A continuous programme of development goes on behind the scenes at Portable Offices’ head office at Sandycroft, Cheshire.

Here, Dave Hought, the depot’s Operations Manager, is striving for quality of process and product with new goals continually being achieved.

Dave, who joined the Portable Offices’ team two years ago, supervises the yard staff team, oversees site installations, provides customer after-care service and works closely with Lyn Clare on health and safety.

In May 2010 Portable Offices achieved CHAS (Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme) recognition for its health and safety initiatives.  Dave commented: “CHAS recognition has enhanced our awareness of health and safety issues throughout the entire operation. Our workforce has benefited enormously from the implementation of our new care and safety programmes.”

In 2009 the international standards ISO 9001 and 14001 which are widely recognised by industry as demonstrating robust and efficient systems as a focus of improvement were achieved by Portable Offices.

“We didn’t undertake this lightly, we see ISO standards as the tool by which business can be developed and run most effectively,” Dave explains.

The implications of these initiatives impact on staff and the environment: “We pride ourselves on using environmentally friendly cleaning products whenever possible to clean our fleet of portable cabins. This has the bonus of easier waste disposal and safer operative use. We also use 60% water-based paint products facilitating ease of use and disposal. The introduction of power steam pressure washers and wet vacuums have been invaluable in increasing productivity and performance of cleaning and sterilising portable toilet and utility units.

“In addition, last year we fitted over 450 uPVC double glazed windows to enhance our portable cabin’s u-values.  This has all provided an excellent platform of strength for quality business performance.”