ABP - Experts & Thought Leaders

Kingdom Group has just launched an integrated and dual solutions offering, in order to help companies streamline their facilities management and recruitment processes. By taking control of people services, quality and efficiencies are enhanced, and procurement costs reduced. Kingdom Integrated Solutions (KIS) Kingdom Integrated Solutions (KIS) brings together all of the people services offered by Kingdom Group’s ten companies, under one provider. These include hybrid security solutions - that combine personnel and technology – as well as local authority support, cleaning, recruitment, training and healthcare services. By doing so, Kingdom Group is able to gain a holistic view of how each of its customers operate and an understanding of their exact people service requirements – sometimes without them even realising. Benefits of one point of contact, one monthly invoice Customers of KIS also enjoy the further benefits of one point of contact, one monthly invoice Customers of KIS also enjoy the further benefits of one point of contact, one monthly invoice and collaborative working with a market-renowned partner that has clarity of commercial goals and responsibility to deliver them. By approaching each client’s needs holistically, KIS is able to provide the most comprehensive range of bespoke solutions-led services - and the expert support and consultancy required - to identify how improvements can be made, often with cost savings. Free workforce and security assessments Kingdom’s Kingdom Integrated Solutions (KIS) offering also includes free workforce and security assessments, in order to determine exactly where improvements can be made, and costs saved – including value benchmarking to evaluate current supplier costs and services compared to the overarching solutions and consultancy that it can provide. For over 25 years, Kingdom Group companies have worked with clients, such as Wincanton, Morrisons, Morgan Sindall Group, CBRE, Associated British Ports (ABP), Drax, Sanctuary Group, University of South Wales, Argos, Biffa, MAG (Manchester Airports Group) and arrowxl. Need to review facilities management in enterprises Jaimie Potts, the Sales and Commercial Director at Kingdom Group, said “The hikes in overhead costs are particularly concerning for all businesses – whatever their size – as many are already struggling to keep afloat post-pandemic. We hope that the launch of Kingdom Integrated Solutions will be a prompt for all UK businesses and organisations, which outsource facilities management and other functions, to review how they are managed.” Our experience shows that the answers are often negative, and improvements can almost always be made" He adds, “Are they satisfied with the quality of services they receive, the prices they pay and the number of partners they work with? Are there any gaps that need to be filled? Our experience shows that the answers are often negative, and improvements can almost always be made. By working with a single supplier of people services, our customers benefit from being able to get on with their day jobs, while we coordinate and manage the more specialist people services – whatever their requirements may be.” Value benchmarking consultancy Jaimie Potts continues, “We should always look for opportunities to improve partner relationships, streamline processes or procedures, or change costing models. Our value benchmarking consultancy does just this. Similarly, current service providers should also be reviewing costs and working with clients to work out what they can be doing better.” Kingdom Group’s three key reasons to conduct an effective supplier evaluation process: It communicates clear expectations Clearly define what is actually needed from the suppliers, but also be open to their advice. A supplier and supply chain audit is a great place to start and a fresh pair of eyes often sees new opportunities or solutions. Not only does this create a layer of transparency and trust, but it also enables partners to deliver a much higher quality service. It improves supplier quality This goes beyond product or service quality, extending into the overall experience - including communication, number of points of contact, relationships and response times. It eliminates unnecessary costs Supplier evaluations provide an extra layer of visibility into both - quality and cost. Are the suppliers enabling maximum sales, performance and customer satisfaction?  Are there any ways that money can be saved, and costs cut? Are there any purchasing efficiencies that can be enjoyed by reducing the number of suppliers? Providing exact reasons for potentially changing the supplier will usually force their hand to change their own ways of working.

Associated British Ports - ABP’s Port of Southampton is partnering with drone detection specialists, Houndstooth Wireless (HTW). Active since September 2021, Houndstooth Wireless’ drone detection solution helps ABP Southampton scope drone activity in the Port of Southampton. Ben Toomer, the Security Manager - ABP Southampton, at Associated British Ports – ABP, said “We are excited to be partnering with an innovative SME, like Houndstooth Wireless on this project, as we continuously improve safety and security for our port and customers. Houndstooth Wireless’ drone detection solution Houndstooth Wireless’ technology is building a clear picture of drone activity and helping us maintain the highest standards" Ben Toomer adds, “Houndstooth Wireless’ technology is building a clear picture of drone activity and helping us maintain the highest standards.” Houndstooth Wireless is a British SME and winner of numerous UK government innovation awards, including T-TRIG from the Department for Transport and Smart Grant from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency. Associated British Ports - HTW partnership The state-of-the-art technology detects and locates both drones and their operators. Houndstooth Wireless’ (HTW) solutions provide on-site teams with actionable data and analytics, in order to carry out risk assessments and inform operational and strategic responses. Suja Sivadasan, the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Houndstooth Wireless (HTW), said “We are delighted to be partnering with ABP Southampton, to maximise safety and security of the port. Port of Southampton is a major transport hub and large, complex site, which provides an ideal environment to demonstrate our solution’s capabilities.” Ease of deployment and cost-effective solution Suja Sivadasan adds, “Our scalability, ease of deployment and cost-effectiveness offer a new capability that has been previously out of reach for many businesses.”