A Stoke-on-Trent based grounds maintenance company is getting ready for the colder months after investing in two new gritters – boosting its capacity to treat more sites across the area.
Cropper Grounds Maintenance, based at Park Lane in Fenton, has invested £20,000 into the equipment which will allow the firm to carry out its gritting services more efficiently at sites such as hospitals, business parks and schools across Stoke-on-Trent and the Midlands.
The 24 hours a day, seven days a night gritting service was introduced in 2012 to enable it to keep staff on over the quieter winter months, which typically runs from November to March. It can now grit up to 110 sites across the night.
Across Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle, the team already keeps major sites safe in winter — from the Harplands Hospital and Premier Foods to DPD, local schools, the Wedgwood Estate and JCB facilities.
General Manager, Matthew Machin, has worked for Cropper Grounds Maintenance for 14 years after joining when he was aged 21. He said: “We employ 40 people all year round and up to 40 seasonally, so this new equipment will allow us to keep more staff on during winter and be more competitive.
“The company has invested heavily over the past few years and continues to grow, so adding to our fleet and enhancing our gritting service feels really important.
“It’ll increase our efficiency and allow us to be in an even better position when competing for contracts.”
The investment into its gritting service has already seen the company win one recent contract where it will care for 25 to 30 Primary Care centre sites.
The new gritters are set to arrive in the next few weeks ahead of the upcoming colder months.
Matthew added: “We are keen to make long-term investments in equipment and staff in the hope we can continue to grow what we do each year.
“The new equipment is from Yorkshire and we’re always looking at investing in the UK market rather than importing.”
The company originally formed in 2001, offering grounds maintenance services to suit the specific needs of North Staffordshire schools. Since then, the family-owned firm has grown to offer a full range of grounds and sports field maintenance services.
