FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
OCS has secured a new three-year cleaning deal with Pets at Home and has announced its successful transition to Pets at Home’s new customer fulfilment centre in Stafford. The contract award marks another milestone in OCS’ nine-year partnership with the pet care business which commenced in 2016.
The new Stafford site is a hub for Pets at Home’s UK distribution. It features advanced automation systems designed to support the company’s e-commerce growth.
OCS will provide key cleaning and hygiene services to complement the site’s automation through cobotics and smart water technology. These cobotics are equipped with advanced AI, allowing them to adapt and operate more efficiently. Smart water solutions will be deployed, helping to reduce water consumption while maintaining high standards of cleanliness.
The move to Stafford has created 20 new jobs. OCS prioritise local recruitment, employing both transferred and new colleagues, to ensure a strong connection with the local community and supports local employment.
All colleagues will receive comprehensive training to operate the new technologies effectively. This ensures that the team are equipped with the right skills to maintain and manage these advanced tools. Training programs will also be offered to enable upskilling and knowledge of the latest innovations in automated cleaning. Additionally, OCS will provide career development opportunities, including an apprenticeship program. This focus, says OCS, allows the team to deliver consistent, high-quality cleaning services while adapting to the evolving needs of the fulfilment centre.
Ben Ainsworth, Site Services Facilities Contract Manager at Pets at Home said: “It’s a pleasure to award OCS another contract. They’ve been dynamic in transforming how we approach cleaning within the distribution centre, introducing innovation throughout. Our new cobotic floor scrubbers, for example, have significantly improved cleaning efficiency, allowing colleagues to be redeployed to other priority areas across the distribution centre.
“OCS are very easy to work with. It feels more like a partnership than a supplier relationship. From their management strategies and planning to their shop floor colleagues, the collaboration is seamless. Our monthly meetings are informative and detailed, giving us real insight into OCS as a company. I’m thrilled to have them on site for the next few years and look forward to continuing our work together.”
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