect
their business, their employees and their
customers.
Our ‘six pillars of partnership’ were
launched with this in mind, building an
understanding that winter safety is a yearround
issue. The six pillars encompass these
themes: reputation, account management,
skilled workers, forecasting, technology and
assurances, emphasising our clear focus
on winter planning through every season
and the importance of partnering with and
supporting each individual client.
Not everyone wants to spend their
summer considering winter, which is why
we do what we do. Dedicating our time to
winter planning means that our clients can
focus on their day jobs. We pride ourselves
on well-structured, customised planning,
clear timelines and good communication to
keep things running smoothly. These are the
elements that should be at the core of highquality
winter maintenance services.
GOING INTO REVERSE