Case Study

British Gypsum East Leake is the largest production site of plasterboard and related products in Europe, with a comprehensive array of facilities that includes a gypsum mine, mill, production plant, 2,500 sq. ft training academy, dedicated research and development centre, and independently accredited testing laboratories adhering to UKAS standards. Complementing these operational hubs are customer service centres, administrative offices, and an array of communal spaces, including break rooms, washrooms, shower facilities, and kitchenettes.

British Gypsum are owned by global construction industry leaders Saint-Gobain Group, and it is through Samsic’s established relationship with Saint-Gobain, stretching from 2015, that Samsic came on board to supply British Gypsum with a professional industrial cleaning service.

The Challenge

The size of the site presents challenges for the cleaning team, necessitating intensive, physically demanding cleaning duties. The primary plasterboard production line, for example, stretches a quarter of a mile, and undergoes maintenance shutdowns twice weekly which requires the Samsic cleaning team to meticulously clean the machinery to keep it in working order, which poses a safety risk. Additionally, the cleaning team is required to clean unusual areas such as segments of the mine tunnels, a task with unprecedented risks which demands strict adherence to stringent health and safety protocols. 

The cleaning team, therefore, needs to operate as a cohesive unit, meaning that culture and relationships within the team take precedent within recruitment and management activities. By working as a team, the cleaning operatives often are required to manually remove excess product from production areas to facilitate cleaning, as machinery proves insufficient for this role. The success of these operations relies heavily on the skills and dedication of the personnel on site and as such, British Gypsum required a cleaning provider who could provide sufficient employee investment to help elevate the culture within team whilst prioritising service excellence and long-term organisational cost goals.  

The Solution

Samsic provides British Gypsum with an extensive cleaning service, totalling 330 hours per week. This comprehensive effort is led by a dedicated Site Manager who supervises a team of 11 full-time cleaning operatives. The team members undertake rigorous training and receive regular site-specific refresher courses every six months, covering plant requirements, site safety protocols, equipment safety, PAT testing, asbestos awareness, and COSHH regulations. 

In addition to the tailored training provided on-site, the British Gypsum cleaning team have access to Samsic’s exclusive Learning Management System (LMS), offering a wide array of 100’s of supplementary training courses. This initiative not only supports continuous professional growth for the client by building the team’s skills, but implements a culture of skill enhancement, reinforcing our commitment to employee wellbeing and engagement. 

Samsic offer a range of employee benefits aimed at promoting work-life balance and team cohesion. These benefits include financial incentives such as discounts at high-street and grocery stores, as well as access to Wagestream, a platform that empowers our employees with financial budgeting advice and the flexibility to access up to 40% of their accrued wages. Additionally, we provide access to private mental health support for our people, prioritising the mental health of our workforce through our Mental Health First Aider scheme.  

Samsic management maintains regular communication with the team to offer support and ensure seamless operations on-site. We prioritise the safety of our employees by enforcing the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) across the site, including gloves, knee pads, masks, and other essential gear, especially during cleaning activities in the production areas, to uphold compliance with safety regulations. Our dedicated SHEQ department are closely involved with the contract as to ensure all Samsic cleaning operatives are safe whilst undertaking their duties. 

Looking ahead, in 2024, British Gypsum will be initiating a tender process for the cleaning service, as per site protocol, conducted every five years. Leveraging our strong strategic partnership with the client, Samsic intends to fair positively in the retendering process, building upon the solid foundation of trust and excellence we have established.