Case Study Inficon

In this Case Study we talk to Ian Hughes who is the Service Manager at Inficon in Blackburn.

An innovative technologies service provider and distributor based in a multi-purpose building, close to the M65 motorway.

What prompted you and your business to review your security arrangements?

Whilst we have invested well in the building protection, security and intruder detection capabilities of our security system, we were still experiencing false alarms and often at the most inconvenient times of the night.

That meant quite a few annoying and unnerving call-outs to a pitch black building late at night and in the early hours of the morning. To be honest, nobody wanted to do it so we started looking for alternatives.

What are those alternatives?

I would say we looked at 3 main options:

1. We heard about companies who were using an employee rota system. Select, trusted members of staff held a set of keys and responded to alarms by taking turns. We consider ourselves a responsible employer with the utmost attention to employee safety, so while some suggested it as an option it was a non-starter for us really. Too much at stake.
2. We looked at employing a security guard full time to patrol and protect the building outside normal working hours. There are a few merits in this but the costs involved outweighed the benefits so this option was rejected.
3. Outsource the Alarm Response function to a professionally accredited local company to handle out of hours emergency incidents on our behalf.

Going down the outsourcing route requires trust, so how did you decide which company to use?  – why KeyPlus? 

Accreditations, personal service and recommendations.

We spoke to a few providers but decided on KeyPlus because of your personalised approach to business.

The site survey, risk assessment and bespoke options were by far the stand out choice. Detailed reporting was also vital to us, which you were able to demonstrate.!

You can be brutally honest, have we delivered on your expectations? 

Without a doubt and I don’t hesitate in saying that.

KeyPlus always respond quickly and with your reports, we managed to get improvements made to the alarm system, which helped to reduce the number of false alarms.

It’s the additional benefits like this, that really makes the difference to us.

KeyPlus are one of our easier service partners to work with, working quietly in the background with minimum fuss and providing an ongoing service that is efficient and confidence inspiring. Thank you for your time and of course we look forward to excelling with you year after year.

Thank you for your time and of course we look forward to working with you year after year.

About Inficon

INFICON is a leading provider of innovative instrumentation, critical sensor technologies, and advanced process control software that enhance productivity and quality in sophisticated industrial vacuum processes. These analysis, measurement and control products are essential for gas leak detection in air conditioning/refrigeration and automotive manufacturing.

About KeyPlus Security Ltd

KeyPlus provides professional security services, including key holding, alarm response and mobile patrols for commercial, industrial and public sector premises along with residential properties. KeyPlus take care of your security needs with a 24-hour, 365 days a year service.

Find out more at http://www.KeyPlus.co.uk 

About the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 requires the SIA to establish a “system of inspection for providers of security services, under which those organisations who satisfactorily meet the agreed standards may be registered as approved, and may advertise themselves as such”. Find out more at http://www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/Pages/acs-intro.aspx 

About Living Wage Foundation

In April 2016 the government introduced a higher minimum wage rate for all staff over 25 years of age inspired by the Living Wage campaign – even calling it the ‘national living wage’. However, the government’s ‘national living wage’ is not calculated according to what employees and their families need to live. Instead, it is based on a target to reach 60% of median earnings by 2020.

Under current forecasts this means a rise to less than £9 per hour by 2020. For under 25s, the minimum wage rates also take into account affordability for employers.The real Living Wage rates are higher because they are independently-calculated based on what people need to get by. That’s why we encourage all employers that can afford to do so to ensure their employees earn a wage that meets the costs of living, not just the government minimum.Find out more at http://www.livingwage.org.uk/what-living-wage