The Co-op Group has partnered with maintenance providers City Buildings and Engineering Services (CBES), Link Contracting and Lancer Scott to provide services to more than 3,500 food stores and funeral homes.
A dedicated maintenance team will develop a locally based resource model to enhance quality, workmanship and consistency. The initiative also aims to build a deeper relationship between a store or branch and its dedicated local maintenance engineers.
The five-year deal will see the three suppliers – in Co-op branded uniform and vehicles – handle a wide range of general maintenance and repair work such as plumbing, joinery, brickwork and electrical works.
The Group says the initiative will create social value in communities by supporting local jobs. A network of local tradespeople will be assigned to stores in their area. It will also run a training and apprenticeship scheme to develop a pipeline of skilled talent, while skilled tradespeople will be given opportunities to support local community projects.
David Roberts, managing director, Co-op Property, said: “Delivering what our members and customers want and need is at the very core of our organisation, and the smooth running of our stores and branches is essential to this. The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and customers at the heart of our work, and this is aligned to our ambition to deliver the best customer experience.
“This long-term partnership approach has enabled us to develop a bespoke solution, resulting in a team of highly skilled dedicated engineers delivering fantastic services to sites in their local area.
“The move will also create social value in our communities through local job creation, support for community projects and a training and apprenticeship scheme which will equip the sector with the next generation of multi-skilled engineers.”
