UK Enterprise Awards 2021

216 | UK Enterprise Awards 2021 Best Cleaning Company – Cumbria Workington based A2K Cleaning Services Limited is leading the anti-microbial cleaning revolution. Using the latest technology, the award-winning company is helping businesses return to normal. A2K undertakes all kinds of cleaning across the West Cumbrian area. From small businesses and domestic homes to large enterprises and local government, the company is on hand to help. Proprietor, Andrew Tinkler, is running the business from his home but has developed a wide reach across the local area. There doesn’t appear to be a cleaning job that Andrew’s company won’t take on. The company offer a whole host of standard services such as professional carpet and upholstery cleaning, textile pest control, scheduled domestic and commercial cleaning, and one-off cleans such as end of tenancy and after build cleans. A2K works with anyone from large commercial enterprises to working families. Many of the firm’s elderly customers appreciate someone to talk to as well as help with the housework. As such, the start of the first lockdown hit Andrew’s business hard: “On the 23rd of March 2020, when the first lockdown was announced, our business came to a complete halt. We lost a lot of our domestic customers overnight.” Andrew knew he would need to aim more towards commercial clients if his business was to survive. The company decided to invest in some new technologies, such as ATP Hygiene Testing. As a result, A2K is now part of the ATP Network of independent hygiene testers. ATP, or adenosine 5’-triphosphate, is the main molecule for storing and transferring energy found in all organic matter. ATP Testing is quick, effective and scientific. It verifies cleaning and hygiene practices in a range of environments, including hospitals and care homes, schools, restaurants, manufacturers, processing plants and transport companies. A2K’s other investment was in electrostatic sanitising and fogging. Pathogens are almost everywhere, and businesses such as A2K are acutely aware of how quickly infection can spread, even more so since the recent ongoing pandemic. Electrostatic treatments aim to disrupt the cycle of infection, keeping the impact of an outbreak to a minimum. This allows businesses and organisations to “get back to normal” as quickly as possible. The company has also partnered with Nordic Chem whose industry-leading anti-microbial surface coatings can protect environments for up to 90 days. A2K even has its own label, a fully tested brand of antimicrobial chemical, which it now distributes to local councils, clubs and factories. Although every service is delivered with professionalism, A2K still prides itself on providing a personal touch that larger companies often struggle to emulate. When recruiting new employees Andrew looks to the core values of his business: Integrity, Respect, Transparency, Accountability, Professionalism and Service Excellence. “Not everyone can do the job of a cleaner, especially in a bio-hazard situation. All A2K’s cleaners are thoroughly vetted and given full training.” Andrew is glad to see life returning to normal and hopes to be able to expand further in the future: “I’d like to look at getting new premises and possibly start to supply janitorial equipment and supplies to. Hopefully I will outgrow my kitchen table and garage soon”. Contact: Andrew Tinkler Company: A2K Cleaning Services Limited Web Address: www.a2kcleaningservices.co.uk A 2 K Cleaning Services Ltd May21682