From The Grimsby Evening Telegraph April 2009

GRIMSBY catering and janitorial supplies firm Sylvester Keal is cooking up an expansion plan as it looks to take its commercial kitchen and laundry services to a new level.

With more than 22 years of experience and a dedicated and highly trained team in place, the company is now geared to furthering its reach. Not only is it widening its geographical footprint, but the family business is also in a position to tender for major contracts with larger commercial operations.

It is a realisation of how far the company has come since the initial microwave repair firm was purchased from Ron Sylvester in 1987 by electrical and mechanical engineer Derek Keal, with the support of wife Sandra.

Son Martyn came into the family business in 1992 and together with his father has grown the business to the level it is today.  Daughter-in-law Irene has helped the company along, ensuring all training and all systems are in place to carry the business to new heights. 

Martyn, sales director, said: “We are looking to expand, but we also want to keep focused on the excellent first class service we give to our existing customers.

“Existing customers are key and we respect the fact that they are very loyal.  We still have a lot of customers from day one. We are geared up 100 per cent to looking after them as we continue.”

Recruitment possibilities are also being explored in both service and sales teams, with a service manager a priority as Sylvester Keal builds on the progress made.

Originally a home-based business with a small turnover, it has operated from Cleethorpes Business Centre on Wilton Road and a 3,000 sq ft unit on South Humberside Industrial Estate, before moving into purpose-built premises which include offices and a distribution centre on the nearby Westside Business Park, primarily for the cleaning and hygiene products.

All the sales staff are highly trained in providing infection control systems which includes COSHH, health and safety. “One telephone number can provide everything the customer requires to maintain an efficient operation,” added Martyn.
Irene, a director who is also office manager, said: “We are branching out into Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. We know we have got a great team of people here with us who can do what is required on a daily basis and that has given us the opportunity to go out and source more business. Without them our achievements would not have been as great.
“We are looking at getting work within group businesses now, companies that have multiple operations. We have achieved accreditations to put tenders forward now, whether they are for schools, colleges, hotels, restaurants, care homes or hospitals.”

Working alongside architects and the customer, bespoke kitchens and laundry facilities are installed by fully trained Gas-Register engineers. And the team is proud of the service offered.

Martyn said: “We find out where all the services are going and exactly what the customers needs are – even down to the types of dishes that will be on a menu. That’s when the design stage begins.” 

Derek, founder and service director, added: “We do pride ourselves on supplying quality products and services, and that is what we have built our business on from day one.”

For more information on recruitment contact Martyn on (01472) 352033.