10/06-08   -   Press releases

Work Services Wins Barclays National Furniture Services Contract

Leading property services company Work Services is delighted to announce that it has won a UK-wide term contract to provide furniture repair, disposal, and movement and churn services across the entire Barclays 1800 branch network.

Working in partnership with Atkins, Work Services is now operating a delivery network that provides a consistent and high quality office furniture service across the country and replaces the complex configuration of independent regional service providers. By rationalising under one organisation, Barclays and Atkins will reap the benefits of a single interface, faster response times, efficiencies of scale and a more customer-focused office furniture service.

Commenting on the appointment, Andrew Wilkinson, Atkins (Head of the Managing Agent Business), said; “We are delighted to be working with Work Services for this important customer. We already partner with them in delivering a similar office furniture service for all 1,500 HBOS buildings and know they have a great team with strong capability in this specialist niche. Because Work Services know how we operate and have an in-depth understanding of our systems and processes, we are confident that together we can make a real difference for Barclays."

Steve Wilson (Head of Retail Services) for Barclays added; “This is an important appointment which illustrates the way we are moving as a business. We were particularly impressed with Work Services environmental commitment and community-friendly approach to furniture recycling. Providing re-usable furniture to those in need, or avoiding unnecessary creation of yet more land-fill through responsible recycling, is exactly where we want to be. We look forward to a productive partnership."

Commenting on the contract win, Craig Eastwood, CEO of parent Work Inc Group, said; “This is a significant win for us and supports our strategic intent to increase the group’s value-add office services business. It provides growth in an area where we believe we have competitive edge through the ability to provide a uniform, cost-efficient, integrated and truly national office furniture solution. The Atkins partnership is also warmly welcomed. Success to date has been founded on mutual understanding of each other’s strengths and where each wants to be in the marketplace. Between us I am confident that we can do something special for our new client Barclays, whilst at the same time supporting the bank’s important CSR and environmental agenda."

Work Services is part of the Work Inc Group a commercial interiors and property services company, employing around 350 people, with forecast 2008 annual revenues of £31m. The groups’ 120-strong client list includes DLA Piper, DTZ, Bruntwood, Unilever, Wolseley, HBOS, GE Money and InBev. The principal support centre is located at Thorpe Business Park, Leeds, with further offices in London, North West, Midlands, North East, a national design centre in Harewood, Leeds, and warehousing and storage facilities across the UK.

For further information on Work Services and Work Inc Group, please contact Alex Richens, Marketing Communications Manager, E: alex.richens(AT)work-inc.com M: 07825 601182
T: 0113 397 5979

Work Inc Group

Work Inc Group operates in the commercial interiors and property services marketplace.
The company comprises four principal streams of business, Work Architecture, Work Interiors, Work Services and Work Facilities. This provides the capability to offer either individual, bundled or integrated services, distinguished by a passion for design, customer service and outstanding delivery.

The business employs 350 people around the UK and has projected annual sales of £30m in 2007, £31m in 2008 and £38m in 2009.